Articles: low-back-pain.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2006
Comparative StudyAre lumbar repositioning errors larger among patients with chronic low back pain compared with asymptomatic subjects?
To resolve the debate over whether lumbar repositioning acuity is reduced in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) by using a study design and methodology to minimize the effects of potential confounders. ⋯ We suggest that sensorimotor dysfunctions in CLBP should be evaluated with methods other than repositioning tests in order to generate data relevant to the development of rational diagnostic methods and rehabilitation programs.
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Bertolotti's syndrome is characterised by anomalous enlargement of the transverse process(es) of the most caudal lumbar vertebra which may articulate or fuse with the sacrum or ilium and cause isolated L4/5 disc disease. We analysed the elective MR scans of the lumbosacral spine of 769 consecutive patients with low back pain taken between July 2003 and November 2004. Of these 568 showed disc degeneration. ⋯ The overall incidence of Bertolotti's syndrome in our study was 4.6% (35 of 769). It was present in 11.4% (20 patients) of the under-30 age group. Our findings suggest that Bertolotti's syndrome must form part of a list of differential diagnoses in the investigation of low back pain in young people.
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To report the middle term results of partial coccygectomy in a consecutive series of 15 patients with chronic coccygodynia. ⋯ Partial coccygectomy is a good therapeutic option for posttraumatic coccygodynia. Dynamic radiography is a useful tool to differentiate posttraumatic from idiopathic coccygodynia. MRI may be useful for further evaluation of the patients after inconclusive dynamic radiography.
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Prospective study. ⋯ In the patient group examined, the presence of common "structural abnormalities" on MRI had no significant negative influence on the outcome after therapy.
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Clinical Trial
A gold standard evaluation of the "discogenic pain" diagnosis as determined by provocative discography.
This is a prospective study of the validity of a positive test result in provocative lumbar discography for the diagnosis of "discogenic pain." ⋯ Positive discography was not highly predictive in identifying bona fide isolated intradiscal lesions primarily causing chronic serious LBP illness in this first study comparing discography results to a gold standard.