Articles: low-back-pain.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2006
Disability associated with low back pain in Mulago Hospital, Kampala Uganda.
Low back pain is sufficiently disabling and a common cause of disability particularly during the productive middle years of adult life. Disability implies interference with daily activities. ⋯ Our results confirm that low back pain is a significant cause of disability affecting the productive middle years of adult life and causes significant disruption of daily activities including sleep and sex. The cost of lost work time, compensation and treatment for our setting is a knowledge gap that should be filled by further study. There is need for a community-based study to ascertain extent of the problem in at a wider population level.