Articles: low-back-pain.
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The objective of this paper is to examine the outcomes of patients with intractable low-back pain treated with epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizing paddle electrodes and a radio frequency (RF) stimulator. A multicenter prospective study was performed to collect data from patients suffering from chronic low-back pain. The study was designed to collect data from 60 patients at four centers and examine their outcomes at, or up to two years post implantation. ⋯ The majority of patients reported that the procedure was worthwhile (92% at six months, 88% at one year). No patient indicated that the procedure was not worthwhile. We conclude that SCS proved beneficial at one year for the treatment of patients with chronic low back and leg pain.
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A longitudinal study was undertaken to analyse the development of posture and spinal mobility during growth and its relationship to low back pain and sports activities. A total of 90 children were examined at 5-6 years of age and re-examined at 15-16. Sagittal configuration and mobility were measured using Debrunner's kyphometer. ⋯ The results of the study showed that kyphosis and lordosis increased and mobility decreased in the 90 children who were examined both at age 5-6 and 15-16 years. The relationship between kyphosis and lordosis decreased in girls but not in boys. Occasional low back pain was reported by 38% of the children at the age of 15-16 years, but back pain was not related to posture, spinal mobility or physical activity.
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Comparative Study
Electronic diaries for monitoring chronic pain: 1-year validation study.
Electronic data collection for monitoring pain has become increasingly popular in clinical research. However, no direct comparison has been made between electronic diaries and self-report paper diaries or phone interviews. We asked 36 patients with chronic low back pain to monitor their pain for 1 year; 20 of them used both a palmtop computer and paper diaries, and 16 used paper diaries alone. ⋯ Two-way messaging available through the palmtop computer seemed to encourage continued use of the device. Internal consistency of reporting and correlations with phone reports and standardized measures were highly significant, suggesting that data from electronic diaries are both reliable and valid. Patients using electronic diaries preferred them to paper diaries and showed much higher rates of compliance and satisfaction over the 1-year trial.
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J Clin Laser Med Surg · Apr 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEndoscopic foraminoplasty: a prospective study on 250 consecutive patients with independent evaluation.
This study focused on the efficacy of endoscopic decompression of the foramen guided by endoscopic aware-state pain source definition. ⋯ Endoscopic laser foraminoplasty provides a minimalist means of exploring the extraforaminal zone, the foramen, the disc, and the epidural space and performing discectomy, lateral recess decompression, osteophytectomy, and neural mobilization. Performed in the aware state, it serves to identify and localize precisely the causal source of pain in multilevel disc disease, in revision surgery, and in the infirm and elderly without open fusion or decompression.