Articles: low-back-pain.
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Piriformis syndrome is an often misdiagnosed cause of sciatica, leg, or buttock pain, and disability. The sciatic nerve may be compressed within the buttock by the piriformis muscle, with pain increased by muscular contraction, palpation, or prolonged sitting. ⋯ Diagnostic testing may be used to differentiate piriformis syndrome from other causes of sciatica, lower extremity weakness, and pain. This article reviews the pathophysiology and management of piriformis syndrome.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 1996
Review Comparative StudyRandomized controlled trials in industrial low back pain relating to return to work. Part 2. Discogenic low back pain.
The purpose of this review was to determine the efficacy of treatments for discogenic low back pain (LBP) by examining all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of discogenic LBP published in the English language literature between 1975 and 1993 with "return to work" (RTW) as the end point. From more than 4,000 LBP citations, nearly 600 articles were initially reviewed; 35 studies met our selection criteria. Twenty-two studies were discussed in Part 1 (Acute Interventions) or will be discussed in Part 3 (Chronic Interventions). ⋯ The treatments assessed included chemonucleolysis, surgical discectomy, and epidural steroid injection. A 26-point system to assess the quality of methodologic rigor was used for each article. Our literature survey found a need for additional studies comparing surgery, conservative care, epidural steroids, traction, and other approaches to determine their individual effects for RTW after discogenic disease.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Oct 1996
Meta AnalysisThe effectiveness of chiropractic for treatment of low back pain: an update and attempt at statistical pooling.
To determine the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for patients with low back pain by means of a systematic review of the literature. ⋯ There is certainly a need for correctly executed trials. In future research on the effectiveness of chiropractic, guidelines for uniform execution and reporting of RCTs should first be established to enable subsequent statistical pooling in systematic reviews of chiropractic trials.
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Review
Functional restoration. Returning patients with chronic low back pain to work--revolution or fad?
A review was performed to assess the basis for functional restoration programs in returning patients with chronic low back pain to work. ⋯ Further clinical trials based on sound methodology are needed.