Differential diagnosis of shoulder and cervical pain: a case report

Patients are frequently referred to physical therapy with the diagnosis of shoulder and arm pain. During examination and evaluation of the patient, the physical therapist must consider all potential causes of the patient’s symptoms. Three questions are used as the conceptual basis for a diagnosis-based clinical decision rule in the management of mechanical and non-mechanical musculoskeletal pain when addressing the differential diagnosis of a patient’s condition. This single patient case report describes the use of these three questions in the differential diagnosis of shoulder and arm pain. A 44-year-old male was referred with a diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome. Each of the three questions for differential diagnosis was addressed, and clinical tests and examination findings were used to differentiate the origin of the patient’s symptoms. The intervention provided is outlined along with the patient’s response to the different treatment strategies provided. This case identifies the need for a systematic method of differential diagnosis so that patients are appropriately managed.     

Neurodynamic exercises provide no additional benefit to extension-oriented exercises in people with chronic low back-related leg pain and a directional preference: A randomized clinical trial

BackgroundChronic low back-related leg pain may involve mixed pain mechanisms. A strategy to address both neuropathic and nociceptive pain symptoms would be combining treatments.ObjectiveTo assess the effects of adding neurodynamic exercises to extension-oriented exercises in patients with chronic low back-related leg pain and a directional preference.DesignTwo arm, single blind, randomized clinical trial.MethodEligible participants were aged between 18 and 65 years, had low back pain radiating below gluteus for at least 3 months, pain intensity greater than 3 points in the numerical pain rating scale, positive SLR test and a directional preference for lumbar extension movements. Thirty-one participants were randomly allocated into one of two groups: extension-oriented exercises (EE) or extension exercises plus neurodynamic exercises (EEN). Primary outcomes were leg pain intensity and function at 3 weeks. Secondary outcomes were low back pain intensity, disability, global perceived effect and quality of life at 3 weeks and at 1 month.ResultsRetention rate was 100% (n = 14) in EE and 94% (n = 16) in EEN for primary outcome analysis. There was no between-group difference for the primary outcomes and for low back pain intensity, GPE and quality of life at 3 weeks. For some outcomes, EE was superior to EEN.ConclusionsWe found no benefits in adding neurodynamic exercises to extension-oriented exercises for patients with nerve-related leg pain and a directional preference. As this study has a small and very specific sample, results may be interpreted with caution.     

Classification, intervention, and outcomes for a person with lumbar rotation with flexion syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the classification, intervention, and outcomes for a patient with lumbar rotation with flexion syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 22-year-old man with a medical diagnosis of low back strain. Impairments in lumbar flexion and right rotation and lateral bending were identified. Daily activities and positions associated with these actions were associated with increased low back pain (LBP). Instruction focused on modifying lumbar rotation and flexion movements and alignments in daily activities. Exercises to address the direction-specific impairments were prescribed. OUTCOMES: The patient participated in 4 visits and completed a questionnaire 1 year after intervention. The patient reported a decrease in symptoms, disability, and frequency of recurrences. DISCUSSION: Repetition of specific strategies (alignment and movement) during activities may result in specific impairments that contribute to LBP. Modification of the strategies and exercises to change contributing factors are proposed to help alleviate symptoms, disability, and recurrences.     

Differential diagnosis and early management of rapidly progressing hip pain in a 59-year-old male

Objective and importance

Rapidly progressing degeneration of the hip joint is an uncommon condition presenting to physical therapy. Differential diagnosis can often be difficult, as clinical and radiographic findings do not always coincide leaving clinicians with difficult decision making regarding course of treatment. The purpose of this case report was to describe the differential diagnosis and early management of a patient with rapidly progressing hip pain.

Clinical presentation

A 59-year-old male with a complicated medical history was referred with a diagnosis of severe bilateral hip osteoarthritis. Clinical presentation of insidious onset, severe bilateral groin and anterior thigh pain with rapid progression of functional decline lead to the differential diagnosis of bilateral avascular necrosis.

Intervention

The patient received seven manual physical therapy sessions over the course of one month.

Conclusion

During this time, the patient’s Lower Extremity Functional Scale score worsened from 33 to 21. The persistence of the patient’s painful symptoms and continued functional decline helped determine cessation of manual therapy and referral back to his GP for further diagnostic testing and eventual correct diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of monitoring patient prognosis using outcome measures leading to a change in patient management strategies.     

Thoraco lumbar junction syndrome: a case report

This case report describes a 46-year-old female who experienced symptoms of low back pain with pain radiating into the right gluteal area. Initial intervention addressed mechanical dysfunction at the lumbosacral junction. Reduction in symptoms was observed following manual therapy procedures that addressed the lumbosacral junction; however, the right gluteal pain persisted with recurrence of back pain. Subsequent examination revealed non-neutral dysfunction at the thoracolumbar junction. Treatment was continued with manual therapy procedures that addressed facet restriction and soft tissue dysfunction in the thoracolumbar junction. A marked relief in symptoms was reported thereafter, with a decrease in right gluteal pain and improved functional ability. The anatomical and clinical relevance to this scenario is described. The thoracolumbar junction is described as a predominant contributor to the symptomatology. Its complementary role to the lumbosacral junction is enumerated.     

The Effects of Manual Therapy Using Joint Mobilization and Flexion-distraction Techniques on Chronic Low Back Pain and Disc Heights

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of manual therapy using joint mobilization and flexion-distraction techniques on chronic low back pain and disc heights. [Subjects] This study was conducted with 31 chronic low back pain patients who were divided into a manual therapy group (MTG; n=16) and a spinal decompression therapy group (SDTG; n=15). [Methods] The MTG was treated using joint mobilization techniques and flexion-distraction techniques, and the SDTG was treated using spinal decompression therapeutic apparatuses. Conservative physical therapy was used in both groups, and the therapy was implemented three times per week for 6 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure patient’s low back pain scores, and a picture archiving and communication system was used to measure disc height by comparing and analyzing the images. [Results] In comparisons of the VAS within each of the two groups, both the MTG and the SDTG showed significant decreases. In comparisons of disc height within each of the two groups, the MTG showed statistically significant increases. [Conclusion] Manual therapy using joint mobilization techniques and flexion-distraction techniques is considered an effective intervention for addressing low back pain and disc heights in patients with chronic low back pain.Key words: Manual therapy, Joint mobilization techniques, Spinal decompression therapy     

Physical therapist management of a patient with acute low back pain and elevated fear-avoidance beliefs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Elevated fear-avoidance beliefs are believed to be a precursor of chronic disability, yet effective intervention options have not been described in the literature. The purpose of this case report is to describe physical therapist management of a patient with acute low back pain and elevated fear-avoidance beliefs. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 42-year-old sales manager with acute low back pain. The patient had no previous history of activity-limiting low back pain and initially had limitations in straight leg raising, limitations in lumbar movement, and elevated fear-avoidance beliefs. INTERVENTION: Treatment-based classification and graded exercise were used. OUTCOME: Disability, fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain decreased 4 weeks after starting physical therapy. Six months later, disability and fear-avoidance beliefs had increased, but were still improved when compared with the initial measurements. DISCUSSION: Disability and fear-avoidance beliefs improved following a fear-avoidance-based physical therapy intervention. Research is warranted to investigate the effectiveness of this approach.     

Clinical decision making in a patient with secondary hip-spine syndrome

The prevalence of lumbar and hip pathology is on the rise; however, treatment outcomes have not improved, highlighting the difficulty in identifying and treating the correct impairments. The purpose of this case report is to describe the clinical decision making in the examination and treatment of an individual with secondary hip-spine syndrome. Our case study was a 62-year-old male with low back pain with concomitant right hip pain. His Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was 18%, back numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was 4/10, fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) work subscale was 0, FABQ physical activity subscale was 18, and patient specific functional scale (PSFS) was 7.33. Physical examination revealed findings consistent with secondary hip-spine syndrome. He was treated for four visits with joint mobilization/manipulation and strengthening exercises directed at the hip. At discharge, all standardized outcome measures achieved full resolution. Clinical decision making in the presence of lumbopelvic-hip pain is often difficult. Previous literature has shown that some patients with lumbopelvic-hip pain respond favorably to manual therapy and exercise targeting regions adjacent to the lumbar spine. The findings of this case report suggest that individuals with a primary complaint of LBP with hip impairments may benefit from interventions to reduce hip impairments.     

An unusual extraspinal cause of bilateral leg pain.

Low back pain with pain radiating to the lower extremities is common in patients referred to a spine center. Lumbar spine pathology is commonly the etiology of such symptoms, but extraspinal causes of back and leg pain can manifest as a radicular disorder. Extraspinal etiologies must be considered in the workup of back and leg pain. This report describes an unusual case of spontaneously occurring bilateral femoral neck stress fractures presenting as low back pain with seemingly bilateral L4 radicular symptoms.     

Short-term response of hip mobilizations and exercise in individuals with chronic low back pain: a case series

Study design

A case series of consecutive patients with chronic low back pain.

Background and purpose

In patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), the importance of impairments at the hip joints is unclear. However, it has been postulated that impairments at the hip joints may contribute to CLBP. The purpose of this case series was to investigate the short-term outcomes in patients with CLBP managed with impairment-based manual therapy and exercise directed at the hip joints.

Methods

Eight consecutive patients (mean age: 43·9 years) with a primary report of CLBP (>6 months) without radiculopathy were treated with a standardized approach of manual physical therapy and exercise directed at bilateral hip impairments for a total of three sessions over approximately 1 week. At initial examination, all patients completed a numeric rating pain scale (NPRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), and patient-specific functional scale (PSFS). At the second and third treatment sessions, each patient completed all outcome measures as well as the Global Rating of Change (GROC).

Results

Five of the eight (62·5%) patients reported ‘moderately better’ or higher (>+4) on the GROC at the third session, indicating a moderate improvement in self-reported symptoms. These five individuals also experienced a 24·4% reduction in ODI scores.

Discussion

This case series suggests that an impairment-based approach directed at the hip joints may lead to improvements in pain, function, and disability in patients with CLBP. A neurophysiologic mechanism may be a plausible explanation regarding the clinical outcomes of this study. A larger, well-controlled trial is needed to determine the potential effectiveness of this approach with patients with CLBP.     

The addition of neurodynamic exercises to extension-oriented exercises among patients with chronic back-related leg pain: A study protocol

BackgroundPatients with back-related leg pain exhibit nociceptive and neuropathic characteristics. Few studies have investigated the combination of interventions considering these characteristics.ObjectivesTo investigate if the addition of neurodynamic exercises (EEN) to extension-oriented exercises (EE) promotes additional benefits in individuals with back-related leg pain and a directional preference.MethodsPatients will be randomized to either EE or EEN. Patients from both groups will receive 7 sessions over 3 weeks. Low back and leg pain, function, quality of life, disability, and global perceived effect will be evaluated at baseline, 3 weeks after randomization and 1-month follow-up. A linear mixed model will be used for outcomes analysis.     

Efficacy of manual therapy.

The use of manual therapy to treat somatic pain syndromes and associated disabilities is widespread. Yet, the efficacy of manual therapy has not been previously established because equivocal findings in the literature prevent definitive conclusions. The purposes of this article are (1) to establish objective criteria for judging the validity of manual therapy research, (2) to identify and discuss the results of those trials that were determined to be valid demonstrations of treatment efficacy or valid demonstrations of nonuseful therapy, and (3) to determine whether patients who benefit from manual therapy have common characteristics. The abstracts or full reports of 146 titles with appropriate key words were reviewed. Of these, 105 studies were not primary studies of manual therapy and were thus eliminated from review. In the 41 remaining studies, 18 did not utilize statistical comparisons or report blinded assessment of outcome measures. Nine controlled studies yielded negative results, but the statistical power or minimum sample size required to detect potential differences between manual therapy and control groups was not described. The 14 studies that met the efficacy criteria were categorized by the following factors: (1) the anatomical region of intervention, (2) pragmatic versus explanatory goals, and (3) primary intervention (manipulation, mobilization, combination). There was a paucity of valid explanatory research in all areas and a particular absence of controlled trials involving manual therapy applied to the peripheral joints. Manual therapy for low back pain, however, was studied extensively. The analysis of valid trials provided clear evidence that manual therapy, particularly manipulation, can be an effective modality when used to treat patients who have low back pain. A preliminary "profile" of the patient with low back pain who would likely benefit from manual therapy included acute symptom onset with less than a 1-month duration of symptoms, central or paravertebral pain distribution, no previous exposure to spinal manipulation, and no pending litigation or workers' compensation. Suggestions for future manual therapy research are discussed.     

1例腹部伤口全层裂开患者经空肠造口行肠内营养的护理

总结1例腹部切口全层裂开患者经空肠造口行肠内营养的护理。护理要点：积极进行全身抗感染治疗,动态评估伤口,负压冲洗引流渗液;造口及周围皮肤管理,预防潮湿相关性皮炎;全程营养风险评估,经空肠造口行肠内营养;采用多模式镇痛,减轻患者疼痛症状;开展阶段性心理干预,正性引导患者认识疾病;制订出院指导手册,坚持全程随访计划。经91 d精心治疗与护理患者伤口完全愈合,居家期间完全肠内营养,营养状况良好,行造口还纳术,效果显著,患者满意。     

Mechanisms-based classifications of musculoskeletal pain: part 2 of 3: symptoms and signs of peripheral neuropathic pain in patients with low back (± leg) pain

As a mechanisms-based classification of pain 'peripheral neuropathic pain' (PNP) refers to pain arising from a primary lesion or dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms and signs associated with an assumed dominance of PNP in patients attending for physiotherapy have not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to identify symptoms and signs associated with a clinical classification of PNP in patients with low back (± leg) pain. Using a cross-sectional, between-subjects design; four hundred and sixty-four patients with low back (± leg) pain were assessed using a standardised assessment protocol. Patients' pain was assigned a mechanisms-based classification based on experienced clinical judgement. Clinicians then completed a clinical criteria checklist specifying the presence or absence of various clinical criteria. A binary logistic regression analysis with Bayesian model averaging identified a cluster of two symptoms and one sign predictive of PNP, including: 'Pain referred in a dermatomal or cutaneous distribution', 'History of nerve injury, pathology or mechanical compromise' and 'Pain/symptom provocation with mechanical/movement tests (e.g. Active/Passive, Neurodynamic) that move/load/compress neural tissue'. This cluster was found to have high levels of classification accuracy (sensitivity 86.3%, 95% CI: 78.0-92.3; specificity 96.0%, 95% CI: 93.4-97.8; diagnostic odds ratio 150.9, 95% CI: 69.4-328.1). Pattern recognition of this empirically-derived cluster of symptoms and signs may help clinicians identify an assumed dominance of PNP mechanisms in patients with low back pain disorders in a way that might usefully inform subsequent patient management.     

Novel use of a manual therapy technique and management of a patient with peroneal tendinopathy: a case report

Peroneal tendinopathy is an uncommon but underappreciated source of lateral hindfoot pain and dysfunction. There is a paucity of literature describing optimal intervention for those suffering with pain secondary to peroneal tendinopathy. The purpose of this case report is to describe the evaluation and treatment incorporating manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for a patient diagnosed with peroneal tendinopathy. The patient was a 50 year-old female with a history of chronic lateral ankle pain and whose presentation was consistent with peroneal tendinopathy. Despite attempts to improve pain and function with over-the-counter orthotics, manual therapy to a hypomobile talocrural joint, and strengthening of the peroneal tendons, successful response was not reported until a lateral calcaneal glide was added. Improvement in impairments (pain, talocrural dorsiflexion, unilateral heel raises, and Star Excursion Balance Test) and function (Lower Extremity Functional Scale and Global Rating of Change), were observed over a course of eight visits. The patient was able to return to work and her recreational work out routine without limitations. In conclusion a successful physical therapy intervention for a patient with peroneal tendinopathy included a unique manual therapy technique, the lateral calcaneal glide, in conjunction with other manual therapy techniques and a structured home exercise program.     

Rehabilitation of a Female Dancer with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Applying Concepts of Regional Interdependence in Practice

Due to complex movements and high physical demands, dance is often associated with a multitude of impairments including pain of the low back, pelvis, leg, knee, and foot. This case report provides an exercise progression, emphasizing enhancement of strength and neuromuscular performance using the concept of regional interdependence in a 17 year old female dancer with patellofemoral pain syndrome.