Rückenschmerz

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Back painSo many questions and still far too few answers

     

Chronischer Rückenschmerz

Background

The aim of the study was to replicate the different reaction groups: “Fröhlicher Durchhalter (FD)” who are characterised by a positive mood and endurance strategies, “Depressiver Durchhalter (DD)” with depressive mood and cognitions to hold on and “Depressiver Vermeider (DV)” who are depressed with social and physical avoidance strategies. The replication was conducted with more feasible methods than the Kiel Pain Inventory (KPI), which had been frequently used in former research. This might effectuate a superior intervention outcome.

Patients/methods

The sample (n=290) consisted of patients after their first nucleotomy at the beginning of the inpatient medical rehabilitation. Selection of the scales was based on cognitive-emotional and behavioural pain characteristics. Therefore 14 scales of generic standardised questionnaires were investigated

Results

The cluster analysis revealed two heterogeneous groups: the FD (n=203, 75.7%) and DV (n=65, 24.3%). MANOVA showed significant differences between both groups (Wilks’ lambda: F (14,253)=30.97; p<.001); especially the emotional pain characteristics were relevant.

Conclusion

The study contributes to the methodological stability of two postulated groups. Thus further research should foster the development of risk-based interventions to evaluate if these groups offer an appropriate differentiation in rehabilitation.     

Hirnmetabolische Veränderungen bei chronischem Rückenschmerz

Background

The manifestation of chronic pain and psychological impairments are related to alterations of neurotransmitter metabolism in cerebral pain processing regions, e.g., anterior cingular cortex (ACC), insula. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) enables in vivo quantification of neurotransmitters in the brain and was applied in this study to examine the hypothesized chronic pain-related imbalance between excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABA-ergic) neurotransmitter turnovers in the brain of patients with nonspecific chronic pain.

Materials and methods

A total of 19 patients with nonspecific chronic (>?3 months) back pain and 19 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. Glutamate and GABA as well as glutamate/GABA ratios were determined in the ACC and insula using ¹H-MRS. Sociodemographic, psychological, and pain-related features were measured with standardized questionnaires.

Results

There was a strong variance of glutamate/GABA ratios for both patients and healthy subjects with no significant difference between the two groups. Regression analysis revealed certain significant predictors, such as anxiety as causal variable for reduced glutamate and depression and age as predictors for reduced GABA in ACC. In the patient group, intensity of pain was a significant predictor for glutamate and GABA levels in the insula.

Conclusions

Despite the uniform diagnosis of nonspecific chronic back pain, we observed a strong variance of neurotransmitters in cerebral pain processing regions. It is necessary to include psychological as well as clinical parameters (e.g., intensity of pain or depression) for a proper interpretation of neurotransmitter turnovers.

     

Körperbild und Rückenschmerz

Background

Many factors seem to be causal for non-specific low back pain and are sometimes controversially discussed. Some years ago the concept of subjective body image attracted attention but due to the inconsistent use of terms and concepts it is difficult to classify publications in the literature. Studies confirmed a difference between the body images of patients with low back pain and healthy controls so that an inclusion of body image concepts could be relevant for causation and therapy.

Objective

This article presents an overview of the current state of research on the association between body image and low back pain and with respect to the allocation of body image in psychosocial concepts of low back pain.

Material and methods

Relevant studies on body image and low back pain were reviewed and are discussed with respect to the different use of terms and concepts of body image. Moreover, an approach for integration of the body image into current psychosocial concepts and therapy of low back pain is presented. Finally, it is discussed whether consideration of the body image could be of value in the therapy of low back pain.

Results

Studies have shown that low back pain patients have a more negative body image compared to healthy controls. There is a lack of studies on clinical evidence for the application and effectiveness of interventions that influence the body image in low back pain.

Conclusion

Further studies are necessary which include body image concepts as a possible psychosocial risk factor, in particular studies on the mechanism of body image procedures.

     

Diskogener Rückenschmerz und degenerative Spinalstenose

Surgery in acute and/or chronic low back pain is still a matter of intensive and controversial discussions. A vast number of minimally invasive or so called semi-invasive procedures have been published in the last 3 decades, but evidence-based data on efficacy and benefit of most of these techniques are still lacking. However, empirical data suggest good or at least satisfactory clinical results for a limited number of procedures if they are applied under restrictive indication criteria. Discogenic low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis belong to the most frequent diagnoses associated with low back pain. This article gives a survey on definitions, indication criteria and modern surgical or semi- invasive techniques used for the treatment of these two pathologic entities. Discogenic low back pain: This clinical and morphological entity is defined as low back pain arising mainly from disc degeneration. Pain generators are usually nociceptors in the cartilaginous endplates, in the outer anulus fibrosus as well as in the periosteum of the vertebral bodies. Clinical symptoms correlate with morphologic changes detected with MR-imaging (modic type I) or with contained disc protrusions mainly without neurological symptoms. Surgery is rarely indicated, spontaneous remissions occur in more than 60% of all cases. Spinal fusion has been the only surgical option in cases which did not respond to conservative therapy. Recently, electro-thermal modulation of the posterior anulus fibrosus has been published as a semi- invasive technique to relieve low back pain generated by fissures in the outer anulus and ingrowing nociceptors (intradiscal electro-thermal therapy, IDET(TM)). First results are promising, however, prospective randomised studies comparing this technique with conservative therapy are still lacking. The same is true for artificial nucleus pulposus replacement using hydrogel cushions implanted in the intervertebral space after removal of the nucleus pulposus from posterior or through an anterior approach (PDN, prosthetic disc nucleus(TM)). In cases with severe disc degeneration total disc replacement is another innovative option (ProDisc(TM)). Two metal endplates with titanium surface coating are implanted through a minimal invasive anterior approach (mini-laparotomy). A polyethylene inlay anchored in the caudal endplate holds the distance between the endplates and preserves the physiological range of motion between the two vertebral bodies. Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal due to degenerative changes of the disc, the facet joints and thickening of the yellow ligament is a geriatric disease which is diagnosed in increasing numbers within the last 10 years. More than 80% of the patients present with low back pain in association with neurogenic claudication. Neurological symptoms at rest are less frequently found. The spontaneous course shows progressive symptoms in more than 50% of all patients. More than 35% of the patients have associated diseases which might influence the perioperative course, complication rates and outcomes of surgery. Surgery is indicated in patients with progressive neurological symptoms, unacceptable decrease of quality of life or progressive intractable pain. In patients with mainly "leg symptoms" microsurgical mono- or multisegmental decompression is the procedure of choice. If low back pain is predominant and associated with degenerative instability such as degenerative spondylolisthesis or lumbar scoliosis, decompression must be combined with instrumented spinal fusion. In general a restrictive indication for surgery must be recommended especially for spinal fusion procedures. Non-fusion techniques such as intradiscal electro thermal therapy or spine arthroplasty with replacement of nucleus pulposus or total disc show promising early results; however, little is known about the long-term effect. It should be a principle to apply surgery in the least invasive way.     

Der anatomische Hintergrund von Rückenschmerz

The central and lateral lumbar canals constitute complex osteofibrous neurovascular tunnels, allowing movement and deformation of the spine without loss of their main configuration. Intervertebral discs play an important role in determining their configuration. Disc degeneration may alter or even threat the functional anatomical relationships between successive adjacent "juncturae" of the vertebral column. Shape and morphometric aspects of the bony neural canals reveal level dependency [39], inter-individual variation [11], and are particularly susceptible for changes with aging [49]. Articular tropism and other left-right differences may influence their morphology. In the epidural compartments behind the vertebral bodies, a sagittal membrane may totally or partly connect the deeper layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) with the posterior midline of the vertebral body. This membrane is considered clinically significant in the prevention of movement of disc material from one side to the other at the level of the vertebral bodies [44]. Meningovertebral ligaments represent a heterogenous group of membranous formations, connecting the dura with the PPL and other elements of the spinal canal. They prevent the dura from moving away from the bony container. These ligaments may vary from loose areolar tissue to clearly individualised ligaments and from pure midsagittal septa to more laterally oriented attachments. A double cross vault structure between the PPL and the dura mater often extends from L3 to the end of the dural envelope [3]. A retrospective study of medial and paramedial attachments in CT- and MRT-scans confirmed the presence of a mediosagittal structure below L3 in 35% of the cases 7). It was hypothesized that meningovertebral ligaments may play a [7] role as a barrier to transverse displacement of extruded disc material [43]. The surrounding morphology renders the lateral neural canal its typical inverted teardrop shape [39]. The subpedicular notch of the upper vertebra provides the widest part and represents the neural foramen strictu sensu. The posterolateral aspect of two articulating vertebrae and the interposed intervertebral disc constitute the anterior wall. The morphology of the anteroinferior aspect of the intervertebral foramen strongly depends on the condition of the apophyseal rings and the intervertebral disc. The latter may show a slight physiological posterior bulging at lower lumbar levels. The posterior wall of the nerve root canal is represented by the ligamentum flavum, the pars interarticularis of the upper vertebra, and the superior articular facet of the vertebra below. Thickening of the ligamentum flavum must be considered in relationship to alterations of anterior components: trabecular reorganization and spreading of vertebrae in aging [49], and disc degeneration [38, 49]. Nerve root sleeves display a level dependent, variable oblique course from their emanation from the thecal sac towards the outer third of the neural canal [39]. The presence of anamalous lumbosacral nerve roots may result in considerable course alterations, originating from an abnormal high or low level emanation, conjoined nerve roots, a double set of nerve roots or anastomosis between nerve roots of adjacent levels [20]. Variation exists in the position of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) relative to the intervertebral foramen. An intraforaminal position seems to be more common at L4 and L5 levels; an intraspinal position has to be expected for the S1 DRG. Intraspinal position of L4 and L5 DRG renders them more susceptible to compression from a superior articular facet or a bulging disc. Cases of extraforaminal positions of dorsal root ganglia have been reported at L4 and L5 levels [22]. On its recurrent course through the lateral canal, the sinuvertebral nerve(s) supplies the laterodorsal outer annulus of the intervertebral disc, the PLL, the anterior 2/3 of the dural sac and the anterior vascular plexus [4, 14]. Many blood vessels pass through the lateral neural canal: the anterior and posterior spinal canal branches, anterior and posterior radicular branches, and veins of the anterior and posterior internal vertebral venous plexus [9]. Per segment, one ore two thick and one to four thin sinuvertebral nerves (SVN) originate from rami communicantes close to the connection of the latter to the spinal nerve [14]. The extensive ramifications of the thin SVNs complete a thorough network at the floor of the central lumbar canal. A large part of it supplies the PLL. The PLL is assumed to play an important role in proprio- and nociception [34, 39]. It is probably one of the first structures to mediate nociceptive information from disc tissue [14]. After injection of neuronal tracers into the sympathetic trunk at L3-L4 in rats, labeled cells were found in higher DRGs as well as labeled nerve fibers in the dura mater at lower levels. These findings indicate both a segmental and a non segmental pathway of sensory innervation of the dura mater and a role of higher DRGs in mediating LBP [25]. In the neighborhood of the SVN, other small branches emanate from the rami communicantes and join the dorsal ramus and the segmental artery that enters the neural canal. The sympathetic nerve plexus inside the anterior longitudinal ligament and the SNVs provide a network of nerve fibers around the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. These pathways explain the sympathetic component of the innervation of a number of spinal structures. The dorsal ramus innervates the facet joints at the corresponding level and one below, before it gives off muscular and cutaneous branches.     

Zentrale Schmerzverarbeitung bei chronischem Rückenschmerz

Introduction

A study of patients with low back pain (LBP) had revealed altered central pain processing. At an equal pain level LBP patients had considerably more neuronal activation in the somatosensory cortices than controls. In a new analysis of this dataset, we further investigated the differences in central pain processing between LBP patients and controls, looking for possible pathogenic mechanisms.

Methods

Central pain processing was studied by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), using equally painful pressure stimuli in a block paradigm. In this study, we reanalyzed the fMRI data to statistically compare pain-elicited neuronal activation of both groups.

Results

Equally painful pressure stimulation resulted in a significantly lower increase of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of the LBP patients. The analysis further revealed a significantly higher increase of rCBF in LBP than in HC in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex and the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (LOFK), elicited by these same stimuli.

Conclusions

These findings support a dysfunction of the inhibitory systems controlled by the PAG as a possible pathogenic mechanism in chronic low back pain.     

Effekte eines interdisziplinären Functional-restoration-Behandlungsprogramms mit kognitiv-behavioraler Therapie beim chronischen Rückenschmerz

Introduction

The efficacy of functional restoration programs for the treatment of chronic back pain is well documented. Nevertheless, there are only a few such centres in Germany and few trials have been conducted in German-speaking regions to demonstrate that implementing such programs in everyday clinical settings with large numbers of patients is just as effective as in a research setting. The present study examined whether the positive effects of such programs can also be observed in the clinically relevant context of a standardized day clinic treatment regimen.

Material and methods

A total of 681 back pain patients in 2 German cities were examined at 4 measurement points (before and immediately after the program, as well as 6 and 12 months after treatment) using a comprehensive questionnaire on perceived pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as the work situation.

Results

In both cities significant and long-term improvements in back pain, pain-related impairment and degree of chronification were observed, as well as a high return-to-work rate after treatment. Hence, the quality of such programs was also confirmed for a large patient population.     

Psychosoziale Faktoren der Schmerzchronifizierung bei Patienten in der stationären orthopädischen Rehabilitation von chronisch unspezifischem Rückenschmerz

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the criterion validity of the Mainz Pain Staging System (MPSS), considering the four axes of the MPSS separately.

Methods and design

Psychological and pain-related impairments were analysed depending on the stage of axis (I, II, III) for each single axis of the MPSS in a consecutive sample of 280 patients with chronic low back pain in orthopaedic inpatient rehabilitation. In addition, the distribution of frequency of clinically significant symptoms in depression, anxiety and somatisation were examined depending on the stage of axis.

Results

For all axes, an increasing stage was associated with greater psychological and pain-related impairments. Particularly patients assigned to stage III on axis 1 (temporal aspects) and 2 (spatial aspects) and patients assigned to stage II on axis 3 (drug intake) and 4 (utilisation of the health care system) showed enhanced psychosocial impairments and more frequently had clinically relevant symptoms in psychological variables.

Conclusion

Findings confirm the criterion validity of the MPSS for chronic low back pain. In addition, results support the significance of psychosocial factors for the further development of chronicity.     

Psychosoziale Risikofaktoren für chronischen Rückenschmerz in der Allgemeingesellschaft und im Leistungssport

Background

Lumbar back pain and the high risk of chronic complaints is not only an important health concern in the general population but also in high performance athletes. In contrast to non-athletes, there is a lack of research into psychosocial risk factors in athletes. Moreover, the development of psychosocial screening questionnaires that would be qualified to detect athletes with a high risk of chronicity is in the early stages. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of research into psychosocial risk factors in both populations and to evaluate the performance of screening instruments in non-athletes.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and PsycINFO were searched from March to June 2016 using the keywords “psychosocial screening”, “low back pain”, “sciatica” and “prognosis”, “athletes”. We included prospective studies conducted in patients with low back pain with and without radiation to the legs, aged ≥18 years and a follow-up of at least 3 months.

Results

We identified 16 eligible studies, all of them conducted in samples of non-athletes. Among the most frequently published screening questionnaires, the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) demonstrated a sufficient early prediction of return to work and the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBT) revealed acceptable performance predicting pain-related impairment. The prediction of future pain was sufficient with the Risk Analysis of Back Pain Chronification (RISC-BP) and the Heidelberg Short Questionnaire (HKF).

Conclusion

Psychosocial risk factors of chronic back pain, such as chronic stress, depressive mood, and maladaptive pain processing are becoming increasingly more recognized in competitive sports. Screening instruments that have been shown to be predictive in the general population are currently being tested for suitability in the German MiSpEx research consortium.

     

Prävention chronischer Rückenschmerzen

Treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is not only expensive, but is frequently not totally effective. For these reasons, it is important that the risk factors that correlate with the development of chronic pain be considered at the early stage of acute low-back pain (ALBP) in order to implement early treatment to prevent the condition from becoming chronic. Although most of the studies in this field suffer from methodological problems, it appears that the ALBP patients who carry the highest risk of becoming chronic are those who report previous pain episodes, who describe their pain as extending over a wide area of their body and as deep and central, who display no objective findings, who suffer from anxiety and depression, and who "always feel sick." The risk in these patients is further increased when they have a lower educational level and are physically inactive. The recommended early treatment includes shorter periods of bed rest, time-contingent rather than pain-contingent medication, aerobic exericises, education in body mechanics, and behavioural training. In light of the need to contain costs, a program for the prevention of chronic back pain can only be provided for those ALBP patients with an increased risk of having CLBP. Further research on the prevention on CLBP is needed.     

Rückenbeschwerden und Wirbelsäulenform

Background

Despite controversial reports in the literature the use of video raster stereography and multivariate procedures leads to a reasonable model of spinal form parameters associated with lower back pain.

Patients and methods

A total of 201 male subjects (no pain: n=113, lower back pain: n=84, facet syndrome: n=4) were examined by means of video raster stereography in a controlled cross-sectional investigation.

Results

Multivariate factor and discriminant analyses revealed spinal form variables which showed significant differences (p<0.01) between pain-free volunteers and back pain patients (e.g. trunk imbalance, lumbar lordosis, trunk inclination). The spinal form in facet syndrome patients did not differ from lower back pain patients but showed specific lumbar curve patterns.

Conclusion

The physiological range of individual variations of spinal shape and individually exposed spinal form deviations associated with lower back pain syndromes hamper a simple differentiation of spinal form findings. Multivariate analyses are helpful to discriminate spinal form variations according to clinical disorders and video raster stereography appears to be useful in the quality management of exercise therapy.     

R��ckenschmerz und Sozialschicht bei Berufst?tigen

Background

Little empirical evidence is available on differential associations between social status indicators and back pain in Germany. This study therefore systematically evaluated associations between different indicators of social status and back pain.

Methods

In total 4,412?employed adults, aged 18 to 65?years participated in a postal survey in 5?regions of Germany. The point prevalence and 1-year prevalence of back pain were assessed as well as the level of disabling back pain. Educational level, professional category and household income served as measures of social status. Associations between social status and back pain have been assessed cross-sectionally using Poisson regression.

Results

Educational level was the best predictor for back pain among the assessed social status indicators. Adults with a low educational level had almost a 4-fold risk of reporting disabling back pain compared to subjects with a high educational level. Associations were highest for disabling back pain and attenuated strongly over the point prevalence towards the 1-year prevalence.

Discussion

Back pain cannot generally be regarded as a symptom of a low social status. However, social inequality is of major importance regarding the prediction of severe back problems. A better understanding of mediating factors is essential for the prevention and therapy.     

Rücken stärken—Konzept und Evaluation einer Rückenschule für den Arbeitsplatz

Introduction

Our knowledge of the risk factors involved in the process by which acute pain becomes chronic has improved. Psychological conceptualizations of chronic pain presently include (1) the pain-tension cycle, with special reference to a diathesis-stress model, (2) the operant conditioning model, and (3) the interrelationship between vulnerability to pain attacks on the one hand and body posture, gait and activities of daily living on the other. With reference to these conceptualizations and to psychological procedures for the enhancement of self-management strategies, a low back school was implemented at the worksite as a preventive measure. The target population is characterized by (1) rare but recurrent pain episodes, (2) mild pain that has had little impact on daily activities, and (3) pain contingent on particular activities or situations.

Low back school

A low back school called “Turn your back on backache” consists of the following elements: (1) analysis of labour conditions and adaptation of the worksite to the person, (2) relaxation and stress management, (3) training of posture, gait, and activities of daily living, and (4) stretching and stengthening of the muscles involved. The programme comprises 12 2-h sessions and is conducted by a physiotherapist according to a manual, after an introduction to self-management procedures including behavioural training for working with groups. For homework, participants are asked to practise the exercises demonstrated.

Method and results

In a preventive context, pain ratings should be of minor importance as an outcome measure. Assuming that future pain is interrelated with present behaviour, changes in behaviour should be the predominant criteria applied to assess the effects of the training. Therefore, as well as assessments of pain episodes and wellbeing, a behavioural observation method based on video-taped behavioural assessment in a standardized situation was used. Course members had to demonstrate a sequence of different activities, including standing and walking, lifting and bending. Each sequence was rated on a four-point scale reflecting the degree to which adequate posture and gait were achieved. The final scale consists of 13 items with an inter-rater-reliability of 0.91 (Cronbach Alpha). The data for 283 persons attending in 31 courses in different industrial and administrative settings was used to evaluate the outcome. A marked decrease in pain episodes and an increase in health status and wellbeing were reported. Behaviour that was learned in the course had been incorporated into everyday activities at the worksite. The behavioural observation method was utilized in a subgroup of this sample who were on the staff of a university hospital. The study used a 2×2 repeated-measures design with the between-subject factor of treatment condition (training vs nontraining) and the within-subject factor of assessment period (pre-treatment=t1, post-treatment=12, 9-month follow-up=t3) allowing for analyses of variance (AN-OVA). Following a matched-pair design, for every person that participated in the training a control person was included in the study to allow control for gender, age, and occupation. This sample consists of 74 pairs and comprises nurses, administration personnel, physicians and physical therapists. Most (80%) are female. So far only 28 pairs have been reassessed at t3. A comparison of the overall scores obtained with the above items before and after treatment demonstrates an extremely significant interaction effect, indicating an increase of adequate behaviours in the treatment group. At the follow-up assessment, the observed effect was maintained.

Conclusions

(1) A back school training for the worksite results in a decreased frequency of back pain episodes and an increase in reported health status and wellbeing. (2) The effects of behavioural training of posture, gait, and activities of daily living in hospital staff are clearly demonstrated by observational methods. (3) Assuming that present posture, gait, and daily activities are interrelated with future pain conditions, an increase in the exercise of adequate behaviours indicates a preventive effect of the back school programme.     

Fragebogen zu Bewältigungsressourcen bei Rückenschmerzen

Background

The coping resources questionnaire for back pain (FBR) uses 12 items to measure the perceived helpfulness of different coping resources (CRs, social emotional support, practical help, knowledge, movement and relaxation, leisure and pleasure, spirituality and cognitive strategies). The aim of the study was to evaluate the instrument in a clinical patient sample assessed in a primary care setting.

Sample and methods

The study was a secondary evaluation of empirical data from a large cohort study in general practices. The 58 participating primary care practices recruited patients who reported chronic back pain in the consultation. Besides the FBR and a pain sketch, the patients completed scales measuring depression, anxiety, resilience, sociodemographic factors and pain characteristics. To allow computing of retested parameters the FBR was sent to some of the original participants again after 6 months (90% response rate). We calculated consistency and retest reliability coefficients as well as correlations between the FBR subscales and depression, anxiety and resilience scores to account for validity. By means of a cluster analysis groups with different resource profiles were formed. Results.

Results

For the study 609 complete FBR baseline data sets could be used for statistical analysis. The internal consistency scores ranged fromα=0.58 to α=0.78 and retest reliability scores were between rTT=0.41 and rTT=0.63. Correlation with depression, fear and resilience ranged from r=-0.38 to r=0.42. The cluster analysis resulted in four groups with relatively homogenous intragroup profiles (high CRs, low spirituality, medium CRs, low CRs). The four groups differed significantly in fear and depression (the more inefficient the resources the higher the difference) as well as in resilience (the more inefficient the lower the difference). The group with low CRs also reported permanent pain with no relief. The groups did not otherwise differ.

Conclusions

The FBR is an economic instrument that is suitable for practical use e.g. in primary care practices to identify strengths and deficits in the CRs of chronic pain patients that can then be specified in face to face consultation. However, due to the rather low reliability, the use of subscales for profile differentiation and follow-up measurement in individual diagnoses is limited.     

Korrelation von Beinlängendifferenzen, Oberkörperstatik und Kondylenposition

Introduction

The present study investigated the effects of a temporarily generated leg length discrepancy on upper body posture and the position of the mandible in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Subjects and methods

A total of 30 subjects with signs of temporomandibular dysfunction confirmed by a manual functional analysis, were analyzed. For the investigation a 3-dimensional back scanner and an electronic registration system were used. To induce an experimental leg length difference 1 cm and 3 cm thick wooden plates was positioned under the right or left legs.

Results

A significant difference between the effects of heightening of the right and left side as well as a relationship between the degree of leg length difference and the change in the individual components of the upper body posture was found. This can be seen especially in the curve of the spine and the hip area. Thus, in all the parameters of upper body posture a 3 cm increase showed greater changes in comparison to a 1 cm leg length difference. Impacts of a leg length discrepancy on both condyle positions of the mandible were not observed.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated the functional interaction of the musculoskeletal system through muscular, neurological and fascial processes. They support the hypothesis of ascending functional links from the foot to the shoulder area and assumed effects in the craniomandibular system. Despite the fact that no significant differences in the condyle position were recognized, intraindividual variations could be observed.     

Komorbidität bei Patienten mit chronischen Rückenschmerzen

BACKGROUND: Studies concerning comorbidity in patients with chronic low back pain and its correlation to the stage of chronification are rare. METHODS: This case-control study (matched-pair analysis) examines the number and specificity of comorbidity as well as the extent of disability due to comorbidity in 51 patients with chronic low back pain compared to age- and sex-matched control persons. Moreover, the correlation of comorbidity and the stage of chronification was analysed in these patients. RESULTS: Patients with chronic low back pain had significantly more comorbidities and a higher disability due to comorbidity compared to the control persons. The higher the stage of chronification according to the Mainz Pain Staging System (MPSS) the higher was the number of comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Comorbidity should be given due consideration when evaluating diagnosis, therapy, prognosis and therapy outcome in patients with chronic low back pain.     

Qualitätsindikatoren für die Versorgung von Patienten mit Rückenschmerzen

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) is an epidemiologically and economically relevant health care problem appropriate for quality assurance approaches. Therefore an expert panel (AQUIK) of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians has proposed three quality indicators (QI) for monitoring the quality of ambulatory care for LBP. The aim of this article is to present and evaluate the proposed QIs.

Material and methods

The three proposed QIs relating to red flags, imaging and sick leave certificates were evaluated with regard to the underpinning evidence, epidemiology and feasibility. Guidelines and original research as well results from surveys and observational studies evaluating adherence to LBP guidelines were used for assessment.

Results

The expert panel concluded that only the recording of red flags is a relevant and feasible QI. Despite a two-stage expert method the epidemiology of LBP, feasibility and existing routine health care data were not sufficiently taken into account. The author’s conclusion differs in two instances. The red flag concept is not sufficiently clinically validated and recordable to be used as a QI. Otherwise imaging is considered a suitable QI given the observed overuse and the availability of billing data.

Conclusion

Deriving valid and pragmatic QI from LBP guidelines for evaluating care for LBP is difficult. The core messages of guidelines are only recommendations with limited precision and transferability to individual patients. For pragmatic reasons definition of an upper or lower proportion of patients receiving a given health care service is recommended instead of tedious individual evaluation. Reasonable estimates can be based on data from research on health care services. Because of this uncertainty QIs should be evaluated before they are used as a steering instrument.