Treatment of a patient with post-natal chronic calf pain utilizing instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization: a case study

Abstract

Musculoskeletal pain is commonly reported by pre- and postnatal women, with the most common complaint being low back pain. However, lower leg pain is also frequently reported by women particularly in the third trimester. The purpose of the case study is to illustrate how instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (ISTM) can be used to treat a patient with a 2-year history of chronic calf pain. The subject was a 35-year-old female who developed calf pain during the last trimester of her pregnancy following severe lower leg edema. The calf pain was present for the 2 years following delivery and was described as a dull ache, typically aggravated by direct pressure on the calf, prolonged standing, and stairs. An X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast, and ultrasound Doppler study prior to referral ruled out tumors, vascular, lymphatic, or skeletal bone abnormalities. However, her MRI did show a dense superficial venous tissue asymmetry in the same location of her symptoms. Impairments were minimal; the only asymmetrical objective findings were calf length, strength, and soft tissue restrictions detected on palpation. After nine treatments incorporating an ISTM approach, soft tissue mobility, pain, calf strength, and lower extremity functional scale score all improved and her symptoms were abolished.     

Utilization of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) for the treatment of lumbar pain in the presence of known lumbar transverse process fractures: a case study

Background: Spinal fractures are typically considered a contraindication to mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT).

Objective and importance: The purpose of this case study is to illustrate how MDT was used safely and effectively to treat lumbar pain in a patient with multiple lumbar transverse process fractures.

Clinical presentation: The subject was a 24-year-old female with left L2-5 transverse process fractures, sustained 10 weeks prior in a pedestrian versus motor vehicle accident.

Intervention (and technique): After collaboration with her physiatrist, an MDT examination revealed a presentation consistent with the lumbar derangement syndrome.

Conclusion: After three visits, utilizing patient generated forces with the extension principle of treatment, her pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, and function all improved.     

The management of bilateral high hamstring tendinopathy with ASTYM® treatment and eccentric exercise: a case report

Abstract

High hamstring tendinopathy (HHT) is an overuse injury that occurs most commonly in runners. The management of HHT is often challenging and the research supporting many interventions is limited. Eccentric exercise has been proven effective in the treatment of various tendinopathies but has not been thoroughly studied with HHT. Soft tissue mobilization, including ASTYM, is often utilized in the treatment of tendinopathies, though there is limited evidence supporting this approach. The purpose of this paper is to present the case of a patient referred to physical therapy with bilateral HHT. The patient was a 41-year-old recreational runner that had an insidious onset of right buttock pain 12 months prior to initiating therapy and left buttock pain 9 months prior. Her primary complaints included an inability to run, pain with prolonged or brisk walking, and pain with sitting on hard surfaces. The patient was treated in physical therapy two times per week for 16 visits with treatment focused on eccentric hamstring strengthening and ASTYM. By her eighth visit, the patient was able to walk 2·5 miles without pain and by her 12 visit, she was able to jog 1 mile before the onset of pain. After 16 visits, the patient reported that she was approximately 95% improved, was able to run 2·5 miles without pain, and had no pain with sitting on hard surfaces. This case suggests that eccentric exercise combined with ASTYM may be an effective treatment for HHT.     

Dry needling in addition to standard physical therapy treatment for sub-acromial pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundTrigger point dry needling interventions are utilized by physical therapists to manage shoulder pain. Observational studies have shown positive short-term outcomes in patients with subacromial pain syndrome receiving trigger point dry needling. However, little research has been done to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of trigger point dry needling specifically as it compares to other commonly utilized interventions such as exercise and manual therapy. The purpose of this study is to assess the additive short and long-term effectiveness of trigger point dry needling to a standard physical therapy approach of manual therapy and exercise for patients with subacromial pain syndrome.MethodsThis multicenter randomized trial with 3 arms was designed following the standard protocol items for randomized interventional trials. Results will be reported consistent with the consolidated standards of reporting trials guidelines. 130 participants will be randomized to receive standard PT interventions alone (manual therapy and exercise), standard PT and trigger point dry needling or standard PT and sham trigger point dry needling. The primary outcome measures will be the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS-57) scores collected at baseline, 6-weeks, 6-months and one year. Healthcare utilization will be collected for 12 months following enrollment and groups analyzed for differences.DiscussionIt is not known if trigger point dry needling provides long-term benefit for individuals with subacromial pain syndrome. This study will help determine if this intervention provides additive benefits over those observed with the commonly applied interventions of exercise and manual therapy.Trial registrationIdentifier: NCT03442894 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03442894) on 22 February 2018.     

Short- and long-term effects of a six-week clinical Pilates program in addition to physical therapy on postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To determine the short- and long-term effectiveness of the application of Clinical Pilates in addition to physical therapy versus a physical therapy treatment alone in a population of postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial with repeated measures and a follow-up period. One hundred and one patients were randomly allocated to a Pilates?+?physical therapy (PPT) group or to a physical therapy (PT) only group for six weeks. Pain and disability were measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index respectively preintervention, after 6 weeks of treatment and after 1-year follow-up. Results: There were significant differences between groups in pain and disability after 6 weeks of treatment, with better results in the PPT group with an effect size of d?=?3.14 and d?=?2.33 for pain and disability. After 1-year follow-up, only PPT group showed better results compared with baseline with an effect size of d?=?2.49 and d?=?4.98 for pain and disability. Conclusion: The results suggest that using Clinical Pilates in addition to physical therapy provides improved results on pain management and functional status for postmenopausal woman with CLBP and that its benefits still linger after one year.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Chronic Low Back Pain could benefit from the Pilates practice in postmenopausal women.

• Improvement in pain and disability derived from CLBP seem to be maintained over time due to Pilates practice.

• Pilates constitutes a safe tool to be applied in older population with CLBP due to its ability to be adapted to every performance and physical level.

     

Use of thoracic spine manipulation in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: a case report

Abstract

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common and disabling shoulder condition seen in physical therapy, and there is no clear consensus as to the best treatment approach. Recently there has been emerging evidence that manual therapy directed at the thoracic spine may be beneficial for patients with shoulder pain; however, this has not been examined specifically in patients with AC. The purpose of this paper is to present the case of 59-year-old female referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of AC. The patient presented with complaints of left shoulder pain and significant limitations in range of motion (ROM) and upper extremity function. The initial treatment included exercises and manual therapy directed at the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints, and after 10 visits only minimal progress had been made. Further examination revealed mobility and ROM deficits in the thoracic spine, and manual therapy directed at this region was incorporated into her treatment. After the first session of thoracic spine manual therapy (TSMT) a 25 degree improvement was noted in active shoulder flexion. After four total visits of TSMT substantial improvements in pain, ROM, and function were noted compared to those made during the first 10 visits. This case adds to the emerging evidence that manual therapy directed at the thoracic spine should be considered for patients with shoulder pain.     

EVALUATION OF A TREATMENT ALGORITHM FOR PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME: A PILOT STUDY

Background:

Treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) has been extensively studied in physical therapy literature. Patients with PFPS demonstrate quadriceps and hip musculature weakness, altered lower extremity (LE) kinematics, and decreased LE flexibility. Psychosocial factors have also been identified as an important factor in patients with PFPS. The authors hypothesize that an ordered approach addressing each of these impairments sequentially will result in greater improvement in PFPS symptoms. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of performing a randomized trial and to determine the sample size necessary to examine the validity of this hypothesis.

Methods:

Patients received a sequential treatment approach using a PFPS treatment algorithm (PFPS Algorithm) designed by the authors. Patients were evaluated assessing psychosocial factors, flexibility, LE kinematics, and LE strength. Impairments that were found in the evaluation were addressed sequentially over the episode of care. Patients were prescribed therapy two times per week for six weeks. Pain, Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS), and Global Rating of Change (GROC) were measured at evaluation and discharge.

Results:

Thirty consecutive patients with PFPS who were referred to physical therapy were enrolled in the pilot study. All phases of the feasibility study including recruitment, treatment protocols and data collection were effectively carried out. One hundred percent of patients treated with the PFPS algorithm who completed the prescribed treatment had a clinically significant improvement in the AKPS and GROC. A floor effect was noted with NPRS with 38% of patients unable to achieve clinically significant improvement.

Conclusions:

With minor changes to the protocol and outcome measures used, a full randomized trial is feasible and merited. Steps must be taken to reduce the high drop‐out rate among both groups.

Level of Evidence:

1b     

Consideration of pelvic floor myofascial release for overactive bladder

IntroductionPhysical therapy has been shown to be effective for women with overactive bladder (OAB). We report on our experience with pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) with or without myofascial release as treatment for women with symptoms of urinary urgency or urge incontinence.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review, of patients who presented to our tertiary care Urogynecology practice. These women were evaluated and treated between August 2016 and December 2016. We abstracted for symptoms as per history of present illness and the pelvic floor muscle examination. PFPT progress notes were reviewed to determine whether patients received myofascial release techniques, or if therapy was limited to behavioral interventions and urge suppression techniques. We recorded the number of PFPT sessions attended, and whether the patient reported improvement.Results77 patients with symptoms of OAB met inclusion criteria and initiated PFPT. Myofascial tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles was found in 56.5% of patients. PFPT was limited to behavioral and urge suppression in 18 patients, while 59 patients received myofascial release techniques. Improvement was reported by 71.4% (n = 55/77) of patients. Improvement increased with number of sessions attended: 1–2: 6% (1/17), 3–5: 94% (16/17), 6–8: 91% (29/32), and >8: 80% (9/11) improved, respectively (p < 0.001). Among patients who had myofascial release, 84.7% reported improvement when compared to only 27.8% of patients without myofascial release.ConclusionsThe data support the inclusion of myofascial release during pelvic floor physical therapy for overactive bladder. At least three sessions of PFPT are necessary for patient reported improvement.     

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.     

Ability of Early Response to Predict Discharge Outcomes With Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective: To determine how well early responses to physical therapy for chronic low back pain predict outcomes at discharge. Methods: A prospective single cohort study of chronic low back pain patients seen at a university spine physical therapy clinic. Self‐reported pain severity on a 100‐mm visual analog scale was measured before each physical therapy visit. The predictive variables were the change in pain score at the second, third, and fourth visits. The first outcome variable was discharge change in pain severity for a correlation analysis. The second outcome variable was a dichotomous variable of whether the subjects had achieved at least a 30% reduction in pain severity at discharge for a discriminant analysis. Results: Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient showed that early responses at the second (r = 0.324, P = 0.02) third (r = 0.342, P = 0.01), and fourth visits (r = 0.615, P < 0.001) were all significantly correlated with discharge change in pain. The discriminant analysis showed that early responses from the second to fourth visits were able to correctly predict 80.4% of the discharge outcomes (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Early responses with physical therapy help predict discharge outcomes for chronic low back pain.     

Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness, pain, paraesthesias, and numbness, which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis. Here, we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARYA 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. However, his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness. An electromyogram was performed. Based on his symptoms, physical examination, and electromyogram, he was diagnosed with GBS. After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) therapy, he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias. He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSIONGBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder, even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.     

Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on nonspecific low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundFurther research on pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) effects on the different conditions of low back pain was warranted due to lack of studies in this area.ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy with 50 Hz frequency, with low intensity of 20 Gauss compared to conventional non-invasive treatment modalities in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.MethodsDesign – A prospective, randomized, patient-blinded, controlled trial. Setting – The study was conducted at Outpatient Physiotherapy Clinic in Cairo, Egypt. The study was conducted between May 2015 and September 2016. Participants – Fifty participants with non-specific low back pain enrolled into experimental and control groups. Interventions – The experimental group received the Conventional physical therapy Protocol as well as magnetic field, while the control group received the same Conventional physical therapy and sham electromagnetic field. Both groups received 12 sessions over 4 weeks’ period. Outcome measures – Primary outcome measures was pain intensity while the secondary outcome measures were disability and lumbar range of motion – ROM. There were no adverse events occurred during the study.ResultsFifty participants with non-specific low back pain (control group n = 25; experimental group n = 25) were randomized. There were significant between-group differences in pain scores (mean difference – MD 1.52; 95%CI −0.34 to 3.35), function disability (MD 8.14; 95%CI 6.5 to 9.96), Range of Motion (ROM) of lumbar flexion (MD −1.27; 95%CI −1.09 to −1.45), ROM of lumbar extension (MD −1.1; 95%CI −0.97 to −1.23), ROM of lumbar right side bending (MD 8.2; 95%CI 6.56 to 9.84) and ROM of lumbar left side bending (MD 10.4; 95%CI 8.81 to 11.99) in favour of the experimental group.ConclusionAdding pulsed electromagnetic field to Conventional physical therapy Protocol yields superior clinical improvement in pain, functional disability, and lumbar ROM in patients with non-specific low back pain than Conventional physical therapy alone.