Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur Spine J 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Department of Computing Science, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Purpose: Artificial intelligence algorithms can now identify hidden data patterns within the scientific literature. In 2019, these algorithms identified a thermoelectric material within the pre-2009 chemistry literature; years before its discovery in 2012. This approach inspired us to apply this algorithm to the back pain literature as the cause of back pain remains unknown in 90% of cases. Read More

Technol Health Care 2020 May 9. Epub 2020 May 9.

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.

Background: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) can cause abnormal posture, muscle and/or joint pains, which leads to walking difficulties. The common treatment is to use a shoe lift on the shorter leg side, but this has unsatisfying results.

Objective: Through research and development, we created 3D printing orthotic insoles for LLD patients and aimed to improve their symptoms. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2020 May 20;20(10). Epub 2020 May 20.

Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Engineering Innovation Center, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788 Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The successful clinical application of patient-specific personalized medicine for the management of low back patients remains elusive. This study aimed to classify chronic nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) patients using our previously developed and validated wearable inertial sensor (SHARIF-HMIS) for the assessment of trunk kinematic parameters. One hundred NSLBP patients consented to perform repetitive flexural movements in five different planes of motion (PLM): 0° in the sagittal plane, as well as 15° and 30° lateral rotation to the right and left, respectively. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 May 20;21(10). Epub 2020 May 20.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, NY 14623, USA.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a multifactorial pathological process associated with low back pain, the leading cause of years lived in disability worldwide. Key characteristics of the pathological changes connected with degenerative disc disease (DDD) are the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), apoptosis and senescence, as well as inflammation. The impact of nonphysiological mechanical stresses on IVD degeneration and inflammation, the mechanisms of mechanotransduction, and the role of mechanosensitive miRNAs are of increasing interest. Read More

Neuroimage 2020 May 18:116969. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a prevalent disorder. A growing body of evidence linking the pathology of the reward network to chronic pain suggests that pain sensitization may contribute to cLBP chronification via disruptions of mesocortical and mesolimbic circuits in the reward system. Resting-state (RS) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data was acquired from 90 patients with cLBP and 74 matched pain-free controls (HCs) at baseline and after a manipulation for back pain intensification. Read More

Front Neurosci 2020 30;14:385. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a complex and growing global health problem in need of more effective pain management strategies. Spinal mobilization (SM) is a non-pharmacological approach recommended by most clinical guidelines for LBP, but greater utilization and treatment optimization are hampered by a lack of mechanistic knowledge underlying its hypoalgesic clinical effects.

Methods: Groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats received unilateral trunk (L5 vertebral level) injections (50 μl) of either vehicle (phosphate-buffer solution, PBS; VEH) or nerve growth factor (NGF; 0. Read More

J Biomech 2020 May 18;105:109795. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, the Netherlands.

The number one cause of disability in the world is low-back pain, with mechanical loading as one of the major risk factors. To reduce mechanical loading, exoskeletons have been introduced in the workplace. Substantial reductions in back muscle activity were found when using the exoskeleton during static bending and manual materials handling. Read More

Am J Clin Exp Immunol 2020 15;9(2):6-9. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

School of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University of Tehran Tehran, Iran.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common complication that patients referred to dermatologist, also there are medications to manage of this such as isotretinoin, and incidence of low back pain in these patients is more than general population, so in this study we aimed to evaluate of Incidence of low back pain and sacroiliitis in military families with acne vulgaris under isotretinoin therapy.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 113 acne vulgaris patients treated with isotretinoin (at least 3 months) referred to dermatology clinic of Imam Reza Hospital of Army Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran during 2018 to 2019. All data of patients such as dosage and duration of medication, severity of acne, incidence of low back pain, sacroiliitis and inflammatory back pain and lab data were recorded. Read More

Work 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, ON, Canada.

Background: Patient handling activities require caregivers to adopt postures that increase the risk of back injury. Training programs relying primarily on didactic methods have been shown to be ineffective in reducing this risk. The use of real-time biofeedback has potential as an alternative training method. Read More

Clin Med (Lond) 2020 May;20(3):e24-e25

Aakash Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Presence of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) B27 in a patient with lower-back pain should not be considered synonymous with axial spondyloarthritis. Other causes of back pain should be ruled-out by careful evaluation. Lumbosacral transitional vertebra is a common congenital malformation of spine which frequently leads to mechanical back pain. Read More

J Occup Rehabil 2020 May 14. Epub 2020 May 14.

Faculty of Science, Methodology and Applied Biostatistics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Purpose Determinants of successfully introducing passive exoskeletons in the working environment to decrease mechanical loading on the back, are acceptability of the device to management and employees, including self-efficacy of employees when using the device. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess self-efficacy of employees with low-back pain when using an exoskeleton and the acceptability of such a device to these employees and their managers. Methods We used a mixed method approach. Read More

Eur Cell Mater 2020 May 12;39:211-226. Epub 2020 May 12.

Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.

Back pain is a leading cause of global disability associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) pathologies. Discectomy alleviates disabling pain caused by IVD herniation without repairing annulus fibrosus (AF) defects, which can cause accelerated degeneration and recurrent pain. Biological therapies show promise for IVD repair but developing high-modulus biomaterials capable of providing biomechanical stabilisation and delivering biologics remains an unmet challenge. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 May 8;21(1):288. Epub 2020 May 8.

Spine Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166 Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Sungnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea.

Background: Risk factors for unfavorable surgical outcomes are dependent on the definitions of the unfavorable surgical outcomes. The aims of this study were to compare risk factors for each unfavorable surgical outcome according to two different definitions of "unfavorable" surgical outcomes after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) as well as compare the clinical course from the preoperative period to 3 years postoperatively between cases with favorable and unfavorable outcomes according to the two different definitions.

Methods: Overall, 295 patients who underwent spine surgery for LSS and a follow-up evaluation at 3 years postoperatively were enrolled and divided into favorable and unfavorable groups, based on two different definitions for unfavorable surgical outcomes, as evaluated at 12 months postoperatively: the patient-reported outcome (PRO) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) methods. Read More

Mod Rheumatol 2020 May 22:1-9. Epub 2020 May 22.

Istitute of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.

The term 'vacuum phenomenon' (VP), is characterized by gas-like density areas due to a rapid increase in the joint space volume ('acute VP') or represent a chronic gas collection. It can occur within a collapsed vertebral body, the spinal canal, joints but mainly the intervertebral disc. Studies support that VP is originated by a dynamic process involving the balance between tissues' liquid and gaseous components, influenced by the duration and the depth of mechanical and metabolic alterations, by the nature of neighboring tissues and the variability in both pressure and permeability of disc or vertebral or joint structures. Read More

JBJS Essent Surg Tech 2020 Jan-Mar;10(1). Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Spondylolysis, defined as injury to the pars interarticularis, is the most common identifiable cause of back pain in children. Historically, treatment has primarily been nonoperative, including physical therapy, activity modification, and occasionally bracing. In instances in which the condition is refractory to nonoperative management, however, surgical treatment may be an efficacious alternative. Read More

Neuroradiology 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

Neuroendovascular Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

Study Design: Prospective experimental uncontrolled trial.

Background: Lumbar microinstability (MI) is a common cause of lower back pain (LBP) and is related to intervertebral disc degeneration that leads to inability to adequately absorb applied loads. The term "microinstability" has recently been introduced to denote a specific syndrome of biomechanical dysfunction with minimal anatomical change. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 Apr 16. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Objectives: Bone marrow oedema (BMO) on MRI of sacroiliac joints (SIJs) represents a hallmark of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), yet such lesions may also occur under augmented mechanical stress in healthy subjects. We therefore sought to delineate the relationship between pregnancy/delivery and pelvic stress through a prospective study with repeated MRI. Results were matched with maternal, child and birth characteristics. Read More

Chiropr Man Therap 2020 Mar 23;28(1):15. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Corbett Hall, 8205 114 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G4, Canada.

Introduction: In individuals having low back pain, the application of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has been shown to reduce spinal stiffness in those who report improvements in post-SMT disability. The underlying mechanism for this rapid change in stiffness is not understood presently. As clinicians and patients may benefit from a better understanding of this mechanism in terms of optimizing care delivery, the objective of this scoping review of current literature was to identify if potential mechanisms that explain this clinical response have been previously described or could be elucidated from existing data. Read More

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020 Jul 1;107:103752. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Haus Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India. Electronic address:

Intervertebral Disc (IVD) Degeneration is one of the primary causes of low back pain among the adult population - the most significant cause being the degradation of aggrecan present in the extra-fibrillar matrix (EFM). Aggrecan degradation is closely associated with loss of water content leading to an alteration in the mechanical behaviour of the IVD. The loss in water content has a significant impact on the chemo-mechanical interplay of IVD biochemical constituents at the fundamental level. Read More

J Lasers Med Sci 2020 15;11(2):120-125. Epub 2020 Mar 15.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Low back pain (LBP) is a very common musculoskeletal disorder. The big burden of disease necessitates investigating a more effective modality of treatments with more persistence and also fewer side effects. Low power laser has been proved as a pain reducing modality, but there is a lack of studies comparing it with other treatments and also among the Iranian race and society. Read More

J Orthop Res 2020 Apr 7. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Low back pain is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. The degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) environment contains pathologically high levels of inflammatory cytokines and acidic pH hypothesized to contribute to back pain by sensitizing nociceptive neurons to stimuli that would not be painful in healthy patients. We hypothesized that the degenerative IVD environment drives discogenic pain by sensitizing nociceptive neurons to mechanical loading. Read More

Asian Spine J 2020 Apr 8. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

Sunshine Medical Academy of Research and Training, Sunshine Hospitals, Secunderabad, India.

Study Design: Developing an in vitro model for assessing the anti-inflammatory properties of curvularin.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of natural fungal macrolactone as a therapeutic drug against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in primary human nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in vitro.

Overview Of Literature: Lumbar disk disease is a common cause of lower back pain (LBP) and sciatica. Read More

Neurospine 2020 Mar 31;17(1):69-76. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Objective: Rabbit annulus fibrosus (AF) cells were exposed to isolated or combined mechanical and inflammatory stress to examine the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY). This study aims to explore the ability of AF cells to produce NPY in response to mechanical and inflammatory stress.

Methods: Lumbar AF cells of 6- to 8-month-old female New Zealand white rabbits were harvested and exposed to combinations of inflammatory (interleukin-1β) and mechanical (6% or 18%) tensile stress using the Flexcell System. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2020 Apr 2. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

CHRU, Hôpital Central, 29, avenue du Maréchal de Lattre-de-Tassigny, 54000 Nancy, France.

Introduction: The main objective of the present prospective study was to assess mechanical complications associated with an original intramedullary nail with limited and controlled blade back-out in the treatment of trochanteric fracture.

Material And Method: All patients treated for trochanteric fracture in a single orthopedic/traumatologic surgery department over a 2-year period were included. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Read More

J Biomech 2020 May 27;104:109704. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA; Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.

The solid waste collection industry is one of the most common occupations resulting in low back pain (LBP). Lumbar peak joint reaction forces and peak and integrated moments are strong correlates of LBP. To investigate these risks, this study compared three common waste collection throwing techniques of varying lumbar symmetry: the symmetric (SYM) technique, the asymmetric fixed stance (AFS) technique, and the asymmetric with pivot (AWP) technique. Read More

Eur Spine J 2020 Apr 2. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to assess differences in low back stabilization and underlying mechanisms between patients with low back pain (LBP) and healthy controls. It has been hypothesized that inadequate trunk stabilization could contribute to LBP through high tissue strains and/or impingement. Evidence to support this is inconsistent, and not all methods that have been used to study trunk stabilization are equally suitable. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2020 Jun 31;40(6):881-891. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Alfredo Balena n. 190, Funcionários, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil.

The objective of this study is to investigate the association of clinical markers of obesity and weight trajectories with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). This is a cross-sectional study using baseline data from ELSA-Brasil MSK cohort. CMP was evaluated at nine body sites (neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, lower back, wrists/hands, hips/thighs, knees, ankles/feet), and defined as pain lasting > 6 months in the past year. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2020 Mar 27;10(4). Epub 2020 Mar 27.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu 42415, Korea.

A 77-year-old woman having back pain due to an L2 vertebral body compression fracture took a lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In MRI, in addition to the L2 vertebral body fracture, invagination of the small intestine into the intervertebral disc space at L5-S1 was found by chance. On a lateral lumbar spinal X-ray, the lordotic angle was markedly increased at the L5-S1 level. Read More

Pain Physician 2020 03;23(2):E211-E218

Xi'an Jiatong University Xi'an, Shannxi China.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) can only relieve mechanical compression but cannot directly reduce the inflammatory reaction of the adjacent nerve root, which contributes to persistent pain and physical disabilities postoperatively. Numerous studies have explored the application of epidural steroids after an open lumbar discectomy in relieving pain by reducing local inflammatory reactions and further peridural scar formation.

Objectives: To explore that whether "cocktail treatment" in which a gelatin sponge was impregnated with ropivacaine, dexamethasone, and vitamin B12 promoted early postoperative recovery after PELD. Read More

Asian Spine J 2020 Mar 30. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Division of Spine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.

Study Design: Retrospective radiological analysis.

Purpose: To analyze the factors influencing early disc height loss following lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF).

Overview Of Literature: Postoperative disc height loss can occur naturally as a result of mechanical loading. Read More

Eur Spine J 2020 Mar 24. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Geelong, Australia.

Background Context: Muscle, bone and tendon respond anabolically to mechanical forces. Whether the intervertebral disc (IVD) can benefit from exercise is unclear.

Purpose: To examine whether exercise can beneficially affect IVD characteristics. Read More

Chiropr Man Therap 2020 23;28:15. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

4Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Corbett Hall, 8205 114 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G4 Canada.

Introduction: In individuals having low back pain, the application of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has been shown to reduce spinal stiffness in those who report improvements in post-SMT disability. The underlying mechanism for this rapid change in stiffness is not understood presently. As clinicians and patients may benefit from a better understanding of this mechanism in terms of optimizing care delivery, the objective of this scoping review of current literature was to identify if potential mechanisms that explain this clinical response have been previously described or could be elucidated from existing data. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Mar;99(12):e19514

Joint and Arthritis Research, Orthopedic Surgery, Himchan Hospital, Seoul.

Introduction: Low back pain is a chronic recurrent symptom, which can lower the patient's quality of life. With technological development of automated home massage systems, now offers a promising alternative to physiotherapy. However, thus far, the effectiveness of such methods has not been evaluated. Read More

J Spine Surg 2020 Jan;6(Suppl 1):S165-S178

University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.

Background: A diseased lumbar intervertebral vacuum disc void of any structurally intact tissue may be vertically unstable. A primary standalone endoscopic decompression and interbody fusion surgery in the treatment of vertical instability in patients with a vacuum disc may be a more reliable treatment than decompression alone.

Methods: The authors solicited responses to an online survey sent to spine surgeons by email, and chat groups on social media networks, including Facebook, WeChat, WhatsApp, and Linkedin. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2020 Apr 20;74:118-123. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

iLab-Spine (International Laboratory - Spine imaging and Biomechanics), Montreal, Canada and Marseille, France; Laboratoire de Biomécanique Appliquée, IFSTTAR, LBA UMR T24, Aix-Marseille Université, Boulevard Pierre Dramard, Marseille Cedex, France.

Background: The sacroiliac joint is an important source of low back pain. In severe cases, sacroiliac joint fusion is used to reduce pain, but revision rates can reach 30%. The lack of initial mechanical stability may lead to pseudarthrosis, thus not alleviating the patient's symptoms. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2020 Jun 17;46(6):1344-1358. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Programme, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, SAR, China.

Low back pain is one of most common musculoskeletal disorders around the world. One major problem clinicians face is the lack of objective assessment modalities. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are commonly utilized but are unable to clearly distinguish patients with low back pain from healthy patients with respect to abnormalities. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2020 03 18;22(1):51. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

KeyIntel Medical Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the clinical overlap between gut inflammation and joint ankylosis, as exemplified by the concurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). As dysbiosis may serve as a common contributor, the anti-microbial pleiotropic factor lipocalin 2 could be a potential mediator due to its roles in inflammation and bone homeostasis.

Methods: Baseline colonic pathology was conducted in the ank/ank mouse model. Read More

J Biomech 2020 May 6;104:109740. Epub 2020 Mar 6.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address:

The mechanical environment of the intervertebral disc and spinal loads are intimately associated with low back pain (LBP) caused by mechanical load. The cause and effect relationship between postures and pain has been therapeutically investigated and widely used to guide patient care. Shift of the nucleus pulposus (NP) inside the intervertebral disc when the spine changes posture in the sagittal plane, known also as NP migration, has been observed and quantified in in-vivo studies. Read More

Obes Surg 2020 Mar 6. Epub 2020 Mar 6.

General Surgery Department, Rashid Hospital-DHA, PO Box: 4545, Oud Meitha Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) has gained popularity over the recent years; it appears to be an effective bariatric procedure with acceptable weight loss, co-morbidity resolution, and complication rates in the short and medium term. However, it still continues to have concerns in the bariatric community due to a spectrum of potential complications. To our knowledge, there are few published cases of internal hernia, but no published reports of gastric remnant perforation following OAGB. Read More

Pain 2020 Feb 27. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.

Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent and disabling condition whose initiating factors are poorly understood. It is known that psychological and physical stress is associated with LBP but the causal relationship, mechanisms, and mediators have not been elucidated, and a preclinical model enabling the investigation of causality and thereby critically contributing to clinical translation does not exist. In this study, we first established and characterized a myofascial LBP model in mice based on nerve growth factor (NGF) injection into the low back muscles. Read More

Bone Res 2020 13;8. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Lumbar degenerative disc diseases cause low back pain (LBP). The maintenance of the height and stability of the intervertebral disc (IVD) space is an effective treatment for LBP. The following study evaluated the effects of fibroblast injection on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in a preclinical setting. Read More

Work 2020 ;65(3):525-536

University of Maribor, Faculty of Logistics, Celje, Slovenia.

Background: Manual "picker-to-part" order picking takes place in a labour-intensive and time-consuming working environment where humans are the central actors and co-determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the process. Throughout Europe, work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect millions of workers, especially in the logistics sector, and cost employers billions of euros.

Objective: This paper studies how order pickers relate the use of technology as well as their relationship with the logistics company to their well-being, health and productivity. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 May 26;137:e634-e641. Epub 2020 Feb 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Chronic midline low back pain is the number one reason for disability in the United States despite the prolific use of medical and surgical interventions. Notwithstanding the widespread use of epidural spinal cord stimulators (SCSs), there remains a large portion of the population with inadequate pain control thought to be because of the limited volume of stimulated neural tissue. Intradural SCSs represent an underexplored alternative strategy with the potential to improve selectivity, power efficiency, and efficacy. Read More

Pain 2020 Feb 24. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Whether, how, and which cognitive factors modulate the development of secondary hypersensitivity/hyperalgesia after central sensitization is not fully understood. Here, we tested, in 3 subsequent experiments, whether being engaged in non-pain-related cognitive demanding tasks: (1) lessens the amount of hypersensitivity developed after an experimental procedure sensitizing nociceptive pathways; and (2) modulates cortical responses to somatosensory stimuli (measured by electroencephalography, EEG). In the first experiment, we validated a novel model in humans using low-frequency stimulation of the skin and demonstrated that it was able to successfully induce hypersensitivity to mechanical pinprick stimuli in the area surrounding the sensitized site. Read More

Turk Neurosurg 2020 ;30(2):277-284

Marmara University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aim: To assess spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP), and compare with healthy control group.

Material And Methods: A total of 70 patients was enrolled in this prospective, controlled cross-sectional study, of which 25 with LDH, 25 with CMLBP and 20 healthy individuals as the control group. Participants completed 10 passes on the "WIN-TRACK" Gait Analysis Platform at their self-selected walking speed. Read More

Cureus 2020 Jan 13;12(1):e6646. Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Neurosurgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

Simultaneously having two pathologically distinct neoplastic lesions causing critical spinal stenosis is exceedingly rare. When such lesions are near one another but occupy different spinal compartments, significant challenges arise. We present the case of a patient with metastatic non-small cell carcinoma to the thoracic spine and an intradural meningioma occurring two spinal segments from each other. Read More

Cartilage 2020 Apr 19;11(2):143-151. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK.

The complex structure of the intervertebral disc within the spine is well suited to its mechanical function. However, it is also prone to degeneration, which is associated with various clinical symptoms and conditions, ranging from disc herniation to back pain to spinal stenosis. Most patients' conditions are managed conservatively but a small proportion progress to having surgery. Read More

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2020 Feb 18. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Département des Sciences de la Santé, Programme de Physiothérapie de l'Université McGill offert en extension à l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), Centre intersectoriel en santé durable, Lab BioNR et Cupht - UQAC, Saguenay, Québec, Canada -

Background: Low back pain is common during pregnancy. Lumbar stabilization and stretching exercises are recommended to treat low back pain in the general population. However, few studies have applied the effects of these two interventions in pregnant women with low back pain. Read More

J Equine Vet Sci 2020 Mar 10;86:102891. Epub 2019 Dec 10.

Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Equine Sports Medicine, LLC, Pilot Point, TX.

Low-level laser therapy has been used clinically to treat musculoskeletal pain; however, there is limited evidence available to support its use in treating back pain in horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and chiropractic care in treating thoracolumbar pain in competitive western performance horses. The subjects included 61 Quarter Horses actively involved in national western performance competitions judged to have back pain. Read More

Med Hypotheses 2020 May 10;138:109617. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Center for Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Tome Strižića 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Pulmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51 000 Rijeka, Croatia.

Modic changes (MCs) have attracted great interest in recent years. The complex process of MC development and progression seems to involve interplay between mechanical, infective, inflammatory, and degenerative processes that cannot be clearly differentiated. Based on signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans, MCs can be divided three types: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Read More