Medication noncompliance: a significant problem and possible strategies.

Medication noncompliance is a significant public health problem with both economic and quality of life dimensions. The physician should be aware of the frequency of the occurrence and develop strategies to reduce its incidence. This includes simplification of prescription practice, patient education and adequate instructions.

Comparison of lumbar paravertebral EMG patterns in chronic low back pain patients and non-patient controls.

According to myogenic models that relate abnormal EMG patterns to the experience of pain, lumbar paravertebral muscle activity has been considered to play an important role in chronic low back pain. In the present study, 40 chronic low back pain patients and 40 matched non-patient controls were compared on lumbar paravertebral EMG during mechanically stabilized static and dynamic postures. Differences between groups in lumbar curvature and spinal range of motion were determined using a dual goniometer technique.

Computerized blood flow analysis for decision making in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans.

Patients presenting the radiologic appearance of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) require a decision as to further treatment. This often requires an invasive procedure. The noninvasive technique of computerized blood flow analysis (CBFA) has been used in 13 patients with OCD.