Widespread pain in chronic epicondylitis.

We studied the associations of widespread pain with other pain and functional measures among patients with chronic epicondylitis. A total of 190 patients (66% females) participated in the study; with a mean age 43.7, mean duration of symptoms 48weeks, chronic lateral (n=160) and medial (n=30) epicondylitis.

Is the interleukin-6 haplotype a prognostic factor for sciatica?

Aims: We have shown in a cross-sectional setting that an IL6 haplotype (GGGA) is associated with intervertebral disc disease (IDD) characterized by sciatica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of the GGGA haplotype in IDD.

Methods: DNA from 153 sciatica patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of periradicular infiltration was analysed for IL6 variations rs1800797 (-596A>G), rs1800796 (-572G>C), rs1800795 (-174G>C), and rs13306435 (+15T>A).

A three-year follow-up of lumbar spine endplate (Modic) changes.

Study Design: A longitudinal follow-up of Modic changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and natural course Modic changes over a 3-year follow-up period.

Summary Of Background Data: Modic changes are bone marrow and endplate lesions visible on MRI.

Determinants of spontaneous resorption of intervertebral disc herniations.

Study Design: A follow-up of disc herniation (herniated nucleus pulposus [HNP]) resorption on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Objective: To assess the determinants of resorption of HNP.

Summary Of Background Data: Neovascularization in the outermost areas of HNP, presenting as an enhancing rim in gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid MR images, is thought to be a major determinant of spontaneous resorption of HNP.

Back and neck extensor loading and back pain provocation in urban bus drivers with and without low back pain.

This study assessed low back and trapezius muscle activity in bus drivers, with or without recurrent low back pain (LBP), during the long term driving. In addition, low back and neck-shoulder pain intensities and fatigue were measured and the effect of low back support was observed. Also the possible source of LBP was attempted to assess by vibration pain provocation test and lumbar MRI.

Growth factor expression in degenerated intervertebral disc tissue. An immunohistochemical analysis of transforming growth factor beta, fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor.

Degenerated intervertebral disc has lost its normal architecture, and there are changes both in the nuclear and annular parts of the disc. Changes in cell shape, especially in the annulus fibrosus, have been reported. During degeneration the cells become more rounded, chondrocyte-like, whereas in the normal condition annular cells are more spindle shaped.

Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of headache and neck and shoulder symptoms and upper extremity muscular strength of office workers: a cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the perceived intensity of headache and the intensity of symptoms in the neck and shoulders, as well as on the extension and flexion strength of the upper extremities. The study was a cluster randomized controlled trial. The cross-over design consisted of physical exercise intervention (15 weeks) and no-intervention (15 weeks).

Determinants of lumbar artery occlusion among patients with sciatica: a three-year follow-up with magnetic resonance angiography.

We showed previously that chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection increases the risk of lumbar artery occlusion. We did not evaluate, however, the effect of other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in combination with this chronic infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of chronic C.

Three-year follow-up of lumbar artery occlusion with magnetic resonance angiography in patients with sciatica: associations between occlusion and patient-reported symptoms.

Study Design: Comparison of occlusion of lumbar arteries in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with patient-reported sciatica symptoms during a 3-year follow-up.

Objectives: To evaluate whether occlusion of lumbar arteries is associated with subjective pain symptoms and physical ability among sciatica patients.

Summary Of Background Data: Cadaveric studies indicate that atherosclerotic manifestations of the abdominal aorta are associated with low back pain (LBP).

Predictive factors for neck and shoulder pain: a longitudinal study in young adults.

Study Design: A longitudinal study.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of neck and shoulder pain in young adults and to identify the associated and predictive factors of neck and shoulder pain based on 7-year follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: Several work-related, psychosocial, and sociodemographic factors have been verified as being related to neck and shoulder pain in adult populations, but far fewer longitudinal studies concerning the topic have been carried out in young populations.

Effect of periradicular methylprednisolone on spontaneous resorption of intervertebral disc herniations.

Study Design: Prospective comparison of periradicular infiltration with steroid versus saline on the spontaneous resorption of herniated nucleus pulposus in a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate whether periradicular steroid retards the resorption of herniated nucleus pulposus.

Summary Of Background Data: Rim enhancement around herniated nucleus pulposus is associated with spontaneous resorption of disc herniations.

Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection increases the risk of occlusion of lumbar segmental arteries of patients with sciatica: a 3-year follow-up study.

Study Design: A magnetic resonance imaging follow-up study of lumbar arteries among patients with sciatica with chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection.

Objective: To determine whether chronic infection causes occlusion of lumbar arteries.

Summary Of Background Data: C.

Radiologic phenotypes in lumbar MR imaging for a gene defect in the COL9A3 gene of type IX collagen.

Purpose: To evaluate whether the COL9A3 tryptophan allele (Trp3 allele) is associated with a specific radiologic phenotype among patients with sciatica.

Materials And Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients with sciatica were evaluated for the presence of Trp3 allele, Scheuermann disease, intervertebral disk degeneration, Schmorl nodules, dorsal anular tears, hyperintense lesions, and endplate degeneration on sagittal T2-weighted lumbar magnetic resonance images. The Trp3 genotype was determined by means of sequencing the COL9A3 gene.

The relationship between anthropometric factors and body-balancing movements in postural balance.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and body-balancing movements when standing on 2 legs with eyes open and eyes closed.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: A university physiatry laboratory.

Complement membrane attack complexes in pathologic disc tissues.

Study Design: Complement membrane attack complexes were located in lumbar spine disc tissues by immunohistochemistry. Their occurrence was compared in control discs obtained from organ donors (CD), discs showing a normal macroscopic anatomy, samples of intervertebral disc herniations (DH), and intervertebral discs found to be degenerated by discography, but not herniated (DD).

Objective: To look for a possible role of complement activation, specifically complement membrane attack complexes, an end product of the classic immune complex-mediated complement activation pathway, in disc pathophysiology.

Motion analysis measurements of body movements during standing: association with age and sex.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between balancing movements and age and sex in standing on two legs with the eyes open and closed using the motion analysis system. The collected data may help in developing balance evaluation and training in rehabilitation. The study sample consisted of 100 healthy, randomly selected people from the City of Oulu (men and women aged 31 to 80 years).

Endplate degeneration observed on magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: correlation with pain provocation and disc changes observed on computed tomography diskography.

Study Design: One hundred and three lumbar intervertebral discs (L3/4-L5/S1) of 36 patients with low back pain were examined with computed tomography (CT) diskography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Objectives: To determine whether lumbar endplate degeneration correlates with the degree of disc degeneration or disc rupture and to determine if there is an association between pain provocation during diskography and lumbar endplate degeneration.

Summary Of Background Data: There have been numerous attempts to explain the pathogenesis of pain provocation during diskography, but the possibility of endplate degeneration as a source of pain has not been widely assessed.

MRI changes of cervical spine in asymptomatic and symptomatic young adults.

Several work-related, psychosocial and individual factors have been verified as being related to neck and shoulder pain, but the role of pathology visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains unclear. In this study, the relationship between neck and shoulder pain and cervical high-field MRI findings was investigated in a sample of persons in a longitudinal survey. The study aimed to determine whether subjects with persistent or recurrent neck and shoulder pain were more likely to have abnormal MRI findings of cervical spine than those without neck and shoulder pain.

Gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging in relation to symptoms and signs among sciatic patients: a cross-sectional study.

Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

Objectives: Gadolinium enhancement in lumbar magnetic resonance imaging is not used routinely. The current study explored the possible intercorrelations of enhancement patterns with clinical symptoms and signs.

Associations between pain, grip strength, and manual tests in the treatment evaluation of chronic tennis elbow.

Objective: The objective was to assess the associations between changes in pain and grip strength and manual tests among patients with chronic tennis elbow.

Design: Measurements for 45 consecutive patients with unilateral tennis elbow were made before and after an exercise intervention.

Setting: The setting was a physiatric outpatient clinic.

Chronic medial and lateral epicondylitis: a comparison of pain, disability, and function.

Objectives: To investigate pain, disability, and muscle function of the arm in medial epicondylitis and to compare the results with those in chronic lateral epicondylitis.

Design: Cross-sectional, case-control study.

Setting: University hospital clinic admitting chronic hand patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in relation to the COL9A2 tryptophan allele among patients with sciatica.

Study Design: The phenotype of patients with sciatica who have the Trp2 allele is characterized cross-sectionally.

Objective: To determine whether it is possible to differentiate patients with the Trp2 allele clinically or by magnetic resonance imaging.

Summary Of Background Data: Several studies have indicated a positive family history for intervertebral disc disease.