Adaptation of muscles of the lumbar spine to sudden imbalance in patients with lower back pain caused by military training.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of sudden load changes (expected and unexpected imbalance) on the activity of muscles of the lumbar spine and their central motor control strategy in military personnel with or without chronic low back pain (LBP).

Design: Bilateral sudden imbalance was examined (2 × 2 factorial design).

Setting: The 117th PLA Hospital, Hangzhou, China

Participants: Twenty-one male subjects with lower back pain and 21 male healthy control subjects were active members of the Nanjing Military Region land forces.

Prevalence of low back pain among soldiers at an army base.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major medical and social problem among working populations and is associated with high medical expense, loss of productivity, and disability. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of LBP among soldiers and evaluate the possible causative factors in military training. The results may provide an insight into changes needed in military training that will reduce the occurrence of LBP among soldiers.

Influence of distal tibiofibular synostosis on ankle function.

Objective: To study the influence of distal tibiofibular synostosis on ankle function.

Methods: From October 1998 to October 2004, a total of 281 consecutive patients underwent operations because of ankle fractures or distal fractures of the tibia and fibula. Distal tibiofibular synostosis occurred after operation in 8 patients.