The impact of hypermobility spectrum disorders on musculoskeletal tissue stiffness: an exploration using strain elastography.

Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs) are conditions associated with chronic joint pain and laxity. HSD's diagnostic approach is highly subjective, its validity is not well studied, and it does not consider many of the most commonly affected joints. Strain elastography (SEL) reflects musculoskeletal elasticity with sonographic images.

Evaluation of the McKenzie intervention for chronic low back pain by using selected physical and bio-behavioral outcome measures.

Objectives: To assess the bio-behavioral and physical performance characteristics of individuals with chronic low back pain who demonstrated the pain centralization phenomenon and received the McKenzie intervention using selected bio-behavioral and physical performance measures at intake and at 5 weeks and 10 weeks after treatment.

Design: A prospective cohort study with assessment at baseline and 2 follow-ups after completion of the McKenzie intervention.

Setting: Outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinics.