A Conversation Between Past and Present Chairs of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Four Decades of History and the Future of Board Certification.

On the 75th anniversary of the founding of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 11 of the surviving chairs of the board convened virtually to reflect on the past 40 years of major trends for the accrediting body of physiatrists. The field rapidly expanded in the 1980s, driven by changes in the reimbursement environment. This rapid expansion drove an improvement in the caliber of residents choosing the field and in the quality of training programs.

Advancements in the management of spine disorders.

Spinal disorders and especially back and neck pain affect more people and have greater impact on work capacity and health-care costs than any other musculoskeletal condition. One of the difficulties in reducing the burden of spinal disorders is the wide and heterogeneous range of specific diseases and non-specific musculoskeletal disorders that can involve the spinal column, most of which manifest as pain. Despite, or perhaps because of its impact, spinal disorders remain one of the most controversial and difficult conditions for clinicians, patients and policymakers to manage.

Assessing the impact of musculoskeletal health conditions using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Purpose: To propose the joint use of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and to illustrate this proposal using musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.

Method: In light of the MSK conditions as classified in the ICD, categories from existing ICF core sets for MSK conditions were pooled to specify functioning. Another approach was to consider other categories from measures or instruments already linked in the literature.

Standards of care for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain: the Bone and Joint Decade (2000-2010).

Musculoskeletal conditions often manifest with the onset of pain and the resulting physical limitations. Musculoskeletal pain is almost inevitable in an individual's lifetime. It is one of the most common reasons for self-medication and entry into the health care system.

The Walter J. Zeiter lecture. Global initiatives in rehabilitation medicine.

Global initiatives in rehabilitation medicine. Global initiatives in rehabilitation medicine present significant challenges, as well as great opportunities for the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. These initiatives are international in focus, from multiple countries, include many different medical specialties, and will impact physiatrists.

ICF Core Sets for osteoporosis.

Objective: To report on the results of the consensus process integrating evidence from preliminary studies to develop the first version of a Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set and a Brief ICF Core Set for osteoporosis.

Methods: A formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies was followed. Preliminary studies included a Delphi exercise, a systematic review, and an empirical data collection.

ICF Core Sets for chronic widespread pain.

Objective: To report on the results of the consensus process integrating evidence from preliminary studies to develop the first version of a Comprehensive ICF Core Set and a Brief ICF Core Set for chronic widespread pain.

Methods: A formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies was followed. Preliminary studies included a Delphi exercise, a systematic review and an empirical data collection.

Rehabilitation of landmine victims--the ultimate challenge.

Antipersonnel landmines are often used indiscriminately and frequently result in injury or death of non-combatants. In the last 65 years, over 110 million mines have been spread throughout the world into an estimated 70 countries. Landmine victims use a disproportionately high amount of medical resources; the vast majority of incidents occur in regions and countries without a sophisticated medical infrastructure and with limited resources, where rehabilitation is difficult in the best of circumstances.

Computerized manufacturing of transparent face masks for the treatment of facial scarring.

In this work an integrated system of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing specifically designed to fabricate affordable transparent face masks is discussed. FaceScan, a custom-designed software system, integrates shape capture, mask design, and pattern fabrication. The software controls a linear scan noncontact laser imager for facial topography acquisition and a milling machine for pattern fabrication.

Wheelchair coasting downhill is a reliable work task.

OBJECTIVE: To measure test-retest reliability of physiological responses during submaximal wheelchair downhill and horizontal treadmill ergometry. DESIGN: A test-retest design was used on a convenience sample. Four male and three female non-wheelchair users, (22-43 years of age) propelled or coasted in a wheelchair under steady-state conditions.