Correction of leg-length discrepancy among meat cutters with low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The etiology of non-specific low back pain (LBP) is complex and not well understood. LBP is common and causes a remarkable health burden worldwide. Leg-length discrepancy (LLD) is potentially a risk factor for development of LBP, although this relationship has been questioned.

Successful Curriculum Change in Health Management and Leadership Studies for the Specialist Training Programs in Medicine in Finland.

In Finland, the specialization programs in Medicine and Dentistry can be undertaken at all five university medical faculties in 50 specialization programs and in five programs for Dentistry. The specialist training requires 5 or 6 years (300-360 ECTS credits) of medical practice including 9 months of service in primary health care centers, theoretical substance specific education, management studies, and passing a national written exam. The renovation of the national curriculum for the specialization programs was implemented, first in 2008 and officially in August 2009, when theoretical multi-professional social, health management and leadership studies (10-30 ECTS credits) were added to the curriculum.

Leg-length discrepancy is associated with low back pain among those who must stand while working.

Background: Some studies suggest that leg length discrepancy (LLD) is associated with low back pain (LBP) but many have not found such an association leading to conflicting evidence on the role of LLD in LBP.

Methods: The study population consisted of meat cutters with a standing job and customer service workers with a sedentary job from Atria Suomi Ltd (Nurmo, Finland) who were at least 35 years old and had been working in their jobs for at least 10 years. Leg length of each participant was measured with a laser range meter fixed in a rod, which was holding the scanning head of the ultrasound apparatus.

Measurement of leg-length discrepancy using laser-based ultrasound method.

Background: The evidence on the role of leg-length discrepancy (LLD) in low back pain (LBP) is contradictory, possibly due to the diversity of measurement methods.

Purpose: To assess the reliability of a laser-based ultrasound method and its agreement with the radiographic method.

Material And Methods: The measurement device consisted of a laser measure fixed to a rod holding the scanning head of the ultrasound and could be moved automatically by a linear actuator.