Inter-tester reliability of passive intervertebral and active movements of the cervical spine.

Measurements of active range of motion (AROM) and passive intervertebral movements (PIM) of the cervical spine are frequently used for patients with neck pain. However, there is a paucity of studies that investigate the psychometric properties of these measurements. Objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the inter-tester reliability of PIM, AROM, and the effects of AROM on symptom provocation; (2) establish the minimal detectable change (MDC) in cervical AROM; and (3) determine the association between AROM and disability.

Identifying subgroups of patients with acute/subacute "nonspecific" low back pain: results of a randomized clinical trial.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Compare outcomes of patients with low back pain receiving treatments matched or unmatched to their subgrouping based on initial clinical presentation.

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with "nonspecific" low back pain are often viewed as a homogeneous group, equally likely to respond to any particular intervention.

Decision making for a painful hip: a case requiring referral.

Study Design: Resident's case problem.

Background: The purpose of this resident's case problem is to describe a 39-year-old female patient with insidious onset of hip pain. This patient had discrete findings on subjective physical examination that prompted referral for further imaging studies of the left hip and pelvis.

Cervical radiculopathy or Parsonage-Turner syndrome: differential diagnosis of a patient with neck and upper extremity symptoms.

Study Design: Resident's case problem.

Background: The signs and symptoms of cervical radiculopathy (CR) warrant the consideration of several other conditions in CR's differential diagnosis. One condition that may mimic CR, which is not well known amongst physical therapists, is Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS).

Patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma imitating lumbar herniated nucleus pulposis.

Objective: To highlight the utility of Cyriax's selective tissue-tensioning principles, specifically the "Sign of the Buttock," in identifying mechanical behavior of pain of pathologies not amenable to conservative treatment.

Clinical Features: A 41-year-old man was referred to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Spine Specialty Center with a diagnosis of L5-S1 herniated nucleus pulposis that was recalcitrant to treatment. The onset of symptoms had been 5 months before the patient's appointment at the Spine Center and 6 months after an apparent precipitating trauma.

Intermittent cervical traction and thoracic manipulation for management of mild cervical compressive myelopathy attributed to cervical herniated disc: a case series.

Study Design: Case series.

Objective: To describe the management of 7 patients with grade 1 cervical compressive myelopathy attributed to herniated disc using intermittent cervical traction and manipulation of the thoracic spine.

Background: Intermittent cervical traction has been indicated for the treatment of patients with herniated disc and has been suggested to be helpful for patients with cervical compressive myelopathy.

Immediate improvements in side-to-side weight bearing and iliac crest symmetry after manipulation in patients with low back pain.

Background: Although there is good evidence that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment to improve pain and function for patients with low back pain (LBP), there is little evidence to support the mechanism by which manipulation works.

Objectives: To determine if iliac crest (IC) and weight-bearing (WB) symmetry improve after spinal manipulation and to determine if improvements in IC and WB symmetry are associated with improvements in pain and function in patients with low back pain.

Design: Single group, within-subjects, repeated measures design.

Far-lateral disk herniation: case report, review of the literature, and a description of nonsurgical management.

Objective: To review the history and examination of a far-lateral lumbar intervertebral disk herniation (FLLIDH), as well as the treatment and outcomes of a nonsurgical approach.

Clinical Features: A 60-year-old healthy male subject had a 3-week history of right buttock and calf pain. He initially had a left lateral list and asymmetrical pelvic landmarks.

Reliability of measuring iliac crest level in the standing and sitting position using a new measurement device.

Background: To date, the reliability studies of iliac crest (IC) level used nominal scales and presented conflicting results. To perform the IC level measurement, we propose the use of a measurement device that is composed of an inclinometer mounted on a crest level tester that measures IC level in degrees.

Objectives: To determine the interrater reliability of measuring iliac crest level in the standing and sitting position using an experimental device and to assess the precision of the measurements taken with the experimental device.

Comparison of classification-based physical therapy with therapy based on clinical practice guidelines for patients with acute low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Study Design: A randomized clinical trial was conducted.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of classification-based physical therapy with that of therapy based on clinical practice guidelines for patients with acute, work-related low back pain.

Summary Of Background Data: Clinical practice guidelines recommend minimal intervention during the first few weeks after acute low back injury.