Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency Ablation for SI joint pain:An observational study.

Objective: An ultrasound (US) guided RFA technique for the SIJ, utilizing bipolar RF cannula placements along the lateral sacral crest (LSC), has been proposed in anatomical studies. This study evaluated changes in pain intensity, function and quality of life following this technique.

Methods: Patients achieving ≥50% pain relief on two blocks (one FL- and one US-guided) were included.

Sacroiliac Joint Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a potential treatment for those with sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. There is no consensus on the optimal procedural techniques for SIJ diagnostic blocks, or RFA. This article describes different techniques for SIJ diagnostic blocks and RFA, including the relevant innervation that underlies these techniques.

A Controlled Trial Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Looped Thread Carpal Tunnel Release.

Open carpal tunnel release typically requires several weeks of recovery. A less invasive, ultrasound-guided percutaneous technique of releasing the transverse carpal ligament using a thread (thread carpal tunnel release [TCTR]) has been described. To date, its clinical effectiveness and safety have been evaluated exclusively by the group that developed the technique, using a single outcome measure without a control comparison.

A Cadaveric Study Evaluating the Feasibility of an Ultrasound-Guided Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Technique for Sacroiliac Joint Pain.

Background And Objectives: Ultrasound (US)-guided diagnostic block/radiofrequency ablation (RFA) along the lateral sacral crest (LSC) has been proposed for managing sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. We sought to investigate (1) ease of visualization of bony landmarks using US; (2) consistency of US-guided needle placement along the LSC; and (3) percentage of the posterior sacral network (PSN) innervating the SIJ complex that would be captured if an RFA strip lesion were created between the needles.

Methods: In 10 cadaveric specimens, 3 needles were placed bilaterally along the LSC from the first to third transverse sacral tubercles (TSTs) using US guidance.

Sacro-Iliac Joint Sensory Block and Radiofrequency Ablation: Assessment of Bony Landmarks Relevant for Image-Guided Procedures.

Image-guided sensory block and radiofrequency ablation of the nerves innervating the sacro-iliac joint require readily identifiable bony landmarks for accurate needle/electrode placement. Understanding the relative locations of the transverse sacral tubercles along the lateral sacral crest is important for ultrasound guidance, as they demarcate the position of the posterior sacral network (S1-S3 ± L5/S4) innervating the posterior sacro-iliac joint. No studies were found that investigated the spatial relationships of these bony landmarks.

A Rapid Method for Refolding Cell Surface Receptors and Ligands.

Production of membrane-associated cell surface receptors and their ligands is often a cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming process that limits detailed structural and functional characterization of this important class of proteins. Here we report a rapid method for refolding inclusion-body-based, recombinant cell surface receptors and ligands in one day, a speed equivalent to that of soluble protein production. This method efficiently couples modular on-column immobilized metal ion affinity purification and solid-phase protein refolding.

Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot project.

Context: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been recognized as a management option for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), although limited research exists to substantiate its effectiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of OMT in the management of CTS.

Methods: This single-blinded quasi-controlled trial was conducted at an academic institution.

Cadaveric study of sacroiliac joint innervation: implications for diagnostic blocks and radiofrequency ablation.

Background And Objectives: Optimization of clinical outcomes of lateral branch radiofrequency ablation or blocks for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain requires precise nerve localization; however, there is a lack of comprehensive morphological studies. The objectives of this cadaveric study were to document SIJ innervation relative to bony landmarks in 3 dimensions and to identify reference points visible under ultrasound and fluoroscopy for optimal needle placement.

Methods: In 25 cadaveric hemipelves, L5-S4 lateral branches were exposed, digitized, and modeled in 3 dimensions.

Is it useful to repeat sacroiliac joint provocative tests post-block?

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of repeating sacroiliac joint (SIJ) provocative tests post-block.

Design: Thirty-four patients with suspected unilateral mechanical SIJ pain participated. Eleven had confirmed SIJ origin pain (>79% pain relief with fluoroscopically guided comparative local anesthetic intra-articular blocks), whereas 23 were confirmed not to have SIJ origin pain (<80% pain relief with a single local anesthetic intra-articular block).

Effect of hand warming on electrodiagnostic testing results and diagnosis in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome.

Unlabelled: Burnham RS, Burnham TR. Effect of hand warming on electrodiagnostic testing results and diagnosis in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of hand warming on electrodiagnostic (EDX) parameters of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

A prospective outcome study on the effects of facet joint radiofrequency denervation on pain, analgesic intake, disability, satisfaction, cost, and employment.

Objective: To assess the effect of radiofrequency denervation (RFD) on patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) of facet joint origin.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Interventional pain management program.

Can topical anesthetic reduce the pain associated with diagnostic blocks of the lumbosacral spine?

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a topical local anesthetic cream (5% liposomal lidocaine) in reducing needle-induced pain in patients investigated for suspected zygapophysial (z-joint) or sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.

Design: Triple-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting.

A clinical tool for office assessment of lumbar spine stabilization endurance: prone and supine bridge maneuvers.

Objective: : To assess the validity and reliability of an office-based surrogate measure of lumbar spine-stabilization endurance capability; to establish norms and reliability in an asymptomatic group; and to compare their measures with those from a group of chronic mechanical low-back pain patients.

Design: : Eight healthy subjects participated in the tool-validation portion of the study that consisted of surface electromyographic (EMG) measurements of core muscle activation during prone and supine bridging. Subsequently, normative and test-retest reliability measures of prone and supine bridging duration were recorded from 43 subjects without back pain and were compared with those of 32 subjects with chronic mechanical low-back pain.

An alternate method of radiofrequency neurotomy of the sacroiliac joint: a pilot study of the effect on pain, function, and satisfaction.

Background And Objectives: The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can be a source of chronic refractory mechanical spine pain. Few previous studies have described radiofrequency (RF) sensory denervation of the SIJ; results have been inconsistent and technically demanding. This uncontrolled, prospective, cohort study evaluates the effects of an innovative method of RF ablation of the posterior sensory nerves of the SIJ on pain, analgesic use, disability, and satisfaction of patients suffering with chronic mechanical SIJ pain.

Three types of skin-surface thermometers: a comparison of reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

Objective: To compare the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of a thermistor thermometer (thermistor) and two different infrared thermometers (one designed to measure tympanic temperature and one for skin temperature).

Design: Reliability and validity were evaluated by making two separate measurements from the skin at identical spots of each hand, forearm, shoulder, thigh, shin, and foot in 17 healthy subjects. Intramuscular temperature was recorded at the hand and shin sites.

Botulinum toxin A versus bupivacaine trigger point injections for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: a randomised double blind crossover study.

The treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is diverse and includes trigger point injections of various substances including local anesthetics, steroids and Botulinum toxin A (BTX A). The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of trigger point injections using BTX A versus bupivacaine, both in combination with a home-based rehabilitation program. To be enrolled, subjects first had to demonstrate responsiveness to bupivacaine trigger point injection.

An assessment of wrist splint and glove use on wheeling kinematics.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to assess whether glove and/or splint use could effectively reduce hyperextension at the wrist during wheelchair propulsion, thus potentially reducing the conditions predisposing to median nerve dysfunction, and to evaluate the overall effects of these interventions on wheeling mechanics. DESIGN: This investigation used a randomized experimental design. BACKGROUND: The upper extremities are used for weight bearing and propulsion by individuals who are wheelchair dependent.