A novel diagnostic examination for dropped head syndrome (DHS) (Prone position cervical extension test; DHS test).

Background: Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is followed by severe cervical extension muscle weakness that results in chin-on chest deformity. However, maintaining a neutral cervical position can be temporarily possible, and the diagnosis of DHS might sometimes be difficult. The purpose of the present study is to examine a novel clinical test (DHS test) as the diagnostic utility for objective evaluation that focuses on cervical extension condition in the prone position.

The nature of osteoporotic low back pain without acute vertebral fracture: A prospective multicenter study on the analgesic effect of monthly minodronic acid hydrate.

Background: Patients with osteoporosis but no evidence of fracture can sometimes report low back pain. However, few studies have evaluated the nature of osteoporotic low back pain in a clinical situation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the nature of osteoporotic low back pain without fracture, and the analgesic effect of minodronic acid hydrate on such pain.