This study sought to provide a description of the psychosocial profile of persons with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is an excruciatingly painful and debilitating condition that is poorly understood by medical professionals. Its profound impact on an individual's quality of life prompts a closer examination of the psychosocial profile of individuals suffering from CRPS. The extant literature examining psychological variables associated with CRPS is inconclusive with regard to the role that these factors play in the course of the syndrome. It has been shown, however, that CRPS patients suffer tremendous physical discomfort and this is often reflected in increased emotional distress. The present study assesses level of pain, anxiety, depression, disability, intrusive thoughts, quality of life, and demographic variables utilizing a national sample obtained from an online survey distributed to members of an organization that provides resources to CRPS patients. Descriptive data are presented for all data gathered and specific correlates of quality of life were examined. Results of the study demonstrated that this sample endorsed high levels of anxiety and depression and reported low levels of both physical and mental quality of life. When compared to normative data, this sample endorsed more pain and anxiety than other pain populations and also endorsed lower mental and physical quality of life than other pain conditions. The psychosocial profile of individuals with CRPS type I did not vary significantly from individuals with type II. Intrusive thoughts were uniquely predictive of disability, physical quality of life, and mental quality of life after controlling for age, gender, and pain level. The role of intrusive thoughts in predicting disability and quality of life suggests a potential mechanism by which clinicians can target psychotherapeutic treatment. Understanding the psychosocial profile and psychological sequelae of this disorder will help both physicians and psychologists understand the impact of CRPS on patients and provide a pathway for improved comprehensive interdisciplinary treatments.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: Myofascial pain is a disorder, characterized by the presence of trigger points (MTrP). It is recognised by unique features which include a tender point in a taut band of muscle, a local twitch response (LTR), a characteristic referred pain pattern, and the reproduction of the patient’s usual pain upon examination. A debate exists as to the precise diagnostic criteria used in identifying trigger points. This has hampered the standardized assessment and treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome and has led to contradictory findings being reported by various authors due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic tool. Objectives: The first objective was to determine the inter-examiner reliability of palpation of MTrPs in the trapezius and gluteus medius muscles. The second objective was to determine whether training and standardization in palpation techniques would improve inter-examiner reliability of palpation of MTrPs. Methods: This study was designed as a quantitative pre and post intervention interexaminer reliability study. Three examiners (one qualified Chiropractor, one senior chiropractic intern from the CDC and the researcher) were used to examine sixty patients (thirty symptomatic and thirty asymptomatic) for MTrPs. This study was conducted in two phases. During the myofascial examination of patients examiners were required to determine whether a MTrP was present or absent, differentiate whether the MTrP was active or latent and determine the presence or absence of the five characteristics of MTrP (tender point in a taut band of muscle, a local twitch response (LTR), a pain characteristic referred pain pattern, the reproduction of the patient’s usual pain and a jump sign) however, in phase one the researchers were blinded to the characteristics being investigated. Subsequent to phase one, examiners had to attend two, one hour discussion sessions to reduce individual variation in the application of palpation techniques. Results: Inter-examiner reliability was assessed using Fleiss Kappa statistic, percentage agreement and confidence intervals. The results show that three examiners are able to attain acceptable agreement in the palpation of MTrPs, since the features (described above) were shown to improve considerably in phase two after the training session in which standardization of techniques was emphasized. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that MTrP palpation is reliable and therefore, useful diagnostic tool in the identification of MTrPs and the diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Orientador: Sergio Rocha Piedade / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T10:38:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Reis_JuliaGuimaraes_M.pdf: 2248238 bytes, checksum: 945fbd990c61ac6b327c4c18556ee2e0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Das anormalidades que envolvem a articulação do joelho, a disfunção do aparelho extensor é um dos problemas mais freqüentemente encontrados na prática ortopédica. Para abranger toda a complexidade de investigação da locomoção necessita-se de informações qualitativa e quantitativa da cinética (momentos e forças) e cinemática (ângulos). O objetivo do estudo foi identificar e analisar as alterações biomecânicas dos indivíduos com instabilidade patelofemoral objetiva durante a marcha. A amostra foi composta de 10 indivíduos com instabilidade patelofemoral (grupoI), média de idade de 25,6 (±7,6) anos, média de altura de 1,63 (±0,06) m e média de peso de 63,3 (±13,52) kg; e, 14 indivíduos sem história de lesão músculo-esquelética (grupo controle ou grupo II), com média de idade de 24,14 (±2,71) anos, média de altura de 1,63 (±0,05) m e média de peso de 59,43 (±10,02) kg. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a uma análise cinemática e cinética, onde os mesmos caminharam em velocidade livre, numa passarela de 10 m de comprimento. As imagens foram filmadas por seis câmeras do sistema Qualysis, que capturou os sinais de marcadores reflexíveis posicionados no membro inferior das voluntárias. Paralelamente, aplicou-se no grupo I uma avaliação clínica do grau de funcionalidade dos joelhos lesados, onde a pontuação os classificou como funcionalmente ruins; e, um exame físico, onde ambos os membros apresentaram-se estatisticamente semelhantes. A análise dos dados cinemáticos e cinéticos foi realizada pelo programa Qgait que mostrou menor flexão de joelho, nas fases de apoio e balanço (p<0,0001); menor momento extensor de joelho, no apoio (p<0,0001); e, maior força de reação do solo (p=0,4094), no grupo de pacientes em relação ao controle. Foram avaliados também parâmetros espaços-temporais como velocidade (p=0,0053), cadência (p=0,0376) e comprimento da passada (p=0,0021), onde o grupo I apresentou valores inferiores comparado ao grupo controle. Já no período de apoio (p=0,1186), o grupo I superou o grupo II. Estes resultados sugerem que o grupo I utilizou várias estratégias durante a marcha, na tentativa de reduzir a dor e a pressão na articulação patelofemoral. Entretanto, a força de reação do solo não foi reduzida, o que poderá resultar em danos a outras articulações, em longo prazo, devido a cargas repetitivas na articulação tíbiofemoral / Abstract: Abnormalities involving knee joint, the dysfunction of the extensor apparatus, it is one of the problems most often found in orthopaedic practice. To cover the full complexity of of locomotion research, it is necessary qualitative and quantitative information of kinetic (moments and forces) and kinematics (angles). The objective of the study was to identify and analyse the biomechanical changes of individuals with objective patellofemoral instability during gait. The sample was composed of 10 individuals with patellofemoral instability (group I), mean age of 25.6 (± 7.6) years, the average height of 1.63 (± 0.06) m and mean weight of 63.3 (± 13 , 52) kg; and 14 individuals with no history of musculo-skeletal injury (control group or group II), with an average age of 24.14 (± 2.71) years, the average height of 1.63 (± 0.05) m and mean weight of 59.43 (± 10.02) kg. Both groups were subjected to an analysis kinematics and kinetics, where they walked naturally on a 10 m walkway. The images were filmed by six cameras Qualysis system, which captured the signs of reflective markers placed on the lower limb of the volunteers. Paralely, was applied in the group I a functional clinical assessment of the degree functionality in the knee injured that classified it as bad functionally; and, physical examination, where both limbs showed up statistically similar. The analysis of kinematic and kinetic data was performed by the Qgait program that showed less of knee flexion, in the stance and balance phase (p <0.0001), less knee extensor moment, in support (p <0.0001); and, greatest ground reaction force (p = 0.4094) in the group of patients with respect to control. They were also assessed spatiotemporal parameters such as speed (p = 0.0053), cadence (p = 0.0376) and stride length (p = 0.0021), where the group I showed lower values compared to control group. Already in the support period (p = 0.1186), group I overcame the group II. These results suggest that the group I used several strategies during gait, in an attempt to reduce the pain and pressure in patellofemoral joint. However, the ground reaction force was not reduced, which could result in damage to other joints, in the long term, due to repetitive loads in tibiofemoral joint / Mestrado / Pesquisa Experimental / Mestre em Cirurgia

M.Tech. / The term „myofascial‟ is derived from the word „myo‟ meaning muscle and „fascia‟ meaning connective tissue. Myofascial pain syndrome is a regional pain syndrome characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points (Mense and Simons, 2001). The most crucial component of myofascial pain is muscle shortening from contracture (or „spasm‟). In fact, myofascial pain does not exist without muscle shortening. Prolonged shortening not only causes pain in the muscle but also physically pulls on tendons, thereby straining them and distressing the bone and joints they insert into and act upon (Gunn, 2002). Trigger points are most often discussed in the setting of myofascial pain syndromes, in which widespread or regional muscular pain is associated with hyperalgesia, psychological disturbance and significant restriction of daily activities (Huguenin, 2004).

M.Tech. / Problem Statement: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a painful and prevalent muscular condition that is characterized by the development of myofascial trigger points (TrP’s). These are locally tender when active and are able to refer pain through specific patterns to other areas of the body distal from the trigger point (Manga, 2008). Myofascial trigger points are a frequently overlooked and misunderstood source of the distressingly ever-present musculoskeletal aches and pains of mankind and many authors have found that the trapezius muscle is most often the muscle that has frequent myofascial trigger points (Travell and Simons, 1999). Much debate and discussion has arisen on the merits of the fanning dry needling technique compared to that of the static dry needling technique, but research evidence is very limited. Some practitioners prefer the static technique over the fanning technique as it reduces the presence and amount of post-needling soreness, as well as reduces the possibility of penetrating a blood vessel resulting in hemorrhaging. Other practitioners prefer the fanning technique as it increases the chances of locating the loci of the TrP, as well as increasing the chances of eliciting a local twitch response and possibly making this method more effective in deactivating a TrP than the static technique. Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of static myofascial dry needling to the effects of fanning myofascial dry needling of an active trigger point (TrP1) in the upper trapezius muscle in order to determine which of the two treatments is more effective with regards to decreasing neck pain and disability as well as increasing pressure pain threshold in patients with neck pain due to Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Method: Forty participants underwent a general screening to determine whether they had active myofascial trigger points in the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle.

M.Tech. / Myofascial pain has become a major cause of disability and chronic pain in our society today. Left untreated, myofascial pain syndrome can become a chronic pain condition. Chronic pain conditions can not only cause disability due to pain, but can also lead to related conditions such as depression, physical deconditioning due to lack of exercise, disturbance of sleep and other psychological and behavioural disturbances (Rachlin, 1994). The aim of this study was to determine whether cryotherapy or moist heat therapy was a superior therapeutic modality when applied to active Infraspinatus muscle trigger points post-dry needling. Participants were recruited into the study by the use of advertisements put up at various places on the university campus as well as in the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Day Clinic. Fourty participants that conformed to the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited. The participants were randomly placed into two groups containing twenty participants in each group. Group A received cryotherapy post-dry needling and Group B received moist heat therapy post dry needling. Each participant received four treatments. The subjective and objective measurements were taken on the first, third and fifth visits. The fifth visit was scheduled to take final subjective and objective data only. The subjective data was obtained by measuring the participant‟s perception of their myofascial pain using the Visual Analogue Pain Scale. The objective data was obtained from the readings of the Algometer instrument, measuring the pressure pain threshold of the active myofascial trigger points in the Infraspinatus muscle. The results of this study indicated that both cryotherapy and moist heat therapy significantly benefited the participants in terms of the treatment of the active myofascial trigger points of the Infraspinatus muscle. However, based on the results, final conclusions could not be formulated on whether the dry needling itself would be beneficial without needing the cryotherapy or the moist heat therapy, as neither modality proved superior over the other.

Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is a traumatic neuropathy that can affect as many as 50% of patients undergoing thoracotomy. Patients are often refractory to conservative management and may require multiple analgesics for adequate pain control. Botulinum toxin, derived from Clostridium botulinum, has many uses in treating conditions involving spasticity, dystonia, chronic migraine, and a variety of pain disorders including neuropathies. Botulinum toxin type A injections may provide an alternative or adjunct to improve symptom management in patients with PTPS.

OBJECTIVE: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is the most common diagnosis in patients presenting knee pain (~25%), and one of the most common diagnosis in sports medicine centers. Here we examine believed risk factors in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) and assess their relationship to PFPS. METHODS: The study was a retrospective study completed at Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. All patients, who were referred to physical therapy at Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Therapy Services Clinic, were diagnosed with PFPS for the first time and were mostly recreational runners. Body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated from weight and height. Pain scores were taken using the visual analog scale. Strength measurements were taken from the left and right leg for the following measurements: hip abduction external rotation, hip abduction, knee extension, and hip extension. Balance measurements were also taken on the left and right sides measuring the postural sway with eyes open and eyes closed. Statistical analysis were accomplished using excel. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included in the present study, 9 females and 14 males. BMI's (lb/in^2) for the population was 25.1 (±4.2), males were 26.4 (±3.6) and females were 23.2 (±4.2). Pain scores were 6 (±1.9) out of 10 for the total population, males, and females. The total population had composite hip scores 35.0% and 22.9% for the right and left sides, while the knee extension was 50.7% and 51.7%. All hip scores were below 40 except for right hip ABD/ER in females and lower than knee extension scores in males, females, and total population. The ratio for right eyes closed to open was 34.2 (±62.7) and left eye closed to open was 24.7 (±44.3) for the total population CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that age and BMI may have an effect on the development of PFPS but no statistical significance was confirmed. Results suggest that hip strength is a better indicator than knee strength in risk associated with PFPS. Balance appears to be more of an indicator of poor hip strength than as a measurement or potential risk factor for PFPS.