Are non-invasive interventions effective for the management of headaches associated with neck pain? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration.

PURPOSE: To update findings of the 2000-2010 Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders and evaluate the effectiveness of non-invasive and non-pharmacological interventions for the management of patients with headaches associated with neck pain (i.e., tension-type, cervicogenic, or whiplash-related headaches). METHODS: We searched five databases from 1990 to 2015 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-control studies comparing non-invasive interventions with other interventions, placebo/sham, or no interventions. Random pairs of independent reviewers critically appraised eligible studies using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria to determine scientific admissibility. Studies with a low risk of bias were synthesized following best evidence synthesis principles. RESULTS: We screened 17,236 citations, 15 studies were relevant, and 10 had a low risk of bias. The evidence suggests that episodic tension-type headaches should be managed with low load endurance craniocervical and cervicoscapular exercises. Patients with chronic tension-type headaches may also benefit from low load endurance craniocervical and cervicoscapular exercises; relaxation training with stress coping therapy; or multimodal care that includes spinal mobilization, craniocervical exercises, and postural correction. For cervicogenic headaches, low load endurance craniocervical and cervicoscapular exercises; or manual therapy (manipulation with or without mobilization) to the cervical and thoracic spine may also be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: The management of headaches associated with neck pain should include exercise. Patients who suffer from chronic tension-type headaches may also benefit from relaxation training with stress coping therapy or multimodal care. Patients with cervicogenic headache may also benefit from a course of manual therapy.

Septic olecranon and prepatellar bursitis in hockey players: a report of three cases.

Septic bursitis (SB) is an important differential diagnosis in athletes presenting with an acute subcutaneous swelling of the elbow or knee. Prompt recognition is essential to minimize recovery time and prevent the spread of infection. Due to the significant overlap in clinical features, it is often difficult to differentiate SB from non-septic bursitis (NSB) without bursal aspirate analysis. SB is commonly not considered unless the bursitis is accompanied by a local skin lesion or fever. This study describes two cases of septic olecranon bursitis and one case of septic prepatellar bursitis in adult hockey players presenting to a sports medicine clinic. None of the cases presented with an observable skin lesion and only one case developed a fever. It is therefore essential that clinicians maintain a high index of suspicion and monitor for signs of progression when presented with an acute bursitis even in the absence of these features.

La bursite septique (BS) est un diagnostic différentiel important chez les athlètes souffrant d'un œdème sous-cutané aigu du coude ou du genou. Le diagnostic rapide est essentiel pour réduire au minimum la période de convalescence et prévenir la propagation de l'infection. En raison du chevauchement important des caractéristiques cliniques, il est souvent difficile de distinguer entre la BS et la bursite non septique (BNS) sans analyse de l'aspiration de la bourse. La bursite septique n'est couramment envisagée que si elle est accompagnée d'une lésion cutanée locale ou de fièvre. Cette étude décrit deux cas de bursite rétro-olécranienne septique et un cas de bursite prérotulienne septique chez les joueurs de hockey adultes qui se présentent à une clinique de médecine sportive. Aucun des cas ne présentait une lésion cutanée observable et un seul cas a présenté de la fièvre. Il est donc essentiel que les cliniciens maintiennent un haut indice de suspicion et surveillent les signes de progression lorsqu'on leur présente une bursite aiguë même en l'absence de ces caractéristiques.

Is exercise effective for the management of subacromial impingement syndrome and other soft tissue injuries of the shoulder? A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a key component of rehabilitation for soft tissue injuries of the shoulder; however its effectiveness remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: Determine the effectiveness of exercise for shoulder pain. METHODS: We searched seven databases from 1990 to 2015 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort and case control studies comparing exercise to other interventions for shoulder pain. We critically appraised eligible studies using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. We synthesized findings from scientifically admissible studies using best-evidence synthesis methodology. RESULTS: We retrieved 4853 articles. Eleven RCTs were appraised and five had a low risk of bias. Four studies addressed subacromial impingement syndrome. One study addressed nonspecific shoulder pain. For variable duration subacromial impingement syndrome: 1) supervised strengthening leads to greater short-term improvement in pain and disability over wait listing; and 2) supervised and home-based strengthening and stretching leads to greater short-term improvement in pain and disability compared to no treatment. For persistent subacromial impingement syndrome: 1) supervised and home-based strengthening leads to similar outcomes as surgery; and 2) home-based heavy load eccentric training does not add benefits to home-based rotator cuff strengthening and physiotherapy. For variable duration low-grade nonspecific shoulder pain, supervised strengthening and stretching leads to similar short-term outcomes as corticosteroid injections or multimodal care. CONCLUSION: The evidence suggests that supervised and home-based progressive shoulder strengthening and stretching are effective for the management of subacromial impingement syndrome. For low-grade nonspecific shoulder pain, supervised strengthening and stretching are equally effective to corticosteroid injections or multimodal care. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42013003928.

Varied clinical presentation of os odontoideum: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of an os odontoideum and to provide insight into the varied clinical presentations. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 54 year old man presented with chronic neck pain without headache. A clinical examination was performed and the chiropractor viewed his AP and lateral radiographs. Previous flexion/ extension radiographs and MRI imaging from 2009 were requested for review. The patient was diagnosed with grade II mechanical neck pain. Treatment was rendered that day which included spinal manipulation/ mobilization. Several days later the requested imaging reports were received and described the presence of an os odontoideum. CONCLUSION: In the presence of os odontoideum, familiarity with the signs and symptoms of potential cervical instability is imperative. Health care providers must remain diligent in their patient histories, physical exams, and imaging. This case highlights the importance of following up on imaging studies to rule out diagnoses that would involve treatment contraindications thus ensuring safe and effective treatment.

OBJECTIF: Présenter un cas d'os odontoïde, et donner un aperçu des différents tableaux cliniques. CARACTÉRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: Un homme de 54 ans qui souffre de douleurs cervicales chroniques, sans maux de tête. Un examen clinique a eu lieu et le chiropraticien a vérifié sa pression artérielle et ses radiographies latérales. Des radiographies et images IRM antérieures de la flexion et l'extension, datant de 2009, ont aussi été requises pour examen. On avait diagnostiqué sur ce patient une cervicalgie mécanique de stade II. Un traitement avait été administré ce même jour, dont une manipulation / mobilisation vertébrale. Quelques jours plus tard, les rapports demandés d'imagerie sont reçus, qui font état d'un os odontoïde. CONCLUSION: Il est impératif de reconnaître les signes et les symptômes d'une instabilité cervicale potentielle, en la présence d'un os odontoïde. Les fournisseurs de soins de santé doivent faire preuve de vigilance à l'égard des antécédents de leurs patients, des examens physiques, et de l'imagerie médicale. Ce cas souligne l'importance de faire le suivi des examens d'imagerie pour écarter tout mauvais diagnostic qui engendrerait un traitement contre-indiqué, pour assurer une prise en charge sûre et efficace du patient.

Entrapment of the saphenous nerve at the adductor canal affecting the infrapatellar branch - a report on two cases.

OBJECTIVE: To present 2 cases of entrapment of the saphenous nerve at the adductor canal affecting the infrapatellar branch, and to provide insight into the utilization of nerve tension testing for the diagnosis of nerve entrapments in a clinical setting. RATIONALE: Saphenous nerve entrapments are a very rare condition within today's body of literature, and the diagnosis remains controversial. CLINICAL FEATURES: Two cases of chronic knee pain that were unresponsive to previous treatment. The patients were diagnosed with an entrapment of the saphenous nerve at the adductor canal affecting the infrapatellar branch using nerve tension techniques along with a full clinical examination. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Manual therapy and rehabilitation programs were initiated including soft tissue therapy, nerve gliding techniques and gait retraining which resulted in 90% improvement in one case and complete resolution of symptoms in the second. CONCLUSION: Nerve tension testing may prove to be an aid in the diagnosis of saphenous nerve entrapments within a clinical setting in order to decrease time to diagnosis and proper treatment.

OBJECTIF: présenter 2 cas de compression du nerf saphène interne au niveau du canal adducteur affectant la branche sous-rotulienne, et donner un aperçu de l'utilisation des tests de tension nerveuse pour le diagnostic des compressions nerveuses dans un cadre clinique. JUSTIFICATION: les compressions du nerf saphène interne sont une affection très rare dans les documents scientifiques actuels, et le diagnostic reste controversé. CARACTÉRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: deux cas de douleur chronique au genou qui ne répondaient pas au traitement précédent. Le diagnostic des patients souffrant d'une compression du nerf saphène interne au niveau du canal adducteur affectant la branche sousrotulienne a été réalisé grâce à des techniques de tension nerveuse et un examen clinique complet. INTERVENTION ET RÉSULTAT: des programmes de thérapie manuelle et de réadaptation ont été lancés, y compris le traitement des tissus mous, les techniques de glissement nerveux et la rééducation de la démarche, qui se sont traduits par une amélioration de 90 % dans un cas et la disparition complète des symptômes dans le second. CONCLUSION: les tests de tension nerveuse peuvent s'avérer être une aide au diagnostic des compressions du nerf saphène dans un milieu clinique permettant de réduire le temps de diagnostic et de traitement.