A Novel Approach to Assessing and Conservatively Treating Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: A Case Study.

Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a common source of chronic abdominal pain and is often underdiagnosed despite numerous and potentially invasive diagnostic evaluations and tests. We present a case report describing a novel, conservative, and non-invasive approach to diagnose and treat recurrent ACNES in a young and active patient. We describe a treatment-based diagnostic approach to confirm potential ACNES pain generators while recording pre- and post-treatment pain scores. After each maneuver, the patient was reassessed which allowed the working diagnosis to clinically evolve demonstrating the pathologic interrelationship between different skeletal structures and myofascial tissues contributing to irritation of the anterior cutaneous nerve. This treatment-based technique also made it possible to identify referred pain from a condition with overlapping symptoms originating from a different anatomic site. Treatment consisted of sequenced osteopathic manipulation techniques, active release techniques, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, directional cupping, stretching, and strengthening exercises. The combination of sequenced treatments over the course of six physical therapy visits spanning 10 weeks resulted in 100% pain reduction and complete resolution of functional limitations. The patient was able to complete all work requirements and physical activity without pain. A sequenced treatment-based diagnostic approach to this case allowed us to more accurately identify all involved anatomic regions of pain and anatomic segments of pathology that were contributing to the abdominal pain or referring pain. No diagnostic imaging, invasive test, or injection was needed to properly diagnose and treat this case of ACNES. A proper understanding and application of osteopathic manipulation, active release techniques, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, cupping, and exercises successfully resolved the contributing pain conditions and provided the patient important and useful tools and strategies to prevent recurrence.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction is a common cause of low back pain and accurate diagnosis can be challenging. A complete history and physical examination are critical in differentiating other diagnoses that may have similar signs and symptoms. Positive responses to at least three physical provocation tests suggest SI joint dysfunction, and local anesthetic SI joint blocks can also be useful for confirming the SI joint as the source of pain. Conservative treatment consists of a multimodal program combining patient education, pelvic girdle stabilization with focused stretching, and manipulative therapy. These programs can be performed by physical therapists or clinicians trained in manipulative therapy. Pelvic belts may be beneficial in affected postpartum patients. Patients with symptoms that do not improve with conservative management may benefit from interventional treatment options including intra-articular corticosteroid injections, cooled radiofrequency ablation, or SI joint fusion.

Piriformis Syndrome Masquerading as an Ischiofemoral Impingement.

Hip pain can have a number of different etiologies. Ischiofemoral impingement (IFI), an etiology causing extra-articular hip pain, shares many of the same symptoms as other causes of gluteal or inguinal pain, making its diagnosis difficult. We present a case of a young female with persistent deep gluteal pain who was diagnosed with IFI based on radiographic findings; however, a diagnostic injection into the quadratus femoris did not confirm IFI as the primary pain generator. The patient subsequently failed several trials of physical therapy designed to address this diagnosis. The diagnosis was expanded to include piriformis syndrome and the modified treatment approach resulted in complete resolution of her pain. The similarities of these pathologies resulted in a delay of definitive treatment and would have potentially required unnecessary surgery. This case study highlights the diagnostic conundrum clinicians face in the evaluation of gluteal hip pain and provides an algorithm for considering alternate diagnoses when conservative management fails to achieve expected results.

A Case Study of Chronic Iliopsoas Tendinopathy and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Masquerading As Pelvic Girdle Pain.

Pain related to pregnancy can occur anytime between conception to the postpartum period. Pregnancy and the following months after birth are a time of physical change to the woman's body, with significant hormonal effects. We present a case of a young female with chronic pain several years after her second pregnancy that presented a diagnostic challenge. She was initially diagnosed with persistent pelvic girdle pain (PGP) type 2, responded somewhat to appropriately targeted pelvic floor therapy, with a plateau in her progress. The diagnosis was revised to PGP type 4, with some improvement in pain with customized therapy. Her treatment again changed with a focus on sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction and iliopsoas tendinopathy with excellent and complete resolution of her pain. The overlapping nature of these diagnoses caused a significant challenge in creating a tailored physical therapy approach to her pain that eventually led to her final diagnosis being one of exclusion. Treatment was focused on optimization of joint mobility and tissue lengthening, with the resolution of her pain.

Recalcitrant Flexor Hallucis Longus Dysfunction: A Case Study Demonstrating the Successful Application of an Adaptable Rehabilitation Program With a Two-Year Follow-Up.

Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) dysfunction is a condition experienced primarily by athletes, including ballet dancers and runners. Accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment at the initial evaluation can often be difficult given the number of foot and ankle pathologies that share similar signs and symptoms. The evaluation process tends to be a diagnosis of inclusion rather than a specific pathology with an accepted rehabilitation plan. For example, patients with medial arch pain may undergo an extended rehabilitation period with an evolving differential diagnosis requiring several treatment modifications. A more appropriate rehabilitation paradigm should adapt to the potential changes in patient symptoms and presentation, addressing functional impairments as they arise. This case study describes the successful management of a patient with chronic FHL dysfunction, leveraging a flexible, multimodal treatment approach to address the evolving functional impairments rather than focusing on a single, discrete diagnosis. At a two-year follow-up, the patient remains pain-free.

Atypical Costochondritis: Complete Resolution of Symptoms After Rib Manipulation and Soft Tissue Mobilization.

Costochondritis is a self-limiting, poorly described, and benign condition that usually manifests as non-cardiac chest pain. The symptoms usually tend to resolve in a couple of weeks. Serious causes of chest pain should be ruled out prior to diagnosing costochondritis, as it is often a diagnosis of exclusion. Costochondritis that does not self-resolve is referred to as atypical costochondritis and is associated with high medical expenses and psychological burden on the patient. In this report, we discuss the case of a 37-year-old healthy male patient who presented with a two-year history of intermittent pain along the right anterolateral rib cage without any history of trauma. After extensive diagnostic work-up by Cardiology and Gastroenterology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) got involved. The initial diagnosis of chest pain evolved into atypical costochondritis given the time course, physical examination findings of focal tenderness, along with normal laboratory values, electrocardiogram, and imaging studies. A multimodal approach was adopted for the treatment of this patient, including manipulative therapy to determine if regional interdependence was present, followed by instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and stretching to address the potential myofascial pain generators. After three appointments, there was complete resolution of morning pain and there was no pain upon examination. This case highlights how osteopathic manipulation techniques (OMT) can be useful in the treatment of rib dysfunction, especially in atypical costochondritis. Further studies are required to expand our knowledge of costochondritis and physical therapy (PT) techniques, which would allow for early identification and effective treatment of the condition.

Successful Resolution of Chronic Testicular Pain With an Impairment-Based Treatment Program: A Case Study With One-Year Follow-Up.

Chronic testicular pain is a condition commonly experienced by males. Potential causes of testicular pain can be pathology localized within the testicle or referred pain from surrounding tissues or spinal conditions. The diagnostic differential is extensive and can be seen as a diagnosis of exclusion after structural disorders specific to the testicle are ruled out. In approximately 50% of the cases, the cause of pain is undetermined. Patients with testicular and inguinal pain may undergo extensive workup that overlooks potential neuropathic and musculoskeletal causes remote to the testicle. This case study describes the application of a conservative treatment program targeting presumptive chronic genitofemoral and/or ilioinguinal nerve entrapment along the course of the inguinal canal for the treatment of chronic testicular pain. By combining sacroiliac joint osteopathic manipulation, iliopsoas stretching, and soft tissue mobilization utilizing a vacuum suction cup, the patient was symptom-free on the fourth visit after suffering from testicular pain for a year. At a one-year follow-up, the patient remains pain-free.

Rib Mediated Non-Cardiac Chest Pain: A Case Report.

Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a very common and functionally limiting pain complaint that vexes patients and medical providers leading to time-consuming and expensive diagnostic work-ups as well as significant disability and lost productivity. Despite extensive debate and research, there is no definitive treatment recommendation or high-level evidence to support a conservative care treatment approach, or interventional management procedures for the diagnosis and alleviation of NCCP. In patients presenting with chest pain, after ruling out life-threatening causes, the diagnosis of NCCP is made. This process is a diagnosis of exclusion rather than a specific etiology with a defined treatment plan. This results in specialty consultation, advanced diagnostic testing, and delayed definitive care. A better triage process may include the incorporation of diagnostic maneuvers at the primary care and emergency room to justify referral to a musculoskeletal specialist in lieu of or during advanced diagnostic work-up. After the diagnosis of NCCP is made in our young and active patient population, we have seen significant success in the application of manipulation and a functional restoration program similar to the presented case. To our knowledge, this treatment approach has not been previously described. While this management strategy may be taught in physiotherapy courses, we provide the case to illustrate a multimodal treatment approach that seems to be unknown or underutilized based on the number of referrals and prevalence of this condition.

Evaluation and Management of Sacroiliac Dysfunction Utilizing an Evidence-Based Algorithmic Approach: A Case Study.

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is an important contributor to persistent and functionally limiting lower back pain. Despite extensive debate and research, there is no definitive treatment recommendation or high-level evidence to support a conservative care treatment approach, nor interventional or surgical management procedures for the alleviation of pain originating from the SIJ. Traditional physical therapy and conservative approaches to generalized lower back pain often fail in this patient subset prompting sub-specialty consultation to a pain management center. Diagnosis of the SIJ as the pain generator can be accomplished through physical exam maneuvers and comparative diagnostic blocks; however, upon diagnosis, management remains a challenge. After the diagnosis of SIJ dysfunction is made in our young and active patient population, we have seen significant success in the application of an interdisciplinary and evidence-based treatment algorithm similar to the presented case. To our knowledge, this treatment approach has not been previously described.

Cryoablation of the Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve Identified by Non-Invasive Peripheral Nerve Stimulator for the Treatment of Non-Surgical Anterior Knee Pain: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Chronic, non-surgical, non-specific anterior knee pain is a common source of functionally limiting chronic ailment, especially in a young athletic and active-duty military population. The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous is becoming a common therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of anterior knee pain. It is a nerve commonly injured during knee surgeries and trauma, resulting in neuroma formation and chronic neuropathic pain states, and it can also transmit nociceptive input from patients with non-surgical anterior knee pain of multiple etiologies. Several methods have been employed to treat this condition. After the diagnosis of infrapatellar saphenous neuralgia, the nerve is safely ablated using radiofrequency ablation, neurolytic solutions, and, most recently, cryoablation using the handheld iovera® cryoablation system (Myoscience, Inc. Fremont, CA). Cryoablation is an attractive technique because it is minimally invasive, not permanent, and well tolerated by the patient with only local anesthesia. We have previously described a technique using a non-invasive peripheral nerve stimulator to identify and treat the exact location of the nerve more precisely, thereby optimizing treatment success and procedural simplicity. This case series illustrates our initial use and success with this technique. Further follow-up and randomized sham-controlled trials are also planned.

A Novel Approach to Assessing and Treating Musculoskeletal-Mediated Atypical Abdominal Pain: A Case Study.

Abdominal pain is a common and functionally limiting complaint within the healthcare system linked to impaired quality of life and increased health care utilization. This chief complaint is associated with an extensive differential diagnosis leading to high utilization of diagnostic testing, increased healthcare cost, and delayed access to care. In patients presenting with acute or chronic abdominal pain, musculoskeletal pain often requires expensive testing, thereby delaying definitive care. An improved triage process is warranted. Performing a musculoskeletal examination to determine if pain patterns can be mechanically reproduced at the site of origin, or remote to the site of pain, warrants referral to a musculoskeletal specialist. In our young and healthy population, once the musculoskeletal mediated abdominal pain origin is determined, we see significant success in the application of a treatment approach consisting of manipulative therapy, exercise, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. A multimodal treatment approach for musculoskeletal-mediated abdominal pain has not been previously described. This case study outlines a novel management approach for musculoskeletal-mediated abdominal pain and provides an alternative diagnostic technique, when implemented early in the evaluation and management process of atypical abdominal pain, that improves the quality of life.

Development of an Evaluative, Educational, and Communication-Facilitating App for Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: Patient Perceptions of Usability and Utility.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the usability and utility of an office-based iPad app that we developed for older adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The app screens for conditions that contribute to back pain and pain interference and provides personalized education based on patient responses. It also facilitates patient-provider communication regarding treatment targets and expectations. METHODS: Forty-six older adults (age ≥60 years) with CLBP were recruited from the Veterans Affairs and from the Pittsburgh community. Testing was split into two phases. Alpha testing (N = 15) was used to drive design changes to the app. Beta testing (N = 30, after one participant withdrew) used a structured questionnaire to evaluate the app's usability and utility. RESULTS: The application was rated highly for usability and utility (9.6 and 8.9 out of 10, respectively). The majority of participants (82.1%) agreed that the app would help them communicate with their doctor and that it gave them useful information about potentially harmful or unnecessary interventions such as opioids and imaging (79.2% and 75.0%). Participants (age ≥60 years, mean age = 75.5 years) were able to successfully use the application without assistance and would be willing to do so in their primary care office. CONCLUSIONS: We present the development of a CLBP app that screens for pain contributors and provides personalized education based on patient responses. Such an app could be employed in a variety of clinical settings to help educate patients about their CLBP and to curtail unnecessary interventions. Patient outcomes are being tested in an ongoing clinical trial.