Protocol for lower back pain management: Insights from the French healthcare system.

In this editorial we comment on the article published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases. This article described a novel ultrasound-guided lateral recess block approach in treating a patient with lateral recess stenosis. The impact of spinal pain-related disability extends significantly, causing substantial human suffering and medical costs. Each county has its preferred treatment strategies for spinal pain. Here, we explore the lower back pain (LBP) treatment algorithm recommended in France. The treatment algorithm for LBP recommended by the French National Authority for Health emphasizes early patient activity and minimal medication use. It encourages the continuation of daily activities, limits excessive medication and spinal injections, and incorporates psychological assessments and non-pharmacological therapies for chronic cases. However, the algorithm may not aggressively address acute pain in the early stages, potentially delaying relief and increasing the risk of chronicity. Additionally, the recommended infiltrations primarily involve caudal epidural steroid injections, with limited consideration for other injection procedures, such as transforaminal or interlaminar epidural steroid injections. The fixed follow-up timeline may not accommodate patients who do not respond to initial treatment or experience intense pain, potentially delaying the exploration of alternative therapies. Despite these limitations, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the French approach could inform adaptations in LBP treatment strategies globally, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction across diverse healthcare systems.

The Short-Term Outcome of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients with Radicular Pain Due to Foraminal Stenosis from Lumbar Isthmic Spondylolisthesis.

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic outcomes of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in managing chronic radicular pain due to foraminal stenosis. Furthermore, we evaluated its effectiveness according to isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) severity. Patients and Methods: We included 40 patients with radicular pain due to IS-derived foraminal stenosis in our study and treated them with TFESI. Two patients were lost during follow-up. Based on the lateral lumbar radiograph findings, we allocated the recruited patients with < 25% slippage by IS to Group 1 (n = 23) and those having 25-50% slippage to Group 2 (n = 15). The degree of pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS) at pre-treatment and 1 and 2 months after TFESI. Results: In 38 patients who completed the study, the NRS at pre-treatment was significantly reduced at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups. In the Group analysis, the NRS scores were significantly reduced after TFESI in both Groups 1 and 2, regardless of IS severity. However, the reduction in NRS scores 1 month after TFESI was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2. Moreover, the rate of successful treatment outcomes was significantly higher (65.2%) in Group 1 than in Group 2 (26.7%). Conclusion: After TFESI, chronic radicular pain was significantly reduced regardless of IS severity, and its effect persisted for at least 2 months. However, its effect was superior when the vertebra slippage by IS was less than 25% compared to patients with 25%-50%.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Systemic Adverse Effects and Complications of Ultrasound- and Fluoroscopy-Guided Glucocorticoid Injections: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study are to assess the incidence of systemic adverse effects and complications of ultrasound-guided and fluoroscopy-guided glucocorticoid injections and to identify associated risk factors. DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study compared participants who received a glucocorticoid injection at the outpatient clinic and participants who had an appointment but did not receive a glucocorticoid injection. Participants were called to verify whether they had experienced any of the predetermined systemic adverse effects and complications. Multiple binary logistic regression was used to identify systemic adverse effect and complication risk factors. RESULTS: There were 1010 participants in the glucocorticoid injection group and 328 in the nonglucocorticoid injection group. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of systemic infection and decompensated heart failure between the two groups. More participants in the glucocorticoid injection group developed abnormal uterine bleeding and erectile dysfunction, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Female participants were 1.9 times more likely to develop systemic adverse effects ( P < 0.001). Younger age ( P < 0.001), diabetes ( P = 0.012), and higher glucocorticoid injection doses ( P = 0.024) were also associated with an increased risk of developing systemic adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Identified risk factors for developing glucocorticoid injection systemic adverse effects were younger age, female sex, diabetes, tobacco use, and high glucocorticoid injection doses.

Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain in Patients with Forward Head Posture: A Systematic Narrative Review.

(1) Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common cervical postural deviations and is characterized by head protrusion or forward head placement in relation to the shoulder in the sagittal plane. Patients with FHP often experience neck pain and disability. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment programs are effective in the management of neck pain in patients with FHP. (2) Methods: A MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus database search was conducted for English language articles on patients with chronic neck pain and FHP published until 12 April 2023. To identify potentially relevant articles, the following key search phrases were combined: 'forward head posture' and 'pain'. After searching, 2516 potentially relevant articles were identified. After reading the titles and abstracts and assessing their eligibility based on full-text articles, 16 articles were included in this review. (3) Results: Among the 16 studies that investigated the efficacy of treatment programs for managing chronic pain in patients with FHP, 11 investigated the effect of exercise programs, and 5 investigated the effect of manual therapy. Patients reported significant improvement in pain and disability after receiving treatment programs such as corrective postural exercises and special manual therapy techniques. (4) Conclusions: Various treatment programs, including postural corrective exercises and manual therapy, are beneficial for improving pain and disability in patients with FHP.

Treatment of Upper Crossed Syndrome: A Narrative Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Upper crossed syndrome (UCS) is a common musculoskeletal condition that is characterized by tightness and weakness of the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. The aim of this current study is to summarize and provide an overview of the treatment in patients with UCS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science database search was conducted for English-language articles about upper crossed syndrome that were published until 19 January 2023. To identify potentially relevant articles, the following key search phrases were combined: "upper crossed syndrome", "upper cross syndrome", "diagnosis", and "treatment". A total of 233 articles were identified. After reading the titles and abstracts and assessing their eligibility based on the full-text articles, 11 articles were finally included in this review. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using RoB-2 and ROBINS-I for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the non-randomized clinical trial (non-RCT), respectively. RESULTS: Among eleven studies that investigated the effect of treatment programs for UCS, five studies compared the therapeutic effect of exercise programs with controls, whereas six compared different rehabilitative treatment strategies, such as the muscle energy technique, soft-tissue mobilization, and stretching exercises. In addition, regarding the study design, ten studies were RCTs and only one study was a prospective observational study. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment programs including various types of exercises and techniques to correct an abnormal posture and restore neuromuscular imbalances are effective for decreasing pain and improving neck disabilities and postural deviations in patients with UCS.

Influence of resident involvement on fluoroscopy time and ionizing radiation exposure in fluoroscopy-guided spinal procedures.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopic guidance has become the standard for a variety of medical procedures. Mastering these techniques requires practice, which may entail additional radiation for patients and providers. Despite their widespread use, the literature examining factors influencing radiation exposure in fluoroscopically guided pain procedures is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of resident involvement on radiation exposure during fluoroscopy-guided spinal interventions. DESIGN: Single-center, observational study. SETTING: Outpatient physiatry clinic in a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients who received cervical or lumbar facet block(s) (FBs), transforaminal epidural steroid injection(s) (TFESIs) without digital subtraction, or a caudal epidural (CE) during the study period were included. INTERVENTIONS: Resident involvement in the procedures: absent, observing, or participating. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Machine-indicated fluoroscopy time (seconds) and radiation dose (milligrays [mGy]). RESULTS: Two hundred ninety six procedures were included: 188 FBs (58 cervical, 130 lumbar), 48 CEs, and 60 TFESIs. For lumbar FBs, fluoroscopy time and radiation dose increased significantly when residents performed them (meantime = 24.5 s, confidence interval [CI] = 20.4-28.7; meandose = 3.53 mGy, CI = 2.57-4.49) compared to when they observed (meantime = 9.9 s, CI = 8.1-11.7; meandose = 1.28 mGy, CI = 0.98-1.59) (mean difference: time = 14.63 s, CI = 9.31-19.94; dose = 2.25 mGy, CI = 1.17-3.33) and were absent during the procedure (meantime = 12.9 s, CI = 11.1-14.6; meandose = 1.65 mGy, CI = 1.40-1.89) (mean difference: time = 11.67 s, CI = 7.35-15.98; dose = 1.88 mGy, CI = 1.01-2.76). In the case of TFESIs, time, but not dose, increased significantly when residents observed (meantime = 39.1 s, CI = 30.7-47.6; meandose = 6.73 mGy, CI = 3.39-10.07) compared to when they were absent (meantime = 27.1 s, CI = 22.4-31.8; meandose = 4.41 mGy, CI = 3.06-5.76 (mean difference: time = 11.99 s, CI = 1.37-22.61; dose = 2.32 mGy, CI = -1.20-5.84). Finally, resident involvement did not significantly affect the outcomes for CEs (ptime = .032, pdose = .74) and cervical FBs (ptime = .64, pdose = .68). CONCLUSION: Resident participation affected lumbar FBs the most, with an increase in both fluoroscopy time and radiation dose.

Gadolinium enhancement in cervical dorsal roots in a patient with acute autonomic and sensory neuropathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We report an enhancement of the dorsal roots on gadolinium-enhanced cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a patient with acute autonomic and sensory neuropathy (AASN). CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old woman visited our university hospital for dizziness and fainting while rising from sitting or lying down and a tingling sensation in the whole body, including her limbs, torso, and abdomen, which was sustained for 15 days. The patient had hyperalgesia in nearly her entire body and slight motor weakness in her bilateral upper and lower limbs. Autonomic dysfunction was confirmed using autonomic testing. Furthermore, the nerve conduction study showed an absence of sensory nerve action potentials in all evaluated peripheral nerves. Cervical MRI was performed 18 days after dysautonomia onset. In the axial T1-gadolinum-enhanced MRIs, enhancement in cervical ventral and dorsal nerve roots and the posterior column of the spinal cord were observed, and the axial T2-weighted MRI showed high signal intensity in the posterior column of the cervical spinal cord. Considering the clinical, electrophysiological and imaging findings, the patient was diagnosed with AASN. A total dose of 90 g (2 g/kg) of intravenous immunoglobulin was administered over 5 days. At the follow-up at 4 years after AASN symptom onset, the hyperalgesia and orthostatic hypotension symptoms improved. However, her systolic blood pressure intermittently decreased to < 80 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-enhanced MRI may facilitate the accurate and prompt diagnosis of AASN.

Effect of lacertus fibrosus release on perineural pressure of the median nerve at the elbow: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: The lacertus fibrosus (or bicipital aponeurosis) is a potential site of proximal median neuropathy at the elbow. Lacertus syndrome with motor and/or sensory symptoms has been addressed with a minimally invasive surgical lacertus release. This study evaluates if a lacertus release alters the maximal perineural pressure (Pmax) of the median nerve at the level of the lacertus fibrosus during elbow flexion. METHODS: Seven upper limbs from four fresh cadavers were included. Perineural pressure of the median nerve at the level of the lacertus fibrosus was measured continuously during automated elbow flexions by the biceps brachii muscle. RESULTS: The mean Pmax before the lacertus release was significantly different than the mean Pmax after the lacertus release (669.15 mmHg vs 77.01 mmHg, p = 0.0180). The mean Pmax after the lacertus release decreased with an average 81.41%. CONCLUSION: A simple surgical release of the lacertus fibrosus significantly decreases the maximal perineural pressure of the median nerve at the level of the lacertus fibrosus during elbow flexion.

Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Post-stroke Dysphagia: A Meta-analysis of Stimulation Frequency, Stimulation Site, and Timing of Outcome Measurement.

Dysphagia is one of the most frequent sequelae of stroke. It can result in various complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and poor rehabilitation outcomes. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been reported to improve dysphagia after a stroke; however, effective treatment protocols have not been established yet. We evaluated the effect of the following rTMS parameters on post-stroke dysphagia: stimulation frequency [high frequency (≥ 3 Hz) or low frequency (1 Hz)] and stimulation site (ipsilesional or contralesional mylohyoid cortex). Outcomes were measured immediately, at 3 weeks, and at 4 weeks after the rTMS session. The PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published between January 01, 1980, and December 13, 2021. Randomized controlled trials on the effects of rTMS on post-stroke dysphagia were included. Six studies were finally included in the analysis. The selected studies included 158 patients (rTMS group: 81 patients; sham group: 77 patients). Regarding the effect of high-frequency rTMS on the ipsilesional cortex, the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) scores showed significant improvement after rTMS sessions immediately and at 4 weeks [immediate: P = 0.02, standard mean difference (SMD) = - 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = - 1.14 to - 0.08; 4 weeks: P = 0.006, SMD = - 0.74, 95% CI = - 1.27 to - 0.21]; however, there was no significant reduction in the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores between the rTMS and sham groups (immediate: P = 0.43, SMD = 0.25, 95% CI = - 0.36, 0.86; 3 weeks: P = 0.39, SMD = 0.37, 95% CI = - 0.47 to 1.22). After low-frequency rTMS on the ipsilesional cortex, a significantly greater improvement in the SSA scores was found in the rTMS group than in the sham group, both immediately and at 4 weeks after rTMS sessions (immediate: P = 0.03, SMD = - 0.59, 95% CI = - 1.12 to - 0.06; 4 weeks: P = 0.001, SMD = - 0.92, 95% CI = - 1.48 to - 0.37). In addition, immediately after the rTMS sessions, the PAS scores were significantly reduced in the rTMS group than in the sham group (P = 0.047, SMD = - 0.60, 95% CI = - 1.19 to - 0.01). However, at 4 weeks after rTMS sessions, there was no significant reduction in the PAS scores in the rTMS group compared to the sham group (P = 0.48, SMD = - 0.19, 95% CI = - 0.71 to 0.33). Both high-frequency rTMS of the ipsilesional cortex and low-frequency rTMS of the contralesional cortex improved some measurements of the swallowing function in stroke patients immediately and at 4 weeks after treatment.