Chronic muscle pain

The use of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) for musculoskeletal ailments is growing. WBC, involving brief exposure to extremely low temperatures, is increasingly used for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The paper examines the physiological impacts of WBC on cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, hematologic, hormonal, and metabolic systems. Specific orthopaedic applications discussed include its role in the management of fractures, osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, osteomyelitis, adhesive capsulitis, tendinopathies, rheumatic pathologies, chronic pain syndromes, and fibromyalgia...

BACKGROUND: Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy has several advantages over transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy regarding operating time, blood loss, postoperative pain, and recovery. However, postoperatively several patients report chronic pain or hypoesthesia. We hypothesized that these symptoms may be the result of damage to the subcostal nerve, because it passes the surgical area. METHODS: A prospective single-center case series was performed in adult patients without preoperative pain or numbness of the abdominal wall who underwent unilateral posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy...

OBJECTIVES: The etiology of fibromyalgia (FM) is disputed, and there is no established cure. Quantitative data on how this may affect patients' healthcare experiences are scarce. The present study aims to investigate FM patients' pain-related healthcare experiences and explore factors associated with high satisfaction and pain relief. METHODS: An anonymous, online, and patient-administered survey was developed and distributed to members of the Norwegian Fibromyalgia Association...

BACKGROUND: Accelerated magnetic resonance imaging sequences reconstructed using the vendor-provided Recon deep learning algorithm (DL-MRI) were found to be more likely than conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences to detect subacromial (SbA) bursal thickening. However, the extent of this thickening was not extensively explored. This study aimed to compare the image quality of DL-MRI with conventional MRI sequences reconstructed via conventional pipelines (Conventional-MRI) for shoulder examinations and evaluate the effectiveness of DL-MRI in accurately demonstrating the degree of SbA bursal and subcoracoid (SC) bursal thickening...

This video article explores a case of tethered cord release through a minimally invasive biportal endoscopic approach. A 24-year-old female with chronic back pain and thigh numbness underwent surgery. The chosen approach involved biportal endoscopic technique, demonstrating precision with minimal bone excision. Preoperative imaging revealed a midline fusion defect at L5 and abnormal conus medullaris termination. The surgical procedure involved one-sided hemilaminectomy, durotomy, and careful filum terminale separation...

INTRODUCTION: Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS) refers to chronic axial pain and/or extremity pain. Two subtypes have been defined: PSPS-type 1 is chronic pain without previous spinal surgery and PSPS-type 2 is chronic pain, persisting after spine surgery, and is formerly known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) or post-laminectomy syndrome. The etiology of PSPS-type 2 can be gleaned using elements from the patient history, physical examination, and additional medical imaging...

Caffeine and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are commonly used to improve muscle mass and athletic performance. Nandrolone Decanoate (ND) is one of the most abused AAS worldwide, leading to behavioral changes in both humans and rodents. Caffeine, the most widely consumed psychostimulant globally, is present in various thermogenic and gym supplements. Low and moderate doses of caffeine antagonize adenosine receptors and have been linked to improved memory and pain relief. We have previously demonstrated that consuming caffeine prevents the risk-taking behavior triggered by nandrolone...

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition including notable impairments in respiratory function. The diaphragm, serving dual roles in respiration and spinal stability, is intricately linked to the cervical spine through fascial, neurophysiological, and biomechanical connections. However, to date, none has investigated the diaphragm function in patients with CNP. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the diaphragm function, respiratory muscle strength, and pulmonary function in patients with CNP...

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain is a non-harmous condition often found in the general population. It is one of the most significant disabilities and needs different treatment modalities. This study investigates the effects of pain neuroscience education and physiotherapy on pain intensity, fear of movement and functional status in a Lithuanian cohort with non-specific low back pain. Methods: The study was performed at the primary health care unit in Kaunas, Lithuania. The key inclusion criterion was persistent non-specific low back pain longer than three months and which affects daily life functions...

In non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) responders benefit from strong Th1-type inflammatory and T cell responses mediating tumor rejection. However, the corresponding lack of anti-inflammatory Th2-type immunity impairs tissue repair in the bladder wall and facilitates the development of cystitis, causing urinary pain, urgency, incontinence, and frequency. Mechanistically, the leakage of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer enables an influx of potassium ions, bacteria, and urine solutes towards the underlying bladder tissue, promoting chronic inflammation...

(1) Background: Neck pain intensity, psychosocial factors, and physical function have been identified as potential predictors of neck disability. Machine learning algorithms have shown promise in classifying patients based on their neck disability status. So, the current study was conducted to identify predictors of neck disability in patients with neck pain based on clinical findings using machine learning algorithms. (2) Methods: Ninety participants with chronic neck pain took part in the study. Demographic characteristics in addition to neck pain intensity, the neck disability index, cervical spine contour, and surface electromyographic characteristics of the axioscapular muscles were measured...

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) caused drastic changes in people's lifestyle that affected TMD characteristics through its physical and psychological influences. The aim of this study was to define the clinical and psychological characteristics of a large group of well-defined TMD patients and seek their differences between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to establish points of care to be emphasized in the post-pandemic era. METHODS: TMD patients diagnosed by the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) aged ≥ 18 were analyzed...

BACKGROUND: Chronic shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal problem associated with unreleased pain and functional dysfunction that can evolve into central sensitization. Some forms of manual therapy may exacerbate pain and central sensitization. This study investigated the impact of joint position sense therapy (JPST), a moderate joint proprioception training technique, on central sensitization, shoulder functional dysfunction, and pain in patients with chronic shoulder pain compared with more intense exercises or aggressive manual therapies...

BACKGROUND: Lumbopelvic movement patterns during prone hip extension has been proposed as a clinical screening method for trunk muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, correlations between trunk muscle onset and pelvic kinematics have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between trunk muscle onset and pelvic kinematics during prone hip extension in participants with CLBP. METHODS: Fifteen patients with CLBP and 15 healthy individuals participated...

BACKGROUND: Impairment in both the motor and cognitive aspects of postural control is a critical issue in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) who experience high pain anxiety (HPA). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of cathodal and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (c-tDCS and a-tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on postural control during cognitive postural tasks in CLBP patients with HPA. METHODS: This study included 66 patients randomly assigned to three groups: DLPFC a-tDCS, DLPFC c-tDCS, and sham tDCS...

Arthritis is a debilitating condition impacting the quality of life for millions worldwide, characterized by pain and inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms of arthritis and developing effective treatments are crucial. This study investigated the hydroethanolic extract of Artemisia herba-alba for its protective potential against arthritis hallmarks, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation in vitro. It also assessed its in vivo anti-arthritic activity. The phytochemical analysis identified various compounds within the extract, with high concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids...

BACKGROUND: This report involves the first publication describing a case of parietal abdominal pain due to lower limb length discrepancy. CASE PRESENTATION: A Caucasian male patient in his 50s was referred to our rehabilitation department with chronic abdominal pain that began in childhood. This chronic pain was associated with episodes of acute pain that were partially relieved by grade 3 analgesics. The patient was unable to sit for long periods, had recently lost his job, and was unable to participate in recreational activities with his children...

BACKGROUND: The Goutallier classification (GC) is used to assess fatty atrophy in rotator cuff (RC) tears, yet limitations exist. A battery of 3D-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric scores (VS) was developed to provide comprehensive characterization of RC pathology. The purposes of this study were to: (1) Describe the correlation between GC and VS for supraspinatus changes in RC tears, (2) Characterize the chronicity of RC tears using the battery of 12 VS measurements, and (3) Compare GC and VS to determine which method most closely corresponds with preoperative patient reported outcome measures (PROMs)...

BACKGROUND: The past decade has seen an exponential growth of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Procedures such as hip arthroscopy have rapidly grown and become the standard of care for patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS). Although, the results of such procedures are encouraging, a large proportion of patients do not achieve optimal outcomes due to chronicity and deconditioning as a result of delay in diagnosis and increased waiting times amongst other factors...

OBJECTIVES: Some young individuals participating in sports activities may encounter lower leg muscle pain and tightness, potentially indicating chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). While muscle pressure measurement is typically recommended for diagnosis, it is invasive and associated with low sensitivity and specificity. Thus, there is a need for novel diagnostic approaches. METHODS: This feasibility study aims to assess whether an ultrasound-guided technique can effectively measure the compressibility of the anterior tibial muscle compartment, focusing on optimal leg positioning and identifying reliable external and internal anatomical landmarks...