Evaluating Lumbar Radiculopathy

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
James B. Talmage ◽  
Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach ◽  
J. Edward Blaisdell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Intervertebral Disk ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Motor Weakness ◽  
Sixth Edition ◽  
Diagnostic Labels ◽  
Low Back Injuries ◽  
Acute Radiculopathy ◽  
Intervertebral Disk Herniation ◽  
The Right

Abstract For workers’ compensation, most requests for a permanent impairment rating of low back injuries involve the diagnostic labels of nonspecific chronic low back pain or intervertebral disk herniation. Use of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), Sixth Edition, to choose the right diagnosis and class for these injuries is the first step and involves correctly choosing between “nonverifiable radicular complaints” and “residual radiculopathy.” Evaluators must be able to distinguish persisting radiculopathy, as defined in the sixth edition, from resolved radiculopathy and from nonverifiable radicular complaints and to support findings with objective clinical evidence. Clinical evidence of chronic radiculopathy might include motor weakness, muscle atrophy, impaired sharp–dull discrimination, and/or abnormal electrodiagnostic tests, provided the findings are persistent and there are reflex abnormalities. When considering radiculopathy in the appropriate spine grid of the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, the evaluator must distinguish radicular (limb) symptoms that are continuous, intermittent, or completely resolved. Positive electromyography (EMG) studies for acute radiculopathy are a sufficient objective finding to state the person has radiculopathy on the date of the test; individuals with positive needle EMG do have persisting radiculopathy at maximum medical improvement, but this does not mean that radiculopathy must persist despite time and treatment.

Nonspecific Chronic Back Pain: Sixth Edition Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 14-15
Author(s):  
Jay Blaisdell ◽  
James B. Talmage
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Intervertebral Disk ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Sixth Edition ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Intervertebral Disk Herniation ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Ratings for “non-specific chronic, or chronic reoccurring, back pain” are based on the diagnosis-based impairment method whereby an impairment class, usually representing a range of impairment values within a cell of a grid, is selected by diagnosis and “specific criteria” (key factors). Within the impairment class, the default impairment value then can be modified using non-key factors or “grade modifiers” such as functional history, physical examination, and clinical studies using the net adjustment formula. The diagnosis of “nonspecific chronic, or chronic reoccurring, back pain” can be rated in class 0 and 1; the former has a default value of 0%, and the latter has a default value of 2% before any modifications. The key concept here is that the physician believes that the patient is experiencing pain, yet there are no related objective findings, most notably radiculopathy as distinguished from “nonverifiable radicular complaints.” If the individual is found not to have radiculopathy and the medical record shows that the patient has never had clinically verifiable radiculopathy, then the diagnosis of “intervertebral disk herniation and/or AOMSI [alteration of motion segment integrity] cannot be used.” If the patient is asymptomatic at maximum medical improvement, then impairment Class 0 should be chosen, not Class 1; a final whole person impairment rating of 1% indicates incorrect use of the methodology.

Rehabilitation of Neck and Low Back Injuries

1985 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol C. Teitz ◽  
Diane M. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Low Back ◽  
Back Injuries ◽  
Low Back Injuries

scholarly journals Considerations for Pediatric Retirement from Athletics Following Repetitive Concussive Traumatic Brain Injury: Incorporating the Right to an Open Future

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2266
Author(s):  
Tyler S. Gibb ◽  
Kathryn Redinger ◽  
Casey Fealko ◽  
Sonia Parikh
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Open Future ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Institutional Policies ◽  
Athletic Competition ◽  
Adolescent Athlete ◽  
Clinical Considerations ◽  
Federal Laws ◽  
The Right ◽  
Concussive Injury

Guidance regarding the decision to remove an adolescent from athletic competition immediately following an acute concussive injury and the safe return of play in the short term is widely accepted and supported by clinical evidence, local institutional policies, and state and federal laws. There is considerably less guidance regarding the decision to permanently retire an adolescent athlete for medical reasons due to concussive injuries. In this article, we discuss the clinical and non-clinical considerations that should guide clinicians in discussions regarding the adolescent athlete’s permanent retirement by emphasizing the ethical obligation to protect the child’s right to an open future as possibly determinative in otherwise ambiguous cases.

scholarly journals Low Back Pain in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Diagnosis Not to Miss!

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-189
Author(s):  
Benjamin Schnebert ◽  
Véronique del Marmol ◽  
Farida Benhadou
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Skin Area ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
The Right ◽  
Altered Sensitivity

We report the case of a patient suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa since puberty and complaining of chronic low back pain associated to altered sensitivity and muscular weakness in the right leg. A diagnosis of lumbosciatica was confirmed. Symptoms were not relieved after the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. A surgical decompression was then indicated but heavily debated. Indeed, extended inflammatory and fibrotic hidradenitis suppurativa lesions were located regarding the skin area eligible for the proposed surgery. A combined therapy with clindamycine/rifampicin was started and the surgery was postponed. A complete remission of the articular symptoms was observed 1 month after the start of the antibiotherapy and the inflammatory skin lesions were greatly improved. With the presentation of this clinical case, we would like to discuss the spectrum of rheumatic disorders associated to hidradenitis suppurativa that needs to be correctly diagnosed and taken into consideration in the therapeutic management of the patient.

scholarly journals The Anatomy of the Lateral Branches of the Sacral Dorsal Rami: Implications for Radiofrequency Ablation

2014 ◽  
Vol 5;17 (5;9) ◽  
pp. 459-464
Author(s):  
Joseph Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Radiofrequency Ablation ◽  
Sacroiliac Joint ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Sacral Foramina ◽  
Dorsal Rami ◽  
Lateral Branches ◽  
The Right ◽  
Segmental Innervation

Background: The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a major source of pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lateral branches of the dorsal sacral rami that supply the joint is a treatment option gaining considerable attention. However, the position of the lateral branches (commonly targeted with RFA) is variable and the segmental innervation to the SIJ is not well understood. Objectives: Our objective was to clarify the lateral branches’ innervation of the SIJ and their specific locations in relation to the dorsal sacral foramina, which are the standard RFA landmark. Methods: Dissections and photography of the L5 to S4 sacral dorsal rami were performed on 12 hemipelves from 9 donated cadaveric specimens. Results: There was a broad range of exit points from the dorsal sacral foramina: ranging from 12:00 – 6:00 position on the right side and 6:00 – 12:00 on the left positions. Nine of 12 of the hemipelves showed anastomosing branches from L5 dorsal rami to the S1 lateral plexus. Limitations: The limitations of this study include the use of a posterior approach to the pelvic dissection only, thus discounting any possible nerve contribution to the anterior aspect of the SIJ, as well as the possible destruction of some L5 or sacral dorsal rami branches with the removal of the ligaments and muscles of the low back. Conclusion: Widespread variability of lateral branch exit points from the dorsal sacral foramen and possible contributions from L5 dorsal rami and superior gluteal nerve were disclosed by the current study. Hence, SIJ RFA treatment approaches need to incorporate techniques which address the diverse SIJ innervation. Key words: Sacroiliac joint pain, radiofrequency ablation, dorsal sacral rami, low back pain

scholarly journals Choosing Wisely: The Korean Perspective and Launch of the ‘Right Decision in Cancer Care’ Initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 655-660
Author(s):  
Joo-Young Kim ◽  
Kyoung Eun Lee ◽  
Kyubo Kim ◽  
Myung Ah Lee ◽  
Won Sup Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Healthcare Expenditure ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Medical Professionalism ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Medical Environment ◽  
The Right

Government healthcare expenditure is rising in Korea, and the costs incurred by patients in Korea exceed those incurred by patients in other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Despite the increasing health expenditure, patient demand for services is increasing as well, so it is now becoming recognized that cancer care needs to be balanced. The most important measure in cancer care optimization is to provide high-quality care while keeping costs sustainable. The Korean Cancer Association considers the current situation of cancer therapy in Korea the foremost issue, which has led to the implementation of the nationwide ‘Right Decisions in Cancer Care’ initiative. This initiative is based on the concepts of medical professionalism in that it should be led by physicians working in the field of oncology, that education should be offered to patients and clinicians, and that it should influence healthcare policy. In this article, we introduce the nationwide ‘Right Decision in Cancer Care’ initiative and highlight the five initial items on its agenda. The agenda is open to expansion and update as the medical environment evolves and additional clinical evidence becomes available.

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