Six-year-old boy with a slow-onset persistent back pain

Author(s):  
Giulia Caddeo ◽  
Paola Paganin ◽  
Giulia Gortani ◽  
Marco Carbone ◽  
Massimo Gregori ◽  
...  

A 6-year-old boy was evaluated for a 6-week history of low back pain. Initially, the pain was exacerbated by movements, eventually showing a milder and fluctuating trend. History was unremarkable for previous traumatic events, fever or nocturnal pain. Physical examination revealed localised pain at palpation of the spinous processes at the lumbosacral level. Blood tests showed a normal blood count, negative C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, normal lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase.A posterior–anterior radiograph of the lumbar spine resulted normal. An MRI scan revealed a lumbosacral transitional vertebra with bone oedema of the posterior arch until the spinous process.For better bone definition, a CT scan was performed (figure 1).Figure 1CT scan of the transitional lumbosacral (L5) vertebra.QuestionsWhich causes of persistent low back pain should be ruled out in children under 10 years of age?OsteochondrosisNeoplasmFunctional painInfectionsWhat is the diagnosis in this patient?How is the diagnosis performed?How is this condition managed?Answers can be found on page 2.

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1206-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes ◽  
Fiona Wilson ◽  
Neil Fleming ◽  
Sarah-Jane McDonnell ◽  
Alex Horgan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Amber M Beynon ◽  
Jeffrey J Hebert ◽  
Darren J Beales ◽  
Angela Jacques ◽  
Bruce F Walker

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney Williams ◽  
Noelle M. Selkow

Context: Decreased hamstring flexibility can lead to a plethora of musculoskeletal injuries, including low back pain, hamstring strains, and patellofemoral pain. Lack of flexibility may be the result of myofascial adhesions. The fascia connected to the hamstrings is part of the superficial back line that runs from the cranium to the plantar aspect of the foot. Any disruption along this chain may limit the flexibility of the hamstring. Objective: To investigate if self-myofascial release (SMR) of the plantar surface of the foot in addition to the hamstring group was more effective at improving the flexibility of the hamstrings when compared with either intervention alone. Design: Cross-over study. Setting: Athletic training facility. Participants: Fifteen college students (5 males and 10 females; age: 20.9 [1.4] y, height: 173.1 [10.3] cm, mass: 80.0 [24.9] kg) who were not older than 30, with no history of low back pain or injury within the past 6 months, no history of leg pain or injury within the past 6 months, no current signs or symptoms of cervical or lumbar radicular pain, no current complaint of numbness or tingling in the lower-extremity, and no history of surgery in the lower-extremity or legs. Interventions: Each participant received each intervention separated by at least 96 hours in a randomized order: hamstring foam rolling, lacrosse ball on the plantar surface of the foot, and a combination of both. Main Outcome Measures: The sit-and-reach test evaluated hamstring flexibility of each participant before and immediately after each intervention. Results: There were no significant differences found among the SMR techniques on sit-and-reach distance (F2,41 = 2.7, P = .08, ). However, at least 20% of participants in each intervention improved sit-and-reach distance by 2.5 cm. Conclusions: SMR may improve sit-and-reach distance, but one technique of SMR does not seem to be superior to another.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Kodjo Kakpovi ◽  
Komi Cyrille Tagbor ◽  
Eyram Fianyo ◽  
Agbeko Komlan Doleagbenou ◽  
Kokou Mensah Guinhouya ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with neuropathic pain in patients with non-specific low back pain. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2016 in the Rheumatology, Neurology and Neurosurgery departments of Lome. The DN4 questionnaire was used for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain in the 200 patients with low back pain included in this study. Results: Of the 200 patients (147 women and 53 men) included in the study, neuropathic pain was present in 92 (46%). The average age of the 92 patients (67 women vs 25 men, p = 0.04) was 55.5 ± 12.4 years (women 55.2 ± 12.8 vs. men 54.6 ± 11.4, p = 0.5). The characteristics of neuropathic pain mainly found were: burning sensation (n = 67, 72.8%); electrical discharges (n = 64, 69.6%); tingling (n = 90; 97.8%); tickling (n = 57; 62%); numbness (n = 89; 96.7%); hypoesthesia (n = 52; 56.5%). Factors significantly associated with the presence of neuropathic pain in LBP were age (p = 0.005), duration of LBP (p = 0.04), high blood pressure (p = 0.001), radicular pain (p = 0.00002) and the past history of the LBP (0.000000). Conclusion: Neuropathic pain is common in patients with LBP at Lome. The duration of LBP, past history of LBP, previous NSAID use, BMI, pain severity and radicular pain appear to be predictive of the occurrence of these neuropathic pains.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Syed Abid Mehdi Kazmi ◽  
Nabiha Mujahid Faruq ◽  
Sumaira Imran Farooqui ◽  
Jharna Devi

OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of lumbar manipulation (high velocity low amplitude) for the treatment of low back pain in comparison to back stretching exercises. Randomized Control Trial (Experimental Study) The study was conducted on 200 patients at the Physiotherapy Department of Ziauddin Hospital among patients with history of low back pain of acute, sub acute or chronic origin. In this study, patients were divided into two groups, group A and group B equally. Group A of 100 patients received Lumbar Manipulation (High Velocity Low Amplitude) and at the same time Group B of 100 patients were treated by back stretching exercises. A pre tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS. Pain was measured on Visual Analogue Scale before and after the given treatment. The study showed significant results for both the interventions in the treatment of low back pain but Lumbar Manipulation has been more effective in different types of low back pain while stretching exercises are less effective. On the basis of this study, we are very confident that lumbar manipulation is more effective for the treatment of low back pain compared to back stretching


2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 565-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy W Cacciatore ◽  
Fay B Horak ◽  
Sharon M Henry

Abstract Background and Purpose. The relationship between abnormal postural coordination and back pain is unclear. The Alexander Technique (AT) aims to improve postural coordination by using conscious processes to alter automatic postural coordination and ongoing muscular activity, and it has been reported to reduce low back pain. This case report describes the use of the AT with a client with low back pain and the observed changes in automatic postural responses and back pain. Case Description. The client was a 49-year-old woman with a 25-year history of left-sided, idiopathic, lumbrosacral back pain. Automatic postural coordination was measured using a force plate during horizontal platform translations and one-legged standing. Outcomes. The client was tested monthly for 4 months before AT lessons and for 3 months after lessons. Before lessons, she consistently had laterally asymmetric automatic postural responses to translations. After AT lessons, the magnitude and asymmetry of her responses and balance improved and her low back pain decreased. Discussion. Further research is warranted to study whether AT lessons improve low back pain-associated abnormalities in automatic postural coordination and whether improving automatic postural coordination helps to reduce low back pain.


Author(s):  
Neil Chanchlani ◽  
Philip Jarvis ◽  
James W Hart ◽  
Christine H McMillan ◽  
Christopher R Moudiotis

Case presentationA 14-year-old boy, with autism spectrum disorder, presented with a 1-day history of colicky abdominal pain, non-bilious vomiting, anorexia and loose normal-coloured stool. Two days previously, he had a poorly reheated takeaway chicken.On examination, body mass index (BMI) was >99th centile. He had inconsistent epigastric, periumbilical and umbilical tenderness, and guarding, with normal bowel sounds. Observations were within normal limits, but his pain was poorly responsive to paracetamol, ibuprofen, hyoscine butylbromide, codeine and morphine.Investigations are in table 1. On day 3, his temperature increased to 38.5° and a CT scan was performed, which showed concerning features (figure 1).Table 1Serology and further investigations throughout admissionDay 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Serology White cell count (3.8–10.6×109/L)7.514.615.713.6 Neutrophils (1.8–8.0×109/L)5.312.312.85.3 C reactive protein (<5 mg/L)12010398 Bilirubin (0–21 μmol/L)812Further investigations Urine dipstickNegative UltrasoundSmall volume of free fluid, normal gallbladder, pancreas and appendix not visualisedFigure 1CT scan of the abdomen (A) and pelvis (B).QuestionsWhat is the diagnosis?Appendicitis.Pancreatitis.Cholecystitis.Gastroenteritis.Which serology would have been most helpful at presentation?Renal function.Coagulation.Amylase and lipase.Gamma glutamyltransferase.What are the acute treatment principles?What is the the most common cause?Idiopathic.Gallstones.Medications.Genetic.Answers can be found on page 2.


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