Diagnostic Performance of Three-Phase Bone Scintigraphy and Digital Infrared Thermography Imaging for Chronic Post-Traumatic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) and digital infrared thermography imaging (DITI) in the chronic post-traumatic CRPS and propose new imaging diagnostic criteria that combine the two tests. We retrospectively enrolled 44 patients with suspected symptoms of CRPS from various injuries during obligatory military service. We analyzed the following findings: (1) uptake pattern on TPBS, (2) uptake ratios of affected and unaffected sides in each phase of TPBS, (3) difference in body skin temperature on DITI.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures.

Objective: The incidence of hip fractures is increasing worldwide with the aging population, causing a challenge to healthcare systems due to the associated morbidities and high risk of mortality. After hip fractures in frail geriatric patients, existing comorbidities worsen and new complications are prone to occur. Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for promoting physical function recovery and minimizing complications, which can be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach.

The clinical ability of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to predict treatment outcomes for lumbar facet joint pain.

Background: Several radiologic imaging techniques have been used to predict the effects of treatment on lumbar facet joint (LFJ) pain. However, there are no reports on the use of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the management of LFJ pain. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical ability of contrast-enhanced MRI to predict treatment outcomes for LFJ pain.

Diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 in patients with corticobasal degeneration: a case report.

We report a rare case of a patient with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) who was also diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I), which has similar clinical characteristics. A 76-year-old man who had been diagnosed with CBD several years prior presented with asymmetric severe pain, postural instability, limb rigidity, limb dystonia, tremor, ideomotor apraxia, and bradykinesia especially on his left upper extremity on admission at our rehabilitation center. Additional physical examination showed darkened skin color change, edema, reduced skin elasticity, cold skin temperature, wet skin, and limited range of motion (ROM) of the left side compared to the right side.

Epidural steroid injection versus conservative treatment for patients with lumbosacral radicular pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Previous systemic reviews have examined the efficacy of individual therapeutic agents, but which type of treatment is superior to another has not been pooled or analyzed. The objective of the current study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of epidural steroid injection (ESI) versus conservative treatment for patients with lumbosacral radicular pain.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted with MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases with a double-extraction technique for relevant studies published between 2000 and January 10, 2019.

Changes in etiology and severity of dysphagia with aging.

Purpose: To investigate characteristics of dysphagia in the oldest-old population and the effect of aging on swallowing physiology.

Methods: 418 (364 men, 54 women) patients who underwent videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) for dysphagia were included. The patients were divided into an older group, group I (60-79 years old, n = 275) and the oldest-old group, group II (80-96 years old, n = 143).

Effects of interlaminar epidural steroid injection in patients with moderate to severe lumbar central spinal stenosis: a prospective study.

Background: In this study, we evaluated the outcome of interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ESI) in patients with chronic pain induced by moderate or severe lumbar central spinal stenosis (LCSS), and compared the effects of interlaminar ESI according to the severity of LCSS.

Methods: Sixty patients with chronic lower extremity pain due to LCSS were included and received interlaminar ESI. Two patients were lost to follow-up.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy to treat neurogenic heterotopic ossification in a patient with spinal cord injury: A case report.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment for neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) using extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Single case report. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Service Medical Center.

Nonsurgical treatments for patients with radicular pain from lumbosacral disc herniation.

Background Context: Lumbosacral disc herniation (LDH) is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal diseases causative of sick leave in the workplace and morbidity in daily activities. Nonsurgical managements are considered as first line treatment before surgical treatment.

Purpose: This clinical practice guideline (CPG) is intended to provide physicians who treat patients diagnosed with LDH with a guideline supported by scientific evidence to assist in decision-making for appropriate and reasonable treatments.

Brain mapping for long-term recovery of gait after supratentorial stroke: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

The recovery of independent gait after stroke is a main goal of patients and understanding the relationship between brain lesions and the recovery of gait can help physicians set viable rehabilitation plans. Our study investigated the association between variables of gait parameters and brain lesions.Fifty poststroke patients with a mean age of 67.

Intraarticular Pulsed Radiofrequency to Treat Refractory Lumbar Facet Joint Pain in Patients with Low Back Pain.

Objective: Many treatment techniques have been used for refractory lumbar facet joint pain; however, their efficacy has been controversial. In this study, we investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency for the treatment of refractory lumbar facet joint pain in patients with low back pain.

Methods: Twenty patients with refractory lumbar facet joint pain were recruited, and each patient was treated via intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency.

Clinical Predictors of Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding Success in Brain Injury Patients With Dysphagia.

Objective: To identify possible clinical predictors of intermittent oro-esophageal (OE) tube feeding success, and evaluate the clinical factors associated with OE tube treatment.

Methods: A total of 135 dysphagic patients were reviewed, who received OE tube treatment and were hospitalized in the department of rehabilitation medicine between January 2005 and December 2014. The 76 eligible cases enrolled were divided into two groups, based on the OE tube training success.

Comparison of Intra-articular Thoracic Facet Joint Steroid Injection and Thoracic Medial Branch Block for the Management of Thoracic Facet Joint Pain.

Study Design: A prospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to show the effect of intra-articular (IA) thoracic facet joint (TFJ) steroid injection for the management of TFJ pain, and to compare it with the effect of therapeutic thoracic medial branch block (MBB) with a local anesthetic and steroid.

Summary Of Background Data: Several studies have shown the effects of thoracic MBB with local anesthetics with or without steroids and radiofrequency neurotomy in managing TFJ pain, but thus far, the effectiveness of IA TFJ steroid injection has not been studied.

Comparison of intra-articular lumbar facet joint pulsed radiofrequency and intra-articular lumbar facet joint corticosteroid injection for management of lumbar facet joint pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of intra-articular (IA) lumbar facet joint (LFJ) pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) for the management of LFJ pain, and to compare the effect of IA LFJ PRF to IA corticosteroid injection (ICI). Pathology in the LFJ is a common source of lower back pain (LBP). It is responsible for chronic LBP in approximately 15% to 45% of patients.

Hypercapnia Caused by a Therapeutic Dosage of Pregabalin in a Tetraplegic Patient With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Pregabalin is often used for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). We reported a patient with C5 [S(C5/C6)] ASIA Impairment Scale C SCI due to cervical myelopathy who presented CO2 retention when taking a therapeutic dosage of pregabalin. An 88-year-old patient with cervical SCI was transferred to the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Neurocognitive Dysfunction According to Hypoperfusion Territory in Patients With Moyamoya Disease.

Objective: To demonstrate the prevalence of cerebral hypoperfusion without focal cerebral lesions in patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD), and the relationship between areas of hypoperfusion and cognitive impairment.

Methods: Twenty-six MMD patients were included. Patients were categorized according to the presence/absence of hypoperfusion in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes on brain single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) after acetazolamide challenge.

Safety and efficacy of letibotulinumtoxinA(BOTULAX®) in treatment of post stroke upper limb spasticity: a randomized, double blind, multi-center, phase III clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate a new botulinum neurotoxin type A, termed letibotulinumtoxinA(Botulax) and compare its efficacy and safety for post-stroke upper limb spasticity with that of onabotulinumtoxinA(Botox).

Design: A prospective, double-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical study.

Setting: Six university hospitals in Korea.

A New Sacroiliac Joint Injection Technique and Its Short-Term Effect on Chronic Sacroiliac Region Pain.

Objectives: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections have been used to provide short-term relief of SIJ pain. In this study, the authors investigated a new technique using a superior approach.

Methods: Twenty four patients with chronic SI joint paint were recruited.

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Neglect Syndrome in Stroke Patients.

Objective: To examine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) improves visuospatial attention in stroke patients with left visuospatial neglect.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: anodal tDCS over the right PPC, cathodal tDCS over the left PPC, or sham tDCS. Each patient underwent 15 sessions of tDCS (5 sessions per week for 3 weeks; 2 mA for 30 minutes in each session).

Views of physiatrists and physical therapists on the use of gait-training robots for stroke patients.

[Purpose] Gait-training robots have been developed for stroke patients with gait disturbance. It is important to survey the views of physiatrists and physical therapists on the characteristics of these devices during their development. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 100 physiatrists and 100 physical therapists from 38 hospitals participated in our questionnaire survey.

Effects of a Resting Foot Splint in Early Brain Injury Patients.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the resting foot splint to prevent ankle contracture.

Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial in 33 patients with brain injury with ankle dorsiflexor weakness (muscle power ≤grade 2). Both groups continued conventional customized physical therapy, but the patients in the foot splint group were advised to wear a resting foot splint for more than 12 hours per day for 3 weeks.

Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Patients With Dysarthria After Subacute Stroke.

Objective: To evaluate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could improve dysarthria in stroke patients at the subacute stage.

Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Patients who had unilateral middle cerebral artery infarction were enrolled.

Prediction of lower limb motor outcomes based on transcranial magnetic stimulation findings in patients with an infarct of the anterior cerebral artery.

The aim was to investigate the relationship between transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at the early stage of stroke and 6-month motor outcome for patients with anterior cerebral artery territory infarct. Patients were classified into TMS(+) and TMS(-) groups. At the 6-month evaluation, lower limb motor function for the TMS(+) group was significantly better than those for the TMS(-) group.

Isosorbide concentration in perilymph of the Guinea pig after oral administration versus that after round window perfusion.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of isosorbide delivery into perilymph through the round window membrane (RWM), and to compare the intracochlear isosorbide concentration in perilymph after oral administration (PO) versus that after round window perfusion (RWP).

Methods: Sixteen male guinea pigs (32 ears) were used. Isosorbide, an osmotic diuretic, was administered via RWP or PO.