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Low-back Pain (low-back + pain)
Selected AbstractsThe Use of Implanted Programmable Infusion Pumps in the Management of Nonmalignant, Chronic Low-Back PainNEUROMODULATION, Issue 4 2007Peter Staats MD ABSTRACT Objectives., To assess the mode-of-use of implanted programmable infusion pumps in patients with nonmalignant, chronic low-back pain. Materials and Methods., Charts from 101 consecutive eligible patients were analyzed retrospectively. Data were extracted relating to patient demographics, pump mode of infusion and flow rate, and medications used. Results., Morphine was the agent most frequently used and most patients received one medication at each visit. At the last visit, 94.1% of patients were receiving constant-flow treatment; 90.1% had received such treatment for , six months and 68.3% throughout the entire analysis period. For patients attaining constant-flow treatment, mean time from implantation to start of such treatment was 2.7 months. Discussion., The results suggest that many patients with nonmalignant low-back pain could be implanted with a constant-flow pump when their programmable device needs replacing or, in some cases, at the start of intrathecal treatment. This would reduce costs and the requirement for surgery. [source] Lumbar Stimulation Belt for Therapy of Low-Back PainARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2009Dejan B. Popovi Abstract We developed the STIMBELT, an electrical stimulation system that comprises a lumbar belt with up to eight pairs of embedded electrodes and an eight-channel electronic stimulator. The STIMBELT is an assistive system for the treatment of low-back pain (LBP). We describe here technical details of the system and summarize the results of its application in individuals with subacute and chronic LBP. The direct goals of the treatment were to relieve pain, reduce muscle spasms, increase strength and range of motion, and educate individuals with LBP in reducing the chances of its reoccurrence. The outcome measures include: a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Oswestry LBP Disability Questionnaire, the Short Form (SF)-12 health survey, and the Manual Muscle Test. The results indicate significant benefits for individuals who use the STIMBELT in addition to the conventional therapy as opposed to only the conventional therapy. [source] Altered functional properties of satellite glial cells in compressed spinal gangliaGLIA, Issue 15 2009Haijun Zhang Abstract The cell bodies of sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are enveloped by satellite glial cells (SGCs). In an animal model of intervertebral foraminal stenosis and low-back pain, a chronic compression of the DRG (CCD) increases the excitability of neuronal cell bodies in the compressed ganglion. The morphological and electrophysiological properties of SGCs were investigated in both CCD and uninjured, control lumbar DRGs. SGCs responded within 12 h of the onset of CCD as indicated by an increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the compressed DRG but to lesser extent in neighboring or contralateral DRGs. Within 1 week, coupling through gap junctions between SGCs was significantly enhanced in the compressed ganglion. Under whole-cell patch clamp recordings, inward and outward potassium currents, but not sodium currents, were detected in individual SGCs. SGCs enveloping differently sized neurons had similar electrophysiological properties. SGCs in the compressed vs. control DRG exhibited significantly reduced inwardly rectifying potassium currents (Kir), increased input resistances and positively shifted resting membrane potentials. The reduction in Kir was greater for nociceptive medium-sized neurons compared to non-nociceptive neurons. Kir currents of SGCs around spontaneously active neurons were significantly reduced 1 day after compression but recovered by 7 days. These data demonstrate rapid alterations in glial membrane currents and GFAP expression in close temporal association with the development of neuronal hyperexcitability in the CCD model of neuropathic pain. However, these alterations are not fully sustained and suggest other mechanisms for the maintenance of the hyperexcitable state. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Use of Implanted Programmable Infusion Pumps in the Management of Nonmalignant, Chronic Low-Back PainNEUROMODULATION, Issue 4 2007Peter Staats MD ABSTRACT Objectives., To assess the mode-of-use of implanted programmable infusion pumps in patients with nonmalignant, chronic low-back pain. Materials and Methods., Charts from 101 consecutive eligible patients were analyzed retrospectively. Data were extracted relating to patient demographics, pump mode of infusion and flow rate, and medications used. Results., Morphine was the agent most frequently used and most patients received one medication at each visit. At the last visit, 94.1% of patients were receiving constant-flow treatment; 90.1% had received such treatment for , six months and 68.3% throughout the entire analysis period. For patients attaining constant-flow treatment, mean time from implantation to start of such treatment was 2.7 months. Discussion., The results suggest that many patients with nonmalignant low-back pain could be implanted with a constant-flow pump when their programmable device needs replacing or, in some cases, at the start of intrathecal treatment. This would reduce costs and the requirement for surgery. [source] Lumbar Stimulation Belt for Therapy of Low-Back PainARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2009Dejan B. Popovi Abstract We developed the STIMBELT, an electrical stimulation system that comprises a lumbar belt with up to eight pairs of embedded electrodes and an eight-channel electronic stimulator. The STIMBELT is an assistive system for the treatment of low-back pain (LBP). We describe here technical details of the system and summarize the results of its application in individuals with subacute and chronic LBP. The direct goals of the treatment were to relieve pain, reduce muscle spasms, increase strength and range of motion, and educate individuals with LBP in reducing the chances of its reoccurrence. The outcome measures include: a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Oswestry LBP Disability Questionnaire, the Short Form (SF)-12 health survey, and the Manual Muscle Test. The results indicate significant benefits for individuals who use the STIMBELT in addition to the conventional therapy as opposed to only the conventional therapy. [source] | ||||||||||