Abstract | BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent cause of physical disability in developed countries. In particular, lower back pain is very common and represents a significant burden both in terms of patient suffering and costs. It is important to determine the most effective and efficient interventions in the treatment of this condition. PURPOSE: This article presents clinical outcomes in patients with chronic lower back pain involving ligamentous pathology treated by a physician who specializes in injection therapy for chronic musculoskeletal conditions and is able to tailor injection therapy specifically to each individual patient. DESIGN: As a retrospective case series, patients from outpatient clinics in both rural and one urban centre were assessed, treated, and had 1 year or more follow-up. METHODS: Patients were referred by their family physician for assessment for chronic lower back pain refractory to conventional medical management. OUTCOME MEASURES:
Pain and quality of life (QoL) numeric (10 cm) analog scales (0 = no pain, 10 = the worst pain imaginable; 0 = best quality of life, 10 = worst quality of life) were administered pretreatment and 1 year or later after the last treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety (190) patients were treated during the study period, June 1999-May 2006. Patients whose follow-up was 1 year or greater from the last treatment were included, leaving 140 patients available for data analysis. Both pain and QoL scores were significantly improved at least 1 year after the last treatment. There were no differences in outcomes as a result of age, response to Xylocaine ( lidocaine) injection, insurance coverage, smoking history, or gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that prolotherapy using a variety of proliferants can be an effective treatment for low back pain from presumed ligamentous dysfunction for some patients when performed by a skilled practitioner.
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Authors | John David Watson, Barbara L Shay |
Journal | Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
(J Altern Complement Med)
Vol. 16
Issue 9
Pg. 951-8
(Sep 2010)
ISSN: 1557-7708 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20804430
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Chronic Disease
- Complementary Therapies
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Glucose
(therapeutic use)
- Glycerol
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Injections, Intralesional
- Ligaments
- Low Back Pain
(therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Quality of Life
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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