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International Journal of Sports... Feb 2016Trigger points, which have been defined as highly localized, hyperirritable locations in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle fibers, have been identified with a...
BACKGROUND
Trigger points, which have been defined as highly localized, hyperirritable locations in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle fibers, have been identified with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. The incidence of trigger point pain is high, with studies showing them as the primary source of pain in 30-85% of patients presenting in a primary care setting or pain clinic. Dry needling has emerged as a possible intervention for trigger points, but its effectiveness has not yet fully been determined.
PURPOSE
To assess and provide a summary on the current literature for the use of dry needling as an intervention for lower quarter trigger points in patients with various orthopedic conditions.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
METHODS
CINAHL, NCBI-PubMed, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, and APTA's PTNow were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Six studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed using the PEDro scale.
RESULTS
Four of the studies assessed by the PEDro scale were deemed 'high' quality and two were 'fair' quality. Each of the six included studies reported statistically significant improvements with dry needling for the reduction of pain intensity in the short-term. Only one study reported a statistically significant improvement in short-term functional outcomes; however, there was no maintenance of improved function at long-term follow-up. Furthermore, none of the studies reported statistically significant changes regarding the effect of dry needling on quality of life, depression, range of motion, or strength.
CONCLUSION
A review of current literature suggests that dry needling is effective in reducing pain associated with lower quarter trigger points in the short-term. However, the findings suggest that dry needling does not have a positive effect on function, quality of life, depression, range of motion, or strength. Further high quality research with long-term follow-up investigating the effect of dry needling in comparison to and in conjunction with other interventions is needed to determine the optimal use of dry needling in treating patients with lower quarter trigger points.
LEVELS OF EVIDENCE
1.
PubMed: 26900495
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Oct 2017Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign bone tumour arising typically in the epiphysis. Few cases of chondroblastoma of the rib have been reported in the literature. We...
Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign bone tumour arising typically in the epiphysis. Few cases of chondroblastoma of the rib have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of chondroblastoma of a 47-year-old man located in the body of the IX right rib. The patient presented a moderate right thoracic pain with an apparently palpable mass. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-defined oval 49 mm × 43 mm lesion with the lytic bone destruction of the rib. A surgical resection was performed with an excellent outcome and no recurrence after 4-year follow-up. We also conducted a systematic review of literature where we evidenced that chondroblastoma could affect people of all age, but it's most common in children and young adult. Surgical resection constitutes the treatment of choice.
PubMed: 29268433
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2017.08.137