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Objectives: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are potential contributors to shoulder pain and can lead to local ischemia and hypoxia, thus causing pain. Color Doppler ultrasound (US) has been used to examine the vascular environment around MTrPs, but has not been used to examine blood flow impairments in patients with shoulder pain and MTrPs. The reliability of color Doppler US for measuring infraspinatus muscle blood flow also has not been established. This study aimed to investigate differences in blood flow between individuals with and without shoulder pain and the reliability of Doppler US for measuring infraspinatus muscle blood flow., Methods: Forty participants were enrolled, 20 with shoulder pain and MTrPs and 20 without. Color Doppler US examination was performed twice on each participant to measure peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI), and pulsatile index (PI) of the infraspinatus muscle., Results: The symptomatic participants had significantly higher PSV (ie, impaired blood flow) than the asymptomatic participants. There were no significant between-group differences in EDV, RI, and PI. The results also demonstrated good-to-excellent intra-rater reliability for color Doppler US measurements of PSV, EDV, RI, and PI for both groups., Conclusion: This study demonstrated differences in blood flow near MTrPs in the infraspinatus muscle between individuals with and without shoulder pain. It also established good-to-excellent reliability of color Doppler US in measuring infraspinatus muscle blood flow. These findings suggest color Doppler US is a useful tool to identify vascular impairments for shoulder pain associated with MTrPs., (© 2024 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is a common cause of neck pain with resultant intraneural edema and impaired nerve function. One strategy to treat radiculopathy is neurodynamic mobilization (NDM); however, little is known about the effect of this treatment on nerve tissue fluid dynamics., Objective: Investigate the impact of upper limb, median nerve-biased NDM on longitudinal intraneural fluid dispersion in the C5,C6,C7 nerve roots in un-embalmed cadavers., Design: In situ repeated measures., Methods: Human cadavers (n = 8) were dissected to expose and inject C5,C6,C7 cervical nerve roots with a dying agent. Initial longitudinal dye spread was recorded after dye spread stabilization. Cadavers were taken through 150 repetitions of upper limb, median nerve-biased NDM followed by dye spread re-measurement. Paired-samples t-tests with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.017) were used to compare pre-vs post-NDM dye spread measurements at C5,C6,C7 nerve roots; a one-way repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05) was used to examine differences between change scores for C5,C6,C7 nerve roots., Results: Median nerve-biased NDM resulted in significant intraneural longitudinal dye spread at C5 and C6 nerve roots of 0.6 ± 0.6 mm and 3.4 ± 3.9 mm, respectively (p < 0.014). Dye spread was not significant at C7 nerve root (0.4 ± 0.7 mm). There was no between root difference in change of longitudinal dye spread between C5, C6, and C7 nerve roots., Conclusions: The results of this study show median nerve-biased NDM produced internal fluid movement within C5 and C6 cervical nerve roots. Results provide insight regarding possible mechanism of action and feasibility of NDM in treatment of patients with cervical radiculopathy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Low back pain (LBP) continues to be one of the most common conditions leading patients to seek medical care globally. The NP is on the frontline, playing an integral role in caring for patients with LBP. Understanding the etiology of LBP is essential in the treatment., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe variability in spinal manipulation technique details and adverse event (AE) documentation of spinal manipulation during pregnancy., Methods: Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed investigations of spinal manipulation during pregnancy. Criteria for inclusion was as follows: high velocity, low amplitude thrust manipulation performed, subjects pregnant during manipulation, and English language. Studies were excluded when participants were not currently pregnant, and when the manipulation performed was not high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust. Data extraction included study design, number of participants, gestational age, spinal region, number of manipulations, manipulation technique details, profession of manipulator, AE reporting (Yes vs. No), type, and number of AE., Results: Out of 18 studies included in the review, only three provide details of the spinal manipulation technique. The reported variables include patient position, practitioner position, and direction of thrust. Fourteen studies documented AE; however, only seven provide AE details., Discussion: Reporting of spinal manipulation techniques and AE during pregnancy were inconsistent. Replication of methods in future investigations is limited without more detailed documentation of manipulation techniques performed. Furthermore, determining the relative risk and safety of spinal manipulation during pregnancy is not possible without more detailed reporting of AE. Due to these inconsistencies, a checklist is proposed for standardized reporting of spinal manipulation techniques and AE. With more consistent reporting of these parameters, results of future investigations may allow for more definitive and generalizable safety recommendations on spinal manipulation during pregnancy.

Abstract: Hip pain is a common and sometimes disabling condition that affects adults in the primary care setting. The NP must understand the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with hip pain. Proper care of these patients often involves conservative medical management and coordination with physical therapy., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Examine: (1) whether variability in dry needling (DN) dosage affects pain outcomes, (2) if effect sizes are clinically important, and (3) how adverse events (AE) were documented and whether DN safety was determined., Methods: Nine databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating DN in symptomatic musculoskeletal disorders. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Included RCTs met PEDro criteria #1 and scored > 7/10. Data extraction included DN dosage, pain outcome measures, dichotomous AE reporting (yes/no), and AE categorization. Clinically meaningful differences were determined using the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for pain outcomes ., Results: Out of 22 identified RCTs, 11 demonstrated significant between-group differences exceeding the MCID, suggesting a clinically meaningful change in pain outcomes. Nine documented whether AE occurred. Only five provided AEs details and four cited a standard means to report AE., Discussion: There was inconsistency in reporting DN dosing parameters and AE. We could not determine if DN dosing affects outcomes, whether DN consistently produces clinically meaningful changes, or establish optimal dosage. Without more detailed reporting, replication of methods in future investigations is severely limited. A standardized method is lacking to report, classify, and provide context to AE from DN. Without more detailed AE reporting in clinical trials investigating DN efficacy, a more thorough appraisal of relative risk, severity, and frequency was not possible. Based on these inconsistencies, adopting a standardized checklist for reporting DN dosage and AE may improve internal and external validity and the generalizability of results.

Background: Neurologic clustering of findings is recommended with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM). Hoffmann's Sign and Reverse Lhermitte's Sign have been associated with CSM, which, however, have not been discussed as the only objective findings that may cause clinical uncertainty., Case Description: This case report describes how sensitizing Hoffmann's Sign following a Reverse Lhermitte's Sign guided reasoning, with a 66-year-old male presenting with a right lumbar radiculopathy diagnosis. Local lumbar symptoms and impairments were identified, however, a Reverse Lhermitte's Sign with cervical extension was the only finding that reproduced right lower extremity (LE) pain. Hoffmann's Sign, the only abnormal neurologic finding, became exaggerated when performed in cervical extension. Concern of an early presenting CSM accounting for right LE pain was considered. A neurosurgical consultation was initiated with concurrent guideline-based lumbar spine treatment and continued monitoring of neurologic status., Outcomes: Seven weeks after evaluation, sudden worsening of right LE symptoms, hand numbness, ataxia, and grip weakness occurred. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated C3-6 cord compression. A multi-level cervical decompression surgery was performed., Discussion: Using a sensitized Hoffmann's Sign-in response to a Reverse Lhermitte's Sign aided differential diagnosis of an early presenting CSM with reports of LE pain. The diagnostic utility of a sensitized Hoffmann's Sign is unknown.

Background: Suboccipital myofascial trigger points are common in tension-type headaches., Objectives: Compare the influence of clinical experience on the accuracy and safety of dry needle placement on the C2 laminar arch using a cranial-medial and caudal-medial technique to target obliquus capitus inferior in unembalmed cadavers., Methods: Three physical therapists inserted three 50 mm dry needles, per technique, individually toward the C2 laminar arch targeting the obliquus capitus inferior. Ultrasound video of each trial was recorded, and an investigator trained in ultrasound interpretation and blinded to experience level recorded needling accuracy., Results: The novice, experienced and expert clinicians were accurate on 73.8%, 59.5% and 71.4% of caudal-medial trials, and 14.3%, 16.7% and 66.7% of cranial-medial trials, respectively, with each clinician striking the spinal cord at least once. The expert clinician was 10 times more likely to accurately reach the C2 laminar arch using the cranial-medial direction than the experienced and novice clinicians., Conclusion: Increased clinical experience improved accuracy reaching the C2 laminar arch, with all investigators being more accurate with the caudal-medial technique. Greater experience did not eliminate risk as all investigators recorded at least one incident of striking the spinal cord. Fewer spinal cord strikes occurred with the cranial-medial than the caudal-medial technique.

Background: It is unknown whether greater prone thoracic kyphosis increases pneumothorax risk during upper trapezius dry needling., Objectives: To fluoroscopically assess for a correlation between prone thoracic kyphosis and needle length required to reach the pleural space dry needling the upper trapezius in prone., Design: Cadaveric study., Methods: Prone thoracic kyphosis was assessed using dual bubble inclinometers. A 30 mm dry needle was inserted into the midsubstance of the upper trapezius perpendicular to the thoracic kyphosis. A single C-arm fluoroscopic image was obtained. This procedure was repeated with 40, 50, and 60 mm needles. Images were independently viewed by a radiologist to make a binary decision (yes vs. no) whether the needle had potentially broached the pleural space., Results: Fifteen cadaveric specimens with a mean age of 74.9 ± 9.7 and mean kyphosis of 21.5° ±7.7 were used. A 30 mm needle never reached the pleural space. The pleural space was potentially broached on one, four and six occasions by the 40, 50, and 60 mm needle respectively. The correlation between needle depth penetration and kyphosis was not significant (r = 0.03, p = 0.93). Longer needles (50 and 60 mm) were significantly (p = 0.0049) more likely to reach the pleural space than shorter needles (30 and 40 mm)., Conclusion: Thoracic kyphosis was not correlated with needle length required to reach the pleural space. Clinicians may consider selecting shorter needles (<40 mm) to mitigate potential risk while dry needling the upper trapezius in prone., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts to declare., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: This article discusses the pathophysiology, assessment techniques, and management of hip pain in adults and the role of nurses in caring for patients with hip pain., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Myofascial trigger points are not an isolated neuromusculoskeletal phenomenon and have been implicated in systemic, visceral, and metabolic pathology, as a side effect of some medications and in the presence of psychological risk factors. This complexity can complicate adequate screening of patients prior to choosing dry needling as a treatment intervention. Regardless of whether clinicians practice in a direct access setting, they should be cognizant of medical conditions, comorbidities, and risk factors that will influence clinical decisions for dry-needling appropriateness, technique chosen, and potential adverse responses to treatment. Of primary concern are conditions that can either manifest with myalgia and/or myopathy or masquerade as a more common musculoskeletal condition. This clinical commentary reviews system-specific considerations and other common disorders that should be screened for and discusses not only whether dry needling is appropriate but comments on technique and dosage considerations when initiating dry needling.

Objectives: The purpose of this anatomic investigation is to (1) establish accuracy of dry needle placement into the medial third of the piriformis muscle as it exits the pelvis from the greater sciatic notch in unembalmed cadaveric specimens, while avoiding puncture of the sciatic nerve, and (2) establish guidelines for dry needle length selection., Methods: Dry needles were placed in nineteen unembalmed cadaveric posterior hips. Dissection of the posterior hip musculature was performed to confirm location of the needle. A binary decision (yes/no) was made to determine whether the needle reached the piriformis muscle, went through the piriformis muscle, and/or pierced the sciatic nerve. Additionally, mean adipose tissue thickness, gluteus maximus muscle thickness, and perpendicular distance from the needle to the exiting sciatic nerve were recorded., Results: The needle reached the medial third of the piriformis in 16 out of 19 hips (84.2% accuracy) and never punctured the sciatic nerve. There was a fair ( r  = 0.493) and good ( r  = 0.759) correlation between the needle length and the mean fat thickness for the left and right hips, respectively., Discussion: A physical therapist was able to use bony landmark palpation to locate the piriformis muscle and use estimated adipose tissue thickness to choose a sufficient needle length to reach the medial third of the piriformis muscle. While the needle placement technique was safe and no sciatic nerve puncture occurred, the proximity of the piriformis muscle to the sciatic nerve warrants caution during needle placement., Level of Evidence: 2c.