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Introduction: Although the effect of chronic compression and surgical decompression of the diabetic rat sciatic nerve has been evaluated by walking track analysis, the measurement of sensory function by response to thermal nociceptive stimulation has not been investigated., Methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes underwent sciatic nerve compression through a 10-mm silicone band. Five rats had histology done 60 days after confirming chronic nerve compression. Pain threshold was measured using hindlimb withdrawal times (HLWT) from a heat stimulus. After 60 days of compression, the silicone tube was removed. Five nondiabetic, nonbanded rats were used as controls., Results: Control mean HLWT was 9.7 ± 1.5 sec. In the diabetes group (60 days of compression), mean HLWT was 23.6 ± 2.4 sec. (p < 0.001). Thirty days after removal of the silicone, mean HLWT to painful stimuli was 14.9 ± 1.5 sec. (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Chronic compression of the diabetic rat sciatic nerve increases (worsens) the threshold to heat (pain) perception. Decompression reverses this effect (improves nociception)., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal complaints and potential risk factors among Romanian surgeons. Ninety-five surgeons of different specialties (62.11% males) completed a questionnaire about work-related musculoskeletal complaints (WMSCs). Ninety-one surgeons (95.78%) experienced WMSCs at least in one body part in the last year. Most surgeons reported pain in four body parts (33.68%). The most common WMSCs were reported on the lower back (74.73%), followed by complaints in the neck region (55.79%), shoulder and upper back (46.32%), knee (31.58%), wrist–hand (16.84%), elbow (14.74%), hip (11.58%) and ankle–foot (4.21%). Surgeons rated their pain more severe on upper back, lower back and knees. A higher percentage of male surgeons reported upper back pain (χ2(1) = 5.818, p = 0.015). Significant age differences were found between the reported pain sites (F8,278 = 2.666, p = 0.008); the surgeons reporting wrist–hand pain were younger than those reporting neck, shoulders, elbows, dorsal and lumbar pain. Surgeons with significantly less experience in years reported significantly more WMSCs in wrist–hand, hip and ankle–foot regions compared with those more experienced (p < 0.05). Surgeons are at high risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal complaints, which affects both their professional and personal life. Further studies are needed to identify all risk factors and ergonomic strategies to reduce the prevalence and the negative impact of WMSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]