Linking sciatica to bacterial infection
Preliminary results from new research at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, indicate a link between sciatica and bacterial infection. The research team, headed by Professor Tom Elliott, has been testing tissue samples from patients undergoing surgery for unremitting back pain. Initial results have found several bacterial strains in a large proportion of patients. This is very exciting and potentially ground-breaking research. If it is shown that the pain of sciatica is caused by bacterial infection, it opens up the possibility of antibiotics being developed to treat some types of back pain. The researchers also hope to develop a blood test to identify sufferers.
Manipulation of the spine, really?
Why does manipulation of the spine work? Dr Alison McGregor and her team at Imperial College School of Medicine used a new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner and fast track imaging system to see if it was possible to look at what actually happens to the spine during a treatment. After some initial technical hitches, they produced clear real-time images and they have found that manipulation does not seem to cause the bones of the spine to move. The benefits must be due, instead, to the effect on muscles, nerves or blood flow. The researchers are now collaborating with others in the UK and Hong Kong to investigate this further.
Spinal canal project
People with a small spinal canal are more prone to developing back pain, probably because there is less room for nerve which can be displaced by a prolapsed disc or other spinal problems. The lumbar spinal canal develops early in life, with the most rapid period of growth occurring between 12 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and reaching full size when the child is about five years old. Any adverse factors affecting the foetus during this critical growth period may reduce the canal size which is unable to catch up later as the rest of the spine grows.
Researchers at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Aberdeen, with funding from BackCare and The Welton Foundation, have measured the dimensions of the spinal canal in a group of 160 1 0-year-old children using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). By studying the relationship between canal size and antenatal factors, they have found the low birthweight (due to retarded foetal growth rather a short duration of pregnancy), low placenta weight and lower social class resulted in a smaller canal. In addition, maternal smoking was found to be detrimental to canal development. Surprisingly, a number of the children's spines showed signs of disc disease, although no back pain symptoms were reported.
This study has provided a unique collection of MRI scans of the spines of children which would be interesting to follow into adulthood both to remeasure the canals and to find out which subjects, if any, go on to develop back pain. The researchers conclude that good antenatal care and improved maternal education may help to reduce the risk of spinal stenosis and potential back pain in adult life.
Psychological factors in back pain
Recurrent and chronic back pain is often accompanied by frustration, a sense of hopelessness, anger and despair. These emotions and experiences can affect the rate at which someone recovers from an attack of back pain and may lead to a greater perception of their pain.
Dr Tamar Pincus of Royal Holloway College, University of London, was interested to know to what extent patients are being helped by the medical profession to overcome these experiences. She and her colleagues assessed the research that others have been undertaking into the role of psychological factors in back pain. They were disappointed that there was little evidence of early support for patients and concluded that the understandable experiences that pain brings should not be ignored but treated early on and effectively by the medical profession.
Preliminary results from new research at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, indicate a link between sciatica and bacterial infection. The research team, headed by Professor Tom Elliott, has been testing tissue samples from patients undergoing surgery for unremitting back pain. Initial results have found several bacterial strains in a large proportion of patients. This is very exciting and potentially ground-breaking research. If it is shown that the pain of sciatica is caused by bacterial infection, it opens up the possibility of antibiotics being developed to treat some types of back pain. The researchers also hope to develop a blood test to identify sufferers.
Manipulation of the spine, really?
Why does manipulation of the spine work? Dr Alison McGregor and her team at Imperial College School of Medicine used a new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner and fast track imaging system to see if it was possible to look at what actually happens to the spine during a treatment. After some initial technical hitches, they produced clear real-time images and they have found that manipulation does not seem to cause the bones of the spine to move. The benefits must be due, instead, to the effect on muscles, nerves or blood flow. The researchers are now collaborating with others in the UK and Hong Kong to investigate this further.
Spinal canal project
People with a small spinal canal are more prone to developing back pain, probably because there is less room for nerve which can be displaced by a prolapsed disc or other spinal problems. The lumbar spinal canal develops early in life, with the most rapid period of growth occurring between 12 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and reaching full size when the child is about five years old. Any adverse factors affecting the foetus during this critical growth period may reduce the canal size which is unable to catch up later as the rest of the spine grows.
Researchers at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Aberdeen, with funding from BackCare and The Welton Foundation, have measured the dimensions of the spinal canal in a group of 160 1 0-year-old children using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). By studying the relationship between canal size and antenatal factors, they have found the low birthweight (due to retarded foetal growth rather a short duration of pregnancy), low placenta weight and lower social class resulted in a smaller canal. In addition, maternal smoking was found to be detrimental to canal development. Surprisingly, a number of the children's spines showed signs of disc disease, although no back pain symptoms were reported.
This study has provided a unique collection of MRI scans of the spines of children which would be interesting to follow into adulthood both to remeasure the canals and to find out which subjects, if any, go on to develop back pain. The researchers conclude that good antenatal care and improved maternal education may help to reduce the risk of spinal stenosis and potential back pain in adult life.
Psychological factors in back pain
Recurrent and chronic back pain is often accompanied by frustration, a sense of hopelessness, anger and despair. These emotions and experiences can affect the rate at which someone recovers from an attack of back pain and may lead to a greater perception of their pain.
Dr Tamar Pincus of Royal Holloway College, University of London, was interested to know to what extent patients are being helped by the medical profession to overcome these experiences. She and her colleagues assessed the research that others have been undertaking into the role of psychological factors in back pain. They were disappointed that there was little evidence of early support for patients and concluded that the understandable experiences that pain brings should not be ignored but treated early on and effectively by the medical profession.
USA
Mosken
