Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Back Injuries”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The biomechanics of fast bowling in men's cricket: a review.

This review concentrates on synthesizing and analysing the biomechanical research which has been carried out on fast bowling in men's cricket. Specifically, it relates to those elements of the bowling technique which contribute towards a fast ball release, the aerodynamics and technique of swing bowling, and the association between fast bowling and lower back injury. With regard to bowling technique, no firm conclusions are drawn on the relationships between elements of the fast bowling technique and ball release speed. Recommendations for future research in this area include intra-player studies to establish the bowler-specific factors which contribute to fast ball release and features of body segment dynamics. There is general agreement that the phenomenon of differential boundary layer separation is the reason for normal and reverse cricket ball swing. Systematic research to establish the essential aspects of the bowling technique which contribute to successful swing bowling is recommended, along with studies of the behaviour of the ball in games to ascertain the effects of ball asymmetries on ball swing. There is sufficient evidence in the literature to establish a strong link between injury to the lower back and the use of the mixed technique. Recommendations are made for screening and intervention to reduce the use of the mixed technique, and for research into other aspects of injury. Fundamental research to develop biomechanical models of the lower back in fast bowling is strongly recommended.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Fractures and other injuries from falls after an ice storm.

This is a retrospective review of all patients seen at an urban emergency department for 9 days after an ice storm because of a fall on ice. Date of presentation, age, sex, and anatomic location and type of injury were tabulated. Risk factors for fractures were identified. A total of 327 injuries were identified in 259 patients. Back injury was most common (19.3%). Ninety-one patients sustained 93 fractures. Ankle fractures were most common (24.7%), followed by fractures of wrist (19.4%) and hip (14.0%). Ankle fractures were more common than other studies of falls after a snow storm. Fracture was significantly related to age (P = .0001). There was a trend for women to sustain fractures (P = .07). Unlike other mass casualty events, fractures and injuries peaked on the 5th and 6th day after the storm, allowing adequate time for mobilizing resources to care for the injured.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Post-offer, pre-placement testing in industry.

BACKGROUND: Pre-placement testing was implemented during World War II. Its current use has been reshaped by economic factors, litigation, legislation, and advances in medicine. In response to a request from a local industry intent upon lowering their work-related injuries, a post-offer screening program was developed and implemented. The aim of this study was to develop a testing protocol for determining physical capacity that could be adapted for a post-offer, pre-placement program. METHODS: Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) testing was used to determine the physical capacity of 2,482 uninjured, healthy prospective new employees of a large food production plant. A comprehensive medical history and 20 different anthropometric, fitness, strength, and lifting tests were administered to all new hires in the first phase of this study to determine if injury incidence could be estimated through functional screening testing. The second study was designed to determine the effectiveness of the application of a post-offer, pre-placement program in an electrical equipment manufacturing facility. RESULTS: Strength testing alone was of no predictive value for work injury incidence. There was a strong correlation of physical capacity to physical job requirements. If an employee had the physical capability to perform the essential functions of the job, there was a lower injury rate as compared to the employee not demonstrating the physical strength or ability to perform the essential functions of the job. The incidence of low back injuries in those workers with the physical capabilities to perform the required functions of their job was 3%. However, among those workers who did not demonstrate the strength or physical abilities to perform their job, there was a 33% incidence of low back injuries. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that physical capacity testing that compares lifting ability to job lifting requirements correlates to work injury incidence. The application of appropriate post-offer, pre-placement testing is shown to be a cost-effective method to lower the incidence of work-related injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Resolving disputes under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A case example of an employee with a back impairment.

To illustrate the importance of proactive medical professional participation in Americans with Disabilities Act reasonable accommodation cases, this article describes the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques to resolve a case involving a blue collar employee with a work-related lower back injury. The problems in accommodating employees with back and spine injuries are being experienced by many employers. To date, the largest number of discrimination claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the Americans with Disabilities Act involve individuals with back and spine impairments. This article identifies eight decision-points in the Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation process that are relevant to employers, persons with disabilities, medical professionals, union representatives, and legal counsel.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1999

A comprehensive analysis of low-back disorder risk and spinal loading during the transferring and repositioning of patients using different techniques.

Although patient handlers suffer from low-back injuries at an alarming rate worldwide, there has been limited research quantifying the risk for the specific tasks performed by the patient handlers. The current study used both a comprehensive evaluation system (low-back disorder risk model) and theoretical model (biomechanical spinal loading model) to evaluate risk of LBD of 17 participants (12 experienced and five inexperienced) performing several patient handling tasks. Eight of the participants were female and nine were male. Several patient transfers were evaluated as well as repositioning of the patient in bed; these were performed with one and two people. The patient transfers were between bed and wheelchair (fixed and removable arms) and between commode chair and hospital chair. A 'standard' patient (a 50 kg co-operative female; non-weight bearing but had use of upper body) was used in all patient handling tasks. Overall, patient handling was found to be an extremely hazardous job that had substantial risk of causing a low-back injury whether with one or two patient handlers. The greatest risk was associated with the one-person transferring techniques with the actual task being performed having a limited effect. The repositioning techniques were found to have significant risk of LBD associated with them with the single hook method having the highest LBD risk and spinal loads that exceeded the tolerance limits (worst patient handling job). The two-person draw sheet repositioning technique had the lowest LBD risk and spinal loads but still had relatively high spinal loads and LBD risk. Thus, even the safest of tasks (of the tasks evaluated in this study) had significant risk. Additionally, the current study represented a 'best' case scenario since the patient was relatively light and co-operative. Thus, patient handling in real situations such as in a nursing home, would be expected to be worse. Therefore, to have an impact on LBD, it is necessary to provide mechanical lift assist devices.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of prolonged sitting on the passive flexion stiffness of the in vivo lumbar spine.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Prolonged sitting may alter the passive stiffness of the lumbar spine. Consequently, performing full lumbar flexion movements after extended periods of sitting may increase the risk of low back injury. PURPOSE: The purpose was to quantify time-varying changes in the passive flexion stiffness of the lumbar spine with exposure to prolonged sitting and to link these changes to lumbar postures and trunk extensor muscle activation while sitting. A secondary objective was to determine whether men and women responded differently to prolonged sitting. STUDY DESIGN: Passive lumbar flexion moment-angle curves were generated before, during and after 2 hours of sitting. Lumbar flexion/extension postures and extensor muscle activation levels were measured while sitting. SAMPLE: Twelve (6 men, 6 women) university students with no recent low back pain were studied. OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantified changes in the shapes of the passive flexion moment-angle curves (slopes, breakpoints and maximum lumbar flexion angles) were the outcome measures. While sitting, average lumbar flexion/extension angles, the distribution of lumbar flexion/extension postures, average electromyogram (EMG) amplitude, the number and average length of EMG gaps, and trunk extensor muscle rest levels were measured. METHODS: Participants performed deskwork for 2 hours while sitting on the seat pan of an office chair. Moment-angle relationships for the lumbar spine were derived by pulling participants through their full voluntary range of lumbar flexion on a customized frictionless table. RESULTS: Lumbar spine stiffness increased in men after only 1 hour of sitting, whereas the responses of women were variable over the 2-hour trial. Men appeared to compensate for this increase in stiffness by assuming less lumbar flexion in the second hour of sitting. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the passive flexion stiffness of the lumbar spine may increase the risk of low back injury after prolonged sitting and may contribute to low back pain in sitting.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Family consequences of chronic back pain.

This paper considers occupational back injuries as they are described by injured workers, including the impact on their abilities to function in family and social roles. In this study, we interviewed people with work-related back injuries in Florida and Wisconsin. The sample was chosen from among workers who either lost more than 28 days from work or who received workers' compensation permanent partial disability benefits. Respondents indicated a wide range of limitations on family and social roles, including physical impacts that hampered respondents' ability to do household chores, to take part in raising children, and to engage in leisure activities with their spouses. Spouses and children took over family responsibilities once carried on by injured workers. The impacts of limitations resulted in a restructuring of family and social roles, relationships, and self-identities. In addition, these impacts led to depression and anger among the injured workers and to stress and strain in family relationships. Unlike the effects on work, many of these outcomes are not valued in the marketplace and, as a consequence, are less visible. They are nonetheless important and suggest that priorities based only on economic outcomes may understate the importance of preventive activities. Moreover, they suggest that attention should be focused on social structural factors such as the provision of medical services and social support to reduce the impact of chronic back pain on family members.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Lifting weights.

As with engineering improvements, many administrative changes can reduce back injuries. The following administrative steps are recommended: Training for all employees. Increase awareness with posters and meetings. Notify suppliers of reduced weight limit. Job rotation for heavy lifting jobs. Proper maintenance and housekeeping. Use back belts when necessary. Some recommendations should enable employers to begin implementing changes immediately. Other suggestions will require time and money but are worth the investment.

Back Injuries↗
PubMed1995

Trampoline-related injuries.

Two hundred and seventeen patients who had sustained an injury during the recreational use of a trampoline were managed in the emergency room of Logan Regional Hospital in Logan, Utah, from January 1991 through December 1992. We retrospectively reviewed the charts and radiographs of these patients to categorize the injuries. Additional details regarding the injuries of seventy-two patients (33 per cent) were obtained by means of a telephone interview with use of a questionnaire. The injuries occurred from February through November, with the peak incidence in July. The patients were eighteen months to forty-five years old (average, ten years old); ninety-four patients (43 per cent) were five to nine years old. Eighty-four patients (39 per cent) sustained a fracture; fifty-four (25 per cent), a sprain or strain; forty-five (21 per cent), a laceration; and thirty-four (16 per cent), a contusion. Fifty-seven injuries (26 per cent) involved the elbow or forearm; forty-six (21 per cent), the head or neck; forty (18 per cent), the ankle or foot; thirty-three (15 per cent), the knee or leg; nineteen (9 per cent), the trunk or back; thirteen (6 per cent), the shoulder or arm; and nine (4 per cent), the wrist or hand. Thirteen patients (6 per cent) had a back injury, but none of them had a permanent neurological deficit. One patient who had an ocular injury was transferred to a tertiary care center. One hundred and fifty-six patients (72 per cent) were evaluated radiographically, fifteen (7 per cent) were admitted to the hospital, and thirteen (6 per cent) had an operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1989

A prospective study of the role of cardiovascular risk factors and fitness in industrial back pain complaints.

The authors conducted a prospective study of risk factors for industrial back pain complaints among 3,020 aircraft manufacturing employees. The study subjects completed a cardiovascular risk questionnaire, and were asked about their smoking status and past medical history, including previous back problems. Premorbid submaximal treadmill testing to predict maximum oxygen uptake (Vo2max) was completed in 2,434 subjects who were not excluded from testing due to cardiovascular risk screening. During several years of subsequent follow-up, 279 subjects reported back problems. Those who reported smoking at the time of the premorbid examination were significantly more likely to report a subsequent back problem than nonsmokers (P = 0.002). When controlling for sex and age, cardiovascular fitness, as measured through VO2max, was not predictive of future back injury reports (P = 0.26).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Isometric strength testing. Recommendations based on a statistical analysis of the procedure.

Back injuries occurring during isometric strength testing motivated a statistical analysis to determine if a reduction in the number of exertions during the test was possible without profound influence upon the accuracy of the results. Strength measurements from more than 1,000 volunteers in an industrial back pain study were examined. It was concluded that one exertion in each test position for each subject provided a reasonably good indication of the subject's strength in that position, but strength in one position.

Back Injuries↗
PubMed2005

The effect of pallet distance on torso kinematics and low back disorder risk.

Intervention research for prevention of occupational low back injuries has focused on the effects of reducing extreme torso flexion and the external moment. Little is known about prevention strategies for torso twisting and lateral bending. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of pallet distance with regard to a constant lift origin on the torso kinematics and a measure of low back disorder risk. Fifteen male participants transferred 11.3 kg boxes from a constant origin to six different regions on a pallet. Two pallet distances with regard to the lift origin were investigated. ANOVA indicated that increasing the pallet distance resulted in increases in torso kinematics (velocities and accelerations) as well as a measure of risk of low back disorder. The increases in torso kinematics (e.g. twisting and lateral awkward postures and bending velocities) occurred mostly at the lower height regions on the pallet. It is concluded that increasing the pallet distance with regard to the lifting origin, with the intention to influence the participant to take a step during a palletizing task does not appear to be an effective intervention strategy to reduce the risk of low back disorder associated with torso kinematics.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Postural effects on intra-abdominal pressure during Valsalva maneuver.

When lifting heavy loads, trunk muscle contraction converts the abdominal and thoracic cavities into a nearly rigid-walled cylinder that provides increased extrinsic stability and allows partial transfer of load away from the spine. Because twisting is a common mechanism of low-back injuries, this study was undertaken to determine if trunk rotation results in a decrease in the extrinsic stability of the spine. We studied the effects of changes in trunk posture on intra-abdominal pressure generated during a maximum effort Valsalva's maneuver (IAP max) in eight healthy volunteers. IAP max during standing combined with trunk rotation was found to be significantly lower than IAP max during standing straight (p < 0.05). IAP max during forward flexion combined with trunk rotation was significantly lower than during forward flexion (p < 0.01). The results of our study indicate that trunk rotation adversely effects the ability to perform a Valsalva's maneuver. We conclude that extrinsic stability of the spine is at a biomechanical disadvantage when the trunk is rotated and thus may be a contributing factor to twisting-type back injuries.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1992

Spondylolysis in fast bowlers: principles of prevention and a survey of awareness among cricket coaches.

Back injury in general, and spondylolysis in particular, represents a serious threat to the fast bowler. Hereditary factors, poor technique, overuse, and poor preparation for fast bowling may combine to produce the 'at risk' bowler. Three first-class county coaches were interviewed to establish a level of awareness of the lesion, with an emphasis on preparation of fast bowlers and the roles of technique alteration and bowling prescription in reducing the risk of back injury.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1978

Clinical and electrophysiological appraisal of the significance of radicular injury in back pain.

Clinical electrophysiological studies were analysed in 60 consecutive patients with back pain with or without other evidence for a radiculopathy. These studies included needle EMG of relevant limb and paraspinal muscles as well as F responses and H reflexes recorded from the soleus muscle. Segmental denervation was found in 29 of the 60 patients. In 57 patients, abnormal slowing of the F response was present in 27, either unilaterally (25) or bilaterally (two). In 18 of 47 patients with H reflex studies, the H reflex was either unilaterally absent (12), asymmetrically prolonged (five), or bilaterally prolonged (one). Statistically significant (P less than 0.05) associations were found between (1) abnormalities of H reflexes and F responses, (2) F response slowing and radicular injury shown by EMG, (3) segmentally consistent radiographic defects and abnormalities of both H reflexes and F responses, and (4) depressed Achilles reflexes as well as sensory loss and abnormal H reflexes. No significant association, however, was present between abnormalities of EMG, F responses, or H reflexes and pain radiation by history or positive straight leg-raising tests. These data suggest that pain in radicular syndromes is related to the functioning of smaller afferent fibres.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Spectral parameters of trunk muscles during fatiguing isometric axial rotation in neutral posture.

Axial rotation of the trunk is commonly associated with back injury and pain. However, the behaviour of trunk muscles in axial rotation is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to measure spectral parameters from the EMG of erector spinae at T10 and L3 levels, latissimus dorsi, external and internal oblique, rectus abdominis and pectoralis major muscles bilaterally in a standardized repeatable axial rotation at 60% MVC to fatigue. Twelve young and healthy subjects were recruited after screening for musculoskeletal disorders. Surface electrodes were applied to the named seven trunk muscles bilaterally. Subjects were seated in the device called Axial Rotation Tester and stabilized such that they could rotate only their thoracolumbar spine. Other motions were prevented. Subjects held 60% of their MVC for a period of 2 min. Samples (2.1 s) were obtained at every 10 s interval at a sampling frequency of 1 KHz. Samples were subjected to FFT analysis. The total power and the median frequencies were analyzed. The median frequency for different muscles were different (p < 0.001). The slopes of decline of the median frequencies of the agonists were different for different muscles (p < 0.001). This differential fatiguing rate could conceivably create a force imbalance potentiating back injury.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1992

Isokinetic lifting strength and occupational injury. A prospective study.

One hundred seventy-one nurses had their back strength evaluated on an isokinetic lifting device and filled out an epidemiologic questionnaire. They were then followed prospectively for 2 years to determine the incidence of job-related low-back injuries. The data were analyzed to determine if the injury incidence correlated with any of the strength or epidemiologic variables collected during the original evaluation. Average peak force measured during the isokinetic lift was 63.8 kg + 13.6 kg at a lift speed of 30.5 cm/sec and 59.1 kg + 14.9 kg at a lift speed of 45.7 cm/sec. Sixteen nurses reported an occurrence of job-related low-back pain or injury during the 2-year prospective period. Discriminate statistical techniques showed that none of the strength or epidemiologic variables correlated with the incidence of pain or injury or explained significant amounts of variance when the variables were regressed on strength or work calculated from the lift force/lift height data. It was concluded that in this high risk population, in which loads are heavy and lifting postures are variable, the use of low-back strength or prior history of pain or injury are poor predictors as to subsequent low-back pain or injury.

Adult↗