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 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Trunk strength in combined motions of rotation and flexion/extension in normal young adults.

Thirty-eight normal healthy young subjects (14 males, 24 females) with mean ages of 23 years (males) and 21 years (females), performed 36 functional rotational tasks of the trunk. The subject's lower extremities were stabilized in a stabilizing platform, allowing the entire motion of flexion-rotation and extension-rotation to take place in the trunk. Of these tasks, 18 were isometric and the other 18 were isokinetic. The isometric tasks consisted of flexion-rotation and extension-rotation from a 20 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees flexed trunk in 20 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees of axial rotation. The isokinetic activity consisted of flexion-rotation and extension-rotation from upright and flexed postures respectively in 20 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees rotation planes at 15 degrees, 30 degrees and 60 degrees/s angular velocities. The results revealed that the males were significantly stronger than females (p < 0.01) and isometric activities produced significantly greater torque compared to isokinetic efforts (p < 0.01). The degree of trunk flexion was not significant; the angle of rotation, although significant, had only a small effect. The 60 degrees trunk rotation was significantly different from 20 degrees and 40 degrees of trunk rotation. The multiple regressions were all significant (p < 0.01); however, they predicted only 40 to 60% of the variations. Based on the results and analysis, it is suggested that the motion involved rather than the torque may have a consequential effect in the precipitation of back injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The effects of lifting speed on the peak external forward bending, lateral bending, and twisting spine moments.

Lifting tasks that involve twisting have been repeatedly implicated as contributing to the onset of occupational back injuries in epidemiological studies. The objective of this work was to quantify the three directional external moments acting on the spine during a sagittally symmetric and two asymmetric lifting tasks. A total of 15 subjects participated in the three lifting tasks. All tasks were performed at two qualitatively defined lifting speeds, 'slow' and 'fast', and with two load magnitudes: 10 and 20% of the subject's body weight. The mid-sagittal plane lifts were performed using two horizontal reach distances: 40 and 60 cm. A four-camera, two-forceplate motion and force measurement system were used to obtain the kinematic and kinetic data as the lifts were performed. A dynamic link-segment biomechanical model was used to quantify the reaction forces and moments at the ankle, knee, and hip and L5/S1 joints. Results from all tasks showed increased sagittal plane (forward bending) spine moments with the heavier load and at the faster lifting speed (p < 0.001). Spine lateral bending and twisting moments increased during the mid-sagittal plane lifts with the greater reach distance and the faster lifting speed, respectively. The twisting moments on the spine were greatest as subjects lifted from in front and placed the load to the side but were dependent upon the lifting speed and the load magnitude. The lateral bending moments increased during this same task with the heavier load. However, the spine lateral bending moments were greatest when lifting from one side to the other.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Predictive Models of Lumbar Loadings When Handling Boxes.

Back problems resulting from the compression forces on the intervertebral disks during manual material-handling tasks are an important problem affecting workers in various industries. The quantification of these forces using intradiscal pressure or biomechanical modeling is complex, time consuming, and costly, and these methods cannot be readily used in the workplace to estimate loadings on the lower back. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model that would allow the estimation of lumbar loadings for lifting and lowering boxes using easily measured anthropometric variables and variables related to the task. A dynamic and planar segmental model and a model of internal forces at L5/S1 were used to determine the compression forces on the lower back. Two predictive models, a field model and a laboratory model, were developed to estimate the compression forces when lifting or lowering 3.3 kg to 22.0 kg boxes between heights of 15 cm and 185 cm. Both models were validated by an examination of the residuals. Their predictive performance was also compared, with the laboratory model offering a slightly better prediction than the field model. Thus, these equations represent a practical tool for a better planning of handling tasks in the working environment with the purpose of reducing the back injuries of workers.

biomechanics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational health and safety in household hazardous waste management facilities.

Employees in household hazardous waste management facilities encounter a variety of potentially hazardous exposures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both chemical and physical hazards at a representative group of household hazardous waste management facilities in Minnesota. Sampling results suggest that chemical exposures are generally not a problem when chemical bulking is performed outside the facility. For facilities operating year-round, however, proper ventilation is necessary to ensure adequate control of chemical exposures when bulking is done inside the building. The most significant chemical exposures occurred when handling paint (benzene) and broken fluorescent light bulbs (mercury). Guidelines for appropriate personal protective equipment and handling of broken fluorescent light bulbs were developed as a result of this study. Materials handling was the most significant physical hazard, resulting in wrist, elbow, and back injuries. The suspected reasons for these injuries (awkward postures and repetitive motions) were noted throughout the management process and should be further investigated.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1979

Predicint lifting capacity.

As science and technology become more sophisticated and with the rapid computation capabilities of the modern computer available, it becomes both possible and economically feasible to scientifically study man and his interaction with his working environment. It is now possible for a person seeking employment to expect and obtain a position which will not be unnecessarily hazardous to his immediate health or have detrimental effects over the long run. Manual materials handling is the contributor of over 400,000 back injuries suffered in the U.S. each year. This research is directed at determining the appropriate operator variables to measure for predicting the permissible weight of lift for three ranges of lift: floor to knuckle height, knuckle height to shoulder height, and shoulder height to reach height. A modified psychophysical procedure was used during which the subjects were instructed to adjust the weight in a tote box to the maximum weight they could lift repetitively without excessive strain or fatique. The task consisted of lifting loads under different conditions of task variables, namely, height of lift, frequency of lift, and load size. Industrial workers as well as students of both sexes were used as subjects. Based on the data obtained, the lifting capacity of the worker was determined for the different ranges of lift. In addition, predictive models were developed based on the operator variables and the task variables investigated.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1992

A current perspective on nutrition and exercise.

Nutrition has always been a subject of great interest to athletes. In recent years use of exercise has, however, expanded from competitive sports to prevention/management of chronic diseases and maintenance of optimal health. Exercise is recommended in the prevention/management of noninsulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, mental health, colon cancer, stroke and back injury. Similarly, there is evidence that certain nutrients (e.g., vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and calcium) may reduce the risk of certain cancers, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, hypertension and cataract. Thus, there seems to be concordance between the health benefits of exercise and certain nutrients. However, several human and animal studies suggest that strenuous exercise may promote free radical production, leading to lipid peroxidation and tissue damage. On the other hand, there is evidence that vitamins C and E and beta-carotene may protect against such damage. Thus, concordance between the health benefits of exercise and nutrition and a compensatory role of antioxidant nutrients against the potentially harmful effects of exercise suggests that nutrition and exercise should form important components of any regimen for prevention of chronic diseases and/or promotion of optimal health.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Homicide-suicide by stabbing.

It is rare that an assailant kills someone and afterward commits suicide by stabbing himself on the scene. This report describes how a young soldier killed his young girlfriend and then killed himself.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction of posterior hip dislocations in the lateral position using traction-countertraction: safer for the surgeon?

Closed reduction of a hip dislocation is a physically demanding task for the orthopaedic surgeon. The most commonly used methods for reduction of the hip involve vigorous axial traction on the lower extremity with the patient in the supine position, using an assistant who attempts to hold the pelvis down. The surgeon generally stands over the patient to pull up on the bent knee, which puts the surgeon at risk for a low back injury and, if done while the patient remains on a stretcher, can put the surgeon at risk for a fall from a height. Reduction in the prone position is advocated by some, but caring for the sedated patient in the prone position can be difficult and the patient's pelvis tends to roll off the edge of the stretcher, preventing the achievement of hip flexion, which is desirable in achieving reduction. We describe a traction-countertraction technique that appears to be significantly less dangerous for the surgeon. In this technique the hip is reduced with the patient remaining on the stretcher in the lateral position. In addition, fluoroscopy can be carried out during the reduction maneuver, and the images can be quite helpful in adjusting the direction of manipulative forces.

Hip Dislocation↗
PubMed1994

Indications for obtaining surveillance thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs.

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for thoracic/lumbar spine fractures in patients with blunt injuries and subsequently establish indications for obtaining surveillance thoracolumbar radiographs. Retrospective review of all patients with blunt injuries (n = 1485) admitted in 1992 to a level I trauma center with a discharge diagnosis of thoracolumbar spine fracture established entrance criteria for a 4-month prospective study. Relative risk of fracture (RR) was calculated. Retrospective. Seventy-six percent (176 of 233) had radiographs; 21% had fractures; one diagnosed late. Prospective. One hundred percent (167 of 167) had radiographs; 9% (15 of 167) had fractures; none diagnosed late or missed. Forty percent (26 of 65) of patients with fractures had no pain or tenderness; 35% (9) required surgical spinal fixation. Our data define these indications for obtaining thoracolumbar radiographs in patients with blunt injuries: back pain (RR1), fall > or = 10 feet, ejection from motorcycle/motor vehicle crash > or = 50 mph, GCS score < or = 8, (all RR2), and neurologic deficit (RR10). The sensitivity of our surveillance radiography protocol has increased to 100%. The absence of back pain does not exclude significant thoracolumbar trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Functional status outcomes in rehabilitation. Implications for prospective payment.

Previous studies have demonstrated that functional status is a significant predictor of resource utilization for rehabilitation patients. Before implementing a prospective payment system (PPS) for rehabilitation, it is important to first: 1) develop an underlying conceptual framework of rehabilitation resource use; and 2) understand how the role of functional status may vary by rehabilitation condition. In this study, a theoretical model of rehabilitation is presented that proposes relationships between patient and provider characteristics, rehabilitation treatment, costs, and clinical outcomes of rehabilitation. Also presented are regression analyses based on this model for a key outcome of rehabilitation, change in functional status, for nine rehabilitation conditions using variables that minimize adverse incentives by providers in selecting patients for admission to rehabilitation. The change-in-functional-status model explained the most variance for back injury, cardiopulmonary, and arthritis, and less variance for stroke, spinal cord injury, and neurologic impairment. The significant predictors of change in functional status varied by condition. Results support the use of functional status measurements in a PPS for rehabilitation services, the need to refine the measurement of functional status, and the use of condition-specific activities of daily living (ADL) items to include in summary indices.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Lifetime exercise and disk degeneration: an MRI study of monozygotic twins.

Participation in some competitive sports has been shown to increase disk degeneration; however, the long-term effects of recreational physical activities are unclear. We investigated the effects of endurance exercise and power sports on disk degeneration in monozygotic male twins with contrasting lifetime exercise histories. The effects of endurance exercise were studied in 22 discordant twin pairs (mean lifetime frequencies of 3.9 vs 1.1 times/wk), and the effects of power sports were investigated in 12 discordant pairs (2,300 vs 200 h of weightlifting). The age range of the twins was from 35 to 69 yr. No differences in MRI findings between co-twins discordant for endurance exercise were found at any of the spinal regions. Subjects with more power sport involvement had greater disk degeneration in the T6-T12 region (P < 0.03), but similar findings were not present in the lumbar spine. Controlling for recalled back injuries, occupational loading, smoking, and driving did not significantly affect the results. No signs of beneficial or harmful effects of lifetime endurance exercise on disk degeneration were seen. Increased power sport participation was associated with slightly greater disk degeneration in the lower thoracic spine, but not in the lumbar spine.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Physical characteristics of patients with herniated intervertebral lumbar discs.

In an attempt to determine whether certain physical characteristics discriminated between people with and without herniated intervertebral lumbar discs, volunteers (N = 40) who were diagnosed as having a herniated lumbar disc were compared to control subjects (N = 40) who had been randomly selected and matched by age and sex. All subjects completed a questionnaire to determine the history of their back injury and a description of their exercise behavior patterns. Body composition was estimated by hydrostatic weighing. Maximum oxygen consumption was predicted using the Astrand-Ryhming nomogram. Strength scores were determined from a battery of cable tensiometer tests. Dependent variables were analyzed using a multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA). Using discriminant analysis, as a post hoc test, predicted maximum oxygen consumption was shown to account for the difference between the groups (P less than .002). The control subjects' values were higher than the patients' values. Subjects' exercise history indicated no differences between the groups relative to the time period preceding the onset of injury (P greater than .05). The exercise activity of patients was significantly reduced after injury (P less than .001). An average of 87 days elapsed between the onset of injury to the date of fitness testing.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

Rotation of load during the prelift period.

Lifting is a major source of back injuries because of the mechanical effects on the spinal structures. A number of methods are known by which a lifter can reduce the load on the spine during lifting. This study explores an additional method: rotation of the load before it is actually lifted off the ground. The hypothesis tested is that when a lifter lifts a box, he or she rotates it before it leaves the floor. By the use of an optoelectronic system to study weight box rotation, it was established that rotation occurs in every lift before the actual lift occurs. Rotation time increased with increasing load, indicating that the rotation technique is more important when load reduction is most critical.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The treatment of osteoporotic-posttraumatic vertebral collapse using the Kaneda device and a bioactive ceramic vertebral prosthesis.

Twenty-two patients with neurologic deficit due to delayed posttraumatic vertebral collapse after osteoporotic compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine underwent anterior decompression and reconstruction with bioactive Apatite-Wollastonite containing glass ceramic vertebral prosthesis and Kaneda instrumentation. Eighteen patients previously had minor trauma that resulted in a mild vertebral compression fracture without any neurologic involvement and were either conservatively treated or not treated at all. Four had no history of back injury. The preoperative neurologic status was incomplete paralysis in all patients. The average age at surgery was 66 (53-79) years. The average follow-up was 34 (20-58) months after surgery. All patients had returned to their daily living with neurologic recovery and stable spine. This type of anterior procedure is effective in the osteoporotic patients and there was a very low incidence of instrumentation failure and very low morbidity.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The influence of initial horizontal weight placement on the loads at the lumbar spine while lifting.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a biomechanical study of the effect of the initial horizontal distance between a person lifting and the load. Experimental data were analyzed using a dynamic rigid link model. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the initial horizontal load placement on the moments acting on the lumbar spine and the lower extremity joints during lifting, and to determine the role of the lower extremities during lifting from the floor. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Epidemiologic studies have implicated lifting as a cause of back pain, and over 80% of all worker's compensation back injuries are considered to be caused by manual material handling Guidelines have been proposed to increase the safety of lifting, but they are primarily based on static biomechanical analyses, psychophysical data, and physiologic limitations. METHODS: Each of 12 male subjects lifted a weight box containing 0 to 300 N, in 100-N increments. Each subject performed 20 lifts--four weights at five horizontal distances (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 cm). Motion was measured with an optoelectronic system, ground reaction forces were measured with a force plate, and moments were calculated using a rigid link model. RESULTS: The peak predicted L5-S1 moment increased as the weight and horizontal distance increased. The influence of horizontal distance on moment magnitude was nonlinear. As the distance changed from 20 to 40 cm, the distance-related rate of increase was approximately one-half of that occurring with a distance change from 40 to 60 cm. This can be explained by the need to reach out further, beyond 40 cm, which is accomplished by a deeper flexion of the knees and ankles and an anterior translation of the upper body and arms. CONCLUSION: As the horizontal distance at the start of a lift increased, the peak moment acting on the lumbar spine also increased, but the increase was nonlinear. This is explained by a change in the technique of lifting when the distance is 40 cm or greater.

Adolescent↗