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Biomedical subjects

M Laslett

Publications and source records attributed to M Laslett.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The reliability of selected pain provocation tests for sacroiliac joint pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the inter-rater reliability of seven pain provocation tests for pain of sacroiliac origin in low back pain patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies on the reliability of such tests have produced inconclusive and conflicting results. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with low back pain, with or without radiation into the lower limb, were assessed by one examiner and another drawn from a pool of five. Percent agreement and the Kappa statistic were used to evaluate the reliability of the seven tests. RESULTS: Percent agreement and the Kappa statistic ranged in value from 78% and 0.52 (P < 0.001) to 94% and 0.88 (P < 0.001), respectively, when results for all examiner pairs were pooled. However, two tests demonstrated only marginal reliability when performed by one pair of assessors that examined 43% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Five of seven tests employed in this study were reliable, the other two were potentially reliable. These tests may be used to detect a sacroiliac source of low back pain, although sensitivity and specificity studies are needed to determine their diagnostic power.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The frequency and incidence of low back pain/sciatica in an urban population.

The frequency, incidence and severity of low back pain was assessed by a random telephone survey of 314 urban New Zealanders. Relationships between the severity and frequency of low back pain and referred lower extremity pain and other variables such as occupation, recreation, age, sex and predominant working posture was analysed. Point incidence was 17.5%, weekly incidence 33.4%, yearly incidence 63.7% and total incidence 79%. Some 28.3% get frequent minor episodes and 6.4% get frequent severe episodes of low back pain. Nearly 50% suffer the initial episode before the age of 30 years. Of those suffering low back pain within the last seven days, 14.3% experience reference below the knee and the total incidence of below knee pain was 13.7%. Over half (51.6%) have pain that has lasted seven days or less, but a third have had pain for longer than seven weeks. No correlation between the incidence of low back pain and referred pain and occupational posture was found. In conclusion, this telephone survey established that the incidence of low back pain in New Zealand is similar to that reported in overseas studies. The survey could not establish differences in low back pain characteristics across different social groupings, nor could a relationship between occupational posture and low back pain be established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Use of manipulative therapy for mechanical pain of spinal origin.

Manipulation of the spinal joints for the relief of pain is an ancient remedy that is in widespread use today. Clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of manipulative therapy are briefly reviewed, and some experimental evidence suggesting possible causes of spine pain is presented. The rationale for the use of spinal manipulative therapy within the context of R. A. McKenzie's diagnostic and therapeutic system is detailed and explicitly stated. Spinal mobilization and manipulation are presented as a logical treatment progression from the use of postural instruction and exercise therapy. Extensive description of technique is not given, but the clinical signs that indicate the need to use or avoid mobilization and manipulation in a particular direction are detailed.

Back Pain↗