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Advances in Musculoskeletal Disorders: From Differential Diagnosis to Management in Physiotherapy

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2023) | Viewed by 16808

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Dr. Filippo Maselli

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
2. Sovrintendenza Sanitaria Regionale Puglia INAIL, 70126 Bari, Italy
Interests: differential diagnosis; screening for referral; physiotherapy; low back pain; spinal manipulation; musculoskeletal disorders; direct access in physiotherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Firas Mourad

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Physiotherapy, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
2. Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute, A.s.b.l., 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, 4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
Interests: differential diagnosis; screening for referral; physiotherapy; neck pain; spinal manipulation; musculoskeletal disorders; cervical serious pathology; philosophy of science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Rossettini Giacomo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Physiotherapy, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
Interests: placebo, nocebo; contextual factors; expectations; neck pain; physiotherapy; musculoskeletal disorders

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physiotherapy is increasing its profile, roles, and responsibilities, representing a cost-effective resource for health systems and citizens worldwide. For example, World Physiotherapy advocates for direct access to physiotherapy and patient/client self-referral, leading to an increase in the need for an appropriate differential diagnosis skill set. We would like to invite researchers to celebrate the professional achievements in physiotherapy to further contribute to the evolution of transversal skills and competencies useful to improve the awareness and identity of the profession in order to improve the management of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Notably, this Special Issue invites authors to submit manuscripts that address differential diagnosis, screening for referral, musculoskeletal disorder management, philosophy, ethics, psychology, communication skills, etc. This timely Special Issue will strengthen the evidence base for all aspects of modern physiotherapy, with the aim of better informing patients, clinicians, educators, and decision-makers on the future direction of physiotherapy. We invite researchers to contribute by submitting all types of research, including articles (quantitative and qualitative), literature reviews (systematic reviews and meta-analyses, narrative or scoping reviews), and case reports.

Dr. Filippo Maselli
Dr. Firas Mourad
Dr. Rossettini Giacomo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Dr. Filippo Maselli
Dr. Firas Mourad
Dr. Rossettini Giacomo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Keywords

differential diagnosis
screening for referral
philosophy
ethic
psychology
health communication
musculoskeletal disorders
pain
rehabilitation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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9 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responsiveness of the Arabic Upper Extremity Functional Index in Patients with Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders

by Ali H. Alnahdi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054370 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1421

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the ability of the Arabic Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) to detect change over time in upper extremity function (responsiveness) in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Patients receiving physical therapy care for their upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders completed the Arabic UEFI; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH); Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS); Global Assessment of Function (GAF); and the Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC) at the initial visit and later at a follow-up assessment. Responsiveness was examined by testing predefined hypotheses regarding the correlations between the change scores in the Arabic UEFI and the other measures. The Arabic UEFI change scores demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the change in the DASH (r = 0.94), GAF (r = 0.65), NPRS (r = 0.63), and GRC (r = 0.73), which was in line with the predefined hypotheses. The Arabic UEFI change scores demonstrated a pattern of correlation with changes in other outcome measures that are consistent with the argument that the Arabic UEFI change scores represent a change in upper extremity function. The responsiveness of the Arabic UEFI was supported, and its use to monitor changes in upper extremity function in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders was supported. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Musculoskeletal Disorders: From Differential Diagnosis to Management in Physiotherapy)

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48 pages, 802 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review

by Beatrice Lepri, Daniele Romani, Lorenzo Storari and Valerio Barbari

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4098; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054098 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 9524

Abstract

Objective: To collect the available evidence about the effectiveness of pain neuroscience education (PNE) on pain, disability, and psychosocial factors in patients with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and central sensitization (CS). Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed on Pubmed, PEDro, and CINAHL, and only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients ≥18 years of age with chronic MSK pain due to CS were included. No meta-analysis was conducted, and qualitative analysis was realized. Results: 15 RCTs were included. Findings were divided for diagnostic criteria (fibromyalgia—FM, chronic fatigue syndrome—CFS, low back pain—LBP, chronic spinal pain—CSP). PNE has been proposed as a single intervention or associated with other approaches, and different measures were used for the main outcomes considered. Conclusions, practice implication: PNE is effective in improving pain, disability, and psychosocial factors in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain (CLBP)—especially if associated with other therapeutic approaches—and also in patients with CFS and CSP. Overall, PNE seems to be more effective when proposed in one-to-one oral sessions and associated with reinforcement elements. However, specific eligibility criteria for chronic MSK pain due to CS are still lacking in most RCTs; therefore, for future research, it is mandatory to specify such criteria in primary studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Musculoskeletal Disorders: From Differential Diagnosis to Management in Physiotherapy)

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8 pages, 890 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Aggressive Vertebral Hemangioma and Spinal Cord Compression: A Particular Direct Access Case of Low Back Pain to Be Managed—A Case Report

by Fabrizio Brindisino, Angelo Scrimitore, Denis Pennella, Francesco Bruno, Raffaello Pellegrino, Filippo Maselli, Francesco Lena and Giuseppe Giovannico

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013276 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5148

Abstract

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumours affecting the spine, with an incidence of 10–12% of the general population. Although most hemangiomas are asymptomatic, there are aggressive forms which can develop symptoms, leading patients to show signs of disability. This case report aims to highlight the importance of red flags screening, and to report the physiotherapist’s clinical reasoning that led him to refer his patient to other healthcare professionals. This case also illustrated the pre- and post-surgical treatment of a specific low back pain case in a patient affected by aggressive vertebral hemangioma and spinal cord compression. The patient is a 52-year-old man, who reported intense pain in his sacral region about three months prior, which worsened while in sitting position. The physiotherapist proceeded with a complete medical history investigation and clinical examination. After an impaired neurological examination, the patient was referred to another health professional, who diagnosed multiple vertebral hemangiomas in the patient’s lumbosacral tract. The therapeutic intervention included the patient’s post-surgical rehabilitation following a vascular embolization. This case report shows the importance of proper patient screening. Indeed, during patients’ assessment, it is paramount to recognize red flags and to investigate them appropriately. An early referral of patients with conditions that require the support and expertise of other professionals can lead to a timely diagnosis and avoid costly and unnecessary rehabilitation procedures. In this case, the interdisciplinary collaboration between physiotherapist and neurosurgeon was crucial in guiding the patient towards recovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Musculoskeletal Disorders: From Differential Diagnosis to Management in Physiotherapy)

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Advances in Musculoskeletal Disorders: From Differential Diagnosis to Management in Physiotherapy

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