The manipulative treatment with stabilizing exercises was more effective in reducing pain intensity and disability than the physician consultation alone. The present study showed that short, specific treatment programs with proper patient information may alter the course of chronic low back pain.

No abstract

The results showed that the beneficial effect of a single infusion of 3 mg/kg of infliximab for herniation-induced sciatica is sustained in most patients over a 1-year follow-up period. Furthermore, infliximab does not seem to interfere with the spontaneous resorption of disc herniations.

No abstract

Although an external compression simulates the dynamic condition in the back during standing position, it does not eliminate the need to compare the radiologic findings with the clinical symptoms of patients examined because of a suspected narrowing of the spinal canal.

Physician consultation alone was more cost-effective for both health care use and work absenteeism, and led to equal improvement in disability and health-related quality of life. It seems obvious that encouraging information and advice are major elements for the treatment of patients with cLBP.

No abstract

Although the long-term results of this randomized trial do not support the use of infliximab compared with placebo for lumbar radicular pain in patients with disc herniation-induced sciatica, further study in a subgroup of patients with L4-L5 or L3-L4 herniations, especially in the presence of Modic changes, appears to be warranted.