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ObjectiveResultsDiscussion/ConclusionConcussions are a common condition in athletes leading to symptoms including headache, dizziness, and sometimes vestibular deficits. Concussion management typically involves rest and a gradual return to activity among other interventions. This case series includes three patients who were evaluated using Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) after sport-related injuries involving concussion-like symptoms. MDT is a system of evaluating patients using repeated movements and sustained positions to assess symptomatic and mechanical changes.Patients in this case series demonstrated rapid reduction of symptoms using variations of repeated cervical movements and sustained positions, which enabled them to return to play with a lasting resolution of symptoms.This highlights the importance of a classification system for the appropriate treatment of these cases who did not require management using concussion protocol, as they were classified as cervical derangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is little consensus on the conservative management of lateral patellar dislocations (LPD). Mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) is an established classification system in the spinal and extremity population. This case report describes the use of MDT in the management and classification of a patient with LPD. Case Description: The patient was a 20-year-old female with a 3-month history of left knee pain precipitated by a lateral patellar dislocation. The patient described pain and a feeling of instability with standing and walking and limitations in work and recreational activities which involve lifting, squatting, and running. Based on the patient’s response to repeated end range knee movements, the patient was found to have a directional preference (DP) for knee extension and instruction in performance of knee extension DP exercises was provided. Outcomes: The patient’s knee examination and subsequent intervention included her responses to repeated end range knee movements. Her knee pain was abolished, and strength, function, and motion were fully restored in five visits. A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was achieved on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). At discharge, the patient was able to independently manage symptoms and perform all work and recreational activities at a pre-injury level and these improvements were maintained at a 9-month follow-up. Discussion: There are various management strategies for lateral patellar dislocation. This case demonstrated the use of classifying, subgrouping, and treating a patient with lateral patellar dislocation using the principle of DP. Conclusion: The patient’s outcomes suggest that MDT may be used in the nonoperative management of people with LPD who present with a DP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tinnitus is the perception of sound without any external auditory stimulus. Cervicogenic somatic tinnitus (CST) is a subset in which symptoms are modulated by maneuvers of the neck. The evidence for effective diagnosis and treatment of CST is limited. Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is a biopsychosocial assessment and management system that uses the response to mechanical forces to classify clinical presentations accurately. The purpose of this case report is to describe the MDT assessment and management of a patient with chronic subjective tinnitus. Methods: A 67-year-old female with a 5-year history of left-sided subjective tinnitus, neck pain, and headache was referred for physiotherapy. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). She was evaluated and treated according to MDT principles with management consisting of individualized directional preference exercises and postural correction. Results: Significant improvements in symptoms, cervical range of motion, function, and psychosocial status were observed over the long-term. At 6 months, THI scores dropped from 62/100 to 18/100 and NDI scores dropped from 18/50 to 3/50. Discussion: A comprehensive MDT assessment led to a classification of Derangement, with treatment focusing on tailored self-management. Contrary to other interventions described for CST, the patient was able to make significant and lasting changes to her symptoms without the need for any externally applied interventions. The emphasis on self-management dovetails well with the biopsychosocial model of care. This case provides preliminary evidence for the utility of screening for Derangement in conservative tinnitus assessments. Level of Evidence: 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence and cost of hip osteoarthritis (OA) is rising. Mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) is an orthopedic classification and treatment system based on mechanical and symptomatic response to repeated and sustained end-range movements. There has been no investigation of the association between MDT and patients diagnosed with hip OA. Case Description: This case report presents a 71-year-old female diagnosed with hip OA and matching the currently accepted clinical prediction rule (CPR) for symptomatic hip OA. The patient was classified and treated by a Diplomat of MDT and co-examiner using MDT. Outcomes: Short- and long-term (13 months) outcomes were excellent, demonstrating rapid abolishment of symptoms and improvement in function in 5 visits over 21 days. The patient demonstrated the ability to prevent and manage reoccurrence of symptoms independently; nevertheless, she received a total hip replacement which was not in accordance with current guidelines and recommendations. Conclusion: This case report raises questions about whether or not pathologies traditionally associated with the etiology of hip OA are actually at fault. Moreover, it raises questions about the utility of special tests and CPRs typically utilized to identify those structures. The case report provides preliminary evidence from one patient that MDT may be capable of providing effective short- and long-term outcomes in the management of hip OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) is a specific classification-based musculoskeletal examination and intervention system that uses repeated end range and sustained movement to classify patients into mechanical syndromes. Research has recently demonstrated increased prevalence, reliability, and efficacy of MDT syndromes in varied peripheral musculoskeletal populations. There is currently no research analyzing if predictive variables exist for establishing directional preference in peripheral joints, other than the wrist. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical application of predictive variables for establishing directional preference and spinal referral in patients with isolated peripheral joint pain. Case Description: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with isolated peripheral pain were evaluated and classified using MDT assessment. Secondary analysis of predetermined variables was performed for association with directional preference and identification of spinal referral in Derangement syndrome. Results: All 37 patients were classified using MDT assessment. Thirty-three (89.2%) were classified as Derangement syndrome: 17 as spinal Derangement (45.9%) and 16 as peripheral Derangement (43.2%). One peripheral derangement also had an underlying Articular Dysfunction. Additionally, there were four patients classified as Other (10.8%). Discussion: Historical and physical examination findings were analyzed to determine if there were associated variables of directional preference or spinal referral. Mechanical stress was found to be the most associated factor in predicting directional preference. No peripheral movement loss, paresthesia, and constant pain were more associated with spinal referral. These findings may lead to a greater understanding of peripheral MDT assessment, which may lead to increased identification of directional preference and improved patient outcomes. Level of Evidence: 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain at the ankle-foot complex is a common musculoskeletal condition that can lead to dysfunction. Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is an orthopedic classification and treatment system based on mechanical and symptomatic response to repeated and sustained movement. There has been no investigation of the association between MDT and patients diagnosed with ankle-foot complex pain. Case description: This report presents four patients with a primary complaint of pain in the ankle-foot complex. Three patients had a medical diagnosis while the other was self-referred through direct access. All received classification and treatment by clinicians trained in MDT solely utilizing MDT principles. Outcomes: Short- and long-term (4-12 months) outcomes were excellent, demonstrating rapid abolishment of symptoms and return to prior levels of function in an average of six visits over 21 days (4-8 visits over 14-33 days) without the use of modalities, strength, or proprioceptive training. The patients demonstrated the ability to prevent and manage re-occurrence of symptoms independently without seeking further health care at long-term follow-up. Discussion: The rapid speed of recovery and return to functional activities demonstrated in this case series, raises questions about whether or not the pathologies traditionally associated with the etiology of ankle-foot injuries are actually at fault or understood. Moreover, it demonstrates that specific movements can rapidly worsen or improve symptoms challenging the current generalized rehabilitation protocols. This report provides preliminary evidence that MDT may be capable of providing more effective short-term outcomes in the management of ankle-foot complex injuries. Level of Evidence: 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the derangement of 2n persons sitting 2 rows and n columns. In how many ways can the 2n persons rearrange their seating in accordance with the following condition. Each seat is located by one person and reoccupied by another person and each person moves to a horizontal or a vertical or a diagonal neighboring seat. We establish the system of recurrence relations for the solution of this problem and provide the solution of the system of recurrence relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Directional preference is a phenomenon that occurs in musculoskeletal disorders. It is associated with improved symptomatic and functional outcomes. Research has shown a 90% increase in the identification of directional preference in the peripheral joints between 2006 and 2012. There is currently no research analyzing if predictive variables exist for establishing directional preference. Case Description: This report presents 19 consecutive patients with wrist pain. These patients were evaluated using a mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT)-based assessment. Patients were classified into the mechanical syndromes Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural, and Other. Patients classified with wrist Derangement were assessed for the presence of directional preference. Secondary analysis of predetermined variables was performed for association with directional preference. One case description was included to demonstrate MDT assessment, treatment, and clinical reasoning. Results: Of the 19 patients evaluated, 15 (79%) were classified as having wrist Derangement. All patients with wrist Derangement demonstrated directional preference. Eight movements were found to establish directional preference. Each was unique with varying degrees of direction, load, and force. Discussion: This report found directional preference to be higher (79%) than previously reported values. Historical and physical examination findings were analyzed to determine if there were associated variables of directional preference. Excessive mechanical stress was found to be the most associated factor in predicting directional preference. These findings may lead to a greater understanding of peripheral MDT assessment, which may lead to increased identification of directional preference and improved patient outcomes. Level of Evidence: 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 24-year-old female with lumbar transverse process fractures, and was treated with mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT). She survived the fractures for 10 days and showed functional deficits. She complained of aggressive pain due to physical therapy and was kept on analgesic medications.

This case report describes the effectiveness of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) in the management of a patient referred with a diagnosis of shoulder tendonitis. The patient was a 56-year-old male with a 3-month history of left anterior shoulder pain. Upon initial assessment, he presented with a positive open-can test, lift-off test, and Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test. A MDT assessment quickly ruled out cervical involvement and identified a loss of end-range shoulder mobility and pain during active shoulder movement. After the patient underwent a repeated movement examination and treatment based on responses to end-range movements over three visits, his shoulder pain was abolished and motion was fully restored. Despite having positive rotator cuff and impingement signs, this patient was effectively treated with repeated end-range movements over a short period of 2 weeks. This case demonstrates that treatment based on MDT sub-classification principles may be an effective way to manage shoulder pain as it is in the spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solitary paraspinal masses in the pediatric age group commonly occur secondary to spinal dysraphism, chronic inflammatory conditions, and tumors. We describe the unusual case of a 10-year-old boy with a nondysraphic, paraspinal mass that had occurred secondary to congenital spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) in the setting of poorly controlled maternal type-I diabetes mellitus. The mass was picked up along with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) on an antenatal ultrasonogram. This is the first report in literature of SEL presenting as a solitary paraspinal mass at birth, and in the unusual setting of an antenatal mesodermal derangement that simultaneously engendered a VSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]