Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - Research

A research registry that summarizes the work being done in the division has been compiled.

Sexuality in the post total hip population

Physician – Dr. Ronelle Calver (PGY3)
PI – Dr. Sharon Grad

Outcomes of traumatic amputees

Physician – Dr. Kate Wortley (PGY 2)
PI – Dr. Sharon Grad

Transcutaneous neuroprosthesis system and the effects of balance, phantom limb pain, gait parameters, and quality of life in lower limb prosthetic users: A randomized cross-over pilot trial

Physicians – Dr. Allison Chan, Dr. Oren Cheifetz, Dr. Jamie Fleet, Brad Haardeng, Karen Litman, Patricia Dang
PI – Dr. Sharon Grad

FUSMobile Neurolyser Study

Neurolyser XR is a non-invasive portable High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) System. This study investigates the safety and feasibility of using the Neurolyser XR device for the treatment of axial low back pain. The procedure is an alternative to radiofrequency neurolysis of the lumbar medial branch nerves supplying painful lumbar zygapophyseal (facet) joints. It achieves the same goal of thermally ablating the nerves but doing so non-invasively (no needles) using the HIFU system.

Physician – Dr. Vlad Djuric

COVID-19 Telemedicine Study

This is an open-label cohort study of chronic pain patients referred to an interdisciplinary community outpatient clinic. The aim of this study is to determine whether video consultations are non-inferior to regular consultations in diagnosing and planning subsequent interventions. The patients will complete standard health questionnaires online and undergo a structured and detailed interview to clarify the diagnosis and establish appropriate treatment. A limited telehealth physical examination based on direct observation will be conducted.

Physician – Dr. Vlad Djuric

Pathophysiology of traumatic spinal cord injury in the context of identifying new treatments

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai

Robot to help disabled people gain functional independence

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai

Peripheral nerve entrapment

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai

A systematic review of current literature around virtual physiotherapy

We will be conducting a literature search and analyzing the current literature on Telehealth in regard to physiotherapy.

Radiofrequency ablation of Genicular nerves for Chronic Post-operative Knee Pain following Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

Single-center randomized prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves in those with chronic post-operative knee pain following total knee arthroplasty. Each participant will undergo a placebo-controlled ultrasound-guided control injection of normal saline or local anesthetic to the superior medial, superior lateral as well as inferior medial genicular nerves in subsequent weeks. If the response to the local anesthetic shows positive concordance of >50% relief for >2 hours, the patient will be eligible to undergo fluoroscopically guided radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves. The pain relief and functional change after this procedure will be evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Physician – Dr. Eugene Maida

A Novel Approach to A Chronic Condition: The role of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Posterior Cutaneous Nerve of the Forearm in Recalcitrant Lateral Elbow Pain

Lateral Epicondylitis (LE), commonly known as “tennis elbow”, is the most common cause of lateral elbow pain and the second most frequently diagnosed musculoskeletal disorder of the neck and upper limb in a primary care setting. Although studies have been performed to assess the efficacy of various treatment modalities for LE, there are conflicting results with no clear consensus of optimal treatment. The posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm (PCNF) has been shown to provide sensory innervation to the lateral elbow and recent reports have advocated surgical denervation in selected patients with refractory LE.

Single center randomized prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation of the PCNF in those with chronic recalcitrant lateral elbow pain. Each participant will undergo a placebo-controlled ultrasound-guided control injection of normal saline or local anesthetic to the PCNF in subsequent weeks. If the response to the local anesthetic shows positive concordance of >50% relief for >2 hours, the patient will be eligible to undergo ultra-sounded guided radiofrequency ablation of the PCNF. The pain relief and functional change after this procedure will be evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Physician – Dr. Eugene Maida

Effect of thrombolysis on functional Stroke Recovery

Physician – Dr. Chari

Provisional approval for a study of germanium-infused socks for people with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy

Physicians – Dr. Zdravkovic, Jamie Fleet (PGY4)
PI – Dr. David Harvey

Clinical Communications, Arm Numbness at 45 Degrees Abduction: A Case Report of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Post Brachial Neuritis

Physicians – Dr. Baker, Jamie Fleet (PGY4)

Main Research Themes

The Peripheral Nerve Clinic (PNC) at McMaster is committed to the diagnosis and management of patients with disorders of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and related neuromuscular diseases. Our primary focus from the acquired and hereditary arms of PNS disease centers on dysimmune neuropathies (i.e., chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease). We have described novel phenotypes associated with CMT-related genes and explored the effects of immune globulin on recovery kinetics in CIDP patients. We are also interested in investigating the effects of exercise on CMT patients and the interlaboratory correlation of antibody testing in CIDP sera. The PNC at McMaster has received funding from a private donation from the Leggatt Family and several unrestricted educational grants from Grifols, Octapharma, Allergan.

References

Opala A, Kennedy K, Baker SK. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: Time to Maximal Recovery. Can J Neurol Sci. 2020:1-20.

Nazarali S, Mathey EK, Tang D, Margetts PJ, Baker SK. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Concurrent Membranous Nephropathy. Can J Neurol Sci. 2020:1-3.

Alsolaihim A, Baker SK. Dose Adjustment of Subcutaneous IgG in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. Case Rep Neurol. 2020;12(1):73-7.

Gite J, Milko E, Brady L, Baker SK. Phenotypic convergence in Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2Y with novel VCP mutation. Neuromuscul Disord. 2020;30(3):232-5.

Varley TL, Bourque PR, Baker SK. Phenotypic variability of CMT4C in a French-Canadian kindred. Muscle Nerve. 2015;52(3):444-9.

Hooper DR, Lawson W, Smith L, Baker SK. Sonographic features in hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. Muscle Nerve. 2011;44(6):862-7.

Baker SK, Chow BM, Vernino SA. Transient neonatal autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2014;1(3):e35.

Rosenson RS, Baker SK, Jacobson TA, Kopecky SL, Parker BA, The National Lipid Association & Muscle Safety Expert P. An assessment by the Statin Muscle Safety Task Force: 2014 update. J Clin Lipidol. 2014;8(3 Suppl): S58-71.

Wu Y, Lach B, Provias JP, Tarnopolsky MA, Baker SK. Statin-associated Autoimmune Myopathies: A Pathophysiologic Spectrum. Can J Neurol Sci. 2014;41(5):638-47.

Baker SK, Lipson DM. Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in a neonate with congenital acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2010;32(3):e114-7.

Baker SK. Characterization of a novel C8 phasic muscle stretch reflex. Muscle Nerve. 2009;40(4):529-34.

Baker SK, Morillo C, Vernino S. Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy with late-onset encephalopathy. Auton Neurosci. 2009;146(1-2):29-32.

Baker SK. Isolated spinal accessory mononeuropathy associated with neurogenic muscle hypertrophy: restricted neuralgic amyotrophy or stretch-palsy? A case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89(3):559-63.

Thomas J, Tarleton J, Baker SK. Recessive CLCN1 mutation presenting as Thomsen disease. Muscle Nerve.2008;38(5):1515-7.

Baker SK, Reith CC, Ainsworth PJ. Novel 95G&A (R32K) somatic mosaic connexin 32 mutation. Muscle Nerve. 2008;38(5):1510-4.

Baker SK, Samjoo IA. A neuromuscular approach to statin-related myotoxicity. Can J Neurol Sci. 2008;35(1):8-21.

Baker SK, Vladutiu GD, Peltier WL, Isackson PJ, Tarnopolsky MA. Metabolic myopathies discovered during investigations of statin myopathy. Can J Neurol Sci. 2008;35(1):94-7.

Hooper DR, Tarnopolsky MA, Baker SK. Lewis-Sumner syndrome associated with infliximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Muscle Nerve. 2008;38(4):1318-25.

Antons KA, Williams CD, Baker SK, Phillips PS. Clinical perspectives of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis. Am J Med. 2006;119(5):400-9.

Baker SK. Molecular clues into the pathogenesis of statin-mediated muscle toxicity. Muscle Nerve. 2005;31(5):572-80.

Baker SK, Goodwin S, Sur M, Tarnopolsky MA. Cytoskeletal myotoxicity from simvastatin and colchicine. Muscle Nerve. 2004;30(6):799-802.

Baker SK, Tarnopolsky MA. Targeting cellular energy production in neurological disorders. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2003;12(10):1655-79.Muhn N, Baker SK, Hollenberg RD, Meaney BF, Tarnopolsky MA. Syringomyelia presenting as rapidly progressive foot drop. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 2002;3(3):133-4.