An online cross-sectional survey was conducted using Google Docs software. The aim was to understand the management of contextual factors and to identify which are most relevant and which clinicians underestimate. A total of 1250 physiotherapists were chosen from the database of the Manual Therapists group mailing list (GTM-IFOMPT MO) from July to August 2020. A total of 699 responses were received that were considered valid (56%). Participants (40.83%) identified contextual factors (CFs) as “any element, even involuntary, with which the patient interacts during treatment”. Physiotherapists individually chose the representation of CF with the “therapeutic relationship” (82.9%), followed by “therapeutic setting” (75.8%). This choice differed between participants belonging to different age groups. Participants favor communication strategies (76.93%). More than half (57.88%) pay attention to patient involvement during the course of care; and in response to the patients’ doubts about the use of treatments with limited scientific efficacy, they suggest different medical treatments. The patient’s previous clinical experience is not considered significant and does not influence the choice of treatment. Subsequently, however, the participants reported that they stimulate the patients’ positive expectations of the success of the clinical outcome (45.27%). Knowledge of contextual factors in physiotherapy appears limited and very heterogeneous. Future research could increase the focus on professional development.

Objectives: Nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is associated with psychological and social factors such as social support. However, little research has focused on the latter. This article aimed to review the literature on the association between social support and clinical outcomes of patients with NSCLBP, particularly regarding differences in sex, gender, and types of social support. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL were searched until April 19, 2024, without restrictions of time or language. Eligible articles were observational studies reporting measures of association between social support and clinical outcomes among adults with NSCLBP. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIPS tool, and findings were analyzed qualitatively. This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022363210). Results: Of the 3528 identified studies, 11 were included in the review (1290 patients), showing a moderate to high risk of bias. Of the 5 studies showing a significant finding for pain, 4 reported a negative correlation (r=−0.18, −0.32, −0.35, −0.36) and 1 did not report any association index. Of the 6 studies showing a significant finding for disability, 2 reported a negative correlation (r=−0.29, −0.42), 2 reported a positive association (r=0.322; β=0.29), and 2 did not report any association index. No data was available for the investigated subgroups or secondary clinical outcomes. Discussion: Small associations were found between social support and clinical outcomes of individuals with NSCLBP. Further research is needed to establish its clinical relevance according to types of social support, sex, and gender.

Background: Gender medicine permeates all sectors of medicine, from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation; it aims to customize the care path, ensuring equity in the access to health care system services. It is unclear to what extent physiotherapists’ treatment choices align with gender medicine principles. The aim of this survey is to detect the need of Italian physiotherapists to deepen knowledge in gender medicine. Materials and methods: An 18-item survey assessed the characteristics of responders about knowledge of gender medicine. An online survey was performed in 2020 using SurveyMonkey Software. Data were analyzed by statistical regression. Results: A total of 617 physiotherapists voluntarily participated in the study (53.84% of the target population). The majority of responders (68.4%) declared having general information about gender medicine, but 55.43% of them claimed to have heard of it but did not know properly what gender medicine was about; 92.38% of the physiotherapists believed that they needed training to acquire knowledge in gender medicine. Conclusions: Gender equity matters for health. Moderate knowledge of gender medicine’ principles and modest application of these findings were used in clinical practice of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists declared that they need training in gender medicine.

Background: Haglund’s syndrome (HS) is a painful condition that is caused by an exostosis of the posterior superior part of the calcaneus coupled with Achilles tendinopathy and retrocalcaneal bursitis. Both for the proper musculoskeletal assessment and for the differential diagnosis process of possible concurrent diseases deriving from other anatomical areas, the diagnosis of HS is still a challenge. Case Presentation: A 41-year-old male amateur runner was diagnosed and treated for low back pain and referred leg pain by his general practitioner. Due to ineffective results, he self-presented to a physical therapist (PT) with intense right heel pain, radiating up to the leg and to the lumbopelvic region. Results: The PT’s examination and interview relating to the sports activities led to the correct diagnosis and a proper orthopedic referral. At the one-year follow-up, the patient reported regular pain-free marathon running. Discussion: This case report highlights the central role of PTs working in direct access environments as primary care healthcare professionals for the management of musculoskeletal diseases, and their abilities in identifying patients with suspected pathologic conditions that may need referral for imaging, medical assessment or surgical intervention.

Background: Glioblastoma is the most frequent and aggressive malignant brain tumor among adults. Unfortunately, its symptoms can vary considerably depending on the size, location and the anatomic structures of the involved brain. Case report: A 58-year-old male amateur cyclist who suffered from sharp arm pain was examined for a thoracic outlet syndrome due to a previous clavicle fracture. Because of ambiguous results of the neck and nerve plexus imaging, he was referred to a neurosurgeon who properly suspected a brain tumor. The neuroimaging of the brain shown a 3 cm disploriferative mass with a blood enhancement within the left parietal lobe. The mass was urgently removed, and its histologic analysis stated a grade 4 glioblastoma. Conclusion: This case report highlights the differential diagnosis process and the teamwork approach needed to diagnose a rare presentation of a brain glioblastoma, which started its symptoms mimicking a thoracic outlet syndrome caused by a previous bone fracture.