Abstract: Pharmacological therapy of back pain with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs is frequently associated with adverse effects, particularly in the elderly. Aim of this study was to compare mesotherapic versus conventional systemic administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids in patients with acute low back pain. Eighty-four patients were randomized to receive anti-inflammatory therapy according to the following protocols: (a) mesotherapy group received the 1st and 4th day 2% lidocaine (1âmL) + ketoprofen 160âmg (1âmL) + methylprednisolone 40âmg (1âmL), then on 7th, 10th, and 13th day, 2% lidocaine (1âmL) + ketoprofen 160âmg (1âmL) + methylprednisolone 20âmg (1âmL) (b) conventional therapy group received ketoprofen 80âmg à 2/die and esomeprazole 20âmg/die orally for 12 days, methylprednisolone 40âmg/die intramuscularly for 4 days, followed by methylprednisolone 20âmg/die for 3 days, and thereafter, methylprednisolone 20âmg/die at alternate days. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed at baseline (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and 6 months thereafter (T2) by using visual analogic scale (VAS) and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ). In both groups, VAS and RMDQ values were significantly reduced at the end of drug treatment and after 6 months, in comparison with baseline. No significant differences were found between the two groups. This suggests that mesotherapy may be a valid alternative to conventional therapy in the treatment of acute low back pain with corticosteroids and NSAIDs.
Abstract: In general sports, ankle sprain is the most frequently reported ankle injury and can cause chronic lateral ankle pain and tenderness. Treatment with NSAIDs is preferred, and several topical NSAID formulations are now available, helping to avoid the systemic adverse events typically associated with oral preparations.
Abstract: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and indications of arthrography with Multidetector Computed Tomography (arthro-MDCT) of the wrist in patients with absolute or relative contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and in patients with periarticular metal implants using diagnostic arthroscopy as the gold standard.
Abstract: Individual variations of plasma levels of hormones testosterone (T) and cortisol (C), before (pre) and after (post) Kumite (real fight) and Kata (ritualized fight) were measured in male karate athletes and analyzed in relation with the agonistic outcome (i.e. winning or losing the fight) and personality trait measures. T and C increased only during Kumite contest and pre- and post-competition C levels were higher in losers than winners. Losers showed higher levels of harm avoidance and anxiety as well as lower level of novelty seeking than winners. Importantly, novelty seeking negatively correlates with pre C and the higher the level of risk assessment, emotionality and insecurity indexes the higher the pre C level. In conclusion, personality traits might be an important factor asymmetry between athletes influencing both the probability of winning or losing an agonistic interaction and the different anticipatory endocrine response to the incipient fight.
Abstract: Rotator cuff tears are an important cause of disability. It is frequently observed in elderly people with a consequent loss of autonomy in daily life activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the infiltrative treatment with hyaluronic acid, followed by a selective rehabilitative programme in elderly patients who do not present indications for surgical treatment. Twenty-two patients were selected (14 men and 8 women), ranging from 70 to 89 years, (mean age 78.1) with rotator cuff tears. They underwent to a conservative treatment consisting in a series of 3 infiltrations (once a week) with hyaluronic acid (jointex starter molecular weight: 800-1200 kdalton) followed by a specific rehabilitative treatment (passive and active assisted kinesitherapy). Each patient was evaluated for pain through a Visual Analogic Scale (V.A.S.). Costant Murley and the Shoulder Rating Questionnairev were adopted to analyze the loss of range of motion of the shoulder as well as autonomy in daily life activities. The obtained results were statistically significant (p < 0.0005), both for the reduction of pain and for the improvement of range of motion and autonomy in daily life activities. The encouraging results obtained with this treatment could be considered as a valid choice instead of a surgical treatment in selected cases.
Abstract: Intramedullary nailing is one of the most commonly used surgical treatments for humeral diaphyseal fractures. Once an intramedullary fixation technique has been selected, the choice between antegrade or retrograde approach remains controversial. Forty patients with humeral diaphyseal fracture treated with Seidel antegrade intramedullary nailing through an "danterior deltoid incision" (ADI) were evaluated after an average period of 62 months. Clinical and functional evaluation of the shoulder was performed using the Constant Score. Results were excellent in 33 patients, good in 5 and acceptable in 2. Radiological assessment was performed using antero-posterior (AP) and latero-lateral (LL) radiographs of the humerus and AP and Neer radiographs of the shoulder. Radiographic findings demonstrated good consolidation of all fractures; nail and locking proximal screw malpositioning were detected in 2 cases (2 patients with acceptable results). The positive results obtained for shoulder function correlate with patient age and demonstrate that antegrade intramedullary nailing is a valid option for the treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures, as long as it is performed through ADI access and with the appropriate surgical technique. Surgical technical errors will lead to functional problems of the shoulder, which in some cases will not be completely eliminated even after nail removal.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The presence of subcutaneous implants, such as permanent defibrillators, is an absolute contraindication to the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, MRI is unadvisable in subjects with metallic hardware near the area of study, as artifacts generated by such materials distort image quality. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and indications of arthrography with multidetector computed tomography arthrography (arthro-MDCT) of the shoulder in patients with absolute or relative contraindications to MRI and in patients with periarticular metal implants using diagnostic arthroscopy as the gold standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After intraarticular injection of iodixanol and volumetric acquisition, 70 shoulders in 70 patients (30 females, 40 males, age range 32-60 years) were examined with a 16-detector-row CT scanner. The patients had arthralgia but no radiologically detected fractures. They could not be studied by MRI because of absolute contraindications (subcutaneous electronic implants), surgical metal implants, or claustrophobia. In 28 of the 70 patients who had had previous shoulder surgery, the arthro-CT examination was preceded by an MRI on the same day. All examinations were interpreted by two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists. The findings were compared with arthroscopic findings carried out within 28 days of the CT study. RESULTS: In the 42 non-operated patients, the comparison between arthro-MDCT and arthroscopy showed sensitivity and specificity ranging between 87% and 100%. In the 28 operated shoulders, arthro-MDCT had an accuracy of 94% compared with 25% with MRI. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect (kappa=0.95) in the evaluation of all types of lesions, both on MDCT and MRI. When arthro-MDCT was compared with MRI in the postoperative patients by a McNemar test, a significant difference (P<0.05) was found between these two techniques. CONCLUSION: Arthro-MDCT of the shoulder is a safe technique that provides accurate diagnosis in identifying chondral, fibrocartilaginous, and intraarticular ligamentous lesions in patients who cannot be evaluated by MRI, and in patients after surgery.
Abstract: The Authors, after having defined the phenomenon and the biological characteristics of natural magnets, evaluate their ability in accelerating the formation of bone callus in hand and wrist fractures compared to treatment with immobilization in a plaster cast. Forty patients (4 females and 37 males) between 20 and 86 years of age were treated. A small natural magnet was inserted in each of the plaster casts (diameter: 2cm, height: 0.5cm) made of 4 blocks in Neodymium-Iron-Boron, capable of generating 4 magnetic poles (2 positive and 2 negative) of diagonal alternate polarity that produced a symmetric, quadruple static magnetic field. The created magnetic flow was wavelike, concentrated in one direction, and developed a force up to 12,500 gauss. From this study it has emerged that inserting a quadruple magnet in a plaster cast in hand and wrist fractures results in the formation of bone callus in an average time that is 35% inferior to the "standard" time. Accelerating the healing of the fracture is important since it reduces immobilization time for the joints involved, avoiding subsequent weakness and stiffness and allowing the patient to begin rehabilitative physiotherapy sooner, which permits a faster functional recovery.
Abstract: Hip problems are frequent and can represent a therapeutic challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. In the wide spectrum of hip pathologies, coxarthrosis still remains the most common cause of hip disability. The treatment of hip disorders in adult patients has rapidly evolved during the past decades because of the enhanced understanding of osteoarthritis (OA) aetiology combined with improved imaging, better patient selection and refinements in surgical procedures. Despite great strides that have been made in the field of total hip arthroplasty (THA), femoral and pelvic osteotomy still play a successful role in the prevention and treatment of OA. Primary OA is rare, or may not exist at all, and the majority of cases that are considered as primary are secondary to a pre-existing anatomical deformity. If an identifiable anatomic and biomechanical hip abnormality is diagnosed, its surgical correction may prevent or lessen OA and postpone THA for many years or even indefinitely in certain cases. The success of such surgery depends on the correct indication, time of surgery, completeness with which osteotomies normalize the environment of the hip, and the grade of OA present when procedure is performed.
Abstract: Aim of this preliminary work is to study the effects of the vibration board on the strength of dorsal and plantar flexor muscles of the ankle through a randomized and controlled observation. Sixteen sedentary right-handed females, ranged from 20 to 30 years of age, were selected; they were not affected by previous ankle sprains and were divided into two randomized groups. The study group followed a vibration board training in the orthostatic position with a 60 degrees flexion of the knee in order to direct its mechanical impulses to the inferior limbs. Each patient of the study group performed daily, for 2 weeks, 10 repetitions that lasted 1 minute each (25 hertz of frequency). The control group followed a training protocol including 10 daily sessions for 2 weeks. Each session included 3 series of 10 repetitions of flexi-extension of the foot versus an opposite resistance of an elastic band, 60 centimetres long, that was stretched till 100 cm. Both groups were tested before and after these training programmes by Biodex isokinetic dynamometer in order to quantify the strength of the plantar and dorsal flexor muscles of the dominant ankle. Peak torque, power and total work of the dorsal and plantar flexor muscles were assessed. A power test at an angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec for five repetitions and a resistance test at an angular velocity of 180 degrees/sec. for 20 repetitions were performed. After the final isokinetic test, the results were submitted to a statistic evaluation (T test of Student) in order to analyze any possible significant differences (p < 0.05) among the initial and final values before and after the treatment. The results of the study group compared to the control group showed a significant increase in the power of the dorsal flexor muscles at an angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec and in the peak torque, power and total work of the plantar flexor muscles at an angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec and 180 degrees/sec. We conclude that the use of the vibration board causes a continuous proprioceptive stimulation which increases neuromuscular receptivity determining a prevailing reinforcement of the plantar flexor muscles of the ankle.
Abstract: Aim of this study is to compare the different kinds of tendonitis in athletes using cryoultrasound therapy, lasertherapy CO2 and t.e.ca.r. therapy (transfert energetic capacitive and resistive). Forty five athletes were selected; they were all affected by severe insertional tendonitis of the Achilles tendon (15 of them), of the patellar tendon (15 of them) and of the epicondylar region (15 of them) during the last two months. They were divided into three groups. The first group underwent a treatment of 12 lasertherapy CO2 sessions, the second group 12 cryoultrasound therapy sessions and the last group 12 t.e.ca.r. therapy sessions. Each patient was registered by an independent observer according to the pain before (initial V.A.S.) and after treatment (final V.A.S.) using the analogic visual range from 0 (lack of pain) to 10 (unbearable pain) and the indicator of efficacy (difference between initial V.A.S. and final V.A.S./initial V.A.S.x 100). The obtained results were expressed as a difference between the two V.A.S. values and as a parameter of effectiveness (value ranging from 0 to 100) in order to correlate the initial condition of the patients with the performed physiotherapic treatment. The obtained V.A.S. score was submitted to statistic evaluation by analysis of variance through repeated measures, taking into consideration a value of p<0.05. Possible differences among the group of patients were shown by analysis of variance through one single way by comparison among groups. Every patient benefited from the treatment. Analyzing the initial and final V.A.S. values in the three groups, statistically significant variations emerged (p<0.05). A meaningful difference resulted among the different kinds of treatment; a marked difference was noticed between laser CO2 and cryoultrasound therapy (p<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between t.e.ca.r. and laser CO2 therapy or between t.e.ca.r. and cryoultrasound therapy. It must be admitted that the mean difference between initial and final V.A.S. is higher in the Cryoultrasound group (7.40), than in the Laser group (6.33) compared to t.e.ca.r. group (6.74). This result would explain a higher range of effectiveness in the Cryoultrasound group (85) compared to the laser CO2 (71.9 ) and t.e.ca.r. group (77.3). It can be asserted that cryoultrasound is a useful instrument for the physician working in the sports field. It offers advantages in comparison with laser CO2. It does not show significant differences with t.e.ca.r. therapy, although it shows a better mean range of effectiveness.
Abstract: Tibial plateau fractures are complex lesions capable of causing severe consequences if not appropriately treated. They are often the result of a high-energy trauma and, not rarely, are associated with significant soft-tissue and intra-articular injuries. Different therapeutic options can be managed in the treatment of these lesions. Minimally invasive surgery offers several advantages compared to other surgical techniques and allows, with less additional soft tissue damages, good reduction and stable fixation of the fracture. In this study we assessed the results of the combined arthroscopic and radioscopic assisted reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures in 18 patients affected by Schatzker type I, II, III, IV fractures. According to Hohl's and Rasmussen's grading system, 16 out of 18 patients scored a satisfactory result. We experienced no complications due to arthroscopy.
Abstract: The Authors, after a short analysis on biomechanics of the elbow during throwing in baseball, show the movements of the elbow during the different phases of the throw and the stabilizing action of the ulnar collateral ligament, flexor-pronator muscles of the wrist, anconeus and brachial triceps muscles. Aim of this study is the evaluation of the peak torque, total work and average power of the flexor-extensor and pronator-supinator muscles of the elbows in professional baseball players. Isokinetic test data show that a mayor peak torque in flexo-extension at power and resistance test in the pitchers compared to the strikers. Whereas the strikers show a higher peak torque in pronation at the resistance test. This may happen because during a baseball match the ball is hit many times by the bat and the pronator muscle of the wrist are notably stimulated and reinforced.
Abstract: The Authors treated at the Physiotherapy Service of the Clinic Orthopedic in Parma, 31 patients affected by shoulder's calcific tendonpathie++ were treated with E.D.T.A. bisodium salt they were painful and showed functional restriction besides they all shared a crystal's hydroxyapatite deposition. It was considered the pain by the Scott-Huskisson analogous--visual scale and the radiographic variation of calcification. It was noticed that with minimum pharmacological doses satisfying therapeutical results were achieved. That was not only as far as pain was concerned (disappeared in 29 patients (93.5%), but it was also obtained a significant reduction (4 patients 13%) or in some cases the disappearing of calcifications (25 patients 80%).
