Workplace ergonomic factors and the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs: a meta-analysis.

In the past 10 years there has been growing awareness among occupational health professionals worldwide of the large burden of illness associated with musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs. It has been suggested that these disorders are associated with highly repetitive work and are due, at least in part, to ergonomic factors. This review examines the epidemiologic evidence of the relationship between workplace ergonomic factors such as repetition, force, static muscle loading, and extreme joint position and the development of muscle, tendon, and nerve entrapment disorders of the neck and upper limbs of exposed workers. An extensive search for relevant studies was undertaken. Of 54 potentially relevant studies identified, three met the a priori inclusion criteria. The validity of these studies was assessed, and one study was found to have major flaws. Criteria to demonstrate causality were also applied and were met in the most rigorously conducted study. When the results of these studies are compared and aggregated where appropriate, they provide strong evidence of a causal relationship between repetitive, forceful work and the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the tendons and tendon sheaths in the hands and wrists and nerve entrapment of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. The comparison of exposed to controls for hand/wrist tendinitis gives an unadjusted common odds ratio of 9.1 (95% CI 4.9-16.2). The adjusted odds ratio for carpal tunnel syndrome is 15.5 (95% CI 1.7-141.5) based on the most rigorous study.     

Magnetic resonance imaging may be an asset to diagnose and classify fluoroquinolone-associated Achilles tendinitis

Summary— The aim of this study was to document the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during fluoroquinolone- associated Achilles tendinitis. Fourteen Achilles tendons were examined by MRI (T1 and T2 or T2*-weighted sequences) in nine patients with typical tendinopathy (13 cases of tendinitis and 1 rupture) during fluoroquinolone therapy. Tendinous involvement was classified according to the prominence of intra- or peritendinous changes. The most typical feature was the presence of intratendinous changes, longitudinal or transversal, detected on T1 or T2-weighted sequences. Peritendinitis was most visible in two cases and nodular involvement in three cases. It was concluded that MRI appears a helpful and accurate method in identifying and classifying such iatrogenic tendinitis. In addition, MRI indicates orthopedic management when detecting risk of rupture.     

Intramuscular pressure in the supraspinatus muscle

Shoulder pain correlated to manual labour is an increasing problem. The etiology is multifactorial and often unclear. High local muscle load and muscle ischemia in the supraspinatus muscle is present in elevated arm positions, as shown in several electromyographic studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intramuscular pressure (IMP) as a way to describe local muscle load in the supraspinatus muscle. Measurements were made in 15 arm positions, and with hand loads of 0, 1, or 2 kg weight, in 12 shoulders. The IMP was recorded with microcapillary infusion technique. The method was found to be suitable in recording IMP at rest and during exercise. High intramuscular pressures, i.e., above 50 mm Hg (6.7 kPa), were seen in moderate humeral abduction. The IMP increased further in abduction up to 90 degrees, where mean IMP was 122 mm Hg (16.2 kPa). Added hand load increased intramuscular pressure in all positions except in shoulder flexion of 135 degrees. The study thus demonstrated that intramuscular pressure offers important information about the load on the supraspinatus muscle in different positions of the arm. The results indicate that fatigue and shoulder pain related to elevated arm positions may be caused by muscle ischemia induced by the high intramuscular pressure present in these positions.     

冈上肌腱的血供特点及临床意义

目的　为肩关节疾患的防治及肩关节功能的重建提供血供解剖学基础。 方法　采用40侧常规防腐灌注红色乳胶的成人上肢标本,解剖出冈上肌观察其形态结构、起止点、血供来源、走行、分布特点并测量有关数据。 结果　冈上肌的血供主要来自肩胛上动脉和颈横动脉降支。肩胛上动脉起始处外径为(2.9±0.3) mm,主干长(4.8±0.7) cm;营养冈上肌肌支在肩胛横韧带的上方或下方分为2～3支进入肌腹。其入肌点位于肩胛横韧带的前下方(1.9±0.2) mm;冈上肌腱在移行部和扩展部动脉吻合丰富,而在实质部距肌腱止点部1 cm处毛细血管稀疏,是一个明显的乏血管区。冈上肌的神经支配主要是肩胛上神经,与血管伴行分2～3支支配冈上肌。 结论　肩袖撕裂或肩袖损伤考虑行手术修复时,不宜采取简单的断端缝合,应将断端的缺血组织切除后再行缝合或采用合适的肌腱代用材料进行修补,改善局部血供,有利于愈合。     

肩关节MRI对肩峰小骨与冈上肌和冈下肌损伤的相关性评估

目的:探讨肩峰小骨的MRI表现,并分析肩峰小骨与冈上肌和冈下肌损伤之间的相关性.方法:回顾性分析2010年1月至2020年8月诊断为肩峰小骨患者21例(有肩峰小骨组)的MRI资料,并匹配同期检查的21例无肩峰小骨者作为无肩峰小骨组.有肩峰小骨组男14例,女7例;年龄29～77(55.5±11.5)岁.无肩峰小骨组男10...     

Efficacy of extracorporal shock-wave treatment for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: experimental and clinical results

The effects of various extracorporal shock wave energy levels and impulse rates were investigated using an in vitro model. In addition, we performed a controlled, randomized study to examine the clinical outcome after treatment for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Two groups of 40 patients each received 2000 impulses twice with an energy flux density of 0.23mJ/mm² and then 0.42mJ/mm². The results were evaluated by the Constant and Murley score. Disintegration of the implanted deposits requires an energy of at least 0.42mJ/mm² and 2000 impulses. The clinical trial showed resorption of calcific deposits in 37.5% (0.23mJ/mm²) and 55.0% (0.42mJ/mm²). After 1 year the Constant and Murley score increased from 46 to 68 at 0.23mJ/mm² and from 48 to 73 points at 0.42mJ/mm². Based on our experimental and clinical results it is evident that disintegration of calcific deposits is dose-dependent. Because of the time that elapses until changes became evident on the radiographs, an instant and sole mechanical effect on the calcific deposits is unlikely. Therefore, a combined mechanical and cellular mechanism for absorption of the calcific deposits must be presumed.     

Comparison of two arthroscopic repair techniques for small-medium supraspinatus tendon tear: 1 triple-loaded vs 2 double-loaded metallic sutures anchors

IntroductionSurgical repair of the rotator cuff is based on the use of anchors whose ideal numbers and configurations continue to be controversial. We compared the clinical-functional results arising from the arthroscopic repair of shoulders, with small-medium lesions of the supraspinatus tendon, among patients using one anchor with three sutures, or two anchors with two sutures.MethodsIn this retrospective study patient were resolved into 2 groups. Clinical and functional results were assessed based on Constant Score and instrumental isometric examination.ResultsPatients in Group 1 experienced shoulder repair using a single anchor with three sutures (n = 21, mean age = 56 years, range = 51–65). In Group 2, patients received two anchors with two sutures each (n = 24, mean age = 59 years, range = 24–75). The mean follow-up time was 15 months. The mean values of the operated shoulders’ Constant Score were 88.05 and 88.25 respectively. Examination of isometric test results in operated shoulders, healthy shoulders and the two different rotator cuff repair techniques did not reveal any statistically significant differences.ConclusionIn the arthroscopic repair of small-medium supraspinatus tendon tears, the short to mid-term clinical and functional outcomes arising from use of 1 triple-loaded or 2 double-loaded metallic sutures anchors are comparable.     

Investigating Achilles and patellar tendinopathy prevalence in elite athletics

Although injury surveillance in athletics is routinely conducted, discipline-specific Achilles and patellar tendinopathy prevalence remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore discipline-specific tendinopathy prevalence and identify whether injury-specific risk factors differed in athletes. Elite athletes were recruited and provided information on their sport training including Achilles and patellar tendon pain history. In order to ascertain whether between-discipline differences existed, data were categorized into discipline groups. Middle-distance athletes reported the highest prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy and the combined athletes reported the highest patellar tendinopathy prevalence. Greater calf stiffness was reported in athletes who experienced Achilles tendinopathy compared to those who did not. A substantial portion of athletes believed their performance decreased as a result of their tendon pain. In order to develop discipline-specific evidence-based injury prevention programmes, further discipline-specific research is required to quantify the mechanism for Achilles and patellar tendinopathy development in elite athletics.