Electromyographic comparison of vastus medialis obliquus facilitatory versus vastus lateralis inhibitory kinesio taping in athletes with patellofemoral pain: A randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPatellofemoral pain (PFP) is among the most common orthopedic complications afflicting active young people. Diminished coordination of the vastii, delayed activation of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), and decreased VMO-to-vastus lateralis (VL) activity ratio are well documented as underlying causes of PFP. This study compares the effects of VMO facilitatory kinesio tape (KT) versus VL inhibitory KT on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastii, balance, and pain in athletes with PFP.MethodsIn this single-blind randomized clinical trial, thirty-two female athletes with PFP (mean age 26.33 ± 5.93 years) were randomly assigned to VMO facilitatory KT (n = 16) or VL inhibitory KT (n = 16) groups. In the facilitatory group, a Y-shaped strip of KT at 25% of its available tension was attached from the origin of the VMO to its insertion and in the inhibitory group, an insertion-to-origin Y-shaped strip of KT at 15% of its available tension was applied on the VL. Pain intensity, dynamic balance, and EMG data were assessed respectively with a visual analogue scale, the modified Star Excursion Balance Test, and an EMG telemetry system, before and immediately after KT application.ResultsPain intensity decreased and dynamic balance improved significantly after taping in both groups, and VMO: VL activity ratio increased significantly in the VL group. However, none of the parameters differed significantly between groups.ConclusionsBoth VMO facilitatory and VL inhibitory KT can improve pain and balance, while the inhibitory technique might be more effective in regulating the VMO to VL activity ratio in athletes with PFP.     

Compensatory postural responses to backward loss of balance in patients with cerebellar disease

BackgroundImpaired control of balance and coordinated reactions are a primary deficit of cerebellar dysfunction. As compared to other neurological patients with balance impairments, there has been little research assessing the characteristics of compensatory responses associated with falls in patients with cerebellar disease (CD).Research questionThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of cerebellar disease on compensatory balance control in response to postural perturbation. Do CD patients increase the number of steps when responding to instability because of inappropriate initial step reactions or poor control of trunk motion or both?MethodsIn this explorative study, 10 patients suffering from degenerative cerebellar ataxia and 10 age-matched healthy controls were examined. The balance recovery reactions were assessed using a lean-and-release postural perturbation method. Spatiotemporal characteristics of stepping movement and COM variables associated with torso motion were analyzed using 3D motion capture system.ResultsCD patients took multiple steps whereas matched controls generally took single steps to recover balance following perturbation. The characteristics of the initial step at the time of the fall revealed that foot reaction time, foot response time, and step distance of the initial step were similar between CD patients and matched controls. However, CD patients exhibited a shorter foot-to−COM distance, higher COM velocity, and less trunk flexion with which to attenuate their body momentum after the landing of the first step than did matched controls.SignificanceAlthough initial step responses were probably adequate, poor control of torso motion appears to be a particular problem that causes multiple-step reactions in CD patients. This observation would help to guide the development of tailored fall intervention strategies in CD patients aimed at promoting their recovery capacity in response to a pronounced balance challenge.     

Comparison of Shoulder-Arm Complex Pain,Function, and Scapular Dyskinesia in Women With and Without Unilateral Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery

IntroductionLymphedema is the most important complication seen after breast cancer surgery. The study aimed to evaluate pain, shoulder-arm complex function, and scapular function in women who developed lymphedema after breast cancer surgery and to compare these with women without lymphedema.Materials and MethodsFifty women with lymphedema (age, 54.34 ± 9.08 years; body mass index, 30.10 ± 4.03 kg/cm²) and 57 women without lymphedema (age, 53.68 ± 9.41 years; body mass index, 29.0 ± 5.44 kg/cm²) after unilateral surgery for breast cancer were included. Clinical and demographic information was noted. The severity of lymphedema with perimeter measurements (Frustum model), level of heaviness discomfort sensation with a visual analog scale, pain threshold with a digital algometer, shoulder-arm complex functionality with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand Problems Survey (DASH), and scapular function with observational scapular dyskinesia and lateral scapular sliding tests were assessed. The t test, χ² test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analyses.ResultsThe follow-up duration after the surgery was 4.24 ± 2.97 years and 3.19 ± 1.76 years, and the upper extremity volume was 2106.65 ± 510.82 cm³ and 1725.92 ± 342.49 cm³ in the lymphedema group and in the no-lymphedema group, respectively. In the lymphedema group, arm-heaviness discomfort, pain threshold levels in the trapezius and deltoid muscles, and DASH scores were worse (P < .05). The rate of scapular dyskinesia (70.0%) and type 2 scapula (32%) in the surgical side was higher in patients with lymphedema.ConclusionThe pain pressure threshold in the trapezius and deltoid muscles, heaviness sensation level, and inadequate upper extremity function are significantly higher in patients with lymphedema, and the scapular dyskinesia rate was higher.     

Anatomic vs. reverse shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with intact rotator cuff: a retrospective comparison of patient-reported outcomes using the systems outcomes database with up to 5-year follow-up

BackgroundThe growing enthusiasm for the use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) with an intact rotator cuff is based on data derived from single-center studies with limited generalizability and follow-up. This study compared patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between RSA and total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for the treatment of primary GHOA with up to 5-year follow-up and examined temporal trends in the treatment of GHOA between 2012 and 2021.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on patients with primary GHOA undergoing primary arthroplasty surgery from the Surgical Outcomes System global registry between 2012 and 2021. PROs including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were compared between RSA and TSA at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively.ResultsA total of 4451 patients were included, with 2693 (60.5%) undergoing TSA and 1758 (39.5%) undergoing RSA. Both RSA and TSA provided clinically excellent outcomes at 1 year postoperatively (ASES: 80.8 ± 17.9 vs. 85.9 ± 15.2, respectively; SANE: 74.8 ± 24.7 vs. 79.5 ± 22.9; VAS pain: 1.3 ± 2.0 vs. 1.1 ± 1.7; all P < .05) that were maintained at 2 years (ASES: 81.3 ± 19.3 vs. 87.3 ± 14.9; SANE: 74.8 ± 26.2 vs. 79.7 ± 24.7; VAS pain: 1.3 ± 2.1 vs. 1.0 ± 1.6; all P < .05) and 5 years (ASES: 81.7 ± 16.5 vs. 86.9 ± 15.3; SANE: 71.6 ± 28.5 vs. 78.2 ± 25.9; VAS pain: 1.0 ± 1.7 vs. 1.0 ± 1.7; all P < .05), with statistical significance favoring TSA. After controlling for age and sex, there was an adjusted difference of 4.5 units in the ASES score favoring TSA (P = .005) at 5 years postoperatively but no differences in adjusted SANE (P = .745) and VAS pain (P = .332) scores. The use of RSA for GHOA grew considerably over time, from representing only 17% of all replacements performed for GHOA in 2012 to nearly half (47%) in 2021 (P < .001).ConclusionRSA as a treatment for GHOA with an intact rotator cuff seems to yield PROs that are largely clinically equivalent to TSA extending to 5 years postoperatively. The observed statistical significance favoring TSA appears to be of marginal clinical benefit based on established minimal clinically important differences and may be a result of the large sample size. Further research using more granular clinical data and examining differences in range of motion and complications is warranted as it may change the value analysis.     

张力平衡针法联合电针对脑卒中足下垂患者下肢功能及日常生活能力的影响

目的:研究张力平衡针法联合电针对脑卒中足下垂患者下肢功能及日常生活能力的影响。方法:选取我院2016年1月—2019年5月收治的脑卒中足下垂患者78例,根据随机数字表法分为两组,各39例。对照组给予电针疗法,治疗组在对照组基础上给予张力平衡针法,对比两组患者治疗前后的肌张力和CSI评分、足内翻角度和足下垂角度、Barthel指数评分和FMA评分、SF-36量表评分。结果:经治疗后,两组患者肌张力评分显著升高,CSI评分显著降低(P<0.05),且治疗组改善程度较大(P<0.05);两组患者足内翻角度和足下垂角度显著低于治疗前(P<0.05),且治疗组降低程度较大(P<0.05);两组患者FMA评分和Barthel指数评分显著升高(P<0.05),且治疗组升高程度较大(P<0.05);两组患者情感功能、生理功能和社会功能评分均显著高于治疗前(P<0.05),且治疗组升高程度较大(P<0.05)。结论:采用张力平衡针法联合电针治疗脑卒中足下垂能够改善日常生活能力及下肢功能,值得在临床上推广应用。