Aspiration of Tendinous Calcific Deposits

Needle aspiration of tendinous calcific deposits under fluoroscopic control may be a valuable tool in selected cases of painful shoulders with chronic and debilitating pain resistant to medical treatment. This article reviews the technique and results of this treatment. The aims of this procedure are (1) to evacuate a maximum amount of calcium; (2) to fragment the residual calcific deposits to facilitate its resorption during the following weeks; (3) to reduce the inflammation secondary to the presence and migration of residual calcific deposits by in situ injection of corticosteroids. Good results are obtained in 61D74% of cases. Surgical treatment should be restricted to failures of needle aspiration.     

Tendon thickening in dialysis-related joint arthritis is due to amyloid deposits at the surface of the tendon

Objectives

Beta-2-microglobulin (β2M) dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA), a disabiliting joint disease, has been initially reported in patients under long-term dialysis. The incidence and prevalence has significantly decreased with the improvement in dialysis techniques. Here, we attempted to clarify the clinical and MRI features to improve the diagnosis.

Simplified deceleration method for assessment of resistive forces in cycling.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a simplified deceleration technique for measurement of aerodynamic and rolling resistances in cycling. METHODS: Coast-down tests were performed in level hallways with an experienced cyclist as the rider. Average initial velocities were 2.5-12.8 m x s(-1)) The deceleration technique was simplified by the use on only three switches and a derivation that did not require an assumption that deceleration is constant. The effective frontal area (AC(D)) and coefficient of rolling resistance (CR) were then calculated through a derivation from the equation for resistive forces opposing motion. Method reproducibility was tested by comparison of results for four tests of 30 trials under identical conditions. Method sensitivity was tested by performing 30 trials with three different rider head positions and four different transported mass conditions. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed that there were no differences among the results in the reproducibility study for either AC(D) or C(R). Furthermore, the reproducibility tests revealed mean errors of only 0.66% and 0.70% for AC(D) and CR, respectively. ANOVA identified a significant increase (P < 0.001) in rolling resistance with external loading and a significant effect (P < 0.001) of head position on AC(D). Mean (+/-SD) values for AC(D) and C(R) from tests in a racing aeroposture with the head up, the head in line with the trunk, and the head in an intermediate position were 0.304 +/- 0.011, 0.268 +/- 0.010, and 0.262 +/- 0.013 m2, respectively. C(R) averaged 0.00368 in the three head positions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that this simplified deceleration technique is satisfactorily reproducible and sensitive for measurement of aerodynamic and rolling resistances in cycling.     

Stretching of roots contributes to the pathophysiology of radiculopathies

Purpose

To perform a synthesis of articles addressing the role of stretching on roots in the pathophysiology of radiculopathy.

Neuro-mechanical and chemical influences on locomotor respiratory coupling in humans

Mechanisms of coordination between breathing and movement during dynamic exercise are still a matter of debate. This study aimed to examine the degree of coordination between breathing and arm propulsion patterns and to compare the relative contribution of neuro-mechanical and chemical factors. Thirteen trained cross-country skiers performed constant submaximal 6-min roller skiing exercises on a motorized driven treadmill in two different poling techniques (V2A and V2 skating techniques) at two exercise intensity levels corresponding to the first and second ventilatory thresholds. The timing of arm propulsion movements in V2A and V2 techniques was considered as a mechanical/neural influence on breathing whereas exercise intensity represented the metabolic demand to breathing. The degree of coordination, expressed as the percentage of breaths presenting a constant phase interval (time between an arbitrarily chosen point of the arm movement cycle and the onset of expiration) was significantly higher in V2A than V2 (P<0.05) while exercise intensity had no effect on the degree of coordination. We concluded that locomotor-respiratory coupling occurs in cross-country skiing as simulated by roller skiing because of strong influences from neuro-mechanical factors.