effect of chronic inflammation of rotator CUFF on shoulder proprioception

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic inflammation of rotator cuff on shoulder proprioception and to identify the relation between shoulder pain and proprioception. Forty subjects [26 males and 14 females] suffering from unilateral chronic rotator cuff tendinitis participated in this study. The uninvolved shoulder was used as a control for testing. Subjects were evaluated for shoulder proprioception by using active reproduction tests [Active Reproduction of Passive Positioning Test and Active Reproduction of Active Positioning Test] and for shoulder pain by using visual analog scale [VAS]. The results of this study showed significant differences between involved and uninvolved shoulder in proprioceptive ability and poor correlation was identified between pain and shoulder proprioceptive deficit. It was concluded that proprioceptive training was recommended in case of chronic rotator cuff tendinitis

Effect of low level laser therapy and exercises in the treatment of pain and functional disability in cases of knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis OA is a widely spread disorder that may involve any synovial joint, but it mainly affects weight bearing joints, namely hip and knee. Treatments of knee OA mainly focus on pain and function. This is usually achieved by conservative, non pharmacologic therapies. Exercises are known to be effective in reducing pain, improve strength of quadriceps, improve knee mobility, and thus function. A recently introduced modality, Low intensity laser therapy [LLLT], is suggested to improve the condition of knee OA This study aimed to assess the efficiency of LLLT in conjunction with exercises in treatment of knee OA METHODS: sixty bilateral knees OA patients [22 males and 38 females], of age range 45-65 years and mean 52 +/- [6], were randomly selected and assigned to one of the three equal groups [20 patients each]; group A. treated with laser and exercises, group B received exercises only and. group C serves as a control group. Patients in experimental groups received 12 sessions [every other day]. Assessment of pain was estimated by visual analog scale, and function by 50 feet walking speed. These assessment were done pre and post experimentally in group A and B, and in one month interval in group C. Results showed that significant improvement in pain and function occurred in both groups A and B compared to group C, but no significant difference was seen in between both groups. LLLT and exercise have been concluded to be no more efficient than exercise alone in treatment of OA of knee joint

Effect of heel pad combined with ultrasound and stretching exercises in the treatment of plantar fasciitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using rubber heel pad during weight bearing activities in conjunction with ultrasound therapy and stretching exercises on pain and functional disability associated with plantar fasciitis, Forty subjects suffering from plantar fasciitis, were randomly assigned to either group one [GI] who received ultrasound therapy and stretching exercises or group two [G2] who received ultrasound therapy and the same exercises program as group one. In addition patients in G2 were instructed to use rubber heel pad throughout their weight bearing activities. Subjects in both groups were evaluated pre and post experimentally for pain and functional disability. Both groups received twelve sessions [one session every other day for four weeks]. Group one showed significant differences concerning both pain and functional disability, in comparing pre and post experimental evaluations. Group two, showed significant improvement in pain and functional disability, in comparing pre and post experimental evaluations. Comparison between results achieved in both groups showed significant differences in pain and functional disability improvements in favor of group two. Therefore, it was concluded that using rubber heel pad conjointly with physical therapy in the form of ultrasound therapy and stretching exercises is helpful in enhancing improvement of pain and functional performance in patients complaining from plantar fasciitis