The Effect of the Prolotherapy on the Injured Achilles Tendon in a Rat Model

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the prolotherapy on the healing of the tendon tissue and the proliferation of fibroblasts in the injured Achilles tendons. METHOD: The tendons of twenty eight Sprague-Dawley rats were transected at 2 mm above the calcaneal insertion in the right Achilles tendon and sutured. Then they were allocated randomly into two groups: prolotherapy group and control group. We injected 20% dextrose 0.1 ml on injured tendon area of prolotherapy group immediately after transection. After 2 and 4 weeks, the diameters of tendons were measured on both the injured and uninjured tendon. The number of fibroblasts and the ratio of fibroblast to fibrocyte on the injured tendon tissues were measured by the image analyzer. RESULTS: The diameters of the injured tendons of the prolotherapy group were not significantly different with that of the control group. However, the number of fibroblasts and the ratio of fibroblast to fibrocyte in the prolotherapy group showed significantly larger and more increased than the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This result showed the additional regeneration effect of the prolotherapy on the healing of the injured tendon tissue. Therefore, the prolotherapy would be an effective treatment on the tendon injury.

Status of Using Lower Extremity Orthoses in Patients with Chronic Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity orthoses are important in the rehabilitation of the patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury. But it is unknown how much they are used in the social activity after the discharge from the hospital. This study was carried out to investigate the status of using orthosis in social activity and complaints about orthosis. METHOD: The questionnaires were given to 42 cases with stroke and 17 cases with traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: The user of lower extremity orthosis in social activity were 55.9%, and the causes of disuse were patient's poor condition, improved gait pattern, inappropriate design and defect of orthosis, and patient's refusal. The degree of satisfaction with orthosis for comfort, external appearance and weight were 79.3%, 86.2%, and 72.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Physiatrists should give more attention in orthosis at follow-up of patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury and make efforts to improve function and external appearance of orthosis.

A Study of Serum Lipid Profiles in Paraplegics

Generally, regular exercise is known to help to improve lipid metabolism. In the spinal cord injured, relative inactivity to able-bodied person causes altered lipid profiles and, in turn, possibly increases cardiovascular mortality. We performed this study to measure serum lipid profiles in paraplegics and to evaluate effect of regular exercise on lipid profiles. The subjects are 21 paraplegics, who are divided into 2 groups, 10 SCI athletes and 11 SCI non-athletes. The serum levels of lipoproteins in these subjects were measured and compared each other. The levels of serum HDL-cholesterol were lower in the order of, non-athlete group, athelte group, and normal control group, and there was a significant difference between athlete and non-athlete groups. The ratios of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol were higher in the order of non-athlete group, athlete group, and normal control group, and there was a significant difference between control and non-athlete groups. The serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride in three groups showed no significant differences. In conclusion, serum levels of HDL-cholesterol were positively affected by regular exercise, and it is advised that the HDL-cholesterol levels of spinal cord injured should be checked regularly for follow-up examinations.

Syringomyelia & Syringobulbia in a Patient of Paraplegia Following Tuberculous Meningitis: Case report

Syringomyelia can occur as a complication of tuberculous meningitis despite of appropriate chemotherapy and almost it is founded with motor and sensory disturbances. We have experienced a case of an extensive syringomyelia & syringobulbia in tuberculous meningitis who complained only mild numbness & diplopia without specific motor disturbance. So we think that we should not overlook even mild symptoms and have to evaluate the syringomyelia timely by radiographic study.