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.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Confirmed by Genomic Molecular Analysis: A case report

Dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of the heterogenous neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by chronic progressive cerebellar ataxia associated with various combinations of other neurological signs. Clinical classification is difficult because of the phenotypic overlap. With the evolution of molecular genetics, the loci and mutations for many of the ataxias have been identified, allowing more definitive molecular classification. We experienced 42 years-old man who presented with progressive both lower leg weakness, dysarthria, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and nystagmus. The family history was remarkably suspicious. We could not observe the upper extremity weakness, definite evidences of peripheral neuropathy and myopathy in electrodiagnosis. No abnormal findings in blood chemistry and brain MRI. We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, found that his gene contained expanded CAG repeats (CAG repeat number was 72). Although no effective treatment exists for most the ataxic syndromes, the accurate diagnosis and the genetic counseling are often important to the patient's family for prognostication.

The Effect of Intraarticular Injection of Hyaluronic Acid and Steroid in Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid and steroid in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder. METHOD: Thirty-nine patients with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder were assigned at random to receive intraarticular injection into the glenohumeral joint. The treatment groups were divided into three: group A, triamcinolone 1 ml and 1% lidocaine 3 ml and normal saline 25 ml; group B, hyaluronic acid 2 ml and 1% lidocaine 3 ml and normal saline 25 ml; group C, hyaluronic acid 2 ml and 1% lidocaine 3 ml. The same physical therapy program was carried out for all patients. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation) was measured before injection, and at 30 minutes, 1 week and 2 weeks after injection. RESULTS: The shoulder range of motion (ROM) and VAS of three groups were all improved at 30 minutes, 1 week and 2 weeks after injection compared with those of preinjection, but there was no significant difference in ROM and VAS among three groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid would be a good treatment method in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder, specially in patients with risk of steroid use.

The Associated Factors of Osteoporosis in Bone Mineral Density

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between osteoporosis and the related factors through retrospective study. METHOD: Data from 1002 patients (834 women and 168 men) were analyzed through medical records [bone mineral density (BMD), age, height (Ht), body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and the accompanying conditions]. BMD of lumbar spine (L1-4) and femur (neck, Ward's triangle, trochanter, and shaft) were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and were correlated with age, Ht, BW, BMI, and accompanying diseases, and fracture incidence. RESULTS: 1) BMD of lumbar spine and femur neck in women significantly correlated with age and that of lumbar spine in men significantly correlated with BMI, Ht, BW. 2) The accompanying conditions in osteoporosis were diabetes mellitus (5.9%), Cushing syndrome (3.7%), oophorectomy (2.8%), hyperthyroidism (2.6%), and chronic renal failure (1.0%). 3) Fracture sites and their incidences were single spine (4.89%), multiple spine (2.99%), and femur (2.0%). 4) Mean BMD and T-score in fracture group was 0.687+/-0.16 g/cm2, 3.51+/-1.3 in lumbar spine and 0.578+/-0.14 g/cm2, 2.70+/-1.1 in femur, respectively. CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis is a major public health problem among the elderly, demanding effective strategic approach for prevention and treatment. We concluded that further studies of male osteoporosis are required.