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Objective To explore the scanning techniques of piriformis and different ultrasonographic characteristics of normal and abnormal piriformis.Methods A total of 40 cases diagnosed with unilateral piriformis syndrome underwent ultrasonic examination.Then ultrasonic scanning techniques of piriformis were summarized.Contours,thickness and smoothness of epimysium and ultrasonic echo of internal muscle texture of piriformis were compared between the normal and abnormal piriformis.The study was approved by the Third Affiliated Hospital Ethics Committee of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Approval no.ZSLL-JS-2016-18).Results Interruption of ultrasonic echo of ilium could be considered as ultrasonographic signs for locating piriformis quickly and accurately.Abnormal piriformis in suffering side of patients with piriformis syndrome showed obscure contours and being thicker than the other side [x2 =9.899,P =0.002;(25.81 ± 0.30)mm vs (22.29 ± 0.27)mm,t =13.604,P =0.000].Moreover,there were significant differences in comparing smoothness of epimysium and ultrasonic echo of internal muscle texture of piriformis between the two sides(x2 =23.226,P =0.000;x2 =54.848,P =0.000).Conclusions Interruption of ultrasonic echo of ilium may be an important sign for locating piriformis.Ultrasound can display piriformis clearly and distinguish ultrasonographic images of normal piriformis accurately from abnormal piriformis,which can be taken as an basis imaging for clinical diagnosis of piriformis syndrome.
RESUMO
@#Contracture and spasticity of ankle joints were major sources of disability in neurological impairment including stroke and cerebral palsy, etc. The manual stretching used in physical therapy might be laborious and time-consuming to the therapists and the outcome was dependent on the experience and the subjectiveend feelingof the therapists. A device was developed that could safely stretch the an-kle joint to its extreme positions with quantitative control of the resistance torque and stretching velocity. Furthermore, it could satisfy a strong need for quantitative and objective measures of the impairment and rehabilitation outcome. This was just the meaning intelligent stretching referred to. This article described the origin of the concept of intelligent stretching and its definition, operational principle, and su-periority and weakness, as well as its application in ankle joint spasticity and contracture in patients with stroke and cerebral palsy.