A Weight Loading Device as a Method for Assessment of Unilateral Knee Pain

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effectiveness of a weight loading device as a method for assessment of unilateral knee pain. METHOD: Twenty-five patients with unilateral knee pain and 25 pain-free controls participated in this study. Patients with a score of 2 or more on modified Kellgren-Lawrence scale based on the radiologic findings were diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. We constructed a device of segmental foot plates with strain gauge weight sensors to measure the weight load of each leg during self-selected walking speed. Using this device, we obtained the ratio of symptomatic side to asymptomatic side of weight load (RATIO) for each patient. The degree of pain according to visual analogue scale (VAS), abnormalities in radiologic findings, and weight load ratio were compared with each other. RESULTS: The RATIO was 1.00+/-0.03 in the control group, and 0.92+/-0.08 in the patient group (p<0.05). In the patient group, there was a significant correlation between RATIO and the VAS score (r=-0.44, p=0.03). In the patient group with degenerative arthritis, the RATIO (p=0.75) and VAS (p=0.94) were not different from those in patient group without degenerative arthritis. CONCLUSION: The foot plate weight loading device may be an effective tool for convenient measurements of knee pain.

Knee Pain: Pain Patterns of Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Degenerative Arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pain patterns of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHOD: Forty-four patients (mean age 56.1 years) with pain around the knee who met the Simons' criteria for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Patients drew in their pain areas on a pain drawing diagram. The pain areas were input into the Pain Chart System (PCS) software program for analysis. Physical examination, trigger point injection, and exercises for knee muscles were performed. Oral analgesics were not prescribed. RESULTS: MPS was clinically diagnosed in all 44 patients. Radiologic examination revealed degenerative changes in 49 knees. Pain patterns detected by the PCS revealed pain patterns compatible with myofascial trigger point in the vastus medialis in 37 cases, rectus femoris in 32 cases, adductor longus in 5 cases, sartorius in 2 cases, vastus lateralis in 1 case, and the popliteus in 1 case. Following treatment, 36 of the 44 patients experienced pain relief. CONCLUSION: Degenerative changes of the joint seem not to be cause of the knee joint pain. Instead, pain relief following MPS treatment indicates the cause of knee pain as MPS. We recommend that the first step in the treatment for knee pain include recognition and treatment of MPS before applying invasive treatment.

Local Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for the Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of local intramuscular botulinum toxin type A injection in patients with congenital muscular torticollis. METHOD: Six patients (mean age, 13.3 months) with congenital muscular torticollis who did not respond to physical therapy were participated with the informed consent of their parents. Twenty-five to fifty Speywood units of Dysport (Beaufour Ipsen, France) were injected into the palpated mass of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The angle of tilt and range of motion of the neck in sitting position were obtained before and after injection. The size of the mass within the sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured with ultrasonogram. RESULTS: Satisfactory improvement of 3 parameters at post- injection 6-month follow-up was achieved in all patients. The tilting angle and range of motion of the neck to rotation were normalized in 5 patients. The size of the mass within the sternocleidomastoid muscle was decreased significantly with ultrasonographic evaluation. CONCLUSION: Local intramuscular BTA injection might be effective for patients with congenital muscular torticollis who do not respond to conservative management.