[ comparison of shock wave therapy and corticosteroid injection on the treatment of plantar fasciitis]

Plantar Fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder, which can reduce physical activity of the affected person. The usual treatments have short-term effects or they can cause adverse effects. In this study the injection of corticosteroid and shock wave therapy have been compared. This was a prospective, randomized and single blind clinical trial. In the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic of two clinic in Tehran, through the year 2011, 37 feet were randomized to each treatment group. The first group received 40mg methylprednisolone and 2 cc lidocaine 2% and the second group was treated with 3 sessions of rESWT [2000 pulses, 10 Hz, 2.5 bar] weekly apart. The data was gathered by a questionnaire, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. Chi-square, T-test and mann-witney U test was used for data analyzing. In both groups 3 months after the intervention the severity of the symptoms were greatly improved. In short-term [1 month] corticosteroid effect was superior to shock wave's one [p<0.05]. This superiority declined through the time. In other words, the effects of the two treatments measured in the functional scale, didn't differ significantly 3 months after the initiation of the treatment [p>0.05]. Shock wave therapy can be an alternative treatment for plantar fasciitis

Comparison of MRI and electrodiagnostic study in evaluation of patients with clinical radiculopathy in 501 army hospital, 1387-88

There are different procedures for radiculopathy diagnosis. Considering morbidity of this disease, its diagnosis and treatment is of important.MRI and Electrodiagnostic study [EDX] are of most important ways but they each have advantages and shortcomings. The goal of this study is to determine which way or ways is the best. In an cross-sectional analytic study, we studied patients with suspected radiculopathy and MRI who where referred for Electrodiagnostic study to 501 Army hospital at 1387-88. Analysis was performed with statistical software of SPSS. we studied 114 patients.31 had cervical and 83 had lumbosacral radiculopathy.There were significant agreement between clinic and MRI [72%] and between EDX and MRI [61%] but no between clinic and EDX [52%].The agreement is higher in deffinte group than milder ones. This decline in agreement was significant in EDX but no in MRI. There are no preferred procedure for radiculopathy diagnosis so that MRI and EDX are complementary, yet. Considering higher specifity for EDX Electrodiagnostic study is suggested before inappropriate and risky interventions

[Local corticosteroid injection and low level laser therapy [LLLT] in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a comparison study]

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is a common problem of upper extremity. There are various modalities of nonsurgical treatment for this disease including: low level laser therapy and local corticosteroid injection. Efficacy of these options is compared in this study

Material and Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 patients with lateral epicondylitis randomly assigned to two groups [1-local corticosteroid injection, 2- low level laser therapy]. At first visit, 4[th] and 8[th] weeks after treatment patient symptoms assessed by VAS, "pain threshold" measured with Algometer, "maximum strength of gripping" assessed by Dynamometer and the Modified Nirschle Stage and QUICK DASH questionnaire completed

Results: In both groups, assessment of symptoms at 4[th] and 8[th] weeks after treatment showed that most patients had better condition in comparison to base status. Only in group 1 "pain threshold" at 4[th] and 8[th] week and "maximum strength of gripping" at 8[th] week and in group 2 "pain threshold" and "maximum strength of gripping" At 4[th] and 8[th] week had no significant difference in comparison to base status. Comparison of severity of symptoms between two groups did not show any significant difference after treatment

Conclusion: Findings of present study show similarity of local prednisolone injection and use of Low Level Laser in the treatment of Lateral epicondylitis

case report: Refsum's disease

Refsum's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder. The clinical features include retinitis pigmentosa, blindness, anosmia deafness, ataxia and accumulation of phytanic acid in plasma. A 12-year old boy presented with retinitis pigmentosa, sensorineural deafness and distal lower limb weakness and wasting two years ago. Physical examination did not reveal an objective area of sensory loss. We detected muscles wasting in bilateral legs. Deep tendon reflexes at the ankles and knees were absent bilaterally. Upper limb reflexes were decreased and his gait was ataxic. In electrodiagnostic study, findings were compatible with motor and sensory neuropathy. Phytanic acid in serum analysis was highly raised. Although rare, Refsum's disease is partially treatable and early recognition may prevent visual and auditory deterioration

[ case report: Refsum's disease]

Background: Refsum's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder. The clinical features include retinitis pigmentosa, blindness, anosmia, deafness, ataxia and accumulation of phytanic acid in plasma

Case report: A 12 -year old boy presented with retinitis pigmentosa, sensorineural deafness and distal lower limb weakness and wasting from two years ago. Physical examination did not reveal an objective area of sensory loss. We detected muscles wasting in bilateral legs. Deep tendon reflexes at the ankles and knees were absent bilaterally. Upper limb reflexes were decreased and his gait was ataxic. In electrodiagnostic study, findings were compatible with motor and sensory neuropathy. Phytanic acid in serum analysis was highly raised

Conclusions: Although rare, Refsum's disease is partially treatable and early recognition may prevent visual and auditory deterioration