Rare localization of avascular necrosis during treatment of COVID-19 with glucocorticosteroids

The development of bony avascular necrosis induced by glucocorticoid treatment of COVID-19 is a common adverse effect, with femoral head being the most commonly affected. Timely detection of avascular necrosis is important in the prevention of osteoarthrosis and other complications. We present a clinical case of a 54-year-old patient hospitalized for novel coronavirus infection with complaints of severe pain in both knees 2 weeks after the disease onset. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed pronounced changes in both knees, corresponding to avascular necrosis. The results of conservative therapy, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and bisphosphonate bone resorption inhibitors, produced a pronounced positive result. At follow-up examination 3 months later, there was no pain, but the knee joints still had slight restrictions of movement. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a significant decrease in the previously detected changes. The side effects of glucocorticoids (impaired glucose tolerance, increased blood pressure, tachycardia, gastrointestinal erosive ulcers, sleep disorders, etc.) are widely known, but knee osteonecrosis caused by steroid intake rarely comes to the attention of clinicians. This clinical case emphasizes the complex nature of osteonecrosis pathogenesis and demonstrates a wide range of complications in corticosteroid therapy. © 2022, Eco-Vector LLC. All rights reserved.

British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference 2023 Abstracts

The proceedings contain 343 papers. The topics discussed include: implementation of a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug blood monitoring software: 8 years of experience in a single center;effectiveness of colchicine among patients with COVID-19 infection: a randomized, open labelled, clinical trial;rheumatic autoimmune diseases following COVID-19 infection: an observational study in Iraqi Kurdistan region;COVID-19 in male elite Irish-based athletes at a national sports institute;the effects of a pain management program for patients with an inflammatory arthritis;a retrospective analysis of the effectiveness safety of platelet rich plasma injections in primary osteoarthritis in knee joint, in patients attending a tertiary care hospital, Sri Lanka;a cohort study;do proformas used in fracture liaison service appointments reflect national osteoporosis clinical standards? a content analysis;calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal in operated rheumatoid arthritis of the knee;cardiac amyloidosis: a case series of 31 patients with a comprehensive literature review;scoping review for the application of center of pressure for patient or intervention assessment in rheumatoid conditions;and four SNPs associated with monocyte/macrophage cell lineage uniquely associated with CRPS-1 in discovery and replication cohorts and suggest predisposition to regional osteopenia and digit misperception.

Comparison of Functional Outcomes between Supervised Rehabilitation and Telerehabilitation in Female Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, and therapeutic exercises are recommended. During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite recommendations on the importance of telerehabilitation, insufficient studies have investigated functional outcomes between supervised rehabilitation and telerehabilitation in patients with PFPS. This study aimed to compare the muscle strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes between supervised rehabilitation and telerehabilitation in female patients with PFPS. A total of 61 patients (supervised, n = 30; telerehabilitation, n = 31) participated. Muscle strength and activation time of the quadriceps and hamstrings were measured using an isokinetic device. Hip muscle strength was evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) for functional ability, and Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK-11). No significant differences were found in muscle strength, muscle activation time, or patient-reported outcomes of the involved knees between the two groups (p > 0.05). In addition, the rate of change in all parameters did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). Telerehabilitation, such as a home-exercise program supervised by physical therapists, may be as effective as supervised rehabilitation in improving functional outcomes in female patients with PFPS.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Preventive Program for Soccer Female Players During Confinement Periods

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a worldwide sports shutdown, leading to a reduced athletes' workload, which is likely to increase the risk of injury after return to play when coupled with the expected increase in competitive density after the confinement period. in this regard, the knee is one of the joints with the highest injury prevalence among female soccer players, being the injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) one of the most frequent and severe. Thus, the present study aimed to develop an ACL injury prevention program that female soccer players could carry out during confinement periods. After reviewing the scientific literature, it was observed that strength training (with a main focus on the posterior chain), improved landing technique, lumbopelvic stability, and flexibility are associated with a lower risk of ACL injury in women. The program focuses on modifiable risk factors, so it should serve as a guide that can be adapted according to each context: individual characteristics, initial conditions, and evolution of the subject during development. Therefore, this study presents an intervention aiming at reducing the probability of ACL injury in female soccer players, after confinement periods, by directly influencing mechanisms of ACL injury previously reported for female soccer players.