Radiofrequency Thermal Lesioning and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: A Comparison of Two Methods in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.

We compared the results of radiofrequency thermal lesioning (RTL) and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. This prospective study included 56 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis who had complaints for ≥6 months: 40 (group 1) underwent ESWT and 16 (group 2) underwent RTL. The presence of calcaneal spurs was investigated with imaging studies. All patients were followed up clinically at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Clinical evaluations were performed by the visual analog scale (VAS) and the modified Roles-Maudsley (RM) scoring system. There was no significant difference in the age, sex, body mass index, and side of involvement between the groups (all P > .05). Radiographic evaluation showed calcaneal spurs in 22 patients (55%) in group 1 and 7 patients (43%) in group 2. There was no significant difference in the baseline and posttreatment values between the groups; however, group 2 had significantly different RM values at 1 month than group 1 ( P < .05). In both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment ( P < .05). The RM scores at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment significantly decreased in both groups, except for the RM values at 1 month after treatment in group 1 ( P < .05). Our study results suggest that RTL and ESWT are safe and effective treatments in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level II: Therapeutic study.

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (Trevor disease) in the ankle.

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica, also termed Trevor disease, is a rare disorder that, although benign in nature, can be locally aggressive, particularly when affecting the ankle joint, which is the joint most frequently affected, followed by the knee. The female:male ratio is 1:3, and it is generally diagnosed between 2 and 14 years of age. Surgical treatment with complete resection is recommended before irreversible joint damage and deformity occurs. We presented a case in which dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica was diagnosed on the medial aspect of a right ankle joint.

Prosthetic hip joint infection caused by Rothia dentocariosa.

Rothia dentocariosa is an aerobic, pleomorphic, catalase-positive, non-motile, gram-positive bacteria that is a part of the normal flora in the oral cavity and respiratory tract. Although it is a rare cause of systemic infection, it may be observed in immunosuppressed individuals. Here we report the case of an 85-year old man who developed prosthetic joint infection that was caused by R. dentocariosa after hemiarthroplasty. This is the first case report of a prosthetic hip joint infection caused by R. dentocariosa in the literature.