Reliability and validity of new isokinetic strength assessment for rotator cuff muscles in a muscle architecture-based position.

Background/aim: Isokinetic strength assessment of the rotator cuff muscle is frequently applied in a variety of shoulder postures, but none of these consider muscular architecture, which is one of the most important aspects of improving strength development. This study aimed to examine the test and retest reliability and validity of the muscle architecture-based position (MABP), which is 25° abduction and 20° external rotation, in healthy subjects to be able to select a better isokinetic assessment position for shoulder rotator cuff muscles. Materials and methods: A total of 54 healthy males with a mean age of 21.0 ± 1.2 years and mean body mass index of 22.8 ± 1.7 kg/m2 completed an isokinetic measurement session. All of the tests were performed on an IsoMed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer concentrically and eccentrically for both upper limbs at 60°/s angular velocity. All of the participants completed 3 measurement sessions: the first represented the isokinetic testing and was performed in the scapular neutral position (SNP) (45° shoulder flexion and abduction), the second represented the MABP (25° abduction and 20° ER) for shoulder rotator cuff muscles, and the third represented the test and retest of the MABP. Results: The correlations between the 2 techniques for assessing concurrent validity ranged from 0.908 to 0.994. The values obtained from the MABP were higher than those obtained in the SNP. There was no systematic bias for any measurements between the MABP and the retest of the MABP (p > 0.05). The intraclass correlation coefficients representing the test and retest reliability results for each variable measured with the MABP was higher than 0.98 and this value was considered as excellent reliability. Conclusion: In conclusion, the MABP can be used to assess the isokinetic strength of the rotator cuff muscles safely and confidently, with increased quantities of force being released and measurement at optimal muscle tension.

Treatment of a medial collateral ligament sprain using prolotherapy: a case study.

Prolotherapy is effective in treating refractory tendinopathies, but inadequate clinical evidence exists to recommend its use as a treatment for acute or chronic, medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. The current case study documents an illustrative case of a rugby player who had a grade 2 sprain of the MCL and shows the clinical and radiological outcomes following injections of 15% dextrose combined with 0.2% lidocaine. In his case, the prolotherapy, together with an exercise therapy, lasted 3 wk. At the end of the 3 wk, the patient was pain free, with a full range of motion (ROM), and he was able to perform all rugby-specific movements. The mean duration for recovery with conservative treatment of isolated, complete tears of the MCL is normally 4-8 wk.