Does interferential current provide additional benefit to orthopedic rehabilitation for the patients with proximal humeral fractures? A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of all proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) are non-displaced or minimally displaced fractures, which can be treated with conservative treatment. This study investigated the effect of interferential current (IFC) added to orthopedic rehabilitation on shoulder function, pain, and disability in patients with PHF. METHODS: This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled conducted in physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Thirty-five patients were randomly separated into the IFC group (n = 18) and the sham group (n = 17). The orthopedic rehabilitation program was applied to all patients by the same physiotherapist three times a week for four weeks. Patients in the IFC group received the intervention for 20 minutes 3 times a week before the exercise. The same pads were performed for the sham group, but no electrical stimulation was applied. Constant-Murley score (CMS) for shoulder function, visual analog scale (VAS) activity pain, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, and paracetamol intake were recorded post-treatment, at 6 weeks and 18 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: The demographic and fracture characteristics were not different between the groups. Significant differences were observed in the IFC and sham group in intragroup comparisons of total CMS, VAS activity pain, DASH score, and paracetamol intake over time (p < 0.001). Significant improvement over time was valid for all pairwise comparisons in both groups. However, no significant differences were detected between the IFC and sham group. CONCLUSION: IFC added to orthopedic rehabilitation could not appear to be an electrotherapy modality that could potentially benefit shoulder function and disability in patients with PHF.

Is interferential current effective in the management of pain, range of motion, and edema following total knee arthroplasty surgery? A randomized double-blind controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of interferential current implementation following total knee arthroplasty surgery. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized controlled study. SETTING: Orthopedics and traumatology in-patient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: From an initial enrollment of 132 patients, 113 who met the study inclusion criteria were randomly separated into two groups: the interferential current group ( n = 57) and the sham current group ( n = 56). A total of 98 patients completed the study: 49 in the interferential current group and 49 in the sham group. INTERVENTION: Patients in the interferential current group received interferential current treatment for 30 minutes, twice a day for five days postoperatively. For the patients in the sham interferential current treatment group, the same pads were applied to the patients for the same time periods but no electrical stimulation was applied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were assessed in respect of pain, range of motion (ROM), edema, and the amount of paracetamol used at baseline and on the 5th and 30th days after surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of pain, ROM, and edema at days 0, 5, and 30. At the end of the 5th day, the amount of paracetamol used was significantly lower in the interferential current group ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, both groups showed significant improvements in pain, ROM, and edema with no significant difference between the groups. Although there was a significant difference in paracetamol intake of the two groups, this cannot be argued as showing the effectiveness of interferential current.

The relation between vitamin D and postural balance according to clinical tests and tetrax posturography.

[Purpose] To evaluate the association between Vitamin D and risk of falling, balance, and lower extremity neuromuscular function in women aged 60 and above by using Tetrax posturography. [Subjects and Methods] A total 200 women were classified based on their 25-OH-vitamin D (25(OH)D) values: hypo-vitaminosis group (less than 50.0 nmol/l) and normal group (50.0 more). Balance was measured using a Tetrax(®) posturography device (Sunlight Medical Ltd, Israel). Falling risk, stability index (SI), and weight distribution index (WDI) were calculated. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used as the clinical tests. [Results] Standing balance, gait, chair stand performance and total SPPB scores were significantly better in the patients with serum 25(OH)D levels higher than 50.0 nmol/l. Similarly, falling risk and SI values in the most of the postures were significantly higher in the hypovitaminosis group. There were significant associations between serum 25(OH)D levels with SPPB total score and Tetrax-measured falling risk. [Conclusion] This study showed better balance control, lower extremity function, and reduced falling risk in patients with serum 25(OH)D levels higher than 50.0 nmol/l in women aged 60 and above.

Is it necessary to strictly diagnose fibromyalgia syndrome in patients with chronic widespread pain?

The applicability of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 and 2010 criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) was determined in 284 patients with chronic widespread pain (CWP) including those with regional and systemic painful disorders. On the basis of initial evaluation, patients were classified into three groups. Group 1, those without any comorbid disease (N = 105), group 2, those having regional non-inflammatory painful disorders (N = 104), and group 3, those with a diagnosis of an inflammatory rheumatic disease (N = 75). Overall, 65 % of the patients fulfilled the 1990 criteria, while 94 % of them fulfilled the 2010 criteria. Almost all of the patients (97 %) with CWP did meet at least one of the criteria set, regardless of whether they have accompanying painful disorders. Widespread pain index (WPI), symptom severity scale (SS), and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) scores were found to be significantly higher in the patients who satisfied the 1990 criteria than those who did not (P < 0.001). Tender point counts were found to be significantly correlated with WPI, SS, FIQ, and Beck depression inventory (BDI) scores (P < 0.001). The findings of the study support the suggestion that FMS is just a continuum of CWP, rather than a distinct diagnostic entity. As treatment of FMS is usually identical with that of CWP, strict diagnosis of FMS will provide little or no significance from the viewpoint of clinical practice. We suggest that future research should be directed toward classification of CWP to provide guidance to clinicians in selecting effective therapies.

The effectiveness of tetanus toxin on sciatic nerve regeneration: a preliminary experimental study in rats.

OBJECT: The purpose was to investigate the effects of local tetanus toxin (TeTx) application on sciatic nerve regeneration following a rat model of transection injury. METHODS: After both sciatic nerves were transected and repaired with three epineural sutures, 12 male Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups. 0.25 ml (2.5 flocculation units) TeTx was injected into a piece of absorbable gelatin sponge in TeTx group. In controls, 0.25 ml saline injected. Assessments were performed by using climbing degrees, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and histological parameters (axon number and axonal diameter) 12th week. RESULTS: CMAPs amplitudes were 11.6 ± 4.7 mV and 1.4 ± 1.3 mV in gastrocnemius and interdigital muscles in TeTx group (5.8 ± 2.4 mV and 0.2 ± 0.1 mV, P < 0.05). Climbing degrees were significantly different (61.6 ± 1.7 vs. 38.3 ± 2.6, P < 0.05). Total axon numbers were higher (1341.1 ± 57.3 vs. 877.5 ± 34.9, P < 0.05) and the mean axon diameter was smaller (4.2 ± 2.1 vs. 2.5 ± 1.9, P < 0.05) in the TeTx group. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study firstly demonstrated the effectiveness of TeTx on nerve repair in experimental sciatic rat model based on functional, electromyographic and histological parameters.

Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis presenting severe vertebral fractures.

The syndrome of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare disorder which occurs either in late pregnancy or early post-partum period leading to fragility fracture(s), most commonly in the vertebral bodies. We presented two cases with PAO who had compression fractures at multiple levels involving five vertebrae in one case and 10 vertebrae in the other. Their spinal bone mineral density values were below -2.5 standard deviations. Anti-osteoporotic treatments with nasal calcitonin 400 IU/day, vitamin D 300.000 IU single dose, calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 IU/day were initiated. In one case, kyphoplasty was performed by a spinal surgeon. In addition to a thoracolumbosacral orthosis, a rehabilitation program including muscle strengthening, range of motion, relaxation and weight-bearing exercises was started for both cases. These cases emphasize that all pregnant women with complaints of back/lumbar pain should be carefully evaluated.

Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound for the management of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, and double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare whether the effectiveness of continuous ultrasound (US) was superior against pulsed US and against sham US in knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A randomized controlled study was carried out on 60 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis according to American College of Rheumatology. The patients were randomized into the following three treatments: (1) continuous US (at a frequency of 1 MHz with intensity of 1 W/cm), (2) pulse US (same frequency and intensity on 1:4 pulse ratio), and (3) sham US. All treatments were applied with 5-cm head US device five times a week for 2 weeks in addition to home exercise program including quadriceps isometric exercise, muscle strength exercises, and stretching exercises of the lower extremity muscles for at least three times per week. Assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of the treatment, and at the end of the treatments and at the sixth month using the following measurements: Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index-pain, stiffness, function, visual analog scale-pain at rest, visual analog scale-pain on movement, visual analog scale-disease severity, and 20-m walking time. Among these parameters, the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index-pain was the primary outcome. RESULTS: All groups showed a significant improvement in all parameters in both following visits (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the groups. Although the mean reduction percent in Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index-pain was significantly higher in group I (continuous US) when compared to sham group (46.5% vs 28.9%, P < 0.05) at the end of the treatment, this result was not found in other pain parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that all assessment parameters significantly improved in all groups without a significant difference. This result suggested that therapeutic US provided no additional benefit in improving pain and functions in addition to exercise training.

Increased turn/amplitude parameters following subvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To compare the improvement of the vastus medialis component of the quadriceps muscle electrophysiologically after the subvastus and medial parapatellar approaches in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A total 26 patients that underwent primary unilateral in TKA were included into the study. TKAs were carried out via subvastus approach in 15 patients, while 11 patients were operated via medial parapatellar approach. The electrophysiological evaluations were carried out blindly with regard to the type of the surgical approach before the operation and at 6th week post-operatively. Non-surgical side was also evaluated as a control. Assessments were patellar tendon reflex analysis, motor unit potential analysis and interference pattern analysis (IPA) including turn-amplitude analysis and IPA during maximum contraction. RESULTS: When they were compared to the pre-operative values, "the total mean amplitude" and "the mean turn/sec" parameters were significantly increased in group of subvastus approach (p = 0.017 and p = 0.009, respectively) at the post-operative 6th week. We would not be able to find any difference regarding the other electrophysiological parameters. There was also no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: If there was no significant difference in all the electrophysiological parameters, the increase in turn-amplitude analysis in the group of subvastus approach would be considered as an indicator of a faster functional improvement of knee extensor mechanism in these cases.

Acceptability, validity and reliability of the Turkish QUALIOST(®) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

The quality-of-life questionnaire in osteoporosis (QUALIOST(®)) is commonly used and accepted generic instrument in osteoporosis. This study aimed to translate QUALIOST(®) into Turkish language and assess its reliability, validity and acceptability in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). After the questionnaire was translated into Turkish, it was administered to 110 with PMO. The reliability studies were assessed by test-retest reliability (ICC) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha). Construct validity was assessed by using correlating QUALIOST(®) with SF-36. Results showed that ICC values were 0.92, 0.91 and 0.92, for physical domain, emotional domain and total QUALIOST(®) scores, respectively. Similarly, Cronbach's alpha was acceptable in all domains (0.85, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively). Significant moderate-to-high correlations were obtained between QUALIOST(®) and SF-36 dimensions (r value between -0.39 and -0.72, p < 0.001). Also, there were moderate-high correlations between the domains of questionnaire and pain intensity and disease duration (r value between 0.35 and 0.45, p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study, which reported firstly psychometric properties and usefulness of the Turkish QUALIOST(®), showed that it is a potentially useful measure with a high validity and reliability standards.