Gait and Functional Outcomes Between Cruciate-Retaining and Cruciate-Substituting Implants in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized Study.

Significant debate persists about posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) versus posterior cruciate-substituting (PS) implant design for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study sought to test the hypothesis that CR TKA will facilitate improved early functional outcomes in gait compared with PS TKA. Patients were randomized to either the CR or PS implant. Various patient-reported and surgeon-reported outcomes as well as gait analyses were obtained pre- and postoperatively. Patients undergoing PS TKA had higher University of California, Los Angeles activity scores at 12 months. No significant difference in spatiotemporal, kinematic, or kinetic parameters between groups was detected, but there was a trend toward quadriceps overuse gait pattern in the CR group. Patients undergoing TKA with a PS implant were more willing to engage in regular higher level physical activity. The CR implant may be a risk factor for quadriceps overuse gait pattern, while the PS implant may be protective against quadriceps overuse. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 28(3):215-223, 2019).

Translational Research Training at Various Levels of Professional Experience to Address Health Disparities.

Translational research addressing health disparities brings interventions and medical discoveries into clinical practice to improve health outcomes. However, academic researchers' and clinicians' lack of understanding of methodologies limits the application of basic science to clinical settings. To solve the problem, a multidisciplinary collaboration from two academic institutions offered a workshop building on translational research methodologies to clarify the measures and interventions needed to address health disparities from a research perspective. Three two-day workshops targeted underrepresented minority participants whose research experience and professional development varied. The evaluation surveys administered after the three workshops indicated that workshop 1 which focused on translational and educational research increased participants' knowledge, and made all participants think critically about the subject. Training opportunities focused on translational research can enhance researchers and clinicians' confidence and capabilities to address health disparities.

A Pilot Study of Gait Function in Farmworkers in Eastern North Carolina.

Farmworkers endure many job-related hazards, including fall-related work injuries. Gait analysis may be useful in identifying potential fallers. The goal of this pilot study was to explore differences in gait between farmworkers and non-farmworkers. The sample included 16 farmworkers and 24 non-farmworkers. Gait variables were collected using the portable GAITRite system, a 16-foot computerized walkway. Generalized linear regression models were used to examine group differences. All models were adjusted for two established confounders, age and body mass index. There were no significant differences in stride length, step length, double support time, and base of support; but farmworkers had greater irregularity of stride length (P = .01) and step length (P = .08). Farmworkers performed significantly worse on gait velocity (P = .003) and cadence (P < .001) relative to non-farmworkers. We found differences in gait function between farmworkers and non-farmworkers. These findings suggest that measuring gait with a portable walkway system is feasible and informative in farmworkers and may possibly be of use in assessing fall risk.

Hip joint torques during the golf swing of young and senior healthy males.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, laboratory study. OBJECTIVES: To compare the 3-D hip torques during a golf swing between young and senior healthy male amateur golfers. The secondary purpose was to compare the 3-D hip joint torques between the trail leg and lead leg. BACKGROUND: The generation of hip torques from the hip musculature is an important aspect of the golf swing. Golf is a very popular activity, and estimates of hip torques during the golf swing have not been reported. METHODS: Twenty healthy male golfers were divided into a young group (mean ± SD age, 25.1 ± 3.1 years) and a senior group (age, 56.9 ± 4.7 years). All subjects completed 10 golf swings using their personal driver. A motion capture system and force plates were used to obtain kinematic and kinetic data. Inverse dynamic analyses were used to calculate 3-D hip joint torques of the trail and lead limbs. Two-way analyses of covariance (group by leg), with club-head velocity as a covariate, were used to compare peak hip torques between groups and limbs. RESULTS: Trail-limb hip external rotator torque was significantly greater in the younger group compared to the senior group, and greater in the trail leg versus the lead leg. CONCLUSION: When adjusting for club-head velocity, young and senior healthy male amateur golfers generated comparable hip torques during a golf swing, with the exception of the trail-limb hip external rotator torque. The largest hip torque found was the trail-limb hip extensor torque.

Evidence supporting the use of physical modalities in the treatment of upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate recent trials and reviews of physical modalities and conservative treatments for selected upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions for evidence supporting their use. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent evidence suggests that many localized tendinopathies are related more to degenerative than inflammatory processes. With this realization, there is increased emphasis on finding new modalities to treat tendinopathies and other localized musculoskeletal conditions that rely on other than anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Although there is good evidence to support the short-term benefits of corticosteroid injections, convincing evidence in support of other conservative treatments and modalities is generally lacking. Extracorpal shock wave therapy may have significant clinical benefit for calcific tendinitis; however, it requires intravenous sedation in most cases and does not appear to be effective in lateral epicondylitis. The most consistent positive treatment effects for rotator cuff tendinitis were achieved by ultrasound-guided subacromial corticosteroid injection as well as manual therapy in conjunction with therapeutic exercise. SUMMARY: Although there is evidence supporting the use of several different physical modalities and conservative treatments for upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions, there is a strong need for larger, higher quality randomized controlled trials. Although most studies are able to demonstrate short-term benefits, there is a lack of high-quality data demonstrating that these conservative treatments have long-term benefits, particularly, with regard to functional outcomes.

The role of foot orthoses as an intervention for patellofemoral pain.

Foot orthoses often are prescribed for patients with patellofemoral pain. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to review the theoretical and research basis that might support this intervention and to provide our own clinical experience in providing foot orthoses for these patients. Literature is reviewed regarding (1) the effects of foot orthoses on pain and function, (2) the relationship between foot and lower-extremity/patellofemoral joint mechanics, (3) the effects of foot orthoses on lower-extremity mechanics, and (4) the effects of foot orthoses on patellofemoral joint position. The literature and our own clinical experience suggest that patients with patellofemoral pain may benefit from foot orthoses if they also demonstrate signs of excessive foot pronation and/or a lower-extremity alignment profile that includes excessive lower-extremity internal rotation during weight bearing and increased Q angle. The mechanism for foot orthoses having a positive effect on pain and function for these patients may include (1) a reduction in internal rotation of the lower extremity; (2) a reduction in Q angle; (3) reduced laterally-directed soft tissue forces from the patellar tendon, the quadriceps tendon, and the iliotibial band; and (4) reduced patellofemoral contact pressures and altered patellofemoral contact pressure mapping. Foot orthoses may be a valuable adjunct to other intervention strategies for patients who present with the previously stated structural alignment profile.