Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Italian version of the knee outcome survey - activities of daily living scale.

PURPOSE: The Knee Outcome Survey - Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) is a joint-specific questionnaire measuring symptoms and functional limitations experienced by individuals with painful knee disorders. The original version of the KOS-ADLS has been shown to be reliable, valid and responsive to change. The purpose of this study was to perform a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the KOS-ADLS into Italian and to assess its reliability and validity. METHODS: In accordance with standard procedures, the original version of the KOS-ADLS was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Italian (KOS-ADLS-I). Then, the KOS-ADLS-I was administered to 150 patients with knee disorders. A subsample of patients compiled the KOS-ADLS-I again after five/seven days later to evaluate test-retest reliability. Symptoms and function-oriented questionnaires were also completed to evaluate construct validity. Structural validity (Explanatory Factor Analysis [EFA]), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (Standard Error of the Measurement [SEM], Minimal Detectable Change [MDC]), and construct validity (hypothesis testing) were assessed. RESULTS: The cross-cultural adaptation procedure revealed no major problems. EFA revealed a unidimensional structure. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.976) and the test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.990, 95%CI: 0.980-0.995) with low measurement error (SEM = 2.6 points; MDC = 7.1 points). The construct validity resulted to be satisfactory, as 100% a-priori hypothesis were met. CONCLUSIONS: The KOS-ADLS-I is a reliable and valid questionnaire for the assessment of symptoms and functional limitations in individuals with musculoskeletal knee disorders and it can be used in clinical practice and research.

Do the General Public and Health Care Professionals Think That Running Is Bad for the Knees? A Cross-sectional International Multilanguage Online Survey.

Background: Running is a popular sport with widely recognized health benefits. Given the high rates of knee injury in runners and the growing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), it may be useful to assess perceptions about running and knee joint health. Purpose: The objectives of this study were to (1) explore and compare the perceptions of the general public (PUB) and health care professionals (HCPs) on the topic of running and knee health and (2) explore recommendations about running and knee health provided by HCPs. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: We conducted an online survey between June 18 and October 1, 2020. The questionnaire included questions on running and knee health, and HCPs were asked about their typical recommendations and level of confidence in providing recommendations on the topic. Perceptions (proportions) were compared between the PUB and HCPs using the chi-square test. Results: In total, 4521 responses (PUB, n = 2514; HCPs, n = 2007) were analyzed. A greater proportion of HCPs perceived regular running as healthy for knees (86% vs 68%; P < .001). More of the PUB than HCPs (P < .001) believed that running frequently (29% vs 13%), long distances (54% vs 45%), and on hard surfaces (60% vs 36%) increased the risk of developing KOA. Running for those with KOA was perceived by the PUB as posing an increased risk of getting more knee pain (48%) and needing joint replacement surgery (38%), more so than by HCPs (26% and 17%, respectively). The majority of HCPs reported being relatively confident in providing evidence-based recommendations about running and knee health and mostly recommended that runners with KOA modify training parameters instead of quit. Conclusion: More HCPs perceived running as healthy for knees when compared with the PUB. Most HCPs felt confident in providing evidence-based recommendations about running and knee health.

THE EFFECTS OF A MULTIMODAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON PAIN, KINESIOPHOBIA AND FUNCTION IN A RUNNER WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multimodal interventions possess the strongest evidence in the long-term management of patellofemoral pain, but despite receiving evidence-based treatments that are initially effective many patients report recurrent or persistent symptoms for years after the initial diagnosis. Untreated psychological factors could be a possible explanation for persistent symptoms and poor treatment outcome. The purpose of this case report was to describe and evaluate the effects of a multimodal rehabilitation program that included pain education, a graded program of lower limb strengthening, and running retraining on pain, kinesiophobia, and function in a runner with patellofemoral pain. CASE DESCRIPTION: The subject was a 37-year-old female runner reporting a 12-month history of anterior knee pain with previous failed physiotherapeutic treatment. She discontinued running when symptoms gradually worsened, approximately six months after initial onset. She was advised to avoid painful activities. Clinical examination revealed pain during the performance of a weight-bearing functional task, fear of movement, and functional limitations. Treatment focused on pain education, self-management strategies, and progressive loading of the involved tissues through a graduated program of exercises and running retraining. OUTCOMES: Clinically meaningful improvements were seen in pain, kinesiophobia, and function following a 21-week multimodal rehabilitation program. DISCUSSION: This case report illustrates several important aspects of clinical reasoning contributing to successful outcomes for a runner with patellofemoral pain. The multimodal rehabilitation program utilized was based upon the neurophysiology of pain (pain education) rather than the tissue pathology model. The findings from this case report may be used to benefit clinicians with similar subject presentations and drive future research into the use of these interventions based upon neurophysiology models of pain in the treatment of patellofemoral pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

ACUTE EFFECTS OF DRY NEEDLING ON POSTERIOR SHOULDER TIGHTNESS. A CASE REPORT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Posterior shoulder tightness has been associated with numerous shoulder disorders. Methods to increase posterior shoulder mobility may be beneficial. The purpose of this case report is to report the outcomes of a subject with posterior shoulder tightness treated with dry needling as a primary intervention strategy. CASE DESCRIPTION: The subject was a 46-year-old man who was referred to physical therapy with primary symptoms of shoulder pain and loss of motion consistent with subacromial impingement syndrome. Clinical findings upon examination revealed glenohumeral internal rotation and horizontal adduction losses of motion and reproduction of pain symptoms upon palpation of the infraspinatus, teres minor, and posterior deltoid. A single treatment of trigger point dry needling was used to decrease pain and improve range of motion. OUTCOMES: Following the intervention, clinically meaningful improvements were seen in pain and shoulder range of motion. DISCUSSION: This case report describes the use of trigger point dry needling in the treatment of a subject with posterior shoulder tightness. The immediate improvement seen in this subject following the dry needling to the infraspinatus, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles suggests that muscles may be a significant source of pain and range of motion limitation in this condition. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.