Usefulness of Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography for Detection of Quadriceps Contracture in Immobilized Rats.

Quadriceps contracture is an abnormal pathological shortening of the muscle-tendon unit. To improve the prognosis of quadriceps contracture, improvement of its diagnostic method is needed. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of ultrasound shear wave elastography in a rat model of quadriceps contracture induced by immobilization. Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and immobilization groups. During up to 4 weeks of joint immobilization, the quadriceps elastic modulus, muscle hardness, creatinine phosphokinase levels, joint range of motion, histopathologic parameters, and levels of fibrosis-associated mRNA expression were measured every week in the immobilization and control groups and compared. In the immobilization group, the elastic modulus gradually but significantly increased (p < 0.05) throughout the immobilization period. However, muscle hardness and serum creatinine phosphokinase levels only increased at 1 and 2 weeks after the start of immobilization, respectively. Muscle atrophy and shortening progressed throughout the immobilization group. Collagen type I and III, α-SMA protein, and mRNA expression of IL-1ß and TGF-ß1 significantly increased (p < 0.05) throughout in the immobilization group. Ultrasound shear wave elastography is the most useful method for clinical assessment of muscle contracture.

Interventions to Improve Physical Capability of Older Adults with Mild Disabilities: A Case Study.

Ageing is related to changes in physical health, including loss of mobility and muscle function. It can lead to impaired physical capability and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a physical activity rehabilitation program (PARP) could improve range of joint motion (ROM), grip strength, and gait speed of older adults with mild disabilities. Forty older adults in a long-term care center in Taiwan joined as human participants and were split into control and experimental groups. The participants in the experimental group joined a PARP for eight weeks. The ROM of bodily joints, grip strength, and gait speed of all participants were measured both before and after the eight-week period. The results showed that all the ROMs, grip strength, and gait speed of the participants in the experimental group increased significantly after attending the program. The improvement of the ROMs for male and female participants in the experimental group ranged from 3.8% to 71% and from 7.8% to 75%, respectively. Male participants had greater improvement on gait speed (50%) than their female counterparts (22.9%). Female participants, on the other hand, had greater improvement on grip strength (25.4%) than their male counterparts (20.3%). The ROM, grip strength, and gait speed of the control group, on the other hand, did not change significantly during the same period. The results showed that the PARP adopted in this study was effective in increasing the ROM, grip strength, and gait speed of those who had joined the PARP. This study shows that an eight-week PARP without the use of gym machines was beneficial in reducing sarcopenia in elderly people with mild disabilities.

Perfil da dor lombar em trabalhadores dos restaurantes de uma universidade pública do sul do Brasil / Lower back pain profile in restaurant workers at a public university in southern Brazil

A realização das tarefas dos trabalhadores em restaurantes universitários (RUs) envolve movimentos repetitivos de coluna, levantamento de pesos excessivos e permanência na postura em pé por períodos prolongados de tempo, sendo indicada avaliação da região lombar desses trabalhadores. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi traçar o perfil da dor lombar em trabalhadores dos RUs de uma Universidade Pública do Sul do Brasil. Trata-se de estudo quantitativo observacional de corte transversal, no qual foram selecionados participantes de 18 a 59 anos, de ambos os sexos, que exerciam alguma função dentro dos restaurantes de uma universidade do sul do Brasil e que relataram presença dor lombar. Os participantes foram avaliados, por: questionário sociodemográfico, escala visual numérica da dor (EVN), amplitude de movimento (ADM) da coluna lombar e questionário Start Back Screening Tool Brasil (SBST). Os resultados são apresentados em frequência absoluta e relativa, correlação de Spearman, e as variáveis numéricas em média e desvio padrão ou mediana, mínimo, máximo. Foram incluídos no estudo 28 participantes sendo 71,4% mulheres, que possuíam média de idade de 36,3 (±10,8) anos. O relato de dor acima de 4 na EVN foi de 71,4% dos participantes e todos possuíam diminuição da ADM em todos os movimentos avaliados na coluna lombar. A maioria (71,4%) apresentou baixo risco para fatores psicossociais pelo SBST. O perfil dos trabalhadores de restaurantes da universidade avaliada é caracterizado por ser prioritariamente realizado por mulheres, sendo que estas trabalhadoras apresentaram quadro álgico intenso e limitação dos movimentos articulares na região lombar.

The tasks that workers in university restaurants (URs) perform involves repetitive movements of the back, lifting excessive weight, remaining in a standing posture for prolonged periods of time, and, thus, an evaluation of the lumbar region of these workers is indicated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to outline the profile of lower back pain in workers from the URs of a Public University in the South of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional, observational, quantitative study, in which participants aged 18 to 59 years, of both sexes, who performed some function within the restaurants of a university in southern Brazil and who reported the presence of lower back pain were selected. Participants were evaluated by a sociodemographic questionnaire, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, a range of motion (ROM) of the lumbar spine evaluation, and the Brazilian Start Back Screening Tool (SBST) questionnaire. Results are presented as absolute and relative frequencies, with a Spearman correlation, and numerical variables as mean and standard deviation or median, minimum, and maximum. Twenty-eight participants were included in the study, 71.4% of whom were women, with a mean age of 36.3 (±10.8) years old. The report of pain above 4 in the VAS was 71.4% of the participants and all had a decrease in ROM in all movements evaluated in the lumbar spine. Most (71.4%) had low risk for psychosocial factors by SBST. The profile of restaurant workers at the evaluated university is characterized by being primarily performed by women, and these workers presented severe pain and limited joint movements in their lumbar region.

Structural and physical-functional deficits in lower limbs with fractures and treated surgically / Déficits estruturais e físico-funcionais do membro inferior com fratura e tratado cirurgicamente / Déficits estructurales y físico-funcionales del miembro inferior con fractura tratado quirúrgicamente

Abstract Introduction: A fracture is a traumatic bone injury that can occur from a variety of causes. Although the repercussions of fractures on the musculoskeletal system are documented, studies with more comprehensive outcomes and later stages of injury are still scarce. Objective: To evaluate the structural and physical-functional adaptations in individuals who suffered unilateral lower limb fractures treated surgically. Methods: Thirty-two patients of both genders, aged between 18 and 59 years, with a diagnosis of unilateral fracture of the lower limb and hospital discharge of at least one year, participated in the study. The affected lower limb was compared to the healthy lower limb of all participants using the outcome measures: vastus lateral muscle thickness (ultrasonography), knee extension and flexion strength (isokinetic dynamometer), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion of the distance from the foot to the wall) and functional fitness of the lower limb (single and triple horizontal jump test). Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the limbs affected and not affected in the measurements of muscle thickness (p = 0.0001), knee extension force (p = 0.0094), dorsiflexion amplitude (p = 0.0004) and functional performance (p = 0.0094, single jump and = 0.0114, triple jump). In all significant outcomes, the values of the affected limb were smaller than that of the non-affected limb. The peak torque of the knee flexor muscles did not show a statistically significant difference between limbs (p = 0.0624). Conclusion: Individuals who have undergone a surgically treated unilateral fracture of the lower limb present important structural and physical-functional late changes in relation to the non-affected limb.

Resumo Introdução: Fratura é uma lesão traumática sofrida pelo osso que pode ocorrer por causas diversas. Embora as repercussões das fraturas sobre o sistema musculoesquelético sejam documentadas, estudos com medidas desfecho mais abrangentes e em fases mais tardias da lesão ainda são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar as adaptações estruturais e físico-funcionais em indivíduos que sofreram fratura unilateral de membro inferior tratadas cirurgicamente. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 32 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 e 59 anos, com diagnóstico de fratura unilateral de membro inferior e alta hospitalar de no mínimo 1 ano. O membro inferior acometido foi comparado ao membro inferior saudável de todos os participantes utilizando as medidas de desfecho: espessura muscular do vasto lateral (ultrassonografia), força de extensão e flexão do joelho (dinamômetro isocinético), amplitude de movimento de dorsiflexão do tornozelo (teste da distância do pé à parede) e aptidão funcional do membro inferior (teste de salto horizontal simples e triplo). Resultados: Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os membros acometidos e não acometidos nas medidas de espessura muscular (p = 0,0001), força de extensão do joelho (p = 0,0094), amplitude de dorsiflexão (p = 0,0004) e desempenho funcional (p = 0,0094, salto simples e p = 0,0114, salto triplo). Em todos os desfechos significativos os valores do membro acometido foram menores que o do membro não acometido. O pico de torque dos músculos flexores do joelho não demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre membros (p = 0,0624). Conclusão: Indivíduos que sofreram fratura unilateral de membro inferior tratado cirurgicamente apresentam alterações estruturais e físico-funcionais tardias importantes em relação ao membro não acometido.

Resumen Introducción: La fractura es una lesión traumática sufrida en el hueso que puede ocurrir por diversas causas. Aunque las repercusiones de las fracturas en el sistema músculoesquelético estén documentadas, aún son escasos los estudios con un desenlace más amplio y en fases tardias de la lesión. Objetivo: Evaluar las adaptaciones estructurales y físico-funcionales en individuos que sufrieron fractura unilateral del miembro inferior tratados quirúrgicamente. Métodos: Participaron del estudio 32 pacientes de ambos sexos, con edad entre 18 y 59 años, diagnosticados con fractura unilateral del miembro inferior y alta hospitalar de por lo menos un año. El miembro inferior dañado fue comparado al miembro inferior saludable de todos los participantes utilizando las siguientes medidas: espesura muscular del vasto lateral (ultrassonografia), fuerza de extensión y flexión de la rodilla (dinamómetro isocinético), amplitud de movimiento de dorsiflexión del tobillo (test de la distancia del pie a la pared) y aptitud funcional del miembro inferior (test de salto horizontal simple y triple). Resultados: Fueron encontradas diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los miembros dañados y los sanos en las medidas de espesura muscular (p = 0,0001), fuerza de extensión de la rodilla (p = 0,0094), amplitud de dorsiflexión (p = 0,0004) y desempeño funcional (p = 0,0094, salto simple y p = 0,0114, salto triple). En todas las conclusiones significativas los valores del miembro dañado fueron menores que en las del miembro sano. El pico de torsión de los músculos flexores de la rodilla no demostró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre ambos miembros (p = 0,0624). Conclusión: los individuos que sufrieron fractura unilateral del miembro inferior tratado quirúrgicamente presentan alteraciones estructurales y físico-funcionales importantes en relación con el miembro sano.

Gender-related differences in lower limb alignment, range of joint motion, and the incidence of sports injuries in Japanese university athletes.

[Purpose] To investigate the gender-related differences in lower limb alignment, range of joint motion, and history of lower limb sports injuries in Japanese university athletes. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 224 Japanese university athletes (154 males and 70 females). The quadriceps angle (Q-angle), arch height index, and ranges of internal and external rotation of the hip joints were measured. History of lower limb sports injury was surveyed using a questionnaire. [Results] Females had a significantly higher Q-angle and hip joint internal rotation angle and a significantly lower arch height index than males. The survey revealed that a significantly higher proportion of females had a history of lower limb sports injuries, and that the proportion of those with a history of foot/ankle injuries was particularly high. [Conclusion] These results suggested that females experience more lower limb sports injuries than males, and that a large proportion of these injuries involve the foot/ankle. Reduced lower limb alignment and increased range of joint motion in females may be risk factors for injury because they lead to increased physical stress being exerted on the lower legs during sporting activities.

Congenital dislocation of the patella - clinical case.

Congenital patellar dislocation is a rare condition in which the patella is permanently dislocated and cannot be reduced manually. The patella develops normally as a sesamoid bone of the femur. This congenital dislocation results from failure of the internal rotation of the myotome that forms the femur, quadriceps muscle and extensor apparatus. It usually manifests immediately after birth, although in some rare cases, the diagnosis may be delayed until adolescence or adulthood. Early diagnosis is important, thereby allowing surgical correction and avoiding late sequelae, including early degenerative changes in the knee. A case of permanent dislocation of the patella is presented here, in a female child aged seven years.

A luxação congênita da patela é uma patologia rara, em que a patela se encontra permanentemente luxada e manualmente irredutível. A patela desenvolve-se normalmente como um osso sesamoide do fêmur. A luxação congênita da patela resulta da falência da rotação interna do miótomo que forma o fêmur, músculo quadricípite e o aparelho extensor. Usualmente manifesta-se imediatamente após o nascimento, embora em alguns casos raros o diagnóstico possa ser adiado até a adolescência/idade adulta. O diagnóstico precoce é importante, permite a correção cirúrgica, evita as sequelas tardias, notadamente alterações degenerativas precoces do joelho. É apresentado um caso de luxação permanente da patela, numa criança de sexo feminino, com sete anos.

Congenital dislocation of the patella - clinical case / Luxação congênita da patela - Caso clínico

Congenital patellar dislocation is a rare condition in which the patella is permanently dislocated and cannot be reduced manually. The patella develops normally as a sesamoid bone of the femur. This congenital dislocation results from failure of the internal rotation of the myotome that forms the femur, quadriceps muscle and extensor apparatus. It usually manifests immediately after birth, although in some rare cases, the diagnosis may be delayed until adolescence or adulthood. Early diagnosis is important, thereby allowing surgical correction and avoiding late sequelae, including early degenerative changes in the knee. A case of permanent dislocation of the patella is presented here, in a female child aged seven years.

A luxação congênita da patela é uma patologia rara, em que a patela se encontra permanentemente luxada e manualmente irredutível. A patela desenvolve-se normalmente como um osso sesamoide do fêmur. A luxação congênita da patela resulta da falência da rotação interna do miótomo que forma o fêmur, músculo quadricípite e o aparelho extensor. Usualmente manifesta-se imediatamente após o nascimento, embora em alguns casos raros o diagnóstico possa ser adiado até a adolescência/idade adulta. O diagnóstico precoce é importante, permite a correção cirúrgica, evita as sequelas tardias, notadamente alterações degenerativas precoces do joelho. É apresentado um caso de luxação permanente da patela, numa criança de sexo feminino, com sete anos.

Expansion of range of joint motion following treatment of systemic sclerosis with tocilizumab.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) presents stiffness of extremities due to sclerosis of the tissue especially at fingers, hands, and forearms. Here we report the case of a patient with diffuse cutaneous SSc who was administered anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab (TCZ). Skin condition of SSc is evaluated by pinching the skin according to the Rodnan skin score, but sometimes tissue atrophy results in overestimation of the condition. To understand how the extremities softened after initiation of TCZ, we observed mobility of extremities. Range of motion (ROM) of joints was measured every four months after initiation of TCZ. The patient presented not only reduction of Rodnan score but also amelioration of mobility of extremities. The Rodnan skin score reduced from 35 to 7 within sixteen months, and ROM of most joints except ankle was expanded.

A influência da ocupação profissional na flexibilidade global e nas amplitudes angulares dos membros inferiores e da lombar / The influence of occupation on overall flexibility and lower limb and lumbar range of motion

O desenvolvimento tecnológico no ambiente de trabalho gerou um aumentono tempo em que os indivíduos permanecem sentados enquanto trabalhamem escritórios. Isto pode estar influenciando negativamente capacidades físicas inatas como a flexibilidade da cadeia posterior do corpo, porém poucos são os estudos que avaliaram a influência do trabalho nesta capacidade física. Esta avaliação pode contribuir para intervenção precoce e paralela à atividade ocupacional, prevenindo disfunções musculoesqueléticas. O objetivo foi verificar se a atividade profissionaldetermina alguma modificação na flexibilidade global da cadeia posterior na postura de flexão do tronco e analisar os segmentos corporais contribuidores desta modificação. Participaram do estudo 24 mulheres saudáveis e sedentárias, entre 18 e 55 anos, que trabalhavam em manutenção (n=13) e em escritório (n=11). Foram avaliados o teste do terceiro dedo ao solo (fita métrica) e os ângulos articulares tíbio-társico, do joelho, do quadril, da lombar e a técnica de Chaffin Modificadapor meio da fotogrametria (software SAPo) na postura de flexão do tronco. Os grupos foram comparados por meio de teste t (?=5%). Mulheres que trabalham em escritório mostraram maiores distâncias do terceiro dedo ao solo (p=0,0518) e técnica de Chaffin Modificada significativamente menor . (p=0,0134), enquanto os ângulos tíbio- tarsico e do quadril mostraram valores marginalmente maiores nestas mulheres (p=0,0609 e p= 0,0713, respectivamente). Mulheres que trabalhampredominantemente na posição sentada apresentam menor flexibilidade global da cadeia posterior quando comparadas com as que realizam um trabalho que exige flexão cíclica do tronco. Sugere-se que os ângulos tíbio-tarsico e quadril, em conjunto, são os segmentos corporais que contribuem para esta menor flexibilidade.

The technological development in the working environment has prolongedsitting time for office employees. This prolonged sitting time may negatively influence innate physical capacities such as flexibility of the posterior chain; however, few studies have evaluated the influence of occupation on this physical capacity. This assessment might contribute to establish an early intervention approach, in parallel to the occupational activity, in order to prevent musculoskeletal dysfunctions. The aim of this study wasto determine whether occupational activity influences posterior chain muscle flexibility during trunk-flexed posture and to analyze the body segments that are responsible for any flexibility changes. Twenty-four healthy women aged 18 to 55 years, who worked in cleaning and maintenance (n=13) and in offices (n=11), participated in the study.The following measurements were obtained to evaluate trunk flexion: fingertip-to-floor distance test (measuring tape), tibiotarsal angle, knee extension/flexion angle, hip angle, lumbar angle, and modified Chaffin technique (digital photogrammetry using the SAPo software). The groups were compared using the independent t-test. Women working inoffices presented the worst fingertip-to-floor test result (p=0.0518) and a lower modified Chaffin technique value (p=0.0134), whereas their tibiotarsal and hip angles were marginally greater (p=0.0609 and p=0.0713, respectively). Women who mainly work seatedpresented lower overall flexibility of the posterior chain muscles than women who perform occupations that require cyclic flexion of the trunk. The tibiotarsal and hip angles seem to be the body segments responsible for this reduction in flexibility.