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OBJECTIVE: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound (US) in knee OA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients (mean age 54.7 ± 14.7) were randomized to receive either continuous US (n = 15) or sham US (n = 18) as a placebo. Continuous ultrasonic waves with 1 MHZ frequency and 1 watt/cm2 power were applied for 5 min for 10 sessions. The primary outcome was pain on movement assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes were WOMAC scores and measurements of distal femoral cartilage thickness by imaging US. RESULTS: Both groups showed reduced knee pain on movement following intervention. The VAS measurements improved significantly both in the treatment and the placebo group patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05). WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in all domains (pain, stiffness, physical function, and total score) in the treatment group (P < 0.05). All domains of WOMAC score showed statistically significant change when compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). There was no change in the cartilage thickness measurements of medial femoral condyle, lateral femoral condyle, and intercondylar area in both groups after intervention. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that US is effective treatment modality in pain relief and improvement of function in patients with knee OA; however, US had no effect on cartilage repair.
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OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of musculoskeletal complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) increases with the duration of disease and with poor glycemic control. Our aim was to evaluate lower extremity musculoskeletal complications in patients with DM using the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System, and to reveal the relationship between clinical and sono-graphic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients (25 men, 42 women) with DM were included in the study. All the diabetic patients were selected if they did not have any symptom of muscu-loskeletal system in the lower extremities. They were divided into four groups. Ultrasonographic assessment was performed according to the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System with an Esaote MyLab 5 device equipped with a 5-13 MHz linear transducer. Correlation between diabetes duration and lower extremity enthesopathy scores were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between duration of DM and total Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System scores (p < 0.001). In addition, duration of DM was significantly correlated with enthesophyte scores and erosion scores (both p < 0.001). There was a significant difference among Groups 1 -4 for the mean enthesophyte score and mean erosion score (both, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is an effective, inexpensive, and useful tool without radiation for evaluating diabetic patients for the early diagnosis of musculoskeletal complications.
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[Purpose] Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is an uncommon deep vein thrombosis of the axillary and subclavian veins which may occur spontaneously, but is usually caused by excessive upper limb activity. PSS is clinically similar to other upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and soft tissue infections, and this may lead to delay in correct diagnosis in its early stages. The aim of our case report is to discuss this rare condition with reference to the available literature. [Subjects and Methods] Here we report the case of a doner kebab chef who complained of swelling and pain in his right arm around the biceps muscle. The initial diagnosis was biceps tendon rupture, for which the patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right arm and shoulder. Since the MRI revealed no pathological findings, right upper limb venous Doppler ultrasound analysis was performed. Subacute thrombosis materials were detected in the subclavian, axillary, and brachial veins. [Results] With rapid anticoagulant therapy, the patient's symptoms quickly improved. [Conclusion] Early diagnosis and treatment of PSS is critical for preventing potentially fatal complications such as pulmonary embolism. Prophylaxis is important for preventing recurrent thrombosis and for avoiding the development of post-thrombotic syndrome. PSS should be considered a possible cause of painful swelling of the upper limbs, especially in young, active patients who use their arms excessively.
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In this study serum homocystein (Hcy) level was measured and its relationship with disease activity criteria and treatment protocols was investigated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Ninety-two AS patients and 58 healthy individuals were recruited. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum C-reactive protein were determined. Bath AS disease activity index and Bath AS functional index were calculated. Serum Hcy levels >15 micromol/l were considered as hyperhomocysteinemia. The mean serum homocysteine levels were 14.40 and 12.60 micromol/l in patients with AS and the control group, respectively, and the difference between two groups was significant. While there was no significant difference between the sulfasalazine (SSZ) group with 14.25 micromol/l mean Hcy level and the methotrexate (MTX)/SSZ group with 16.05 micromol/l, there was a statistically significant difference between the Hcy levels of these two groups and Hcy level of 12.15 micromol/l of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs group, and 12.60 micromol/l Hcy level of the control group. Mean serum Hcy level was 13.65 micromol/l in patients with active AS and 14.60 micromol/l in patients with inactive AS, and there was no significant difference between the groups. In our study serum Hcy level was found to be significantly higher in patients with AS than in healthy control subjects. Especially for the AS patients receiving MTX and SSZ treatment without folic acid supplementation, addition of folic acid to their therapy may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease which in turn decreases the mortality in these patients, but further prospective studies are needed for supporting these results.
