Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Concentration Increases More After Running Than Swimming for Older People.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is common in older people. Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) is a biomarker of knee articular cartilage metabolism. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: to (1) determine acute effects of running and swimming on sCOMP concentration in older people; and (2) investigate relationships between sCOMP concentration change due to running and swimming and measures of knee health in older people. HYPOTHESES: Running would result in greater increase in sCOMP concentration than swimming, and increase in sCOMP concentration due to running and swimming would associate positively with measures of poor knee health. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: A total of 20 participants ran 5 km and 19 participants swam 1500 m. sCOMP concentration was measured immediately before, immediately after, and 15, 30, and 60 minutes after running or swimming. sCOMP concentration change due to running and swimming was compared. Correlations between sCOMP concentration change due to running and swimming, and other measures of knee health were evaluated, including the Tegner Activity Scale and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. RESULTS: sCOMP concentration increased 29% immediately after running, relative to baseline, but only 6% immediately after swimming (P < 0.01). No significant relationship was observed between acute sCOMP change due to running and swimming, and observed measures of knee health (P > 0.05). Participants with clinically relevant knee symptoms exhibited greater sCOMP concentration before and after running and swimming (P = 0.03) and had greater body mass (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Running results in greater acute articular cartilage metabolism than swimming; however, the chronic effects of this are unclear. Older people with clinically relevant knee symptoms possess greater sCOMP concentration and are heavier, independent of exercise mode and physical activity level. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results describe the effects of exercise (running and swimming) for older physically active persons, with and without knee pain.

Topical analgesic added to paraffin enhances paraffin bath treatment of individuals with hand osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To compare treating patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (OA) with paraffin baths only (PO) (100% wax) or paraffin baths 80% wax with 20% topical analgesic (PTA). METHODS: Subjects met criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for classifying symptomatic hand OA and had a Dreiser's index score >5 points. Current and average pain at rest and with movement was assessed with visual analogue scales. Hand function was assessed by the functional index for hand OA (FIHOA). RESULTS: Both groups had a significant reduction in their 'current' pain 15 min after the first and twelfth treatments compared to pre-treatment but there was no difference between groups (t = 0.10, p > 0.05). The PTA group had greater improvement over the 12 treatment sessions for their pain at rest (t = 2.92, p < 0.05) and with movement (t = 4.73, p < 0.05) than the PO group. The PTA group also showed greater improvement in their FIHOA following 12 treatments than the PO group (t = 3.52, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the addition of a topical analgesic to paraffin produced significantly greater pain relief at rest and during movement than paraffin baths alone after 12 treatments. Additionally, the PTA group experienced greater improved hand function.

Intramuscular Temperature Rises With Topical Analgesics Used as Coupling Agents During Therapeutic Ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of Nature's Chemist as an ultrasound coupling agent with the effectiveness of another topical analgesic (Biofreeze), Aquasonic 100, and a sham treatment in producing intramuscular (IM) temperature increase during a typical therapeutic ultrasound treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n = 10 in each group). Groups 1 through 3 received continuous ultrasound at 1.0 W/cm(2) for 10 minutes at a frequency of 3 MHz over the posterior calf. Group 4 received a sham treatment. In group 1, we used Aquasonic 100 alone; in group 2, we used a 1:1 (wt/wt) mixture of Biofreeze and Aquasonic 100; in group 3, we used a 1:1 mixture of Nature's Chemist and Aquasonic 100; and in group 4, we used a 1:1 mixture of Aquasonic 100 and Nature's Chemist. In all groups, IM temperature was recorded during the treatment and for 15 minutes posttreatment. We used a modified visual analogue scale to measure each subject's perception of heat at the treatment area during and after treatment. SUBJECTS: Forty college students (age, 22.5 +/- 2.0 years; height, 175.5 +/- 8.0 cm; weight, 71.6 +/- 13.1 kg; calf skinfold thickness, 17.8 +/- 7.2 mm) volunteered to become subjects. MEASUREMENTS: The IM temperature was recorded at 15-second intervals for 25 minutes at 1 cm below the subcutaneous fat with a thermocouple. Differences were analyzed within and among groups at the beginning of the treatment (T(0)), the end of the treatment (T(10)), and 15 minutes posttreatment (T(25)). RESULTS: The IM temperature increases in groups 1 through 3 were significantly different from those in group 4 (sham), but they were not significantly different from each other. Temperatures increased in group 1 (Aquasonic 100) by 7.47 degrees +/- 1.8 degrees C, in group 2 (Biofreeze and Aquasonic 100) by 6.52 degrees +/- 1.6 degrees C, and in group 3 (Nature's Chemist and Aquasonic 100) by 6.99 degrees +/- 1.1 degrees C. Temperatures decreased in group 4 (sham) by 0.56 degrees +/- 0.3 degrees C. There were no significant differences among groups 1 through 3 in the perception of heat at T(5) and T(10). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that, at a frequency of 3 MHz and an intensity of 1 W/cm(2), Nature's Chemist and Biofreeze mixed in 1:1 ratios with Aquasonic 100 were effective coupling agents. Perceptions of heat by the patient may not indicate actual temperature increases within the muscle.

Muscle Temperature Is Affected by Overlying Adipose When Cryotherapy Is Administered.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the amount of overlying adipose and intramuscular temperature change during and after a 20-minute crushed-ice pack treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects were divided into 3 equal groups according to calf skinfold thickness: 8 mm or less, 10 to 18 mm, and 20 mm or greater. Intramuscular temperature was monitored at 1 cm and 3 cm below the subcutaneous fat in the left medial calf during and after a 1.8-kg crushed-ice pack treatment. SUBJECTS: Thirty uninjured college students volunteered to be subjects. MEASUREMENTS: Intramuscular temperature was recorded every 10 seconds over a 20-minute treatment and for 30 minutes posttreatment. RESULTS: Intramuscular temperature decreases between adipose groups at the end of treatment at both 1 cm and 3 cm below the subcutaneous fat were significantly different. At 1 cm within the muscle, the temperature decreases were 14.43 degrees C, 9.06 degrees C, and 5.00 degrees C for 8-mm or less, 10- to 18-mm, and 20-mm or greater skinfolds, respectively. At 3 cm, temperatures were 6.22 degrees C, 3.86 degrees C, and 2.42 degrees C, respectively. By 30 minutes posttreatment at 1 cm, the 8-mm or less and 10- to 18-mm groups rewarmed 5.39 degrees C and 2.22 degrees C, respectively, but the 20-mm or greater group was 0.49 degrees C colder than at the conclusion of the treatment. At 3 cm, temperatures in all 3 groups were colder at 30 minutes posttreatment than they were at the end of the treatment, 1.63 degrees C, 1.83 degrees C, and 2.10 degrees C for 8-mm or less, 10- to 18-mm, and 20-mm or greater skinfolds, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of adipose over the therapy site is a significant factor in the extent of intramuscular temperature change that occurs during and after cryotherapy. Adipose should, therefore, be taken into account in determining appropriate treatment protocols.