Current Status and Advancements in Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a treatment modality has been around for the last four decades, but only truly gained popularity over the last 10 to 15 years in medicine, in a variety of fields ranging from regenerative medicine to infertility treatment. It has gained popularity, especially in treating musculoskeletal conditions where the bulk of research has been performed and published. There is level I evidence available supporting its efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), epicondylitis, bursitis, compressive neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, muscular injuries and osteochondral lesions. Most published research with regards to PRP has been focused on knee OA (limited research in shoulder, elbow, and foot and ankle OA), lateral epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, whereas spinal and hand conditions have limited research available. Tendinopathies and partial tendon tears have conflicting evidence available, with level I evidence supporting PRP's use in rotator cuff tendinopathies and tears, with contradictory level I evidence discouraging its use in patella and Achilles tendinopathies and tears. The available evidence regarding the use of PRP continues to produce conflicting results, but despite this, there is an ongoing increase in the popularity and use of PRP in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

Accuracy of a Smartphone Software Application Compared With a Handheld Goniometer for Measuring Shoulder Range of Motion in Asymptomatic Adults.

Background: Typically, shoulder range of motion (ROM) measurements are performed in a clinic setting, where physicians, physical therapists (PTs), and occupational therapists make use of a goniometer. Purpose: To determine the accuracy of a smartphone-based ROM software application (app) in assessing active shoulder ROM and compare the measurements with traditional goniometry as measured by a PT. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This prospective, nonblinded study was conducted at a single institution with adult asymptomatic participants with full active ROM of both shoulders. Participants were enrolled between June 1 and 15, 2021. Each participant self-assessed their active shoulder ROM using the PeerWell smartphone app. A single PT concurrently measured each participant's active shoulder ROM using a handheld universal goniometer. Bilateral shoulder ROM (forward flexion, abduction [AB], external rotation, internal rotation [IR], and extension) was measured 2 times for each participant. Interrater reliability between the smartphone app and PT measurements as well as intrarater reliability for each method of measurement were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and limits of agreement were analyzed for the difference in measurement methods. Results: Data were analyzed for 60 shoulders (30 right, 30 left) from 30 participants (mean age, 31.4 ± 11.7 years; 73% female). The interrater reliability between the 2 methods was excellent for all movements (ICCs, 0.90-0.96). For all movements except shoulder AB, the mean difference in the measurements between the 2 methods was <1.3°; the mean difference in AB ROM was 2.08°. For all movements except IR, both PTs and the app showed excellent intrarater reliability (ICCs >0.90); for IR, good intrarater reliability (ICC ≥0.75) was observed. Conclusion: The PeerWell smartphone app provided measurements comparable with manual measurements taken by a PT using a goniometer. These data provide evidence that the smartphone app is a reliable and valid tool for measuring shoulder ROM and show promise for measuring and monitoring patient ROM remotely.

Metaverse applied to musculoskeletal pathology: Orthoverse and Rehabverse.

The Metaverse is 'an integrated network of 3D virtual worlds.' It incorporates digitally created realities into the real world, involves virtual copies of existing places and changes the physical reality by superimposing digital aspects, allowing its users to interact with these elements in an immersive, real-time experience. The applications of the Metaverse are numerous, with an increasing number of experiences in the field of musculoskeletal disease management. In the field of medical training, the Metaverse can help facilitate the learning experience and help develop complex clinical skills. In clinical care, the Metaverse can help clinicians perform orthopedic surgery more accurately and safely and can improve pain management, the performance of rehabilitation techniques and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Virtualization can also optimize aspects of healthcare information and management, increasing the effectiveness of procedures and the functioning of organizations. This optimization can be especially relevant in departments that are under significant care provider pressure. However, we must not lose sight of the fundamental challenges that still need to be solved, such as ensuring patient privacy and fairness. Several studies are underway to assess the feasibility and safety of the Metaverse.

Musculoskeletal Chronic Graft versus Host Disease-A Rare Complication to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Case-Based Report and Review of the Literature.

Musculoskeletal graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a rare manifestation of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Left untreated, the disease can cause extensive damage to muscle tissue and joints. We describe a 62-year-old male with musculoskeletal GVHD and generalized muscle pain and stiffness. In addition, we performed a systemic literature review based on published cases of musculoskeletal GVHD between 1983 and 2019. We identified 85 cases, 62% male and 38% female with an age of 4-69 years and median age of 39 years at diagnosis. The majority of patients (72%) also had manifestations of cGVHD in at least one other organ system, most frequently the skin (52%), followed by oropharyngeal mucosa (37%), and pulmonary and gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) (21%). We conclude that, while musculoskeletal cGVHD is a rare complication of allo-HSCT, it remains a serious and debilitating risk that must be considered in patients with muscle pain, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and tissue inflammation. Early intervention is critical for the patient's prognosis.

Comparison of a Smartphone App to Manual Knee Range of Motion Measurements.

Background: Digital technology has emerged as a useful tool for preoperative and postoperative patient engagement and for remote patient monitoring. Smartphones are equipped with motion-sensing technology, and apps can be designed which use these features to create a simple method for measuring range of motion. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of digital technology in assessing knee range of motion using a smartphone app, compared to traditional goniometric measurements in an office setting. Methods: Fifty-three (53) patients in a clinical practice were enrolled between October 2019 and March 2020. Three separate measurements were taken during the patient encounter: (1) the surgeon, (2) the app, and (3) the physical therapist. Intraclass correlations were computed to assess the agreement between (1) the surgeon and app and (2) that between the physical therapist and surgeon. Results: When measuring flexion, the correlation between either the surgeon or therapist with the app was good, whereas the comparison between the surgeon and therapist was moderate. All extension measurement comparisons, between the app, surgeon, and therapist, showed moderate correlation. Limits of agreements showed that 80% of the difference between surgeon and app is within 10 degrees for extension and 11 degrees for flexion. Body mass index did not affect the accuracy of the measurements. Conclusion: Digital app measurements were comparable to measurements made by either a surgeon or physical therapist with a manual goniometer in the clinical setting and may be beneficial for measuring and monitoring patients' range of motion remotely.

SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Suspected Skeletal Pathology.

Dedicated multi-slice single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) cameras have become widely available and are becoming a mainstay of clinical practice. The integration of SPECT and CT allow for precise anatomic location of scintigraphic findings. Fusion imaging with SPECT/CT can improve both sensitivity and specificity by reducing equivocal interpretation in comparison to planar scintigraphy or SPECT alone. This review article addresses the technique, basic science principles, and applications of integrated SPECT/CT in the evaluation of musculoskeletal pathology.

Musculoskeletal Pathology in Cerebral Palsy: A Classification System and Reliability Study.

This article presents a classification of lower limb musculoskeletal pathology (MSP) for ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP) to identify key features from infancy to adulthood. The classification aims to improve communication, and to guide referral for interventions, which if timed appropriately, may optimise long-term musculoskeletal health and function. Consensus was achieved by discussion between staff in a Motion Analysis Laboratory (MAL). A four-stage classification system was developed: Stage 1: Hypertonia: Abnormal postures are dynamic. Stage 2: Contracture: Fixed shortening of one or more muscle-tendon units. Stage 3: Bone and joint deformity: Torsional deformities and/or joint instability (e.g., hip displacement or pes valgus), usually accompanied by contractures. Stage 4: Decompensation: Severe pathology where restoration of optimal joint and muscle-tendon function is not possible. Reliability of the classification was tested using the presentation of 16 clinical cases to a group of experienced observers, on two occasions, two weeks apart. Reliability was found to be very good to excellent, with mean Fleiss' kappa ranging from 0.72 to 0.84. Four-stages are proposed to classify lower limb MSP in children with CP. The classification was reliable in a group of clinicians who work together. We emphasise the features of decompensated MSP in the lower limb, which may not always benefit from reconstructive surgery and which can be avoided by timely intervention.

Contributions of nuclear medicine in paediatric non-tumour musculoskeletal pathology. / Aportaciones de la medicina nuclear en la enfermedad musculoesquelética no tumoral pediátrica.

Non-tumour musculoskeletal pathology in children represents a high percentage of the nuclear medicine studies requested by paediatricians. As these are immature bones and joints, in constant growth and remodelling, they present their own physiological and anatomical peculiarities that require a specific management for the paediatric age group. Using different clinical scenarios frequently observed in medical appointments (limping, back pain or fever, among others), we have summarised the possible findings or artefacts that can be obtained in the different Nuclear Medicine explorations, including bone scintigraphy and hybrid images such as PET/CT. To obtain high quality images requires careful attention to technique and positioning in children. Bone scintigraphy is a common paediatric nuclear medicine procedure and plays an important role in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathologies and can be complemented by techniques such as SPECT to improve localisation and diagnostic accuracy. In addition, 18F-FDG PET/CT is increasingly applied in the evaluation of children. This article reviews the usual indications of, mainly, bone scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET/CT in paediatric non-tumour musculoskeletal diseases, how to interpret them properly, being essential to know the normal physiological distribution of each radiopharmaceutical, as well as the common variants of paediatric growth that can simulate disease, implying possible misinterpretations between normal and pathological structures.

Eph-Ephrin Signaling Mediates Cross-Talk Within the Bone Microenvironment.

Skeletal integrity is maintained through the tightly regulated bone remodeling process that occurs continuously throughout postnatal life to replace old bone and to repair skeletal damage. This is maintained primarily through complex interactions between bone resorbing osteoclasts and bone forming osteoblasts. Other elements within the bone microenvironment, including stromal, osteogenic, hematopoietic, endothelial and neural cells, also contribute to maintaining skeletal integrity. Disruption of the dynamic interactions between these diverse cellular systems can lead to poor bone health and an increased susceptibility to skeletal diseases including osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteomalacia, and major fractures. Recent reports have implicated a direct role for the Eph tyrosine kinase receptors and their ephrin ligands during bone development, homeostasis and skeletal repair. These membrane-bound molecules mediate contact-dependent signaling through both the Eph receptors, termed forward signaling, and through the ephrin ligands, referred to as reverse signaling. This review will focus on Eph/ ephrin cross-talk as mediators of hematopoietic and stromal cell communication, and how these interactions contribute to blood/ bone marrow function and skeletal integrity during normal steady state or pathological conditions.

Occupational and work-related disease underestimated and linked to temporary disability through Primary Health Care Services.

AIM: To estimate the occupational disease linked to temporary incapacity (not work-related illness). BACKGROUND: The under-reporting of occupational disease is a recognized problem in Europe. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in Spanish adult population using periods of temporary incapacity recorded in primary care during 2015. Rates of occupational disease were estimated using the García & Gadea study. RESULTS: A total of 130,771 episodes of temporary incapacity were studied from 91,448 people, and 56,092 were women (61.3%). The overall prevalence rate was 2,096 and was higher in women (2,504) than in men (1,665) (p < 0.001). It was estimated that 6,580 (7.2%) could be suffering from an occupational disease. Musculoskeletal complaints were the commonest, affecting 75,165 people (82.2%). For the binary logistic regression, the dependent variable was the existence or lack of incapacity due to a musculoskeletal pathology. Age acts as a protective factor (adjusted OR = 0.978). The periods off work due to musculoskeletal complaints are lower in the first quarter of the year [OR > 1; p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: 7.2% of the population was estimated to be off work due to an occupational disease. This estimate reflects the well-known under-reporting of occupational diseases which are dealt with by the Public Health System instead of specialized clinics. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The interdisciplinary role of the occupational health nurse makes it an adequate professional to detect the cases of occupational diseases in primary care settings. Occupational Health Nursing has been recognized by the managers as the most suitable professionals to carry out the screening of occupational diseases in Primary Care.

Patologias osteomusculares como causa de aposentadoria por invalidez em servidores públicos do município de São Luís, Maranhão / Musculoskeletal pathology as a cause of disability retirement for public servants in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão

Introdução: É evidente a preocupação do governo em regulamentar as ações relacionadas à saúde. É passível de aposentadoria por invalidez o servidor acometido de espondilite anquilosante e outras doenças osteomusculares. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil de morbidade por patologias osteomusculares dos servidores públicos do município de São Luís aposentados por invalidez. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo, de 60 fichas de funcionários contendo informações registradas pela Comissão de Perícia Médica no período de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2011. Calculou-se como indicador de impacto da aposentadoria por invalidez em doenças osteomusculares os somatórios dos anos perdidos em decorrência da aposentadoria. A condução do estudo recebeu anuência da Comissão de Perícia Médica do IPAM e dos funcionários por meio do Termo de Compromisso de Utilização de Prontuários e Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Resultados: A análise de aposentadoria por invalidez em razão do diagnóstico por patologias osteomusculares demonstra que ocorreu prevalência do sexo masculino (90,00%) na faixa etária de 61 a 65 anos, e as profissões mais acometidas foram professores e agente administrativo. As patologias osteomusculares ocorreram em 10,00% da amostra do estudo, e os profissionais que mais se aposentaram por invalidez tipo integral e/ou proporcional foram agente administrativo e auxiliar de serviços gerais. Conclusão: O estudo mostra a necessidade de promoção de saúde e vigilância em relação à saúde do trabalhador, propiciando melhores condições de trabalho e reduzindo o adoecimento dos servidores, diminuindo o número de aposentadoria por invalidez por patologias osteomusculares.

Background: It is clear the concern of governments to discipline the actions related to health. It is likely to disability retirement the server stricken with ankylosing spondylitis and other musculoskeletal diseases. Objective: Describe the morbidity profile for musculoskeletal pathologies of public in São Luís retired due to disability. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, descriptive and retrospective, study of 60 employee records containing information recorded by the Commission of Forensic Medicine between January 2009 and December 2011. The sums of years lost due to retirement were calculated as an indicator of the impact of disability retirement in musculoskeletal diseases. The conduct of the study received approval from the Commission of Forensic Medicine Division of IPAM and staff through the Commitment Term Use of Medical Records and Statement of Consent. Results: The analysis of disability retirement due to musculoskeletal disorders diagnosis shows that occurred primarily in men (90.00%) aged 61 ? 65 years, and the professionals most affected were teachers and administrative agent. The musculoskeletal disorders occurred in 10.00% of the study sample, and the most retired for disability integral type and/or proportional were administrative agent and assistant general services. Conclusion: The study shows the need for health promotion and surveillance in relation to workers' health, providing better working conditions and reducing illness among servers, reducing the number of disability pension for musculoskeletal pathologies.

Bedside ultrasonography of musculoskeletal complications in brain injured patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bedside ultrasonography (US) in early diagnosis of musculoskeletal complications (MSC) of acquired brain injuries, to describe its incidence and US features in a neurorehabilitation setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 163 patients admitted in tertiary-level neurorehabilitation unit with diagnosis of stroke or severe brain injury (SBI), with symptoms or signs of musculoskeletal pathology, underwent bedside US. RESULTS: MSC were diagnosed in 51.5%. In 86.9% US clarified diagnosis and/or modified therapeutic approach. Shoulder pain was observed in 27.6%. US showed a shoulder subluxation in 73.3% and a frozen shoulder in 8.8% of painful shoulders. In all the cases rotator cuff abnormalities were noted. Wrist-hand syndrome was observed in 29.4%. US showed mild effusion in wrist joints and tendon sheaths and subcutaneous edema without significant vascularity. Neurogenic heterotopic ossification was observed in 1.8%. US demonstrated the "zone phenomenon" or heterogeneously hypoechoic mass with low resistance vessels within the lesions. Contractures and spasticity were observed in 18.4%. US allowed reliable guidance for Botulinum toxin A injection. Relapsing osteoarthritis and acute arthritis were diagnosed in 15.3% and 7.3% respectively. Patients with MSC had lower Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) and Katz index scores in discharge (p < 0.04 and p < 0.0294 respectively) and more length of hospital stay (p = 0.0024). DISCUSSION: Musculoskeletal pathology frequently complicates the course of acquired brain injuries and it delays functional recovery. Bedside US is a cheap and sensitive diagnostic tool and it can aid clinicians to define diagnosis and to choose therapeutic approach.