Extremities

The Effect of Knee Braces on Quadriceps Strength and Inhibition in Subjects With Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis

Michael J. Callaghan, PhD, MPhil, MCSP Abstract Study Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Background The use of external supports has been questioned because they may lead to weakness in the surrounding muscles. To our knowledge, there is no investigation into the effect of knee supports or braces on quadriceps muscle strength and […]

Body Mass Index and Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis

December 25, 2015 BMJ Open TAKE-HOME MESSAGE The authors of this meta-analysis of 14 studies evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The risk of knee OA was significantly increased in overweight (RR, 2.45) and obese (RR, 4.55) individuals. Each 5-kg/m2 increase in BMI resulted in […]

Evaluation of vitamin D levels in women with carpal tunnel syndrome

J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2015 Dec 23. pii: 1753193415622732. [Epub ahead of print] Lee SH, Gong HS, Kim DH, Shin HS, Kim KM, Kim J, Baek GH. Abstract Studies suggest that vitamin D has a role in neuroprotection. We investigated whether vitamin D status is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Vitamin D levels were […]

A slouched body posture decreases arm mobility and changes muscle recruitment in the neck and shoulder region

Eva-Maj Malmström European Journal of Applied Physiology December 2015, Volume 115, Issue 12, pp 2491–2503 Abstract PURPOSE: Long-term use of unfavorable postures, congenital deformations and degenerative processes associated with aging or disease may generate an increased thoracic curvature resulting in pain and disability. We wanted to examine whether a slouched postural alignment with increased thoracic […]

Preventing Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Injuries Through Corrective Exercise Programming

PREVENTING SHOULDER AND ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES THROUGH CORRECTIVE EXERCISE PROGRAMMING (PART 2) AVID CRUZ, DC, CSCS, FMS, SFMA · DECEMBER 18, 2015 Shoulder pain and shoulder injuries related to the rotator cuff are common issues within the general population and among athletes. This article will provide you with background knowledge and practical suggestions on how […]

PT Beats Surgery for Quick Relief of Carpal Tunnel Pain

December 17, 2015 Physical therapy as effective as surgery in medium, long term; more effective for pain relief in short term WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), physical manual therapies are similarly effective to surgery in the medium and long term, and may be more effective in […]

Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Trigger Finger

Ultrasound-Guided Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Trigger Finger: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial Ding-Hao Liu, MD PM&R December 2015 olume 96, Issue 12, Pages 2120–2127 Abstract Objectives To investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) versus steroid for trigger fingers in adults. Design Prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled study. Setting Tertiary care center. Participants […]

Reducing pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the big toe

Date: December 7, 2015 Source: Wiley Summary: Prefabricated foot orthoses and rocker-sole footwear (in which the sole of the shoe is curved) are effective at reducing peak pressure under the big toe in people with a condition called first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis, but new research shows that they achieve this through different mechanisms. Also, rocker-sole […]

Manipulative and Multimodal Therapies in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Great Toe: A Case Series

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine Volume 14, Issue 4, December 2015, Pages 270–278 James W. Brantingham, DC, PhDa Objective The objective of this case series is to describe manual manipulative therapy with exercise for 3 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the great toe. Clinical Features Three patients, a 32-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman, and […]

Going barefoot: Strong ‘foot core’ could prevent plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and other common injuries

Date: November 17, 2015 Source: Ithaca College Summary: Barefoot activities can greatly improve balance and posture and prevent common injuries like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, bursitis, and tendonitis in the Achilles tendon, according to one expert. As your cold-weather footwear makes the seasonal migration from the back of your closet to replace summer’s […]

Knee Bracing No Benefit Over Nonoperative Program in Knee OA

Significant improvements in pain, activities of daily living at week 52, regardless of bracing TUESDAY, Nov. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), knee bracing offers no benefit over a multidisciplinary nonoperative program, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. Shirley P. Yu, […]

Steroid Shots No Long-Term Help in Knee OA

11.13.2015 No effects on structural progression in 2-year randomized study by Nancy Walsh Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today SAN FRANCISCO — Intra-articular steroid injections are not effective over the long term for preventing structural damage in knee osteoarthritis, a 2-year randomized trial found. In the study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, […]

The Effect Of Knee Braces On Quadriceps Strength And Inhibition In Subjects With Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis

Michael J. Callaghan, PhD Study Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Background The use of external supports has been questioned because they may lead to weakness in the surrounding muscles. To our knowledge, there is no investigation into the effect of knee supports or braces on quadriceps muscle strength and quadriceps inhibition in […]

Ozone gas injections may do the trick for knee osteoarthritis sufferers

Date: November 8, 2015 Source: American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Summary: Injecting ozone gas into the knee reduces pain and improves functioning and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis, according to new research. Injecting ozone gas into the knee reduces pain and improves functioning and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis, […]

Chondroitin outperforms celecoxib in knee osteoarthritis study

Date: November 7, 2015 Source: American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Summary: For the first time, chondroitin sulfate has been more successful than celecoxib in reducing the long-term progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to new research findings. For the first time, chondroitin sulfate has been more successful than celecoxib in reducing the long-term progression of knee […]

Tai Chi found to be as effective as physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis

Date: November 7, 2015 Source: American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Summary: Both Tai Chi and physical therapy positively impact pain, function and other symptoms of knee osteoarthritis – making Tai Chi a viable treatment alternative for people suffering with the degenerative disease, according to new research. Both Tai Chi and physical therapy positively impact pain, […]

Could Vitamin D be Linked to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

10.11.2015 Lower levels correlated with earlier age for disease development by Nancy Walsh Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today SEATTLE — Women younger than age 50 undergoing release surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome had lower vitamin D levels than age-matched controls, although there was no similar association for older women, a Korean study found. Among a […]

Overweight, Obesity Increase Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

September 29, 2015 Meta-analysis of 58 studies shows increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release MONDAY, Sept. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), according to a meta-analysis published online Sept. 23 in Obesity Reviews. Rahman Shiri, M.D, Ph.D., M.P.H., from […]

Computer Exposure at Work Does Not Increase Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

September 23, 2015 BMJ Open TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This longitudinal study of two cohorts was designed to assess the relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome and occupational use of a computer. The adjusted odds ratio for the development of carpal tunnel syndrome in people with the highest use of computers was 0.39 and 0.16 in the two […]

Does addition of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in conservative care of knee arthritis successfully postpone the need for joint replacement?

Lasers in Medical Science Published: 29 September 2015 Volume 30, pages 2335–2339, (2015) Abstract The current study evaluates whether the addition of low-level laser therapy into standard conventional physical therapy in elderly with bilateral symptomatic tri-compartmental knee arthritis can successfully postpone the need for joint replacement surgery. A prospective randomized cohort study of 100 consecutive […]