Relationship Between Prepatellar Fat Thickness and Bone Mineral Density.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) by measuring the prepatellar fat thickness with knee radiography and to gain a measurement method that has not been done before in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkiye, between January and June 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients' age, body mass index (BMI) data, prepatellar fat thickness (mm), L1-L4 total, bone mineral density femoral neck, femur trochanter major, and femur total T scores were recorded. The relationships between these three groups (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis) and between prepatellar fat tissue measurement were evaluated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Post Hoc Tukey tests were used in the analysis. RESULTS:  A statistically significant difference was found in terms of trochanter major T score measurements (X2 = 20.435; p <0.001) and BMI (X2 = 66.535; p <0.001) measurements of prepatellar fat thickness measurement. A statistically significant difference was found between the three groups in terms of prepatellar fat thickness measurement, L1-4 T-score, femoral neck, and femur total values (p <0.001). CONCLUSION:  Prepatellar fat thickness in postmenopausal Turkish women was positively correlated with BMD; BMD increases as the prepatellar fat thickness increases. This explains that perapatellar fat thickness creates a mechanical load on the bones and causes an increase in BMD. KEY WORDS: Osteoporosis, Fat thickness, Bone mineral density.

The relationship between pes planus and venous insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of pes planus may be responsible for the disorder of venous return during ambulation. Our aim in this study is to reveal that the risk of venous insufficiency may be increased in patients with pes planus. METHODS: A total of 59 patients with 29 bilateral pes planus and 30 normal arches included in the study. Djian Annonier angle measurement, bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography (USG), foot function index (AFI), Comprehensive Classification System for Chronic Venous Disorders (CEAP) clinical scoring and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was evaluated. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in AFI total, AFI pain, AFI disability and AFI activity limitation scores, bilateral lower extremity doppler USG and CEAP clinical scores in the patient group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there may be a relationship between pes planus and venous insufficiency. However, large-scale studies with more patient involvement are needed.

Pain relief and functional improvement provided by extracorporeal shock wave therapy in plantar fasciitis is better than corticosteroid injection and kinesio taping: A randomized trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the results of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), corticosteroid injection (CI), and kinesio taping (KT) in terms of pain and function in plantar fasciitis (PF). Patients and methods: In this prospective study, 90 feet of 64 patients (11 males, 53 females; mean age: 38.3±10.4 years; range, 22 to 70 years) who presented with chronic PF between November 2021 and March 2022 were evaluated. The patients were randomized to three groups, with 30 feet in each group: the CI group, the ESWT group, and the KT group. Each group received only the respective treatment modalities assigned to their group. Pain assessment of the patients before the treatment and at six weeks, three months, and six months was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and their functions were evaluated with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Results: There was no statistical difference in the demographic data (age, body mass index, and VAS; all p>0.05). At six weeks, VAS was statistically significantly lower in the CI group compared to the other groups (p<0.001), but there was no difference in AOFAS between the groups (p=0.666). At three months, there was no statistical difference between the groups regarding VAS (p=0.311), while the AOFAS was higher in the ESWT group (p=0.006). At six months, VAS was lower (p<0.001) and AOFAS was higher (p=0.003) in the ESWT group. Conclusion: All three commonly used treatment modalities, ESWT, CI, and KT, are effective in reducing pain and increasing function in chronic PF. However, while CIs can be more effective in relieving pain in the early period, the most significant improvement at the end of the sixth month was achieved by ESWT.

Validity and reliability of the full cup test in patients with chronic low back pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the full cup test (FCT), evaluating the pain severity in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (70 women and 30 men) aged over 18 years with mechanical low back pain were enrolled in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Pain severity was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and FCT, the functional state was assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the quality of life was assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). FCT was performed on the 1st day by two independent observers (G1 and G2) and 3 days after the first application, patients were readministered the FCT by G1. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 56.04±12.33 years and mean body mass index was 27.7±4.3 kg/m². The reliability of the FCT and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was found to be 0.989 for intrarater compliance, ICC was found to be 0.984 for inter-rater compliance, and Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was α=0.994. External construct validity of the scale was confirmed with expected correlations with all subgroups of NHP except for social isolation, VAS and ODI (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the FCT provides a reliable and valid instrument for measuring pain severity and loss of the function in patients with chronic mechanical back pain. We consider that FCT is a simple and easy test in patients with low education and advanced age.