Relationship between muscle echo intensity on ultrasound and isokinetic strength of the three superficial quadriceps femoris muscles in healthy young adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between muscle echo intensity measured with ultrasound and the isokinetic strength of each of the three superficial quadriceps femoris muscles in healthy young adults. [Participants and Methods] We measured the echo intensity of the three superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris in 25 healthy adults (10 males and 15 females; mean age, 22.3 years) using ultrasound. Moreover, we obtained the maximum force during isokinetic knee extension at 60°/s using an isokinetic dynamometer. [Results] In males and females, a significant negative correlation between echo intensity and muscle strength was found in the VM (r=-0.65 and r=-0.63, respectively). [Conclusion] In both males and females, only the muscle echo intensity of the vastus medialis was found to have a negative correlation with the maximum force during isokinetic knee extension at 60°/s. Our data lay the foundation for simplifying and rationally performing the measurement of muscle echo intensity of the quadriceps femoris. And it would therefore be sufficient to only measure the VM to clarify a relationship between EI and maximum isokinetic force in the quadriceps.

Movement patterns of the functional reach test do not reflect physical function in healthy young and older participants.

The relationship of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) value with the Center of Pressure Excursion (COPE) and physical function remains unclear, and would be influenced by different population characteristics and movement patterns used in the FRT. Therefore, we explored the relationship between the FRT value and the COPE and physical function in healthy young and older individuals classified according to movement patterns. In 21 healthy young participants (42 sides) and 20 older participants (40 sides), three-dimensional motion analysis was performed during the FRT and physical function assessments. The participants were assigned to two clusters after performing a motion analysis during the FRT. Kinematic and kinetic parameters during the FRT and physical function assessment results were compared between the clusters for both groups. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationships of the FRT value with COPE and physical function parameters in each cluster, in young and older individuals separately. The results showed that the hip strategies could be divided into two groups according to the degree of use (Small Hip Strategy, SHS Group; Large Hip Strategy, LHS Group). In the older SHS group, the FRT values were significantly correlated with the COPE (r = 0.75), toe grip strength (r = 0.62), and the five-times sit-to-stand test time (r = -0.52). In the older LHS group and in both groups of young individuals, there were no significant correlations of the FRT value with any parameters. The FRT value reflects the COPE and physical function only in older individuals using the SHS. This could explain previous discrepant results. As there is no simple relationship between the FRT value and physical function, it is important to include movement strategy assessment when using the FRT in clinical evaluations.

[Ureteral stricture after ESWL for ureteral calculi].

BACKGROUND: There are many reports on the effects of ESWL, but few reports on the complications, especially remaining ureteral stricture after this treatment. Therefore we have retrospectively reviewed our cases to define the predisposing factors of this complication. METHODS: Since 1991 we have treated urolithiasis with ESWL using a Siemens Lithostar for the first therapy. We had 16 cases of ureteral stricture after this treatment. Ureteral stricture is the most common complication after ESWL treatment. To define the risk factor of the stricture we have compared 549 cases that were successfully treated between 1994 and 1996 without this complication. In these two groups we examined ages, sexes, chief complaints, size, position and components of the calculi, the degree of hydronephrosis, the frequency of ESWL, the presence of urinary tract infection, the duration of stone impaction and the after endourological treatment using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients with the stone incidentally found and those with the UTI seemed to be more frequently associated with ureteral stricture, however there was not a significant difference. The hydronephrosis more than grade 3 (p = 0.025), the frequency of ESWL (p = 0.0325) and the after endourological treatment, especially TUL (p = 0.0184) were statistically significant among the other factors. The stricture occurred in 5 out of 29 patients with the hydronephrosis of grade 4 and 5 between 1994 and 1996. CONCLUSION: We should carefully treat patients with grade 3 or more hydronephrosis with ESWL. We should not repeatedly treat the patients with ESWL. We should take care of TUL treatment after ESWL.