Effects of therapeutic interventions on pain due to plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of different therapeutic interventions that have ever been evaluated in randomized controlled trials on pain due to plantar fasciitis. METHODS: We searched different electronic databases until September 2022. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to evaluate the overall certainty evidence. RESULTS: A total of 236 studies met the study criteria, including 15,401 patients. Botulinum toxin MD -2.14 (CI: -4.15, -0.14), micronized dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane injection MD -3.31 (CI: -5.54, -1.08), dry needling MD -2.34 (CI: -4.64, -0.04), low-dye taping MD -3.60 (CI: -4.16, -3.03), low-level laser therapy MD -2.09 (CI: -2.28, -1.90), myofascial releases MD -1.79 (CI: -2.63, -0.94), platelet-rich plasma MD -2.40 (CI: -4.16, -0.63), radiofrequency MD -2.47 (CI: -4.65, -0.29), and stretching MD -1.14 (CI: -2.02, -0.26) resulted in being effective treatments for pain when compared to the control in the short term. In the medium and long term, only extracorporeal shock wave therapy MD -0.97 (CI: -1.13, -0.81)/MD -2.49 (CI: -3.17, -1.82) was effective for improving pain when compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the available studies, this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that different therapeutic interventions seem to be useful strategies for improving pain in patients with plantar fasciitis. In the medium and long term, only extracorporeal shock wave therapy was effective in improving pain when compared to the control.

Addition of specific hip strengthening exercises to conventional rehabilitation therapy for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of hip strengthening exercises in reducing pain and disability in persons with low back pain. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled clinical trials on MEDLINE, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, Scielo and CINAHL from the earliest date available to June 2020. Studies that included hip strengthening exercises for persons with low back pain and included pain and/or disability as an outcome measure were evaluated by two independent reviewers. Mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by random effect models. RESULTS: Five studies met the eligibility criteria (309 patients). Four studies included hip strengthening in conjunction with other interventions, while one study evaluated hip strengthening as a standalone intervention. Hip strengthening exercises improved pain (MD -5.4 mm, 95% CI: -8.9 to -1.8 mm), and disability (MD -2.9; 95% CI: -5.6 to -0.1) in persons with low back pain compared to interventions in which hip strengthening was not utilized. The quality of evidence for the pain outcome, was assessed as being moderate. The quality of evidence for the outcome of self-reported disability, was assessed as being low. CONCLUSION: Addition of specific hip strengthening exercises to conventional rehabilitation therapy may be beneficial for improving pain and disability in persons with low back pain.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in patients with plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain and disability in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). METHODS: We searched Pubmed, PEDro database, Scielo, and Cochrane Central for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of LLLT for patients with PF. The methodological aspects of the studies included were scored using the PEDro scale. Three comparisons were made: LLLT compared with placebo, LLLT combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) compared with CR and LLLT compared with extracorporeal shock wave therapy. RESULTS: Fourteen studies (817 patients) met the study criteria. Compared to the placebo group, LLLT improved pain (MD, -2.3; 95% CI: 2.6 to -2, I2 = 0%; 4 studies, N = 234: moderate-quality evidence) in the short term (0-6 weeks). No significant difference in short-term disability was found for participants in the LLLT group compared to the placebo group. Compared to the CR group, LLLT combined with CR improved pain (MD, -2.0; 95% CI: 2.9 to -1.1, I2 = 0%; 2 studies, N = 90: moderate-quality evidence) in the short term (0-6 weeks). Compared to extracorporeal shock wave therapy, LLLT did not significantly reduce pain intensity in the short term (MD, 0.5; 95% CI: 2.0 to 2.9, I2 = 96%; 4 studies, N = 175: low-quality evidence). CONCLUSIONS: LLLT may improve pain in the short term and can be considered as a component of care of patients with PF. However, this superiority disappeared compared to extracorporeal shock wave therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level I.

The use of negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of infected wounds. Case studies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results and benefits obtained from the topical use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in patients with infected wounds. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 20 patients (17 males and three females, mean age 42 years) with infected wounds treated using NPWT. The infected wounds were caused by trauma. The treatment system used was VAC.® (Vacuum Assisted Closure, KCI, San Antonio, United States) applied to the wound in continuous mode from 100 to 125 mmHg. The parameters related to the wounds (location, number of VAC changes, the size of the defects in the soft parts, and the evolution of the state of the wound), length of hospital stay, length of intravenous antibiotic therapy, and complications related to the use of this therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean length of the hospital stay, use of NPWT, and antibacterial therapy were 41 days, 22.5 days, and 20 days respectively. The use of the VAC led to a mean reduction of 29% in the wound area (95.65-68.1 cm2; p < 0.05). Only one patient did not show any improvement in the final appearance of the wound with complete eradication of the infection. No complication directly caused by NPWT was observed. CONCLUSION: NPWT stimulates infection-free scar tissue formation in a short time, and is a quick and comfortable alternative to conventional infected wounds treatment methods.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados e benefícios trazidos pela aplicação tópica da terapia por pressão negativa (TPN) em pacientes com feridas infectadas. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de série de casos composta por 20 pacientes (17 homens e três mulheres e média de 42 anos) com feridas infectadas tratadas pela TPN. As feridas infectadas em sua maioria foram de causa traumática. O sistema de pressão a vácuo usado foi o VAC® (Vacuum Assisted Closure, KCI, San Antonio, Estados Unidos), aplicado à ferida em modo contínuo na ordem de 100 a 125 mmHg. Na casuística, os parâmetros relacionados à ferida (localização, quantidade de trocas do VAC, tamanhos dos defeitos de partes moles, evolução do grau da ferida), o tempo de internamento, o tempo de antibioticoterapia venosa e as complicações relacionadas ao uso da terapia foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de internamento, uso da terapia a vácuo e antibioticoterapia foi, respectivamente, de 41, 22,5 e 20 dias. O uso do VAC promoveu uma redução média da área das feridas de 29% (95,65 cm2 para 68,1 cm2; p < 0,05). Apenas um paciente não obteve melhoria do aspecto final da ferida, com erradicação completa da infecção. Nenhuma complicação atribuída diretamente ao uso da TPN foi observada. CONCLUSÃO: A terapia por pressão negativa, por facilitar a formação de um tecido de cicatrização ausente de infecção local num curto intervalo de tempo, representa uma opção rápida e confortável aos métodos convencionais no tratamento de feridas infectadas.

The use of negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of infected wounds. Case studies / Aplicação da terapia por pressão negativa no tratamento de feridas infectadas. Estudo de casos

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results and benefits obtained from the topical use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in patients with infected wounds. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 20 patients (17 males and three females, mean age 42 years) with infected wounds treated using NPWT. The infected wounds were caused by trauma. The treatment system used was VAC.(r) (Vacuum Assisted Closure, KCI, San Antonio, United States) applied to the wound in continuous mode from 100 to 125 mmHg. The parameters related to the wounds (location, number of VAC changes, the size of the defects in the soft parts, and the evolution of the state of the wound), length of hospital stay, length of intravenous antibiotic therapy, and complications related to the use of this therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean length of the hospital stay, use of NPWT, and antibacterial therapy were 41 days, 22.5 days, and 20 days respectively. The use of the VAC led to a mean reduction of 29% in the wound area (95.65-68.1 cm2; p < 0.05). Only one patient did not show any improvement in the final appearance of the wound with complete eradication of the infection. No complication directly caused by NPWT was observed. CONCLUSION: NPWT stimulates infection-free scar tissue formation in a short time, and is a quick and comfortable alternative to conventional infected wounds treatment methods.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados e benefícios trazidos pela aplicação tópica da terapia por pressão negativa (TPN) em pacientes com feridas infectadas. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de série de casos composta por 20 pacientes (17 homens e três mulheres e média de 42 anos) com feridas infectadas tratadas pela TPN. As feridas infectadas em sua maioria foram de causa traumática. O sistema de pressão a vácuo usado foi o VAC(r) (Vacuum Assisted Closure, KCI, San Antonio, Estados Unidos), aplicado à ferida em modo contínuo na ordem de 100 a 125 mmHg. Na casuística, os parâmetros relacionados à ferida (localização, quantidade de trocas do VAC, tamanhos dos defeitos de partes moles, evolução do grau da ferida), o tempo de internamento, o tempo de antibioticoterapia venosa e as complicações relacionadas ao uso da terapia foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de internamento, uso da terapia a vácuo e antibioticoterapia foi, respectivamente, de 41, 22,5 e 20 dias. O uso do VAC promoveu uma redução média da área das feridas de 29% (95,65 cm2 para 68,1 cm2; p < 0,05). Apenas um paciente não obteve melhoria do aspecto final da ferida, com erradicação completa da infecção. Nenhuma complicação atribuída diretamente ao uso da TPN foi observada. CONCLUSÃO: A terapia por pressão negativa, por facilitar a formação de um tecido de cicatrização ausente de infecção local num curto intervalo de tempo, representa uma opção rápida e confortável aos métodos convencionais no tratamento de feridas infectadas.