Plantar fascia coronal length: a new parameter for plantar fascia assessment.

The effects of gender and various anthropometric variables were previously reported as significant predictors of plantar fascia thickness. Although a strong correlation between either the body weight or body mass index (BMI) and plantar fascia thickness were not demonstrated, a moderate relation was stated. We retrospectively investigated the role of gender, height, weight, and body mass index on plantar fascia thickness at the calcaneal origin (PFCO) and 1 cm distal from the calcaneal origin (PF1cm) and the coronal length of the plantar fascia at the calcaneal origin (CLPF) in healthy subjects. The PFCO, PF1cm, and CLPF were retrospectively measured from magnetic resonance images of 100 healthy subjects. The gender, height, weight, and body mass index of the participants were also noted. Gender was a predictive factor for the length of the CLPF. The subjects with a BMI >25 kg/m(2) had a significantly greater PFCO, PF1cm, and CLPF. Height was mildly and BMI and weight were moderately related to the PFCO. However the CLPF showed a better correlation with height, BMI, and weight than that of plantar fascia thickness. CLPF better reflected the role of weight, BMI, and height than its thickness. It is a new parameter that could be valuable in the evaluation of plantar fascia disorders.

The effect of oophorectomy on epidural fibrosis after laminectomy: an experimental study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of oophorectomy in the formation of epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. METHODS: Thirty-six 12-month-old adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Rats were evenly divided into two groups; oophorectomized and sham-operated. Bilateral oophorectomy was performed on the 18 rats in the oophorectomized group. Three weeks after oophorectomy, rats in both groups underwent complete bilateral laminectomy at the L2 and L3 vertebral levels. Rats were divided into 3 equal groups and sacrificed in groups of 4 at the 4th, 8t, and 12th weeks postoperatively and the lumbar spine excised en bloc, fixed and decalcified. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome were used to evaluate epidural fibrosis, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, and vascular proliferation. RESULTS: The mean histological sum grade of the epidural fibrosis was greater in the oophorectomized group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Endogenous estrogen could have an effect on epidural fibrosis formation after lumbar laminectomy in rats.

Biomechanical comparison of conventional technique versus oblique screw placement in plate fixation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether plate fixation with screws in an oblique fashion would change the strength of the fixation to bending forces and whether any relationship existed between deformity and increased strength of fixation. METHODS: Rear leg tibias from 2-year to 3-year-old sheep were affixed with the help of a custom-made guide to a six-hole dynamic compression plate and divided into three groups. In group 1, fixation was performed using screws perpendicular to the plate axis in two planes. In group 2, screws were placed at a 20-degree angle to the axis of the shaft and perpendicular to the transverse plane. In group 3, the screws were placed at a 20-degree angle to the shaft axis and 7 degrees on the transverse plane. Gap-close bending and side-bending tests were performed in a three-point bending fashion. The maximum moment of force and deformation at the time of the failure was analyzed. RESULTS: In gap-close bending tests, mean maximum moment of forces for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 51.90 Nm, 67.47 Nm, 82.05 Nm, respectively (p<0.05 for group 1 vs. groups 2 and 3; p=0.053 for group 2 vs. group 3). In side-bending tests, the mean maximum moment of force was 34.63 Nm, 49.91 Nm, and 49.29 Nm, respectively (p<0.05 for group 1 vs. groups 2 and 3; no significant difference was observed between groups 2 and 3). When the two bending tests were evaluated together, only the mean moment of forces of groups 1 and 3 were statistically different (p=0.006). There was no difference between any groups in terms of the deformity at the time of the maximum moment of force. CONCLUSION: Oblique screw placement in two planes increases the strength of the plate-screw fixation under bending forces; however, there is no relationship between deformity and increased strength of fixation.

[The effects of two different continuous passive motion protocols on knee range of motion after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective analysis]. / Iki farkli sürekli pasif hareket protokolünün total diz protezi sonrasi diz hareket açikligina etkileri: Ileriye dönük bir çalisma.

OBJECTIVES: We prospectively evaluated the effects of continuous passive motion (CPM) started after two different time intervals following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on short- and long-term results, in comparison with standard physical therapy. METHODS: Eighty-six patients were randomized to three groups following TKA for primary osteoarthritis. The control group (n=28) received only conventional physical therapy. Group I and II, each consisting of 29 patients, were treated with conventional physical therapy combined with CPM that was started on the first and third postoperative days, respectively, and continued until discharge with three one-hour sessions daily. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of the knee range of motion were recorded. Clinical and functional results were assessed using the Knee Society rating system. The patients were followed-up for at least two years (range 26 to 52 months). RESULTS: The duration of CPM was 22 hours in group I, and 19 hours in group II (p>0.05). Knee flexion values measured in the CPM groups on day 3 and at discharge showed significant differences with those of the control group, but no significant differences were found between the groups after the first postoperative month in this respect (p>0.05). The mean duration to reach 100 degrees of passive knee flexion (p=0.03) and the mean length of hospital stay (p=0.04) in the CPM groups were shorter by three and two days compared to the control group, respectively. Clinical and functional knee scores showed significant improvements in all the groups postoperatively (p<0.001), but there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to pre-and postoperative knee scores (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Even though CPM protocols applied following TKA may shorten the length of hospital stay, CPM applications do not offer additional short- and long-term benefits over standard physical therapy with respect to knee flexion and clinical and functional results.