Uso de bastones contralaterales en artrosis de rodilla / Contralateral canes for knee osteoarthritis

INTRODUCCIÓN La artrosis de rodilla es un problema de salud relevante dada su alta prevalencia y discapacidad asociada. Dentro de las alternativas de manejo no farmacológico se ha planteado el uso de bastones, sin embargo no existe consenso en la literatura respecto a su indicación. MÉTODOS Para responder esta pregunta utilizamos Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, reanalizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis, preparamos tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES Identificamos tres revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron cuatro estudios primarios, de los cuales, uno es ensayo aleatorizado. Concluimos que el uso de bastón contralateral en pacientes con artrosis de rodilla probablemente disminuye el dolor. Además, podría aumentar levemente la funcionalidad, pero la certeza de la evidencia es baja.

INTRODUCTION Knee osteoarthritis is a relevant health problem given its high prevalence and associated disability. Within the non-pharmacological management alternatives, the use of canes has been proposed, however, there is no consensus in the literature regarding its indication. METHODS We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We identified three systematic reviews including four studies overall, of which one was randomized trials. We conclude that the use of a contralateral cane in patients with knee osteoarthritis probably reduces pain. In addition, it could slightly increase function, but the certainty of the evidence is low.

Evolución de artralgias posterior a cirugía bariátrica / Evolution of arthralgia subsequent to bariatric surgery

Resumen Objetivo: En este estudio, se propuso establecer la relación entre la pérdida de peso y la evolución de las artropatías en un grupo de pacientes obesos sometidos a cirugía bariátrica. Materiales y Método: Investigación correlacional y de corte longitudinal, retrospectivo, donde se revisaron 33 historias de pacientes obesos mórbidos con artralgia en cualquier articulación, sometidos a cirugía bariátrica. Se realizó el análisis descriptivo de las variables numéricas según la distribución de los datos. Como prueba de relación se utilizó la Prueba T de Student para comparación de proporciones, asumiendo un valor p < 0,05. Resultados: 63,3% fueron femeninas, siendo la rodilla la principal articulación afectada (51,5%), con reducción considerable de su índice de masa corporal poscirugía. Al compararse los promedios del IMC inicial, a los 3, 6 y 12 meses, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,01). La desaparición de la artralgia en la mayoría de los pacientes ocurrió durante los primeros 3 meses, principalmente pacientes con obesidad grado I y II, en contraste con aquellos pacientes con obesidad grado III y IV, quienes requirieron un mayor lapso, para lograr la desaparición total de la artralgia. Conclusiones: La disminución gradual del dolor articular estuvo en relación directa a la reducción de las cifras de peso del paciente ya operado, mejorando la calidad de vida de los pacientes de la muestra.

Aim: In this study it was proposed to establish the relationship between weight loss and the evolution of the joint diseases in a group of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Materials and Method: Cutting longitudinal, retrospective, and correlational research where studied 33 morbidly obese patients histories and arthralgia, in any joint they was undergoing bariatric surgery. It was the descriptive analysis of the numerical variables according to the distribution of the data. As proof of relationship the Student T test was used for comparison of proportions, assuming a P-value < 0.05. Results: 63.3% were female, being the main affected joint (51.5%), with significant reduction in their rate of body mass post surgery knee. To compare the averages of initial IMC, 3, 6 and 12 months statistically significant differences were found (p < 0.01). The disappearance of arthralgia in patients most occurred during the first 3 months, mainly patients with obesity grade I and II, in contrast to those patients with obesity grade III and IV, who required a greater period, to achieve the total disappearance of arthralgia. Conclusion: The gradual decrease in the pain joint was in direct relation to the reduction of the numbers of weight of the patient already operated, improving the quality of life of the patients of the indicated.

Manual for guided home exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee

INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapy is one of the most important components of therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee. The objective of this prospective case series was to assess the efficiency of a guidance manual for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in relation to pain, range of movement , muscle strength and function, active goniometry, manual strength test and function. METHODS: Thirty-eight adults with osteoarthritis of the knee (> 45 years old) who were referred to the physiotherapy service at the university hospital (Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo) were studied. Patients received guidance for the practice of specific physical exercises and a manual with instructions on how to perform the exercises at home. They were evaluated for pain, range of movement, muscle strength and function. These evaluations were performed before they received the manual and three months later. Patients were seen monthly regarding improvements in their exercising abilities. RESULTS: The program was effective for improving muscle strength, controlling pain, maintaining range of movement of the knee joint, and reducing functional incapacity. DISCUSSION: A review of the literature showed that there are numerous clinical benefits to the regular practice of physical therapy exercises by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee(s) in a program with appropriate guidance. This study shows that this guidance can be attained at home with the use of a proper manual. CONCLUSIONS: Even when performed at home without constant supervision, the use of the printed manual for orientation makes the exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee beneficial.

Aplicação do laser 808nm na dor articular crônica de ratos Wistar / Aplication of 808nm laser in chronic joint pain in Wistar rats

Durante o processo inflamatório, alguns tipos de células predominam e estão envolvidos com a produção de dor. O laser de baixa potência mostra-se útil no controle de mediadores inflamatórios, mas a ampla divergência nos parâmetros dosimétricos, conduz a variações nos resultados positivos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o uso do laser 808nm, na dor articular crônica e edema de ratos Wistar submetidos a sinovite. Foram utilizados 10 ratos Wistar, divididos em dois grupos: GC - indução de sinovite em joelho direito e tratamento placebo; GT - indução de sinovite e irradiado com laser 10J/cm². Para a produção de sinovite foram injetados 100µl de formalina a 5 por cento, no espaço articular tibiofemoral direito. A avaliação da dor ocorreu pelo tempo de elevação da pata (TEP). No 10º dia após a indução de sinovite, iniciou-se o tratamento com laser sobre a face articular medial do joelho, procedimento mantido no decorrer de 10 dias. Os resultados mostraram que o laser apresentou efeitos analgésicos, visto que, para o grupo tratado, houve redução significativa nos valores de TEP, indicando redução da dor, quando comparados os valores pós-tratamento com os pré-tratamento, o que não ocorreu para o grupo que recebeu tratamento placebo; para o edema, o laser também mostrou redução significativa do mesmo. Concluiu-se que o laser 808nm, com 10J/cm², é eficaz na redução da dor articular crônica e edema, em animais submetidos a sinovite experimental.

During the inflammatory process some kinds of cells are predominant and are involved with pain production. Low power laser seems to be useful in the control of inflammatory mediators, but wide divergence in the dosemetric parameters leads to variations in its positive results. The aim of this study was to assess the use of the 808nm laser in the chronic joint pain and edema of Wistar rats submitted to synovitis. Sample was composed of 10 Wistar rats divided in two groups: CG - synovitis induction on right knee and placebo treatment; TG - synovitis induction and irradiated with 10J/cm² laser. 100µl of 5 percent phormaline were injected in the right tibiofemoral joint space. Pain assessment occurred by the time of paw elevation (TPE). On the 10th day after synovitis induction, laser treatment began on the knee medial joint surface and this procedure was kept for 10 days. The outcomes showed that laser presented analgesic effects, since significant reduction of the TPE values was observed for the treated group, hence indicating pain reduction when compared with the pre-treatment values; the same situation did not occur to the group which received the placebo treatment. Concerning edema, laser has also shown significant reduction. It can be concluded that laser 808nm with 10J/cm² is efficient in reduction of chronic joint pain and edema in animals submitted to experimental synovitis.