Effects of Vibration Training with Adjusted Frequency on Functional Ankle Instability / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the effect of vibration training with adjusted frequency on changes in explosive force of lower limbs, balance and muscle function around ankle joints of patients with functional ankle instability (FAI), so as to provide an empirical basis for rehabilitation training of FAI patients in clinic. Methods Twenty-six FAI patients were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=14) and the control group (n=12). The experimental group received 8-week rehabilitation training with vibration intervention, while the control group only received 8-week rehabilitation training. Changes in maximum power, average power, maximum speed and average speed of the injured limb during vertical jump with single leg, changes in distances during long jump, changes in time during one-leg standing with eyes open and closed，changes in contract time (tc), relax time (tr) and displacement (Dm) of medial gastrocnemius (GM), lateral gastrocnemius (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles before and after training were measured and compared. Results In the experimental group, the maximum power and maximum speed of the injured limb during vertical jump with single leg, the distance during long jump with single leg and the time during one-leg standing with open and closed eyes were significantly improved, and the increase was higher than that of the control group. The increase of tc of all muscles in the experimental group was smaller than that of the control group, but tr and Dm did not show any regularity. Conclusions Vibration training with adjusted frequency can effectively improve the explosive force and balance ability of lower limbs of FAI patients, and promote the tc shortening of GL, GM and TA muscles, but whether vibration training with adjusted frequency can reduce muscle tension and promote muscle relaxation is still not clear.

A numerical analysis of the effects of the lower-limb prosthetic socket on muscle atrophy of the residual limb / 生物医学工程学杂志

Muscle atrophy of the residual limb after lower-limb amputation is a disadvantage of amputees' rehabilitation. To investigate the biomechanics mechanism of muscle atrophy of the residual limb, we built a finite element model of a residual limb including muscle, skeletons and main vessels based on magnetic resonance images of a trans-femoral amputee, and studied the biomechanics effects of the socket of the lower-limb prosthesis on the soft tissue and vessels in the residual limb. It was found that the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery suffered the most serious constriction due to the extrusion, while that of the deep femoral artery was comparatively light. Besides, the degree of the constriction of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vein, femoral vein and deep femoral vein decreased in turn, and that of the great saphenous vein was serious. The stress-strain in the anterior femoral muscle group were highest, while the stress concentration of the inferior muscle group was observed at the end of the thighbone, and other biomechanical indicators at the inferior region were also high. This study validated that the extrusion of the socket on the vessels could cause muscle atrophy to some degree, and provided theoretical references for learning the mechanism of muscle atrophy in residual limb and its effective preventive measures.

Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome with Genitalia Involved in a 12-Year-Old Boy

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is an uncommon granulomatous disease characterized by the triad of relapsing facial paralysis, orofacial swelling, and fissured tongue. Genital swelling in MRS is rarely reported. We presented the first case of complete MRS with genital swelling in a child. Biopsy examinations of both the child's lower lip and penis showed noncaseating granuloma and intralymphatic granuloma infiltration. No symptoms or signs of other systemic disease (Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis) were observed after 2 years of follow-up. Genetic screening for CARD15/NOD2 in this patient showed negative, which further confirmed the diagnosis of MRS. Eleven other cases of suspected complete or incomplete MRS with genitalia involved were reviewed. Our case emphasizes the specific clinical feature of MRS with genitalia involved, which was genetically different from Crohn's disease and could be an independent entity. Lymphatic obstruction is responsible for localized edema in MRS.

Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome with Genitalia Involved in a 12-Year-Old Boy

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is an uncommon granulomatous disease characterized by the triad of relapsing facial paralysis, orofacial swelling, and fissured tongue. Genital swelling in MRS is rarely reported. We presented the first case of complete MRS with genital swelling in a child. Biopsy examinations of both the child's lower lip and penis showed noncaseating granuloma and intralymphatic granuloma infiltration. No symptoms or signs of other systemic disease (Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis) were observed after 2 years of follow-up. Genetic screening for CARD15/NOD2 in this patient showed negative, which further confirmed the diagnosis of MRS. Eleven other cases of suspected complete or incomplete MRS with genitalia involved were reviewed. Our case emphasizes the specific clinical feature of MRS with genitalia involved, which was genetically different from Crohn's disease and could be an independent entity. Lymphatic obstruction is responsible for localized edema in MRS.