ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Urinating while standing is a possible alternative for elderly women with knee osteoarthritis when a sitting toilet is unavailable. We evaluated uroflowmetric characteristics and post-void residual urine volume in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis who urinated while standing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 21 women with a mean±SD age of 65.0±4.6 years who had a knee osteoarthritis Lequesne index score of at least 6 points and were unable to maintain or found it difficult to stand up from a squat or crouch. Participants used a homemade auxiliary appliance to collect urine and drain it forward while stand voiding. Uroflowmetric data, including voided volume, and maximal and average flow rates, were recorded. Post-void residual urine volume was detected using an ultrasound bladder scanner. Participants completed a questionnaire to evaluate their attitude toward stand voiding and using the auxiliary device. RESULTS: Maximal and average flow rates, and voided and post-void residual urine volumes were not statistically different while sitting and standing. No learning curve was noted for stand voiding. Uroflowmetry patterns while standing were smooth. Of the 21 participants 17 (81%) experienced no difficulty while stand voiding. All expressed willingness to urinate while standing position if they did not have access to a satisfactorily clean toilet seat. CONCLUSIONS: Urinating while standing is a feasible option for elderly women with knee osteoarthritis who have difficulty crouching or squatting to void in public restrooms.
Subject(s)
Osteoarthritis, Knee , Posture , Urination , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain and is the result of a degenerative process of the plantar fascia at its calcaneal attachment. A case study of a preliminary experience with local injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis in a 43-year-old woman is presented. We injected the patient with 70 units of BTX-A (0.7mL) in 2 divided doses: 40 units (0.4mL) in the tender region of the heel, and 30 units (0.3mL) in the most tender point of the foot arch. Visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were measured to evaluate the efficacy of BTX-A injections. Real-time, high-resolution ultrasonographic findings of the plantar fascia after BTX-A injections were also used for serial follow-ups. After BTX-A injection, decreased VAS values were reported and increased PPT was observed. In ultrasonographic studies, the thickness of the plantar fascia and the hypoechogenicity of the fascia were reduced. Decreased plantar fascia thickness was observed on the first and third week after BTX-A injections. The findings were compatible with the changes in pain assessed by VAS and PPT. Ultrasonographic findings also indicated a progressive decrease in the thickness of the underlying muscle belly. Ultrasonography seems to be a valuable, noninvasive diagnostic tool for the evaluation of plantar fasciitis treated with BTX-A injections. It can offer objective measurements of therapeutic effects and is feasible for serial follow-ups.