The Benefit of Perineural Injection Treatment with Dextrose for Treatment of Chondromalacia Patella in Participants Receiving Home Physical Therapy: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Chondromalacia patella is the degeneration of articular cartilage on the posterior facet of the patella and may indicate the onset of osteoarthritis. Conservative management is the main treatment option, and surgical intervention is considered the last option in a small percentage of patients. Perineural Injection Treatment (PIT) is a recently developed treatment option that is directed adjacent to the peripheral nerves that are the source of pathology causing neurogenic inflammation and pain. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PIT combined with a home physical therapy program in patients with a diagnosis of chondromalacia patella compared with a control group receiving physical therapy only. Methods: Two patient groups were involved in this randomized clinical trial. The first received PIT combined with physical therapy (PIT + PT group) and the second was managed with physical therapy alone (PT group). Both groups were indicated to follow a 6-week home therapy plan afterward. The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index was used to assess the patients at baseline and 6 months after therapy interventions. Results: Fifty patients (38 women and 12 men, median age 54.7 ± 14.8 years) were included; sex distribution and age did not differ between groups. Both groups had chondromalacia grade II or III, but the degree of gonarthrosis did not differ significantly between groups. The PIT + PT group outperformed PT group for pain (7.3 ± 3.5 vs. 3.2 ± 2.9 points; p < 0.010), stiffness (3 ± 1.69 vs. 1.6 ± 1.5 points; p < 0.010), and functional capacity (23.2 ± 10.7 vs. 11.1 ± 8.9 points; p < 0.010). Conclusions: Compared with physical therapy alone, PIT plus physical therapy reduced pain and stiffness and restored functional capacity. ClinicalTrials.gov Register Number #NCT03515720.

Magneto-therapy of human joint cartilage.

PURPOSE: The topic of the present paper concerns the human joint cartilage therapy performed by the magnetic induction field. There is proved the thesis that the applied magnetic field for concrete cartilage illness should depend on the proper relative and concrete values of applied magnetic induction, intensity as well the time of treatment duration. Additionally, very important are frequencies and amplitudes of magnetic field as well as magnetic permeability of the synovial fluid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research methods used in this paper include: magnetic induction field produced by a new Polish and German magneto electronic devices for the therapy of human joint cartilage diseases, stationary and movable magnetic applicators, magnetic bandage, ferrofluid injections, author's experience gained in Germany research institutes and practical results after measurements and information from patients. RESULTS: The results of this paper concern concrete parameters of time dependent electro-magnetic field administration during the joint cartilage therapy duration and additionally concern the corollaries which are implied from reading values gained on the magnetic induction devices. CONCLUSIONS: The main conclusions obtained in this paper are as follows: Time dependent magnetic induction field increases the dynamic viscosity of movable synovial fluid and decreases symptoms of cartilage illness for concrete intensity of magnetic field and concrete field line architecture. The ferrofluid therapy and phospholipids bilayer simultaneously with the administrated external electromagnetic field, increases the dynamic viscosity of movable synovial fluid.

Copper, iron, and selenium dietary deficiencies negatively impact skeletal integrity: A review.

Nutrients have been known to have a significant role in maintaining the health of the skeleton, both bone and cartilage. The nutrients that have received the majority of the attention are Vitamin D and calcium. However, limited attention has been directed toward three trace elements that may have mechanistic impact upon the skeletal tissues and could compromise skeletal health resulting from inadequate intakes of copper, iron, and selenium. The role of copper and selenium has been known, but the role of iron has only received recent attention. Copper deficiency is thought to impact bone health by a decrease in lysyl oxidase, a copper-containing enzyme, which facilitates collagen fibril crosslinking. Iron deficiency impact upon bone has only recently been discovered but the exact mechanism on how the deficient states enhance bone pathology is speculative. Selenium deficiency has an impact on cartilage thereby having an indirect impact on bone. However, several studies suggest that a mycotoxin when consumed by humans is the culprit in some cartilage disorders and the presence of selenium could attenuate the pathology. This review summarizes the current knowledge base with respect to skeletal integrity when each of these three trace elements are inadequate in diets of both animals and humans.

[Muscle training techniques and retropatellar chondropathy]. / Techniques de musculation et chondropathie rétro-patellaire.

The authors have studied the efficacy of 3 different muscle training programs (electromyostimulation, isokinetic training and isometric training) in cases of patellar chondromalacia. The evaluation of the results was made by measuring the isokinetic strength on a Cybex II+ dynamometer at a low (30 degrees/sec) and a high (300 degrees/sec) angular velocity. The clinical evaluation was based on a modified score determined by the Arpege group. The results showed a better improvement of the muscular strength after electromyostimulation or isokinetic training. The clinical improvement was better on patients of groups I and III.

Excessive pronation: a major biomechanical determinant in the development of chondromalacia and pelvic lists.

Based on statistical analysis of 97 chronic low back patients, a pelvic list model has been proposed explaining the correlation between leg length discrepancies (LLD) and sciatica. This model suggests that asymmetrical pronation patterns (one pedal arch dropping more than the contralateral pedal arch) initiates a forward downward rotation within the sacroiliac joint. Entrapment of the sciatic nerve between the piriformis muscle and sacrospinous ligament occurs. Clinically, paresis is observed: numbness, weakness and eventually paralysis of the affected limb. Based on this work, the authors have comprised a classification dividing LLD into two main categories: functional and anatomical. Functional LLD have been subdivided into two types of lists: static and dynamic. Treatment based on a combination of chiropractic and podiatric therapy is presented with a 6-month follow-up. Analysis of the success in this tandem approach is very promising. Concurrently, a chondromalacia model is proposed explaining the pathomechanical events associated with oblique tracking patellar syndrome. The authors suggest that excessive pronation is the causative factor directing asynchronous rotation between the shank and femur. This forces the patella out of its normal tracking groove, which, in turn, generates erosion between the inferior margin of the patella and femoral epicondyles.

Otologic aspects of ear burns.

Otologic experiences in a large burn center are discussed and the following areas are emphasized. First, the otologic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the prevention and treatment of barotrauma that is occasionally secondary to this therapy. Second, the diagnosis and treatment as well as the prevention of perichondritis in severely burned ears will be discussed. A total of thirty-five cases of perichondritis will be reviewed. An encouraging aspect of the method of treatment has evolved over the past five years: there has been a minimum of deformity in the healed ear, with no subsequent reconstruction necessary. My experience stresses the importance of otologic supervision and ready consultation in all ear burns, and cooperation with the surgeons in charge of the overall care of the burn patient.