Comparison of Efficacy between Acupuncture Therapies in Improving Sacroiliac Joint Malposition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIM: To provide available quantitative evidence of efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatments for improving sacroiliac joint malposition. METHODS: Databases such as the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CQVIP), Wanfang Database (Wanfang), China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc), PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched by computer to collect the reports on acupuncture treatment of sacroiliac joint malposition from the database creation to July 20, 2021. The selection of included studies, data extraction and coding, and bias risk assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. RevMan5.4 software was used for meta-analysis, and the results were expressed as mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD), with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. RESULTS: A total of 10 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with 1019 participants were included. Their overall quality of methodology was not high, and there may be publication bias. Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (OR = 2.74, 95% CI 2.00 to 3.74, P < 0.00001). The treatment group was better than the control group in improving VAS score (WMD = -1.56, 95% CI -2.18 to -0.94, P < 0.00001). The ODI score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group (WMD = -6.04, 95% CI -7.05 to -5.02, P < 0.00001). With the improvement of the JOA score, the difference of iliac transverse diameter of sacroiliac joint dislocation and the index of sacroiliac joint malposition in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture may have therapeutic advantages in improving sacroiliac joint malposition. Acupuncture and acupotomy provide a safe way to improve the related clinical symptoms and functional disorders in activity of sacroiliac joint dislocation. However, due to the low quality of the included literature, this conclusion still needs to be further verified by more high-quality and large-sample RCTs.

Medial knee osteoarthritis treated by insoles or braces: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: There is controversial evidence regarding whether foot orthoses or knee braces improve pain and function or correct malalignment in selected patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the medial knee compartment. However, insoles are safe and less costly than knee bracing if they relieve pain or improve function. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore asked whether laterally wedged insoles or valgus braces would reduce pain, enhance functional scores, and correct varus malalignment comparable to knee braces. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 91 patients with symptomatic medial compartmental knee OA and randomized to treatment with either a 10-mm laterally wedged insole (index group, n = 45) or a valgus brace (control group, n = 46). All patients were assessed at 6 months. The primary outcome measure was pain severity as measured on a visual analog scale. Secondary outcome measures were knee function score using WOMAC and correction of varus alignment on AP whole-leg radiographs taken with the patient in the standing position. Additionally, we compared the percentage of responders according to the OMERACT-OARSI criteria for both groups. RESULTS: We observed no differences in pain or WOMAC scores between the two groups. Neither device achieved correction of knee varus malalignment in the frontal plane. According to the OMERACT-OARSI criteria, 17% of our patients responded to the allocated intervention. Patients in the insole group complied better with their intervention. Although subgroup analysis results should be translated into practice cautiously, we observed a slightly higher percentage of responders for the insole compared with bracing for patients with mild medial OA. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a laterally wedged insole may be an alternative to valgus bracing for noninvasively treating symptoms of medial knee OA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of level of evidence.

Temporal bone misalignment and motion asymmetry as a cause of vertigo: the craniosacral model.

OBJECTIVE: To describe dysfunction of the craniosacral system, particularly temporal bone motion asymmetry, as a cause of vertigo and to suggest a new perspective on research, diagnosis, and treatment. DATA SOURCES: A database search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINHAL; Health Sources: Nursing/Academic Edition; and the Internet. KEYWORDS: vertigo diagnosis and treatment, craniosacral therapy, temporal bones, cranial bone mobility, Upledger, and temporomandibular disorders. STUDY SELECTION: Articles that most clearly described a relationship between cranial bone misalignment and vertigo were selected for review. CONCLUSION: Clinical experience suggests that craniosacral therapy is a powerful evaluative and treatment modality for vertigo patients who have not found relief from medical treatments. A narrative review of the literature describes and supports a theoretical link between dysfunction of the craniosacral system and vertigo. Dysfunction of the craniosacral system may include osseous, dural membrane, and fascial restrictions leading to asymmetric temporal bone movement and hence vertigo. Clinical trials are necessary not only to verify that craniosacral therapy is an effective treatment but also to determine the full range of symptoms and medical diagnoses for which craniosacral therapy is beneficial.

Introducing the external link model for studying spine fixation and misalignment: part 2, Biomechanical features.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize intervertebral stiffness and alignment changes in the external link model and evaluate it as an experimental mimic for studying the chiropractic subluxation. METHOD: A controlled test-retest design was used to evaluate rats with spine segments linked in 3 alignment configurations and controls that were never linked. Dorsal-to-ventral spine stiffness was measured with a load platform, and flexion/extension misalignment was assessed on lateral radiographs obtained with a spine extension jig. Descriptive statistics were computed for study groups, and multiple linear regression models were used to examine all potential explanatory variables for the response variables "stiffness" and "joint position." RESULTS: Rats tested with links in place had significantly higher dorsal-to-ventral stiffness in the neutral configuration than rats in the flexed configuration. This difference remained after the links were removed. Stiffness after link removal was greater for longer linked periods. Surprisingly, stiffness after link removal was also greater with longer unlinked periods. Longer linked periods also produced greater misalignments during forced spine extension testing. Although link configuration was not a statistically significant predictor of misalignments, longer times after link removal did produce greater misalignments. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the external link model can be a valuable tool for studying the effects of spine fixation and misalignment, 2 cardinal features of what has been historically described as the chiropractic subluxation. Significant residual stiffness and misalignment remained after the links were removed. The progressive course of this lesion is consistent with subluxation theory and clinical chiropractic experience.

Introducing the external link model for studying spine fixation and misalignment: part 1--need, rationale, and applications.

This is the first article in a series introducing a new animal model, the External Link Model that we propose will allow researchers to produce and study spine lesions with the cardinal biomechanical features of the chiropractic subluxation: fixation (hypomobility) and misalignment.

Treatment of nonunited hindfoot fusions.

The management of delayed union and nonunion is complex and is contingent on appropriate diagnosis and classification. Detection techniques and treatment options, including cast immobilization, electrical stimulation, surgical repair, or a combination of regimens, are discussed in this article.

[Use of magnetotherapy for treatment of bone malunion in limb lengthening. Preliminary report]. / Zastosowanie magnetoterapii w leczeniu powiklan zrostu w wydluzaniu kosci. Doniesienie wstepne.

Two children with bone malunion after lengthening of congenitally shortened lower leg have been presented. The crus has been elongation 8 cm by Ilizarov method in 9 years old boy and 5 cm elongation of the tibia has been achieved with the use of Bastiani method in 8 years old girl. In both cases malunion has occurred. The radiographs revealed pseudoarthrosis (the girl, 6 month after operation) and centrally located bony defect (the boy, 2 months postoperatively). In both cases pulse sinusoidal magnetic field was applied successfully with cortical bone and marrow cavity restored in 2 months.