MMP-8 polymorphism is genetic marker to tendinopathy primary posterior tibial tendon.

Posterior tibial tendon is particularly vulnerable and is responsible for much morbidity in sportspersons. Some patients have a predisposition without a clinically recognized cause, suggesting that individual characteristics, inclusive genetic inheritance, play an important role in tendinopathy. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 is a proteinase capable of degrading a large amount of extracellular proteins, and influence degradation and remodeling of collagen. To determine whether the -799 polymorphism in the promoter of MMP-8 gene is associated with tendinopathy in posterior tibial tendon, 50 patients undergoing surgical procedures and anatomopathological diagnosis of degenerative lesions of the posterior tibial tendon and 100 control patients with posterior tibial tendon integrity and without signs of degeneration in magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated for the -799 MMP-8 polymorphism. There was a significant difference in the presence of the different alleles (P = 0.001) and genotype (P = 0.003) between the control group and the test group for the MMP-8 gene. The polymorphism at position -799 of the gene for MMP-8 is associated with tendinopathy primary posterior tibial tendon in the population studied. The results suggest that individuals with the T allele are at greater risk of developing tendinopathy.

ERα PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms in postmenopausal women with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Posterior tibial tendon (PTT) insufficiency is considered as the main cause of adult acquired flat foot and is three times more frequent in females. High estrogen levels exert a positive effect on the overall collagen synthesis in tendons. We have previously demonstrated the association between some genetic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and tendinopathy. In the present study, we investigated the association of PvuII c454-397T>C (NCBI ID: rs2234693) and XbaI c454-351A>G (NCBI ID: rs9340799) SNPs in estrogen receptor alfa (ER-α) gene with PPT dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 92 female subjects with PTT dysfunction, with histopathological examination of the tendon and magnetic resonance image (MRI) evidence of tendinopathy, were compared to 92 asymptomatic females who presented an intact PPT at MRI for PvuII and XbaI SNPs in the ER-α gene. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva and genotypes were obtained by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The analysis of PvuII SNPs showed no significant differences in the frequency of alleles and genotypes between control and PTT dysfunction groups. The XbaI SNPs in the ER-α gene showed significant differences in the frequency of genotypes between control and test groups (p = 0.01; OR 95% 1.14 (0.55-2.33). CONCLUSIONS: The XbaI SNP in the ERα gene may contribute to tendinopathy, and the A/A genotype could be a risk factor for PTT tendinopathy in this population. The PvuII SNP studied was not associated with PTT tendinopathy.

Changes in collagen matrix composition in human posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether tendon degeneration in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction syndrome is associated with changes in extracellular matrix collagen composition. METHODS: Specimens from grossly abnormal tendon regions from 9 patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction syndrome were prepared for routine histology. Collagens I, III and V were typed by immunoblotting and quantified by densitometry after SDS-PAGE. Proline and hydroxyproline residues were determined by liquid chromatography. Four other samples from grossly normal homologous tendon regions and one surgical specimen from a healthy patient undergoing arthrodesis of the ankle after an accident were included as control. RESULTS: In the grossly abnormal surgical posterior tibial tendon specimens we observed three types of histopathologic conditions present to varying degrees: increased mucin content, fibroblast hypercellularity and neovascularization. Analysis of degenerate tendons demonstrated a 79.3% increase in total proline and a 32.4% increase in 4-hydroxyproline. In addition, damaged tissue contained a higher proportion of collagen type III (mean increase: 53.6%) associated with a concomitant increase in type V collagen (mean increase: 26.4%). These alterations were accompanied by a reduction in type I collagen (mean decrease: 41.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In posterior tibial tendon dysfunction syndrome, the degenerative process results from marked changes in both structural organization and molecular composition of matrix collagens. The higher proportion of type V and type IlI collagens in degenerated tendons is likely to contribute to a decrease in the mechanical resistance of the tissue.

Podometry: a critical evaluation of its use in Hansen's disease.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of podometry to measure the pressure developed over the feet and the value of these findings to help in the prevention of the plantar neuropathic ulcer in patients bearing Hansen's disease. We evaluated 13 patients with impaired plantar pain and touch sensations and 17 normal patients. All the patients were submitted to static evaluation using the podometer. The system employed was the "Midcapteur" commercial podometer composed of a platform for acquisition of analogic data capable of registering the segmental pressures applied to the feet. These data are read by a 386 IBM/PC compatible computer that registers the graphic patterns obtained from the pressures developed and also calculates the modes of pressure distribution in the four quadrants of the foot. These data obtained by means of static podometry were compared to the clinical evaluation of pain and touch sensation of the feet in hansenian patients. The results demonstrate that podometery is an efficient method for evaluating the pressure in impaired feet in Hansen's disease and is a progression of neuropathic ulcer; it is sensitive in the identification of the spots of increased pressure in anesthetic and anomalous areas, asymmetries and in correlating the presence of ulcers with increased pressure.

Polirradiculoneuropatia periférica desmielinizante associada ao uso de carbamazepina em cão: relato de caso / Demyelinating peripheral polyradiculoneuropathy associated with the use of carbamazepine in dog: case report

Diversos fármacos são utilizados no tratamento da epilepsia e, assim como outros medicamentos, podem induzir a ocorrência de efeitos adversos, alguns tão graves que geram a necessidade de descontinuidade e substituição da terapia. A carbamazepina pode levar a alterações nos sistemas cardiovascular, respiratório e neurológico, sendo descritos na literatura casos de indução de miastenia gravis como distúrbio neuromuscular. Este estudo relata o caso de um cão que desenvolveu polirradiculoneuropatia desmielinizante, tendo como provável desencadeante a terapia com carbamazepina. O paciente apresentou tetraplegia, ausência de reflexos espinhais nos quatro membros, fraqueza cervical, diminuição do reflexo palpebral bilateral e esforço respiratório. A eletroneuromiografia demonstrou sinais de desmielinização. Este, portanto, é o primeiro relato de associação entre carbamazepina e polirradiculoneuropatia desmielinizante em cão.(AU)

Different drugs are used in the treatment of epilepsy and, like other drugs, may induce the occurrence of adverse effects, some of them so severe that the drug must be discontinued and replaced. Carbamazepine may lead to changes in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems, and cases of induction of myasthenia gravis as a neuromuscular disorder have been described in the literature. This paper reports the case of a dog that developed demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, probably triggered by carbamazepine. The patient presented tetraplegia, absence of spinal reflexes in the four limbs, cervical weakness, decreased bilateral eyelid reflex and respiratory effort. Electroneuromyography showed signs of demyelination. This, therefore, is the first report of association between carbamazepine and demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in dogs.(AU)

Talocalcaneal coalition: diagnosis and surgical management.

The authors studied 22 patients who had 32 feet with symptomatic talocalcaneal coalition. All feet were treated with excision of the bar and interposition of an autogenous free fat graft. These cases were assessed clinically and radiographically before and after the operation. They conclude that this technique is a good surgery with gratifying results. In the final outcome, 78.1% of feet became completely painless and 21.8% achieved relief of pain. There was improvement of the deformity in 68.7% and of range of motion in 75%.

[Ankle arthrodesis: critical analysis of three techniques]. / Artrodese do tornozelo: análise crítica de três técnicas.

The authors analyze the randomized use of three ankle arthrodesis techniques. Indications for this procedure, which are pain, instability, deformity and articular degeneration, are common to the three groups. In group I the Gatellier-Adams technique was used by transfibular approach. In group II the Kenneth-Johnson technique was adopted, using Calandruccio external fixator. The same surgical procedure was adopted in group III, using crossed canulated screws as fixation device. The specific advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. The criteria for evaluation of the results are the final roentgenographic position of the foot and the achievement of union. The critical analysis conclude that the major indications for group I technique are cases of "in situ" arthrodesis, for group II infected cases and for group III cases with severe malalignment.

Avaliaçäo biométrica comparativa entre tálus no pé equinovaro congênito idiopático e no pé artrogripótico / Comparative biometric evaluation between talus in congenital clubfoot and talus in arthrogrypotic foot

Os autores estudaram as medidas biométricas de nove tálus de sete pacientes portadores de artrogripose múltipla congênita com as de nove tálus de oito pacientes com pé eqüinovaro congênito idiopático. Como grupo-controle foram utilizados 12 tálus de seis cadáveres humanos adultos sem deformidades aparentes. Foram avaliados o comprimento, a altura média do corpo, o formato da tróclea, os ângulos do colo com o corpo talar nos planos horizontal e sagital e o peso. Após análise estatística, demonstraram que o tálus no pé artrogripótico tem menor peso, a tróclea menos deformada e o colo menos desviado medialmente que no pé eqüinovaro idiopático.

Otimizaçäo das operaçöes sobre o pé e tornozelo / Optimization of surgical treatment of foot pathology

Os autores propoem um programa de atendimento aos pacientes portadores de patologias do pé, com indicaçao de tratamento cirúrgico, que visa diminuir custos e limitar ao mínimo o tempo de permanência hospitalar. Para isso há necessidade da interaçao das diversas equipes profissionais, tais como assistente social, enfermagem, médicos e familiares. A participaçao médica neste protocolo inclui o emprego do bloqueio anestésico regional e utilizaçao de técnica cirúrgica apropriada. Baseado em 23 casos, a eficácia do programa é analisada e o método, recomendado.