The effect of shear-wave elastography on functional results and muscle stiffness in patients undergoing non-selective and selective open kinetic chain exercises.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effect of shear-wave elastography (SWE) on vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle performances and functional outcomes of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) undergoing non-selective open kinetic chain exercises (NSOKCE) and selective open kinetic chain exercises (SOKCE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized-controlled clinical trial included a total of 40 patients with PFPS (20 males, 20 females; mean age 46.5±9.8 years, range, 27 to 65 years) and 40 healthy controls (20 males, 20 females; mean age 36.3±11.2 years, range, 23 to 71) between February 2013 and August 2014. The participants in each group were randomized into subgroups according to NSOKCE or SOKCE for six weeks. The VMO and VL muscles were assessed with the SWE, thigh circumferences were measured, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Lysholm Knee Scale (LKS) scores were obtained. RESULTS: The OKCE alleviated pain, improved LKS scores, and increased the thigh circumference in PFPS patients. While the healthy controls were able to increase the resting muscle tone of their VMO, the patients with PFPS failed in their both knees. Similarly, resting as well as contracted VMO and VL muscles' functions were improved significantly by both NSOKCE and SOKCE in the healthy controls. The NSOKCE improved the VAS scores in the PFPS group. The increase in the muscle mass of the affected sides of PFPS patients were more evident with NSOKCE. CONCLUSION: Our study results show that NSOKCE planning can be preferred over SOKCE, thanks to its contribution to pain improvement and increase in the thigh circumference in the conservative treatment of PFPS.

Patella infera or patellar tendon adherence after high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Alterations in patellar height after high tibial osteotomy are found in many instances. Fibrosis of the tendon is implicated as the cause of the mechanism of patella lowering. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the position of the patella and the histopathological findings at the patellar tendon after high tibial osteotomy. METHODS: Nineteen knees in seventeen patients who were consecutively hospitalised for implant extraction are studied. All of the patients had previously undergone closing wedge osteotomy by the same surgeon at the same department. The median follow-up time is 15 months (range: 11-35). Five patients who all underwent high tibial osteotomy at the same time are also included in the study as a control group for histopathological evaluation. All of the patients are evaluated radiologically, patellar tendon biopsies are taken during the operation, and histopathological analyses are performed. RESULTS: The shortening of the patellar tendon is statistically significant (P < 0.05). The severity of the vascularisation, inflammation, and fibrotic change observed at the distal part of the tendon is evident. However, there is no statistically significant correlation between these findings and the degree of shortening. CONCLUSIONS: The shortening of the tendon occurs as a result of adherence in the distal part of the tendon. It would appear that it is this shortening that causes the difficulties encountered during arthroplasty surgery of osteotomy patients, and not patella infera.

Shear wave elastography properties of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis obliquus muscles in normal subjects and female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to define and compare the mechanical properties of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis obliquus muscles (VMO) by the way of quantitative shear-wave elastography in male and female healthy control (HC) subjects, and in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two healthy volunteers (11 male and 11 female) and 11 female patients with anterior knee pain were included in the study. The SWE examinations for VL and VMO were performed while the subjects were performing open kinetic chain exercises in neutral and 30° hip abduction. The contraction capacity (CC) and contraction ratio (CR) values were determined in resting and contraction phases in both hip positions. RESULTS: The mean elasticity values in the CC for VL and VMO muscles were significantly higher in male HC subjects when compared to female HC subjects (p < 0.05). The CR of the VL muscle in female patients with PFPS was not significantly different than the female HC group. The CR for the VMO muscle was significantly lower in female patients with PFPS when compared to female HC subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant VMO weakness, and this method may provide quantitative data that might influence the diagnosis of muscle weakness, in female patients with PFPS.

[Isolated tuberculous tenosynovitis of the Achilles tendon: a report of two cases]. / Asil tendonunda izole tüberküloz tenosinovit: Iki olgu sunumu.

Tuberculous tenosynovitis involving the tendons of the feet is very rare. Isolated primary tuberculous tenosynovitis of the Achilles tendon was detected in two women aged 19 and 53 years, respectively. The younger patient had a swollen and painful Achilles tendon in the left foot. Complete excision of the lesion followed by antituberculous chemotherapy for six months resulted in complete improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging showed normal findings at the end of six months and no recurrence after 27 months of follow-up. The older patient had diabetes and was on cytostatic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. She had difficulty in squatting and climbing stairs due to swelling and pain in the right ankle. She underwent abscess drainage and excision of the cystic mass. Despite disappearance of symptoms in the affected ankle in the course of antituberculous chemotherapy, she died due to miliary tuberculosis in the sixth month. Tuberculous tenosynovitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients suffering from persistent swelling and pain in the hind foot.

[Radiologic evaluation of shoulder instability: conventional radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging]. / Omuz instabilitesinde görüntüleme yöntemleri: radyografi, bilgisayarli tomografi ve manyetik rezonans görüntüleme.

Glenohumeral instability remains a very complex and sometimes challenging diagnostic problem. In most patients, the diagnosis relies mainly on history and physical examination. Radiologic studies provide further information about associated lesions. Although the initial imaging modality for any shoulder condition should be routine radiographs, additional imaging modalities are utilized to evaluate treatment options and prognosis. Computed tomography arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging provide valuable information. However, magnetic resonance arthrography may be required in cases in which it is uniquely appropriate for its multiplanar capability and excellent soft tissue contrast.

Evaluation of patellar height and measurement methods after valgus high tibial osteotomy.

Several controversies exist regarding the surgical difficulties and the results of total knee arthroplasty performed after failed valgus high tibial osteotomy (HTO), and the main subject is the change in patellar height that results as patella baja or infera. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate patellar height after valgus HTO and the measurement methods that were actually used. Eighty-five knees that were subjected to valgus HTO were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively according to the Insall-Salvati Index (ISI), Blackburne-Peel Index (BPI), and Caton Index (CI) to assess any alteration of patellar tendon height that was present. All cases underwent closing wedge osteotomy with three staples or plate internal fixation and were allowed early range of motion. Significant decrease in mean patellar height ratios was detected according to all three indexes at 85 months of mean follow-up. The percentages of the decrease were 8.26% in ISI, 9.08% in BPI, and 6.34% in CI. Two knees showed patella infera according to ISI, one according to BPI and three according to CI. There were no significant correlations between the indexes and clinical status of the patients. Elevation of patella relative to the femur in closing wedge valgus HTO procedure due to the shortening of the segment between tibial tuberosity and joint line is normally expected. A significant decrease in patellar height according to ISI suggests that there should be patellar tendon shortening as patellar height cannot be changed. BPI and CI for determining patellar height in valgus HTO do not accurately measure the alteration of patella because they may affect the tibial inclination and antero-posterior translation of the proximal fragment. Another measuring system based on femoral reference points should be proposed to determine the exact change of patellar height in the valgus HTO procedure.

Medial meniscus anterior horn cyst: arthroscopic decompression.

Meniscus cysts are mostly seen with meniscus tears, and arthroscopic decompression of cysts is gaining great importance in their treatment. In this study, we present a medial meniscus anterior horn cyst without an accompanying tear in the meniscus. A 33-year-old male patient was seen with pain and a palpable mass in his right knee. He complained that the severity of the pain had increased over the previous year. After the clinical and radiologic examinations, a painless, fixed soft tissue mass averaging 4 x 5 cm was located just medial to tuberositas tibia. The cyst was decompressed arthroscopically. In the 18th month of follow up, the mass had totally disappeared and the patient had no pain. Medial meniscus cysts are seen nine times fewer than lateral meniscus cysts. They are mostly accompanied with meniscal tears. Total meniscectomy with arthrotomy, isolated cyst excision, cyst excision, and partial meniscectomy with arthrotomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with cyst decompression are treatment modalities. Arthroscopic meniscal cyst decompression is an important treatment choice and should always be taken into consideration with low morbidity, short recovery period, low recurrence rate, preservation of range of motion, and permission for early mobilization and rehabilitation of the joint.

Calcification of the patellar tendon after ACL reconstruction. A case report with long-term follow-up.

Extensive calcification of the patellar tendon following ACL reconstruction with central-third bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft is a rarely seen complication. A 45-year-old male patient underwent combined intraarticular reconstruction of ACL with 1/3 central patellar bone-tendon-bone graft and extraarticular reconstruction with modified MacIntosh technique. Two cm of calcification of the patellar tendon was observed incidentally when he underwent a high tibial osteotomy due to medial compartment degeneration, secondary to varus malalignment, 18 months after the ACL surgery. The calcification, being painless, was left untouched during the surgery. At the final examination, 136 months postoperatively, the patient still had no complaint relating to the patellar tendon.

[The value of acromioplasty in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome]. / Akromiyoplastinin subakromiyal sikisma sendromundaki yeri.

Although acromioplasty is widely used in the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome, there is some controversy about the role of acromion morphology in the etiology. The acromion and the coracoacromial ligament provide passive stabilization against upward migration of the humeral head and play an important role in shoulder biomechanics. This article discusses relevant issues on subacromial impingement syndrome pertaining to the acromion and the value of acromioplasty in the treatment.

[Suprascapular nerve entrapment by a ganglion cyst: a case report]. / Bir olguda supraskapular sinirin ganglion kisti ile tuzak nöropatisi.

A twenty-two-year-old male patient presented with complaints of muscle atrophy and shoulder pain. Clinical and radiological studies showed a ganglion cyst near the spinoglenoid notch and a diagnosis of compression of the inferior branch of the suprascapular nerve was made. Following open excision of the cyst by a posterior approach, the patient's complaints subsided. A year after the operation recurrence of the lesion was detected. Arthroscopic control showed no intrarticular lesion. The patient still experiences minimal pain from time to time.