Targeting the Gut Microbiome for Inflammation and Pain Management in Orthopedic Conditions.

The human gut microbiome can be altered with probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and anti-inflammatory foods and spices as part of an evidence-based strategy that targets inflammation and pain in common orthopedic conditions. Implementing these strategies avoids adverse effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and minimizes the potential for opioid use. This review focuses exclusively on human trials studying the effects of gut microbiome alterations to address pain and inflammatory markers in common orthopedic conditions: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures/osteoporosis, and bone pain associated with chemotherapy. Individualized supplementation strategies can be further explored with the information in this review. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(5):e226-e234.].

An Update on Physical Therapy Adjuncts in Orthopedics.

Physical therapy is a necessary part of the recovery process after most orthopedic procedures. Effective treatment, patient satisfaction, and financial reimbursement hinge on the successful implementation of both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Evidence-based practice and open communication between therapists and orthopedic surgeons continue to form the foundation of patient care. The aim of this paper is to familiarize orthopedic surgeons with the relevant data behind some of the recent advances in rehabilitation adjuncts to better address the needs of our patients. Although each intervention has been found to be relatively safe, high-quality evidence is still sparse. Opportunities exist for improved outcomes with further well-designed studies to investigate the role of these therapy modalities among orthopedic patients.