Effect of radial shock wave and ultrasound therapy combined with traditional physical therapy exercises on foot function and dorsiflexion range in plantar fasciitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of radial shock wave and ultrasound therapy combined with traditional physical therapy on foot function and range of motion in chronic plantar fasciitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine participants with chronic plantar fasciitis (25-56 years) were allocated randomly into three groups. Group (A) received ultrasound (US) therapy plus conventional physical therapy exercises (in the form of stretching, strengthening exercise, and deep friction massage), Group (B) received a radial shock wave (RSW) therapy plus conventional physical therapy exercises, and Group (C) received a combination of both RSW and US therapy in addition to conventional physical therapy exercises, with 3 sessions per week for US therapy and one session for RSW therapy, in addition to 45 minutes of exercises for all groups for 4 consecutive weeks. Foot function was assessed using the foot function index (FFI), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using the Baseline® bubble inclinometer at baseline and 4 weeks following treatment. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in the measured outcomes among the groups after treatment. Tukey's honest significant difference post-hoc test demonstrated a highly statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement in the assessed outcomes of group C in the post-intervention settings when compared to the other groups. After 4 weeks of intervention, the mean (SD) of FFI in groups A, B, and C were (64.54±4.91, 61.93±4.17, and 45.16±4.57) respectively, and the active range of motion (ROM) of the ankle dorsiflexion were (35.27±3.22, 36.59±2.91, and 41.85±3.04) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of RSW to US with the conventional physical therapy program improved foot function and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion significantly for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

Correlation between hamstring muscle tightness and incidence of low back pain in female students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed at determining the difference in hamstring tightness between dominant and non-dominant legs and to detect the correlation between LBP and hamstring tightness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred females with hamstring tightness of at least 15 degrees have been included in the study. Hamstring shortening was examined by the Active Knee Extension test (AKE) and Straight Leg Raising test (SLR), whilst the functional disability' degree was measured by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: The straight leg raising and the AKE of the dominant leg were significantly more flexible than the non-dominant ones. There was a weak positive non-significant correlation between ODI and AKE of the dominant side (r = 0.162, p = 0.1) and the non-dominant side (r = 0.071, p = 0.48). There was a weak negative non-significant correlation between ODI and SLR of the dominant side (r = - 0.29, p = 0.77) and the non-dominant side (r = - 0.53, p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: There was no relation between the degree of hamstring tightness and LBP in female students at Jouf University.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a supportive therapy for COVID-19 patients: a narrative review.

The Coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) was first observed to induce fever, dry cough, pneumonia, and dyspnea in the lower respiratory tract. Atypical manifestations, including digestive problems and cardiac symptoms, were also observed. The rate of mortality in the older population is greater than in the younger group, as well as in individuals suffering from comorbidities. Oxygen supplementation through a facemask, non-invasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ECMO are some of the available supportive techniques. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is thought to boost tissue oxygenation by increasing plasma soluble oxygen levels. HBOT also reduces inflammatory responses in COVID-19 patients, minimizing the negative impacts of the cytokine storm. Because the existing data on the efficacy of HBOT in COVID-19 patients is limited, the purpose of this article is to review the possible mechanisms of HBO, as well as data available on potential advantages, side effects and uses in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Endoscopic devascularisation of sphenopalatine bundle in intractable posterior epistaxis: technique, efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate endoscopic cauterisation of the sphenopalatine neurovascular bundle, as treatment for intractable posterior epistaxis, with regard to efficacy, safety and post-operative sequelae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study reviewed 42 patients with severe posterior epistaxis who were treated with endoscopic cauterisation of the sphenopalatine neurovascular bundle, over a 17-month period. RESULTS: Hypertension and hepatic disease were present as predisposing factors in 66.7 and 35.7 per cent of patients, respectively. Branching of the sphenopalatine artery at its foramen was present in more than 85 per cent of patients. The success rate was 100 per cent, with no recurrent epistaxis in the follow-up period. Severe nasal dryness was present in only four patients (9.5 per cent); hypoaesthesia was found in the nasal mucosa of eight patients, without any patient complaints. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic sphenopalatine neurovascular bundle cauterisation is an effective treatment for refractory posterior epistaxis. In this study, neurovascular bundle cauterisation did not cause any neurological deficits or major complications.