Effects of Eccentric Versus Concentric Strengthening in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Subacromial pain syndrome (SPS) is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Therapeutic exercise is the first-line treatment for SPS; however, the ideal exercise type remains unclear. Here, we compared the effects of eccentric and concentric strengthening in patients with SPS. HYPOTHESIS: Adding isolated eccentric strengthening to a multimodal physiotherapy program (MPP) would lead to greater improvements in outcomes compared with either MPP alone or adding isolated concentric strengthening to the MPP. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: A total of 45 patients were randomized to eccentric strengthening (ESG), concentric strengthening (CSG), and control (CG) groups; all groups received the MPP. The strengthening groups also performed group-specific strengthening. Shoulder pain, abduction and external rotation (ER) strength, joint position sense (JPS), the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were collected at baseline, after 12 weeks of treatment, and at week 24. RESULTS: For CMS, ESG exhibited a greater, but not clinically meaningful, improvement than CSG and CG (P < 0.05). Eccentric abduction strength increased in ESG compared with CG. From baseline to follow-up, abduction strength increased in ESG compared with CSG and CG. Eccentric abduction strength increased in CSG compared with CG. JPS at abduction improved in the ESG compared with CG. Other between-group comparisons were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In SPS, eccentric strengthening provided added benefits, improving shoulder abduction strength and JPS at abduction, and was superior to concentric strengthening for improving shoulder abduction strength. Neither strengthening approach had an additional effect on shoulder function, pain, ER strength, or rotational JPS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians could implement eccentric strengthening as a motor control retraining for strength and proprioception gain rather than for pain relief and reducing disability.

Novel Posterior Shoulder Stretching With Rapid Eccentric Contraction and Static Stretching in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: In subacromial pain syndrome (SPS), it is unknown whether posterior shoulder stretching exercises (PSSE) with rapid eccentric contraction, a muscle energy technique, improve clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes more than no stretching or static PSSE. HYPOTHESIS: PSSE with rapid eccentric contraction is superior to no stretching and static PSSE in improving clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes in SPS. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1. METHODS: Seventy patients with SPS and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit were randomized into the modified cross-body stretching with rapid eccentric contraction group (EMCBS; n = 24), static MCBS group (SMCBS; n = 23), or control group (CG; n = 23). In addition to 4-week physical therapy, EMCBS received PSSE with rapid eccentric contraction, SMCBS static PSSE, and CG no PSSE. The primary outcome was internal rotation range of motion (ROM). Secondary outcomes were posterior shoulder tightness, external rotation ROM (ERROM), pain, modified Constant-Murley score, short form of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire (QuickDASH), rotator cuff strength, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), supraspinatus tendon thickness, and supraspinatus tendon occupation ratio (STOR). RESULTS: Shoulder mobility, pain, function and disability, strength, AHD, and STOR improved in all groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with SPS, PSSE with rapid eccentric contraction and static PSSE were superior to no stretching in improving clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes. Stretching with rapid eccentric contraction was not superior to static stretching, but improved ERROM compared with no stretching. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In SPS, both PSSE with rapid eccentric contraction and static PSSE included in physical therapy program are beneficial to improve posterior shoulder mobility and other clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes. In the case of ERROM deficiency, rapid eccentric contraction might be preferred.

A Novel Plate for Vertical Shear Fractures of Medial Malleolus: A Biomechanical Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate and compare stiffness and the load to failure values of our novel medial malleolus compression plate (MP) and 3,5mm 1/3 tubular plate (TP) in the treatment of vertical shear fractures of medial malleolar fractures. METHODS: Fourteen identical synthetic third generation composite polyurethane bone models of right distal tibia were randomly separated into two groups. Fracture models were created with a custom-made osteotomy guide to provide the same fracture characteristics in every sample (AO OTA type 44A2). Fractures were reduced and novel medial malleolus compression plate was applied to bone models in MP group and tubular plate was applied to TP group. All samples were evaluated biomechanically, force/displacement and the load to failure values were recorded. RESULTS: The force required to create displacement in MP group was twice of that of the TP group. There was a significant difference between two groups in all amounts of displacement (p = .006, p = .005, p = .007 and .015 for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of vertical shear fractures of the medial malleolus, the strength of fixation with the novel medial malleolar compression plate is biomechanically higher than the one-third semi-tubular plate.

The test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of performance-based task tests in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The measurement tool used for an accurate balance assessment should produce valid and reliable results in the population in which it is used. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether two performance-based task tests are a reliable and valid measurement test to assess balance in patients with early and advanced knee osteoarthritis (KO). DESIGN: Reliability and concurrent validity research. METHOD: Test-retest reliability by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the first and second trial periods of performance-based task tests (Alternate Step Test & Pen Pick up Test); their correlations with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) were calculated and their concurrent validity in balance assessment were examined. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (75% women, 25% men, mean 59 ± 10 years) with KO, 50 early (54 ± 7 years, 34 women, 16 men) and 50 advanced (64 ± 9 years, 41 women, 9 men), participated in the study. The ICC values for the Alternate Step Test (AST) and Pen Pick up Test (PPT) in patients with early KO are 0.881 (0.747-0.939, 95% confidence intervals) and 0.815 (0.689-0.892, 95% confidence intervals), respectively, while it is 0.852 (0.752-0.913, 95% confidence intervals) and 0.861 (0.756-0.922, 95% confidence intervals) in patients with advanced KO. Pearson correlation coefficient between AST & PPT times and TUGT time in patients with early and advanced KO was in the range of 0.535-0.746 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both task tests are reliable and valid clinical measurement tests that can be used to assess balance in patients with both early and advanced KO.

The test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of 360° turn test in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine whether the 360° turn test is a reliable and valid evaluator that can be used to assess dynamic balance in patients with early (radiographic grades I and II) and advanced (radiographic grades III and IV) knee osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a methodological research. For the test time and step count of 360° turn test; test-retest reliability were determined by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient and concurrent validity in patients with knee osteoarthritis was investigated by correlation with the timed up and go test time. RESULTS: The final analysis was made on 117 participants. The intraclass correlation coefficient values for the test time and step count of 360° turn test in patients with early knee osteoarthritis are 0.931 and 0.902, respectively, while they are 0.923 and 0.943 in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the time and step count of 360° turn test and the test time of the timed up and go test in patients with early knee osteoarthritis, respectively; while they are 0.547 and 0.388, the correlation in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis are 0.697 and 0.700, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The 360° turn test is a evaluator that has excellent test-retest reliability and moderate to strong concurrent validity in patients with both early and advanced knee osteoarthritis and can be used in the assessment of dynamic balance in this population.

Biomechanical Comparison of a Closed-Loop Double Endobutton to a Lag Screw in Fixation of Posterior Malleolar Fractures.

Anteroposterior (AP) lag screw, posteroanterior (PA) lag screw, or posterior buttress plate are usually performed for posterior malleolar fixation, but the biomechanically strongest technique is unclear. The aim of our study was to biomechanically compare 3 different fixation methods for posterior malleolar fractures; AP lag screw, PA lag screw, and closed-loop double endobutton. Fracture models were created using a thin blade power saw after drawing the fracture line. The resultant fracture involved 30% of the joint on the distal tibial joint surface and extends with an angulation of approximately 50 degrees using 15 tibia composite bone samples. After anatomical reduction, fixation was achieved with 3.5 mm cortical screw in PA direction and in AP direction for group PA and AP, respectively. In Group DL, fixation was achieved with a closed-loop double endobutton (double lift loop, Orthomed, Turkey). The highest compression force to generate all displacement amounts was required for the double loop group (Group DL). The strongest fixation against compression was a double loop. The PA group was the second strongest fixation, and the AP group was the biomechanically weakest among these 3 fixation techniques. The closed-loop double endobutton technique was found biomechanically superior to anterior to posterior or posterior to anterior screw fixation techniques for posterior malleolar fracture.

Active heel-slide exercise therapy facilitates the functional and proprioceptive enhancement following total knee arthroplasty compared to continuous passive motion.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare active heel-slide exercise (AHSE) + standard physiotherapy (PT) to continuous passive motion (CPM) + standard PT during inpatient rehabilitation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients in terms of postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned into AHSE or CPM groups. Both groups received standard PT (range of motion and strengthening exercises, and ambulation) during hospital stay. Patients were evaluated regarding functional outcomes, knee proprioception, pain intensity, active range of motion, knee circumference, length of hospital stay, time for achieving straight leg raise actively, time for achieving 70° knee flexion. RESULTS: Groups were similar at baseline (n.s.). At discharge, AHSE group was better in terms of pain intensity (p < 0.001), Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (p = 0.001), rise from sitting (p = 0.015), ascend/descend stairs (p = 0.038), and timed up and go test (p = 0.028) compared to CPM group. AHSE group was able to perform the straight leg raise earlier than CPM group during inpatient period (p = 0.001) and demonstrated improved proprioception at discharge and at 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05). No statistical differences were detected between groups in other evaluation parameters (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Our findings support AHSE therapy offers a more functional rehabilitation and leads beneficial results for patients following TKA. Therefore, active exercise approach encouraging patients to participate in their rehabilitation should be first choice in acute postoperative rehabilitation following TKA rather than CPM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

The Effect of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Trigger Finger.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on the treatment of trigger finger. Methods Eighteen patients, who were 2nd grade according to Quinnel classification and diagnosed with trigger finger, were included in this prospective cohort clinical study. The study consisted of only the experimental group and no control group. Eighteen patients with trigger fingers were applied to ten sessions, twice a week, for five weeks of rESWT (2000 impulses, 2 bar, 10 Hz). Pain scores (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), general functional capacity (Quick-DASH), range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength were evaluated before treatment, after treatment, and three months after the treatment. Results Evaluation of ten sessions of rESWT that applied twice a week, for five weeks, was made before treatment, after treatment, and three months after the treatment. Statistical analyses were performed with the Friedman test. As a result of the analyses, there was a decrease in the pain levels (p < 0.001) and increase in general functional capacity, grip strength and pinch strength (p < 0.001), and range of motion (p < 0.001; p < 0.005). After the treatment and after three months, all outcome measures showed statistically significant improvements. Conclusion rESWT is an effective method to decrease pain severity and improve general functional capacity, range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength in patients with trigger finger. We concluded that the treatment of rESWT might be a non-invasive option to treat the trigger finger. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to provide more evidence of this treatment.

Comparison of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Using Two Different Frequencies.

Objective To compare results of two different frequencies and densities of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) after 10 sessions. Methods A total of 41 patients with plantar fasciitis were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups were administered 10 sessions of treatment consisting of 15 Hz frequency, 3.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses/ session for the 1st group, and 10 Hz frequency, 2.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses/ session for the 2nd group. Visual analog scale (VAS) and a modification of the clinical rating system of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) were used for outcome measurement. The patients were assessed before treatment and followed up four weeks, and 12 weeks after end of treatment. Results Mean VAS scores were reduced after rESWT from 7.52 ± 2.34 (mean ± SEM) at baseline to 0.57 ± 0.68 at 12 weeks in the 1st group and from 6.45 ± 2.04 at baseline to 0.40 ± 0.60 at 12 weeks in the 2nd group. Similar changes were found for mean AOFAS scores from baseline after rESWT but were not observed significance between groups. Conclusion There is no significant different effect between the two treatment groups' results.

An Unusual Presentation of Insert Dislocation and MCL Rupture in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement with 2 Years Postoperative Results: Does It Functional?

According to our knowledge, there is no prior article that reports functional results of medial collateral ligament (MCL) primary repair and insert change after MCL rupture and mobile-bearing dislocation as a late complication of unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). Firstly, 63-year-old woman was treated with UKR due to anteromedial knee osteoarthritis of the right knee joint. 1 year after UKR surgery, she suffered from MCL rupture and mobile-bearing dislocation because of falls while getting on a public bus, and therefore, secondly, she was operated with MCL primary repair and mobile-bearing change and followed up for 2 years. The patient was evaluated regarding functional capacity, pain intensity, range of motion (RoM), and quality of life. Our case showed an improvement in the functional level and the other outcomes (pain intensity and quality of life) at postoperative 2nd year when compared to the preoperative period. The wellbeing of our case in about the postop 2nd year functional capacity and also other outcomes after revision surgery prompted us to continue to this surgery approach in the surgical management of similar cases that may arise thereafter.

The impact of medial cuneiform bone variant measures on the severity of hallux valgus: A radiological study.

PURPOSE: The aetiology of hallux valgus (HV) is multifactorial in nature. The first metatarsocuneiform joint obliquity is a well-known factor in the development of the deformity. The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation of different medial cuneiform radiological measures on the severity of HV. METHODS: Full weight-bearing anteroposterior views of 152 feet with different clinical severity are divided into four groups: without deformity and with mild, moderate and severe deformities. Three medial cuneiform angles were assessed, namely, the first metatarsocuneiform angle (MCA), the first metatarsocuneiform slope angle (MCSA) and the medial cuneiform lateral tilt angle (MCLTA). RESULTS: The first MCA average values of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were (25.16 ± 5.74°, 27.38 ± 6.14°, 30.27 ± 5.62° and 34.28 ± 6.81°), respectively. Statistical differences were detected between groups (1, 3) and (1, 4) with p values of 0.034 and 0.001, respectively. The average values of the first MCSA of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 19.26 ± 4.97°, 22.54 ± 5.62°, 26.13 ± 6.36° and 32.17 ± 5.85°, respectively. Significant differences were detected between groups (1, 3) and (1, 4) with p values of 0.04 and 0.023, respectively. Average values of the MCLTA of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 80.85 ± 4.49°, 74.56 ± 5.28°, 62.38 ± 6.34° and 58.78 ± 6.25°, respectively. Statistical significances were detected between groups (1, 2), (1, 3) and (1, 4) with p values of 0.026, 0.018 and 0.001, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the medial cuneiform lateral tilt increases the first metatarsocuneiform articulation obliquity demonstrated by the increase in the first MCSA which in term enhances the progression of varus deformity of the first metatarsal bone explained by the increase in the first MCA.

The assessment of portal-tract healing after knee arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the pattern of portal-tract healing, to compare the healing time of anteromedial and anterolateral portal tracts and to assess the impact of portal-tract delayed healing on the post-operative sub-acute and chronic anterior knee tenderness. METHODS: The study included 104 patients (68 males and 36 females; mean age: 49 ± 3.16 years (range; 17-66)) who have undergone knee arthroscopy. Puncture wounds were divided into two groups, (1) anteromedial and (2) anterolateral groups. Each group contained 104 portal-tracts. Healing of portal tracts was evaluated using sequential superficial ultrasonographic examinaitons. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure pain related to delayed tract healing and its association with the post-operative sub-acute and chronic anterior knee tenderness. RESULTS: Anteromedial and anterolateral tracts total healing time average values were 47 days and 28 days respectively. The VAS average values of anteromedial tracts after 2 weeks, one month, three months, six months and one year were 8.2, 6.3, 4, 1.9 and 0.6 respectively, and for the anterolateral tracts 7.4, 5.5, 2.8, 1.2 and 0.2 respectively. A statistical significance was detected between the two groups at the first and third months with P values 0.042 and 0.0035 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Anteromedial tracts closed later than anterolateral tracts. Both portal-tracts delayed closure is a potential for post-operative sub-acute and chronic anterior knee tenderness after arthroscopic surgery. Four grades of tract healing were recognized. Portal-tract ultrasonography is advised in persistent post-operative sub-acute and chronic anterior knee tenderness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study.

A novel anatomical patellar plate for transverse patellar fracture - A biomechanical in-vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and stability of our novel anatomical patella plate and to compare its stability with tension band-wire technique. METHODS: A total of 12 cadaveric preserved knees (six right and six left patellae) with close patellar size were chosen to form two groups of six samples. Each group received either plate or tension band-wiring fixation for an experimentally created patella fracture. Cyclic load of an average of 350 N was applied for all specimens and after accomplishing 50 cycles the displacements of all fracture edges were recorded. RESULTS: After completing 50 cycles in each group, the average fracture edges displacement measured in the plate group was 1.98 ± 0.299 mm, whereas the average fracture edges displacement measured in the tension band-wire group was 2.85 ± 0.768 mm (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: In the operative treatment of displaced transverse patellar fractures, the strength of fixation obtained by titanium curved plates is highly stronger when compared to the fixation with a tension band-wire technique. Fixation with titanium curved plates provides satisfactory stability at the fracture site which allow withstanding the cyclic loads during the postoperative rehabilitation.

Iatrogenic lateral meniscus anterior horn injury in different tibial tunnel placement techniques in ACL reconstruction surgery - A cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of tibial tunnel positioning in single bundle and double bundle ACL reconstructions on lateral meniscus anterior root. MATERIALS: Twelve single knee cadavers were used, 6 for a single bundle ACL reconstruction, which were reamed gradually starting from 8 mm, 9 mm and ended with a 10 mm reamers, while the other 6 were prepared for a double bundle ACL reconstruction in which 7 mm reamer for the AM tunnel and 6 mm reamer for the PL tunnel were used. After drilling, changes of lengths and thicknesses of anterior horns of the lateral menisci were recorded. RESULTS: Before drilling, the groups were homogenous for the lateral menisci dimensions. After drilling, no statistically significant difference was noticed between the two groups. However, in single bundle group, 2 anterior horns width injury (1.44 mm and 2.13 mm) with the 9 mm reamer and 3 anterior horns width injury (2.51 mm, 3.55 mm and 4.28 mm) with the 10 mm reamer were recorded. However in double bundle group a single anterior horn width injury (2.82 mm) was recorded. CONCLUSION: Using a greater size reamer in single bundle reconstruction, causes a relatively higher risk of lateral meniscal anterior root injury. Lateral meniscus stability should be examined arthroscopically after reaming with large reamers.

The Mechanical Effect of Rod Contouring on Rod-Screw System Strength in Spine Fixation.

OBJECTIVE: Rod-screw fixation systems are widely used for spinal instrumentation. Although many biomechanical studies on rod-screw systems have been carried out, but the effects of rod contouring on the construct strength is still not very well defined in the literature. This work examines the mechanical impact of straight, 20° kyphotic, and 20° lordotic rod contouring on rod-screw fixation systems, by forming a corpectomy model. METHODS: The corpectomy groups were prepared using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene samples. Non-destructive loads were applied during flexion/extension and torsion testing. Spine-loading conditions were simulated by load subjections of 100 N with a velocity of 5 mm min(-1), to ensure 8.4-Nm moment. For torsional loading, the corpectomy models were subjected to rotational displacement of 0.5° s(-1) to an end point of 5.0°, in a torsion testing machine. RESULTS: Under both flexion and extension loading conditions the stiffness values for the lordotic rod-screw system were the highest. Under torsional loading conditions, the lordotic rod-screw system exhibited the highest torsional rigidity. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the lordotic rod-screw system was the most rigid among the systems tested and the risk of rod and screw failure is much higher in the kyphotic rod-screw systems. Further biomechanical studies should be attempted to compare between different rod kyphotic angles to minimize the kyphotic rod failure rate and to offer a more stable and rigid rod-screw construct models for surgical application in the kyphotic vertebrae.

Measurement of regional trabecular bone attenuation of the knee following anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine regional trabecular bone attenuation changes of the knee using computed tomography after anterior cruciate ligament rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty one patients'-computed tomography images of the injured knees were used to measure trabecular bone attenuation in seven predetermined regions. RESULTS: Trabecular bone attenuation at four of seven regions (anteromedial area of the proximal tibia, anterolateral area of the proximal tibia, posteromedial area of the proximal tibia, and posterocentral area of the proximal tibia) was negatively correlated with the duration after injury. Independent negative correlation between the duration after injury and the density in anteromedial area of the proximal tibia was detected. CONCLUSIONS: After anterior cruciate ligament injury, trabecular bone attenuation of the knee decreases by time in certain regions of proximal tibia. Anteromedial region is the most significantly effected of all, which it is the anterior cruciate ligament fixation area.

Mechanical Comparison of Headless Screw Fixation and Locking Plate Fixation for Talar Neck Fractures.

For talar neck fractures, open reduction and internal fixation have been thought to facilitate revascularization and prevent osteonecrosis. Newer screw systems allow for placement of cannulated headless screws, which provide compression by virtue of a variable pitch thread. The present study compared the biomechanical fixation strength of cannulated headless variable-pitch screw fixation and locking plate fixation. A reproducible talar neck fracture was created in 14 fresh cadaver talar necks. Talar head fixation was then performed using 2 cannulated headless variable-pitch 4-mm/5-mm diameter (4/5) screws (Acutrak; Acumed, Hillsboro, OR) and locking plate fixation. Headless variable-pitch screw fixation had lower failure displacement than did locking plate fixation. No statistically significant differences were found in failure stiffness, yield stiffness (p = .655), yield load (p = .142), or ultimate load between the 2 fixation techniques. Cannulated headless variable-pitch screw fixation resulted in better failure displacement than locking plate fixation in a cadaveric talus model and could be considered a viable option for talus fracture fixation. Headless, fully threaded, variable-pitch screw fixation has inherent advantages compared with locking plate fixation, because it might cause less damage to the articular surface and can compress the fracture for improved reduction. Additionally, plate fixation can increase the risk of avascular necrosis owing to the wider incision and dissection of soft tissues.

The effects of tibiofibularis anterior ligaments on ankle joint biomechanics.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of anterior inferior tibiofibularis ligament (AITFL) deficient human ankle under axial loading of ankle at stance phase of gait. In order to investigate the contribution of AITFL to ankle stability, an in vitro sequential experimental setup was simulated. METHODS: The measurement of posterior displacement of distal tibia and anterior displacement of the foot, in neutral position, secondary to axial compression, was performed by two non-contact video extensometers. Eight freshly frozen, anatomically intact, cadaveric human ankle specimens were included and tested. An axial compression test machine was utilized from 0 to 800 Newtonswith a loading speed of 5 mm/min in order to simulate the axial weight-bearing sequence of the ankle at stance phase of human gait. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between anteroposterior displacement values for AITFL-Intact and AITFL-Dissected specimens (p≤0.05). Mean AITFL-Intact and mean AITFL-Dissected ankle anteroposterior displacement was 1.28±0.47 mm and 2.06±0.7 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study determined some numerical and quantitative data about the biomechanical properties of AITFL in neutral foot position. In the emergency department, diagnosis and treatment of AITFL injury, due to ankle distortion, is important. In AITFL injuries, ankle biomechanics is affected, and ankle instability occurs.

The BstUI and DpnII Variants of the COL5A1 Gene Are Associated With Tennis Elbow.

BACKGROUND: Tennis elbow entails pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle. The exact cause of the condition is not fully understood. Type V collagen is a minor fibrillar collagen that intercalates with type I collagen and forms collagen fibrils. It is encoded by the COL5A1 gene. Sequence variants within COL5A1 3'-UTR have been implicated in musculoskeletal diseases. PURPOSE: To determine whether rs12722 (BstUI C414T polymorphism) and rs13946 (DpnII C230T polymorphism) of the COL5A1 gene are associated with an increased risk of tennis elbow. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 152 patients with tennis elbow and 195 healthy participants were enrolled in this study. The rs12722 (BstUI C414T) and rs13946 (DpnII C230T) polymorphisms were investigated with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in both BstUI and DpnII genotype frequencies between patients with tennis elbow and healthy participants. The A2 allele of BstUI and the B1 allele of DpnII were significantly underrepresented in the patient group. CONCLUSION: Individuals with the BstUI A1 allele and DpnII B2 allele of the COL5A1 gene have a high likelihood of developing symptoms of the tennis elbow. This is the first study reporting that rs12722 and rs13946 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) are genetic risk factors for tennis elbow.

The effect of inclination angle on the strength of vertical mattress configuration for meniscus repair.

PURPOSE: Vertical mattress configuration is the strongest of all other configurations and the repairing devices of meniscus repair. The purpose was whether increasing the inclination angle between two strands of the vertical mattress configuration by increasing the amount of meniscus tissue captured would enhance the initial strength of the construction. METHODS: A 2-cm long anteroposterior vertical longitudinal incision was created in two groups of bovine medial menisci. In the first group, the distance between the two vertical suture strands and the vertical horizontal sutures on the capsular side of the meniscal lesion was 2 mm (Group 1). In the second group, the distance was 5 mm (Group 2). The following repair specimens underwent cyclic loading prior to loading the failure testing. The endpoints included ultimate failure load (N), stiffness (N/mm) and cyclic displacement (mm) after the 100 cycles and the mode of failure. RESULTS: Group 1 (2 mm) (90.7 (±19.9) N) had lower ultimate load than Group 2 (5 mm) (120.8 (±24.5)) (P < 0.05). Stiffness and displacements during the cycling were not different between the groups (n.s.). All specimens failed by suture rupture. CONCLUSION: Increased inclination angle with increased distance between the two vertical suture strands on the capsular side of the meniscal lesion resulted in higher failure load compared to control group with lower inclination angle and distance on the capsular side.