Changes in the sensorimotor system and semitendinosus muscle morphometry after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the time course of sensorimotor integration processes involved in balance capability during 1-year follow-up after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. To evaluate whether an association exists between balance performance and semitendinosus muscle morphometry features. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (mean age 29.6 ± 10.8 years) were prospectively followed with stabilometry and ultrasound at 3 months (T0), 6 months (T1), and 1 year (T2) after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Body sway and sensorimotor integration processes were evaluated by calculating the percentage difference of sway (PDS) on two surface conditions. RESULTS: A significant difference in PDS was observed over time (p < 0.001). The interaction "Time × Condition" showed significant differences (p = 0.02), with worse performance on the compliant than the firm surface. There was a significant difference in CSA (p < 0.001), MT (p < 0.001), and %HRD (p < 0.001) over time. The interaction "Time*side" was significant for CSA (p = 0.02) and %HRD (p = 0.01). A negative correlation between PDS on compliant surface and CSA was measured at 3- (r = - 0.71, n = 27, p < 0.001) and 6-month post-surgery (r = - 0.47, n = 27, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Balance was regained within the first 6 months after surgery, while morphometry of the semitendinosus muscle improved mostly between 6 and 12 months in patients who returned to sports activities. Balance capabilities paralleled semitendinosus muscle morphometry improvements. The instrumental assessment of sensorimotor integration processes is relevant in clinical practice as screening tests for primary and secondary prevention of ACL injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective studies, Level II.

Does myofascial and trigger point treatment reduce pain and analgesic intake in patients undergoing onabotulinumtoxinA injection due to chronic intractable migraine?

BACKGROUND: Chronic migraine is a disabling disorder associated with myofascial and trigger point disorders in the neck. Pharmacological management is the first line of treatment; however, rehabilitation procedures aimed at lessening symptoms of myofascial and trigger point disorders may add value in the management of headache symptoms. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of myofascial and trigger point treatment in chronic migraine patients receiving prophylactic treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA. To evaluate the treatment effects on headache frequency and intensity, analgesic consumption, cervical range of motion, trigger point pressure pain threshold, quality of life, and disability. DESIGN: Pilot, single-blind randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. SETTING: Neurorehabilitation Unit. POPULATION: Twenty-two outpatients with chronic migraine. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either cervicothoracic manipulative treatment (N.=12) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the upper trapezius (N.=10). Treatment consisted of 4 sessions (30 min/session, 1 session/week for 4 weeks). A rater blinded to treatment allocation evaluated outcomes before treatment, during treatment, and 1 month after the end of treatment. Consistent with the pilot nature of the study, feasibility was considered the primary outcome and efficacy the secondary outcome. RESULTS: All patients completed the study. No adverse events were reported. No significant between-group differences in pain intensity were observed during the study period. At post-treatment evaluation, the total consumption of analgesics (P=0.02) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (P=0.02) drugs was significantly lower in the manipulative treatment group than in the TENS group. These effects paralleled significant improvements in trigger point sensitivity and cervical active range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: Manipulative techniques aimed at reducing peripheral nociceptive triggers might add value in the management of chronic migraine symptoms and lower acute medication use. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: An interdisciplinary approach comprising pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies can reduce analgesic consumption and myofascial dysfunction symptoms in chronic migraine patients.

Influence of physician empathy on the outcome of botulinum toxin treatment for upper limb spasticity in patients with chronic stroke: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between patient-rated physician empathy and outcome of botulinum toxin treatment for post-stroke upper limb spasticity. DESIGN: Cohort study. SUBJECTS: Twenty chronic stroke patients with upper limb spasticity. METHODS: All patients received incobotulinumtoxinA injection in at least one muscle for each of the following patterns: flexed elbow, flexed wrist and clenched fist. Each treatment was performed by 1 of 5 physiatrists with equivalent clinical experience. Patient-rated physician empathy was quantified with the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure immediately after botulinum toxin treatment. Patients were evaluated before and at 4 weeks after botulinum toxin treatment by means of the following outcome measures: Modified Ashworth Scale; Wolf Motor Function Test; Disability Assessment Scale; Goal Attainment Scaling. RESULTS: Ordinal regression analysis showed a significant influence of patient-rated physician empathy (independent variable) on the outcome (dependent variables) of botulinum toxin treatment at 4 weeks after injection, as measured by Goal Attainment Scaling (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that patient-rated physician empathy may influence the outcome of botulinum toxin treatment in chronic stroke patients with upper limb spasticity as measured by Goal Attainment Scaling.

Fordyce granules and hyperplastic mucosal sebaceous glands as distinctive stigmata in Muir-Torre syndrome patients: characterization with reflectance confocal microscopy.

BACKGROUND: The Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS), a variant of Lynch syndrome (LS), is characterized by the presence of sebaceous skin adenomas and/or carcinomas and keratoacanthomas associated with visceral malignancies. Fordyce granules (FGs) are oral mucosal lesions previously found in association with LS. The aim of this study was to analyze the specific frequency of FGs in sporadic individuals and gene carriers patients with MTS of known mismatch repair genes mutations. The secondary aim was to characterize FGs by means of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). METHODS: A total of 13 patients belonging to nine different genetically unrelated MTS kindreds (MLH1 gene mutation n = 2; MSH2 gene mutation n = 11) and 140 genetically unrelated healthy controls were examined. Depending on the clinical examination of the oral mucosa surface, subjects were categorized as either FGs positive or FGs negative. RESULTS: FGs were diagnosed in 13 of 13 (100%) of MMR gene carriers patients with MTS vs. 9 of 140 (6.4%) controls. The most common site for FGs in MTS was the vestibular oral mucosa, compared with the gingival mandibular and retromandibular pad in controls. RCM examination found multiple sebaceous acinar cells that appear as round or oval hyper-refractive globules and that create a lobular aspects of the sebaceous glands defined as 'moruliform' or 'berry-like' structures. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and RCM evidences of our study suggest that an activation of the sebaceous glands system occurs in patients with MTS. Fordyce granules and intra-oral sebaceous hyperplasia may constitute an additional clinical parameter, which may be adopted to distinguish individuals with highest likelihood of being affected from MTS.