Effects of habitual knuckle cracking on metacarpal cartilage thickness and grip strength.

Joint cracking involves a manipulation of the finger joints resulting in an audible crack. This study aimed to determine whether habitual knuckle cracking (KC) leads to an alteration in grip strength and metacarpal head (MH) cartilage thickness. Thirty-five habitual knuckle crackers (cracking their joints ≥5times/day) (20 M, 15 F, aged 19-27 years) and 35 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched non-crackers were enrolled in the study. MH cartilage thickness was measured with ultrasound and grip strength was measured with an analog Jamar hand dynamometer. Grip strength was similar between groups (P>0.05). Habitual knuckle crackers had thicker MH cartilage in the dominant and non-dominant hands than those of the controls (P=0.038 and P=0.005, respectively). There was no correlation between MH cartilage thickness and grip strength in both groups (P>0.05). While habitual KC does not affect handgrip strength, it appears to be associated with increased MH cartilage thickness.

Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Achilles and Supraspinatus Tendon Thicknesses in Patients with Chronic Lead Exposure.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess tendon thickness in patients with chronic occupational lead exposure by using ultrasonography. METHODS: Twenty-seven male workers (mean age 32.9 ± 6.2 years, range 25-44 years) with occupational lead exposure and 27 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy male subjects (mean age 33.1 ± 5.6 years, range 25-44 years) were enrolled. Ultrasonographic measurements were obtained from the supraspinatus and Achilles tendons by using a linear probe (5-10 MHz). RESULTS: Mean Achilles tendon values at long axis (p = 0.034) and tendon cross-sectional area (p = 0.013) were significantly smaller in the lead-exposed group than the control group. On the other hand, no significant difference was found regarding the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results imply that subjects with occupational lead exposure have smaller Achilles tendons than healthy subjects. Chronic lead exposure may affect the tendons due to reduction of collagen synthesis. Further studies are definitely needed to confirm our initial findings.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM. Basic Scanning Protocols for Ankle and foot.

In this protocol, the patient/probe positionings, anatomical drawings and ultrasound images of commonly scanned ankle/foot structures are described. This practical guide is prepared (with an international consensus of several expert physiatrists) to serve as a uniform/standard approach especially for beginner sonographers.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM. Basic scanning protocols for knee.

In this protocol, the patient/probe positionings, anatomical drawings and ultrasound images of commonly scanned knee structures are described. This practical guide is prepared (with an international consensus of several expert physiatrists) to serve as a uniform/standard approach especially for beginner sonographers.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM. Basic scanning protocols for hip.

In this protocol, the patient/probe positionings, anatomical drawings and ultrasound images of commonly scanned hip structures are described. This practical guide is prepared (with an international consensus of several expert physiatrists) to serve as a uniform/standard approach especially for beginner sonographers.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Basic Scanning Protocols for shoulder.

In this protocol, the patient/probe positionings, anatomical drawings and ultrasound images of commonly scanned shoulder structures are described. This practical guide is prepared (with an international consensus of several expert physiatrists) to serve as a uniform/standard approach especially for beginner sonographers.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Basic Scanning Protocols for elbow.

In this protocol, the patient/probe positionings, anatomical drawings and ultrasound images of commonly scanned elbow structures are described. This practical guide is prepared (with an international consensus of several expert physiatrists) to serve as a uniform/standard approach especially for beginner sonographers.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Basic Scanning Protocols for wrist and hand.

In this protocol, the patient/probe positionings, anatomical drawings and ultrasound images of commonly scanned wrist/hand structures are described. This practical guide is prepared (with an international consensus of several expert physiatrists) to serve as a uniform/standard approach especially for beginner sonographers.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of sciatic nerves in patients with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, controlled study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sciatic nerves of subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) by using ultrasound (US) imaging and to explore whether US measurements are associated with clinical and electrophysiological findings. SETTING: National Rehabilitation Center in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Fifteen SCI subjects (12 male (M), 3 female (F)) and 23 (16 M, 7 F) healthy controls were included in the study. After clinical assessment of the subjects, lower limb nerve conduction studies and US imaging of the sciatic nerves were performed. Cross-sectional area (CSA) values of the sciatic nerves were correlated with the clinical and electrophysiologic data. RESULTS: Mean CSA values were lower in the patient group when compared with the control group (P=0.042). Reduced compound motor action potentials regarding tibial and peroneal nerves were observed in the patient group (P=0.003 and P=0.005, respectively). US measurements did not correlate with the electrophysiological findings. However, sciatic nerve CSA values were positively correlated with body mass index in the control (r=0.534, P<0.05) and patient (r=0.482, P<0.05) groups. CONCLUSION: Sciatic nerves seem to be smaller in subjects with SCI. Together with our electrophysiological data, this preliminary finding could possibly be attributed to primary axonal loss.

Nine-year Follow-up of a Patient with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Paget-Schroetter Syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a challenging clinical condition with regards to its diagnosis and treatment. Its management may turn out to be challenging a case when an adverse complication such as Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) also co-exists. Herein, we report a nine-year follow-up of a patient with TOS (a 41-year old cardiovascular surgeon) who had suffered multiple PSS episodes and repeat TOS surgeries. In essence, we want to highlight the diverse clinical indings of TOS and discuss its management in light of the relevant literature.