Diagnostic utility of shear wave elastography in musculoskeletal injuries: A narrative review.

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging and promising ultrasound modality, and is more recently employed in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal (MSK) pathologies. SWE evaluates tissue stiffness by measuring the speed of propagating acoustic waves through body tissue structures. Knowing the variations in stiffness of MSK soft tissue can provide helpful diagnostic insight for the evaluation of pathology in muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other soft tissues. The goal of this review is to synthesize recent literature on the utility of SWE for MSK pathology diagnosis. This review reveals that SWE adds important diagnostic data for the evaluation of several pathologies, such as median mononeuropathy at the wrist, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis. The review also reveals a lack of evidence pertaining to appropriate standardization of use and the connection to reliable and valid diagnostic benefit in the clinical setting.

Exploring the Relationship between Running-Related Technology Use and Running-Related Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study of Recreational and Elite Long-Distance Runners.

In recent years, the surge in sport and exercise participation, particularly in running, has coincided with the widespread adoption of running-related technology, such as fitness trackers. This study investigates the correlation between the use of running-related technology and running-related injuries among recreational and elite long-distance runners. We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional online survey of 282 adult runners. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Participants, with an average age of 37.4 years, reported varied running experience, with 90.07% utilizing running-related technology during their runs to some degree, primarily smartwatches like Garmin and Apple Watch. Running-related technology users showed a higher likelihood of experiencing running-related injuries compared to non-users (OR = 0.31, p < 0.001). However, those who utilized the metrics obtained from running-related technology to guide their training decisions did not exhibit a higher risk of injury. This nuanced relationship highlights the importance of considering individual training behaviors and the potential psychological impacts of technology on running practices. The study underscores the need for future research integrating biomechanical and psychosocial factors into running-related technology to enhance injury prevention strategies.

Safeguarding strategies in athletes with intellectual disabilities: A narrative review.

Compared to their non-disabled peers, athletes with disabilities are at an increased risk of interpersonal violence in sport. Athletes with intellectual disabilities specifically may face compounded risk due to impaired communication and social challenges. Despite the inherent risk of interpersonal violence in athletes with intellectual disabilities, there is a paucity of literature focused on safeguarding strategies in this population, and no global consensus prevention guidelines exist. The goal of this review was to synthesize the literature on interpersonal violence in athletes with intellectual disabilities and propose an evidence-informed safeguarding framework. Future research and practice should emphasize tailored training on appropriate athlete-protection strategies and ways to recognize and respond to suspicions of abuse in this population. Given the benefits of sports participation for persons with intellectual disabilities, implementation of fit-for-purpose safeguarding strategies would help address any elevated risk of interpersonal violence. Formal monitoring and evaluation of these initiatives can help minimize interpersonal violence.

Emerging Treatment Options for Chronic Tendinopathy of the Foot: A Clinical Vignette.

ABSTRACT: The patient is a 65-year-old female recreational skier and avid walker who presented with a several-month history of right ankle and foot pain. The patient's pain began without inciting event and was described as a constant aching pain aggravated by downhill walking and alleviated with rest. She was diagnosed with right distal tibialis anterior tendinopathy with partial thickness tear noted on magnetic resonance imaging and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Given symptoms recalcitrant to conservative measures, the patient opted to pursue an ultrasound-guided prolotherapy injection and a course of physical therapy; unfortunately, she did not have any improvement in symptoms. The patient subsequently underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy and debridement of the distal tibialis anterior tendon, followed by a postprocedure rehabilitation protocol of physical therapy with transition to home exercise program with complete resolution of her pain. Prolotherapy, and percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy and debridement are two treatment modalities that show promise in the treatment of painful, chronic tendinopathy.

Aging Affects the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increased use of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of osteoarthritis, whether and how age of the platelet-rich plasma donor affects therapeutic efficacy is unclear. DESIGN: In vitro, male osteoarthritic human chondrocytes were treated with platelet-rich plasma from young (18-35 yrs) or old (≥65 yrs) donors, and the chondrogenic profile was evaluated using immunofluorescent staining for two markers of chondrogenicity, type II collagen and SOX-9. In vivo, we used a within-subjects design to compare Osteoarthritis Research Society International scores in aged mouse knee joints injected with platelet-rich plasma from young or old individuals. RESULTS: In vitro experiments revealed that platelet-rich plasma from young donors induced a more youthful chondrocyte phenotype, as evidenced by increased type II collagen ( P = 0.033) and SOX-9 expression ( P = 0.022). This benefit, however, was significantly blunted when cells were cultured with platelet-rich plasma from aged donors. Accordingly, in vivo studies revealed that animals treated with platelet-rich plasma from young donors displayed a significantly improved cartilage integrity when compared with knees injected with platelet-rich plasma from aged donors ( P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Injection of platelet-rich plasma from a young individual induced a regenerative effect in aged cells and mice, whereas platelet-rich plasma from aged individuals showed no improvement in chondrocyte health or cartilage integrity.

User-Centered Design to Enhance mHealth Systems for Individuals With Dexterity Impairments: Accessibility and Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health systems have been shown to be useful in supporting self-management by promoting adherence to schedules and longitudinal health interventions, especially in people with disabilities. The Interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere) system was developed to empower people with disabilities and those with chronic conditions with supports needed for self-management and independent living. Since the first iteration of the iMHere 1.0 app, several studies have evaluated the accessibility and usability of the system. Potential opportunities to improve and simplify the user interface were identified, and the iMHere modules were redesigned accordingly. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to evaluate the usability of the redesigned modules within the iMHere 1.0 app. METHODS: We evaluated the original and redesigned iMHere modules-MyMeds and SkinCare. The Purdue Pegboard Test was administered to assess the participants' dexterity levels. Participants were then asked to perform a set of tasks using both the original and redesigned MyMeds and SkinCare modules to assess their efficiency and effectiveness. Usability was measured using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire to evaluate 10 new accessibility features that were added to the redesigned app. Participants were also asked which version they preferred. RESULTS: In total, 24 participants with disabilities and varying degrees of dexterity impairments completed the entire study protocol. Participants displayed improved efficiency and effectiveness when using the redesigned modules compared with the original modules. The participants also reported improved usability and preferred the redesigned modules. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the iMHere system became more efficient, effective, and usable for individuals with dexterity impairments after redesigning it according to user-centered principles.