Pulsed electromagnetic field attenuates bone fragility in estrogen-deficient osteoporosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: The pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) seem effective in increasing bone mineral density and promoting osteogenesis and bone healing. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of two different modalities of PEMFs therapy in comparison with the recommended pharmacological treatment on experimental osteoporosis in rats. METHODS: The experimental model of estrogen-deficient osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy was used in this study. The animals were exposed to PEMFs of various frequencies (40 Hz and 25 Hzk), intensities (10 mT and 36.4 µT), lengths of exposure, and the effects were compared with the standard treatment with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation. RESULTS: The application of PEMF40Hz, significantly reduced the osteoporotic bone loss in female rats that were confirmed with biochemical, biomechanical, and histological analyses. These effects were more pronounced than in osteoporotic animals treated with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation. On the contrary, the exposure to PEMF25Hz did not show restorative effects but led to further progression of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The exposure to PEMF40Hz, significantly restored osteoporosis and attenuated bone fragility in comparison to the rats exposed to PEMF25Hz or those treated with pamidronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation.

The Effects of Continued Rehabilitation After Primary Knee Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: Tasks of rehabilitation after arthroplasty are to provide painless joint movements, to improve the range of motion, to establish a scheme of walking, to achieve independence in activities of daily living. THE AIM: of the study is to determine the effects of continued rehabilitation on the range of the knee motion and reducing the swelling after total knee replacement. METHODS: The study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 and included 140 patients of both sexes, aged 45 to 85 with implanted endoprosthesis based on primary osteoarthritis. They were divided into two groups, experimental, which after early rehabilitation continued ongoing rehabilitation for a period of three weeks, while the control group after completion of early rehabilitation began rehabilitation two months from the surgery for a period of three weeks. The range of motion in the knee joint and the extent of the knee joint in the medium of patella were measured in both groups during the admission and discharge from rehabilitation. In the experimental group, control measurements were carried out three months after surgery. RESULTS: In both groups, there was a significant reduction of the swelling at the discharge in relation to the admission while in the experimental group there was no change on the control of the joint swelling after three months in relation to the release from rehabilitation. In the experimental group, the range of motion of flexion and extension was improved at the discharge in relation to the admission as well as the flexion during the control while the range of motion of extension wasn't significantly changing during the control examination. In the control group, the extension and flexion were significantly improved at the discharge compared to the admission. Comparing both groups, the results showed that there was a significant improvement in flexion movements in the experimental group during rehabilitation in comparison to the control group, while the range of motion of the extension was not significantly different in these two groups. Comparing the range of motion of the experimental group on the control examination and the control group at discharge, it is demonstrated significant improvement in flexion and extension in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Results of monitoring the reduction of the swelling and the return of the range of motion confirm the advantage of continuous rehabilitation.

Isokinetic Testing in Evaluation Rehabilitation Outcome After ACL Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous rehab protocols have been used in rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction. Isokinetic testing is an objective way to evaluate dynamic stability of the knee joint that estimates the quality of rehabilitation outcome after ACL reconstruction. Our investigation goal was to show importance of isokinetic testing in evaluation thigh muscle strength in patients which underwent ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation protocol. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In prospective study, we evaluated 40 subjects which were divided into two groups. Experimental group consisted of 20 recreational males which underwent ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon and rehabilitation protocol 6 months before isokinetic testing. Control group (20 subjects) consisted of healthy recreational males. In all subjects knee muscle testing was performed on a Biodex System 4 Pro isokinetic dynamo-meter et velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. We followed average peak torque to body weight (PT/BW) and classic H/Q ratio. In statistical analysis Student's T test was used. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between groups in all evaluated parameters except of the mean value of PT/BW of the quadriceps et velocity of 60°/s (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Isokinetic testing of dynamic stabilizers of the knee is need in diagnostic and treatment thigh muscle imbalance. We believe that isokinetic testing is an objective parameter for return to sport activities after ACL reconstruction.