Current iliotibial band syndrome alters patterns of running coordination in male and female runners, but not their levels of coordination variability.

The aim of the present study was to compare the coordination patterns and levels of coordination variability of healthy and injured runners with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Sixty runners divided into four groups (15 healthy males, 15 healthy females, 15 males with ITBS and 15 females with ITBS) ran at a steady and freely chosen pace on an over-ground track, and their coordination patterns of the lower limbs were calculated during 10 running stances using the vector coding technique. Both male and female runners with ITBS showed a greater dominance of the pelvis segment and the anti-phase patterns in the frontal plane thigh-pelvis coupling (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.36). In addition, injured female runners showed a greater hip adduction dominance, whereas injured males presented a greater anti-phase pattern in the transverse plane-frontal plane hip coupling (p = 0.003, η2 = 0.08). The levels of coordination variability during running stance did not change between ITBS injured and healthy runners in any of the couplings. Currently injured runners with ITBS appeared to present altered coordination patterns on the hip couplings that were partly dependent on gender but did not lead to changes in the coordination variability levels.

Efectos del síndrome de fricción de la banda iliotibial sobre la cinemática de carrera en corredoras populares / Effects of iliotibial band syndrome on running kinematics in female amateur runners / Efeitos da Síndrome de Atrito da banda do Trato Iliotibial na cinemática na carreira em corredores de rua

Objetivo: Examinar diferencias sobre los ángulos articulares de la cadera, rodilla, tobillo y retropie en corredoras con el síndrome de fricción de la banda iliotibial en el momento de la investigación, en comparación con corredoras sin historial de lesión en la rodilla ocasionada por la carrera. Método: Teniendo en cuenta los criterios de inclusión, en este estudio retrospectivo se estudiaron a un total de 30 corredoras amateurs, 15 sanas y 15 con el síndrome de fricción de la banda iliotibial. Mediante un análisis cinemático tridimensional, se registraron los ángulos 3D de las articulaciones del miembro inferior durante la carrera en suelo. Resultados: El grupo con síndrome de fricción de la banda iliotibial mostró menor flexión de la rodilla en el inicio del contacto (13.48º versus 17.17º P = 0.02) y mayor aducción de la cadera durante el despegue (-5.65 versus -2.68 P = 0.03) en comparación al grupo de corredoras sanas. No se observaron diferencias significativas en el ángulo máximo de aducción de la cadera (P = 0.95), ángulo máximo de rotación interna de la rodilla (P = 0.80) y ángulo máximo de eversión del retropié (P = 0.16) entre los grupos. Conclusiones: Las corredoras con síndrome de fricción de la banda iliotibial actual muestran un perfil cinemático asociado a su lesión, se sugiere una falta de movilidad en varios planos de movimiento

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine how iliotibial band syndrome influences hip, knee, ankle and rear foot joint angle in female runners with iliotibial band syndrome and female runners with no history of knee injury at the moment of study. Method: In this retrospective study, the sample was composed of 30 recreational female runners (15 healthy runners and 15 with iliotibial band syndrome). A 3-D kinematic analysis was performed to measure 3D joint angles of the lower limb. Results: The iliotibial band syndrome group exhibited a reduced knee flexion angle at heel strike (13.48º vs. 17.17º p = 0.02) and greater hip adduction at toe-off (-5.65 vs. -2.68 p = 0.03) as compared to controls. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in peak hip adduction (p = 0.95), maximum knee internal rotation (p = 0.80) and maximum rearfoot eversion (p = 0.16) between the two groups. Conclusion: Female recreational runners with ITBS exhibit a specific kinematic profile suggestive of restricted movement at several planes

Objetivo: Examinar as diferenças nos ângulos articulares do quadril, joelho, tornozelo e dorso em corredores com a Síndrome de Atrito da Banda Iliotibial no momento da investigação, em comparação com corredores sem histórico de lesão no joelho causada pela corrida. Método: Considerando os critérios de inclusão, neste estudo retrospectivo foram estudados 30 corredores amadores, sendo 15 saudáveis e 15 com síndrome de Atrito da Banda Iliotibial. Por meio de uma análise cinemática tridimensional, os ângulos 3D das articulações do membro inferior foram registrados durante a corrida no solo. Resultados: O grupo com síndrome de atrito da banda iliotibial apresentou menor flexão de joelho no início do contato (13.48º versus 17.17º p = 0.02) e maior adução do quadril durante a decolagem (-5.65 versus -2.68 p = 0.03) em comparação com o grupo de corredores saudáveis. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no ângulo máximo de adução do quadril (p = 0.95), ângulo máximo de rotação interna do joelho (p = 0.80) e ângulo máximo de eversão do retropé (p = 0.16) entre os grupos. Conclusões: Corredores com síndrome de fricção da banda iliotibial apresentam um perfil cinemático associado à sua lesão, sugerindo uma falta de mobilidade em vários planos de movimento

Doppler sonography of maternal cerebral arteries in pregnancy: side-to-side differences.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To study side-to-side differences in blood flow of the common and internal carotid arteries, and the vertebral arteries (VAs) in women with uncomplicated pregnancies as a first step to build a reference values chart. METHODS: A total of 155 healthy pregnant women between 20 and 40 weeks' gestation were included. Doppler sonography of the common and internal carotid arteries and VAs was performed on both sides. Parameters measured included diameter, peak systolic velocity, systolic-diastolic ratio, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index. Statistical analysis was performed using the S-Plus 8.0 program. Normality was determined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Differences between sides were tested using Student's paired t test, association using linear correlation, and agreement using the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Mean values were equal between sides for all parameters with the exception of the end-diastolic velocity in the VAs. The association and agreement between the measurements taken from the right and left sides were poor. Bland-Altman plots also indicated low agreement between sides. All parameters showed significant right-to-left differences. CONCLUSION: Despite the equality between means, right and left flows through the vessels studied differed as there was poor association and agreement.

Abdominal pain and preeclampsia: sonographic findings in the maternal liver.

OBJECTIVE: To describe sonographic findings in livers of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia and abdominal pain. METHODS: Over a 12-month period, we performed serial sonographic examinations on 32 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia and acute right upper quadrant and epigastric pain. On each sonogram we observed the liver size and texture, "periportal halo" sign, gallbladder wall, Glisson capsule thickness, painful compression of the liver and gallbladder, and ascites. The pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and uterus were also studied. Sonography was repeated after delivery. RESULTS: Initial sonograms showed liver abnormalities in 28 patients. Abnormalities consisted of liver hypertrophy (n = 24), hyperechoic thickening of the periportal area (periportal halo sign; n = 23), striated thickening of the gallbladder wall (n = 27), hyperechoic thickening of the Glisson capsule (n = 11), liver areas of increased echogenicity (n = 11), subcapsular hematoma (n = 1), and subcapsular calcification (n = 1). Probe compression of the liver enhanced abdominal pain (n = 13), whereas the gallbladder was painless in all cases. No gallbladder stones were detected. Ascites (n = 16) and pleural effusion (n = 11) were also present. In no case did we detect abnormalities of the pancreas, kidneys, or spleen. All patients eventually had hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists classification. In 7 cases, HELLP syndrome developed postpartum. Three patients also had eclampsia. Follow-up sonograms highlighted quick regression of abnormalities after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The livers of women with severe preeclampsia who had HELLP syndrome showed sonographic abnormalities before biological abnormalities. Serial sonographic examinations could therefore contribute to the obstetric care of these women. Preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome should be routinely checked for in all pregnant women with acute abdominal pain.