Comparison of the efficacy of oxygen-ozone and lidocaine injections in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: This study aims to compare effectiveness of oxygen-ozone injection versus lidocaine injection on the trigger point in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Patients and methods: Between April 2021 and December 2021, a total of 46 patients with MPS (8 males, 38 females; mean age: 44.7±10.4 years; range, 25 to 65 years) were included. The patients were randomized to either ozone injection (n=23) or lidocaine injection (n=23) groups. All injections were administered once a week for three consecutive weeks. The primary outcome measure was the pain severity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures were cervical lateral flexion range of motion (ROM), pain score (PS), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). The measurements were performed before the treatment, and at four and 12 weeks after treatment. Results: There was a significant effect of time for VAS, PS, and NDI scores in both groups. Compared to baseline versus Weeks 4 and 12, the VAS, PS, and NDI scores significantly decreased over time in both groups (p<0.001 for all). A significant group X time interaction was identified regarding the VAS scores. The mean difference in the VAS scores over time was significantly higher in the lidocaine group compared to the oxygen-ozone group (p=0.028). Conclusion: Oxygen-ozone and lidocaine injections of the trigger point can effectively improve pain and functional status. However, lidocaine injection appears to be superior in reducing pain compared to oxygen-ozone injection, but is not superior in improving function and PS.

Comparison of thicknesses of talar cartilage, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles between high-activity patients with unilateral traumatic transtibial amputation and nonamputated individuals: A clinical and sonographic study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the thicknesses of intact talar cartilage, tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GCM), and gastrocnemius lateralis (GCL) muscles of traumatic unilateral transtibial amputees with that of nonamputated individuals by ultrasound and to investigate the relationship between cartilage and muscle thickness measurements with clinical parameters. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with unilateral traumatic transtibial amputation, and 36 age-matched, sex-matched, and body mass index-matched nonamputated controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Subjects' talar cartilage, TA, GCM, and GCL muscle thickness measurements were performed using musculoskeletal ultrasound. Other outcome measures were 6-minute walking test, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, and Short Form-36. RESULTS: TA and GCM muscles were thicker on the intact limbs of the patients than those of the controls (p = 0.015 and p = 0.014, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in talar cartilage and GCL muscle thicknesses when patients were compared with control subjects. Talar cartilage thickness was positively correlated with body mass index, 6-minute walking test, and sport and recreation subscale score of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score. TA and GCM muscle thicknesses were positively correlated with the duration of prosthesis use and role limitations because of the physical health subscale score of Short Form-36. CONCLUSIONS: TA and GCM muscles were found to be thickened on the intact sides of traumatic unilateral transtibial amputees. The correlations between lower leg muscle thicknesses and clinical parameters suggest that the observed thickness change is not necessarily pathological and has potential impact on function at least in our young cohort.

Kinesiophobia and associated factors in patients with traumatic lower extremity amputation.

Objectives: The study aimed to demonstrate the level of kinesiophobia in patients with traumatic lower limb amputation (LLA) and to investigate the correlation between kinesiophobia and associated factors. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 52 male patients (mean age: 37.8±8.7 years; range, 18 to 65 years) with traumatic LLA between March 2021 and July 2021. Kinesiophobia level was measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Pain intensity and prosthesis satisfaction were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International was used for the assessment of fear of falling. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results: The percentage of the patients with a high level of kinesiophobia was 40.4%. Kinesiophobia was significantly correlated with residual limp pain intensity (r=0.317, p=0.022), the number of falls (r=0.284, p=0.041), fear of falling (r=0.495, p=0.001), and quality of life (r=0.512, p=0.001). No significant correlations between kinesiophobia and intact limb pain intensity, low back pain intensity, or prosthesis satisfaction were detected. Regression analysis showed that the physical activity subscale score of the Nottingham Health Profile was a statistically significant predictor of high kinesiophobia scores. Conclusion: The findings suggest that limitations in physical activity were independently associated with kinesiophobia in patients with traumatic LLA. Fear and avoidance behaviors, which may limit physical activity, should be considered in the evaluation of individuals with LLA.

Does kinesiotaping affect standing balance in healthy individuals? A pilot, double-blind, randomized-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the immediate and short-term effects of kinesiotaping (KT) on balance, when applied to the ankles of healthy individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this pilot, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study, a total of 24 healthy male individuals (mean age 31.8 years; range, 22 to 40 years) were randomized into two groups as KT and sham between January 2014 to March 2014. The KT group had a therapeutic KT application which could provide the ankle stability. The control group had a prespecified sham application. Balance testing was done before, immediately after and 24 hours after the application of KT. Anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall stability indexes (APSI, MLSI, and OSI, respectively) were measured and given in relative treatment effect (RTE). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant interaction between the intervention and time for all stability indexes. The main effects were evaluated. The main effect of time showed a significant difference in terms of RTE and mean ranks at all time points for the MLSI and OSI (p=0.034 and p=0.009, respectively). The KT of ankle had an immediate positive effect on standing balance of healthy individuals which did not sustain after 24 hours. The main effect of group showed that there was a significant difference in the RTE levels between the intervention groups for all indexes. Based on the rank means, the KT group had a better stability than the sham group for all indexes. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that KT of ankle has an immediate positive effect on standing balance of healthy individuals by increasing mediolateral stability of the ankle.