The influence of iliotibial tract thickness on clinical outcomes in women with patellofemoral pain.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of iliotibial tract thickness by ultrasonography may help identify a key, previously unexplored factor that may contribute directly to the homeostasis imbalance of the femoropatellar joint in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP). OBJECTIVES: To compare the iliotibial tract thickness of people with PFP and asymptomatic people; and to correlate the iliotibial tract thickness with self-reported pain and function of people with PFP. METHODS: Eighty women, separated into two groups: PFP group (n = 40) and control group consisting of asymptomatic participants (CG; n = 40). The participants answered the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) questionnaire, to identify the self-reported knee function; they evaluated the pain in millimeters by the Visual Analog Scale for pain (VAS). For the imaging evaluation, an ultrasound was used, with a linear transducer at the distal portion of the iliotibial tract (coronal plane), with the participants positioned in dorsal decubitus, with 20° of knee flexion. The iliotibial band was visualized in its long axis, and three sequential images were recorded between the lateral femoral condyle and the lateral tibial condyle. The measurements were normalized and correlated. RESULTS: The groups had no differences (P > 0.001) between participants for: age/weight/height/IMC. Participants in the PFP group had moderate levels of pain (58 + 2.1 mm), considerable self-reported functional limitation (d = 3.05) and greater iliotibial tract thickness compared with the CG (d = 2.41). CONCLUSION: The iliotibial tract of women diagnosed with PFP have greater thickness compared with asymptomatic women. There was no association between iliotibial tract thickness and subjective measures of pain and function.

Photobiostimulation in patients with shoulder impact syndrome. Randomized clinical trial / Fotobioestimulação em pacientes com síndrome do impacto do ombro. Ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of cluster therapy (Laser+LED) on shoulder impact syndrome, aiming at modulating pain and functionality. METHODS: Clinical, randomized, non double-blind study. Consisting of 28 individuals of both sexes, aged between 18 and 50 years, who were separated into: control group (CG n=13) and treatment group (TG n=15). The volunteers answered the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire and goniometric evaluation of three active movements: flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The treatment group was submitted to Fluence Cluster - HTM, with energy of 12.8J, for 1 min and 30 seconds, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks, totaling 12 therapies, in the insertion of the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle and the passage of the long portion of the biceps brachii. The control group received orientation regarding daily activities. RESULTS: In both groups there was a reduction in pain, but the effect size observed was greater for the treatment group In the total SPADI evaluation, treatment presented a significant reduction in values, again with a greater effect size. In active movements, both flexion and external rotation, again the group that used the cluster had advantages, both inferential and in effect sizes. CONCLUSION: The cluster significantly reduced pain and increased functionality in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos da terapia com cluster Laser+LED na síndrome do impacto do ombro, visando modulação da dor e funcionalidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo clínico, randomizado, não duplo-cego, que incluiu 28 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 e 50 anos, separados em grupo controle (GC n=13) e tratamento (GT n=15). Após responderem o questionário Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) foi realizada avaliação goniométrica de três movimentos ativos: flexão, abdução e rotação externa. O grupo tratamento foi submetido ao Fluence Cluster - HTM com energia de 12,8J, durante 1 min e 30 segundos, 3 vezes por semana, durante 4 semanas, totalizando 12 terapias, na região de inserção do tendão do músculo supraespinhal e passagem da porção longa do bíceps braquial. O grupo controle recebeu orientações quanto às atividades diárias. RESULTADOS: Em ambos os grupos houve redução do quadro álgico, porém o efeito observado foi maior para o grupo tratamento. Na avaliação total do SPADI o grupo tratamento apresentou redução significativa dos valores com maior tamanho de efeito. Nos movimentos ativos, tanto flexão quanto rotação externa, o grupo tratamento apresentou vantagens, tanto de forma inferencial quanto nos tamanhos de efeito. CONCLUSÃO: A fotobioestimulação reduziu de modo significativo a dor e aumentou a funcionalidade dos pacientes com síndrome do impacto do ombro.