Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage of calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament of the knee: a case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: Calcification of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee is rare. The literature reports no positive outcomes when conservative treatment has been followed. This paper reports a case of such calcification and its treatment using ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage (UGPL). METHODS: A 66-year-old patient presented with medial knee pain. X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance (MR) examinations revealed calcific bursitis of the MCL, which was treated by UGPL. RESULTS: One month after treatment the patient was asymptomatic. X-ray, ultrasound, and MR examinations confirmed the almost complete disappearance of the calcification; only very tiny fragments remained. CONCLUSIONS: Calcific bursitis of the MCL of the knee is very uncommon, but should be taken into account in differential diagnoses for medial knee pain. UGPL is proposed as a treatment for this condition.

Cardio-respiratory values during recovery from exercise in soccer Spanish leagues.

OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we compared Spanish division one (n = 114) and division two (n = 80) soccer players in terms of their cardio-respiratory response during recovery following a maximum laboratory effort test. APPROACH: Following the maximum laboratory effort protocol, we measured oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]), heart rate (HR), and ventilation ([Formula: see text]) during recovery. MAIN RESULTS: Over the first 60 s of recovery, no significant differences were seen in either [Formula: see text] (28.7 versus 28.3 ml/kg/m, in division one and two players, respectively), HR, or [Formula: see text] (p > 0.05). After 90 s, however, significant differences appeared between the players of the two divisions (p < 0.01), although not among playing positions. Significant differences in [Formula: see text] (21.1 versus 26.0 ml/kg/m, in division one and two players, respectively) and HR were still apparent at 180 s into the recovery period. The change in professional soccer players' cardio-respiratory values over the recovery period following maximum effort are independent of the position played, but are associated with the division in which a player competes. Second division players show significantly higher [Formula: see text] and HR values than first division players at 180 s into the recovery period. SIGNIFICANCE: These differences might influence performance in soccer and in other athletes whose sports require intermittent bouts of maximum effort and consequently times to repeat high-intensity efforts as short as possible.

Extracorporeal shockwaves versus ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage (UGPL) are two effective ways of treating rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT). AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of these techniques in the treatment of RCCT. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Patients treated in our sports medicine and rehabilitation center (Centro Médico Deyre, Madrid. Spain) between January 2007 and December 2013. METHODS: This randomized study compares the results achieved with these techniques over one year following their use to treat the above condition. Eighty patients received ESWT and 121 received UGPL. A visual analogue scale was used to measure pain, and ultrasound to determine the extent of calcification, at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Pain and the amount of calcification were significantly reduced by both techniques at 3, 6 and 12 months (P<0.001 for each), but significantly more so by UGPL (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are valid for the treatment of RCCT, although UGPL is associated with a greater reduction of calcification and greater reduction in pain. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The results obtained applying UGPL, the low cost and the lack of complications should therefore make the treatment of choice in centers that are appropriately equipped and staffed.