Reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale for disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

WITHDRAWN: Evaluation of dry needling in patients with chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis

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Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation enhance the effectiveness of an exercise programme in subjects with knee osteoarthritis? A randomized controlled trial

Objective:

To determine whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle will enhance the effectiveness of an exercise programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design:

A randomized trial with parallel intervention treatment groups.

Setting:

Outpatient physical therapy clinic.

Subjects:

Fifty participants (mean age (SD) 68.9 (7.7) years) with symptomatic idiopathic knee osteoarthritis and radiographic evidence (grade ≥II Kelgren’s classification).

Interventions:

Participants were randomized into one of two groups receiving 12 biweekly treatments: An exercise-only group or an exercise combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (biphasic pulses, at 75 Hz and 250 µs phase duration).

Main measures:

Knee pain intensity; maximal voluntary isometric contraction and voluntary activation of the quadriceps femoris muscle; measures of functional performance.

Results:

A significant interaction effect ( P = 0.01) indicated greater improvement in pain for the electrical stimulation group. The mean (SD) change in pain intensity was from 7.5 ± 2 to 5 ± 2.2 and from 7.4 ± 1.9 to 3.3 ± 2.4 in the exercise and electrical stimulation groups, respectively. A significant treatment effect was also noted for the voluntary activation of the quadriceps femoris, which increased by 22.2% in the electrical stimulation group and by 9.6% in the exercise group ( P = 0.045). Significant improvements were observed in both groups in all remaining measures, with no differences between groups.

Conclusions:

Electrical stimulation treatment to the quadriceps femoris enhanced the effectiveness of an exercise programme in alleviating pain and improving voluntary activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis, but did not enhance its effect on muscle strength or functional performance.

What is the best way to apply the Spurling test for cervical radiculopathy?

BACKGROUND

A diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy is based largely on clinical examination, including provocative testing. The most common maneuver was described in 1944 by Spurling and Scoville. Since then, several modifications of the original maneuver have been proposed to improve its value in the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We assessed the ability of six known variations of the Spurling test to reproduce the complaints of patients diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 67 patients presenting with cervical radicular-like symptoms and concordant radiographic findings. Each patient underwent six distinct provocative cervical spine maneuvers by two examiners, during which three parameters were recorded: (1) pain intensity (VAS score), (2) paresthesia intensity (0 - no paresthesia, 1 - mild to moderate, and 2 - severe), and (3) characteristic pain distribution (0 - no pain, 1 - neck pain only, 2 - arm pain only, 3 - pain elicited distal to the elbow). The interobserver reliability of the reported VAS score (measured by the intraclass coefficient correlation) ranged from 0.78 to 0.96 and the calculated kappa values of the categorical parameters ranged from 0.58 to 1.0 for paresthesia intensity and from 0.63 to 1.0 for pain distribution. Differences in scores elicited between the two examiners for the 67 patients were resolved by consensus.

RESULTS

A maneuver consisting of extension, lateral bending, and axial compression resulted in the highest VAS score (mean, 7) and was associated with the most distally elicited pain on average (mean, 2.5). The highest paresthesia levels were reported after applying extension, rotation, and axial compression (mean, 1). These maneuvers, however, were the least tolerable, causing discontinuation of the examination on three occasions.

CONCLUSIONS

Whenever cervical radiculopathy is suspected our observations suggest the staged provocative maneuvers that should be included in the physical evaluation are extension and lateral bending first, followed by the addition of axial compression in cases with an inconclusive effect.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, internal consistency and validation of the Spinal Function Sort (SFS) for French- and German-speaking patients with back complaints

INTRODUCTION

Functional subjective evaluation through questionnaire is fundamental, but not often realized in patients with back complaints, lacking validated tools. The Spinal Function Sort (SFS) was only validated in English. We aimed to translate, adapt and validate the French (SFS-F) and German (SFS-G) versions of the SFS.

METHODS

Three hundred and forty-four patients, experiencing various back complaints, were recruited in a French (n = 87) and a German-speaking (n = 257) center. Construct validity was estimated via correlations with SF-36 physical and mental scales, pain intensity and hospital anxiety and depression scales (HADS). Scale homogeneities were assessed by Cronbach's α. Test-retest reliability was assessed on 65 additional patients using intraclass correlation (IC).

RESULTS

For the French and German translations, respectively, α were 0.98 and 0.98; IC 0.98 (95% CI: [0.97; 1.00]) and 0.94 (0.90; 0.98). Correlations with physical functioning were 0.63 (0.48; 0.74) and 0.67 (0.59; 0.73); with physical summary 0.60 (0.44; 0.72) and 0.52 (0.43; 0.61); with pain -0.33 (-0.51; -0.13) and -0.51 (-0.60; -0.42); with mental health -0.08 (-0.29; 0.14) and 0.25 (0.13; 0.36); with mental summary 0.01 (-0.21; 0.23) and 0.28 (0.16; 0.39); with depression -0.26 (-0.45; -0.05) and -0.42 (-0.52; -0.32); with anxiety -0.17 (-0.37; -0.04) and -0.45 (-0.54; -0.35).

CONCLUSIONS

Reliability was excellent for both languages. Convergent validity was good with SF-36 physical scales, moderate with VAS pain. Divergent validity was low with SF-36 mental scales in both translated versions and with HADS for the SFS-F (moderate in SFS-G). Both versions seem to be valid and reliable for evaluating perceived functional capacity in patients with back complaints.

Cocontraction of ankle dorsiflexors and transversus abdominis function in patients with low back pain

CONTEXT

The abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) with cocontraction has been shown to be a more effective method of activating the transversus abdominis (TrA) in healthy adults than the ADIM alone. Whether such an augmented core stabilization exercise is effective in managing low back pain (LBP) remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of 2 weeks of ADIM and cocontraction training on abdominal muscle thickness and activation timing and to monitor pain and function in patients with LBP.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Local orthopaedic clinic and research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Twenty patients with mechanical LBP (age = 27.20 ± 6.46 years, height = 166.25 ± 8.70 cm, mass = 58.10 ± 11.81 kg) and 20 healthy, age-matched people (age = 24.25 ± 1.59 years, height = 168.00 ± 8.89 cm, mass = 60.65 ± 11.99 kg) volunteered for the study.

INTERVENTION(S)

Both the LBP and control groups received ten 30-minute sessions of ADIM and cocontraction training of the tibialis anterior (TA) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles over a 2-week period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

A separate, mixed-model analysis of variance was computed for the thicknesses of the TrA, internal oblique (IO), and external oblique muscles. The differences in mean and peak electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes, onset time, and latency were compared between the groups. The visual analog pain scale, Pain Disability Index, and LBP rating scale were used to assess pain in the LBP group before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

We found an interaction between the LBP and control groups and a main effect from pretest to posttest for only TrA muscle thickness change (F₁,₃₈ = 6.57, P = .01). Reductions in all pain measures were observed after training (P < .05). Group differences in peak and mean EMG amplitudes and onset time values for TrA/IO and TA were achieved (P < .05). The RF peak (t₃₈ = 3.12, P = .003) and mean (t₃₈ = 4.12, P = .001) EMG amplitudes were different, but no group difference was observed in RF onset time (t₃₈ = 1.63, P = .11) or the cocontracted TrA/IO peak (t₃₈ = 1.90, P = .07) and mean (t₃₈ = 1.81, P = .08). The test-retest reliability for the muscle thickness measure revealed excellent correlations (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.95-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

We are the first to demonstrate that a cocontraction of the ankle dorsiflexors with ADIM training might result in a thickness change in the TrA muscle and associated pain management in patients with chronic LBP.

Effects of whole-body cryotherapy in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder

OBJECTIVE

To compare 2 different treatment approaches, physical therapy modalities, and joint mobilization versus whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) combined with physical therapy modalities and joint mobilization, for symptoms of adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder.

DESIGN

A randomized trial.

SETTING

Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with AC of the shoulder (N=30).

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The WBC group received physical therapy modalities, passive joint mobilization of the shoulder, and WBC, whereas the non-WBC group received only physical therapy modalities and passive joint mobilization of the shoulder.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analog scale (VAS), active range of motion (ROM) of flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) were measured before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference between groups was found for the VAS, active ROM of flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation, and the ASES with greater improvements in the WBC group (Ps<.01). Overall, both groups showed a significant improvement in all outcome measures and ROM measures from pre to post at a level of P<.01.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant improvement with the addition of WBC to treatment interventions in this sample of patients.

Physical therapies for Achilles tendinopathy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common condition, causing considerable morbidity in athletes and non-athletes alike. Conservative or physical therapies are accepted as first-line management of AT; however, despite a growing volume of research, there remains a lack of high quality studies evaluating their efficacy. Previous systematic reviews provide preliminary evidence for non-surgical interventions for AT, but lack key quality components as outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis (where possible) of the evidence for physical therapies for AT management.

METHODS

A comprehensive strategy was used to search 11 electronic databases from inception to September 2011. Search terms included Achilles, tendinopathy, pain, physical therapies, electrotherapy and exercise (English language full-text publications, human studies). Reference lists of eligible papers were hand-searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they evaluated at least one non-pharmacological, non-surgical intervention for AT using at least one outcome of pain and/or function. Two independent reviewers screened 2852 search results, identifying 23 suitable studies, and assessed methodological quality and risk of bias using a modified PEDro scale. Effect size calculation and meta-analyses were based on fixed and random effects models respectively.

RESULTS

Methodological quality ranged from 2 to 12 (/14). Four studies were excluded due to high risk of bias, leaving 19 studies, the majority of which evaluated midportion AT. Effect sizes from individual RCTs support the use of eccentric exercise. Meta-analyses identified significant effects favouring the addition of laser therapy to eccentric exercise at 12 weeks (pain VAS: standardised mean difference -0.59, 95% confidence interval -1.11 to -0.07), as well as no differences in effect between eccentric exercise and shock wave therapy at 16 weeks (VISA-A:-0.55,-2.21 to 1.11). Pooled data did not support the addition of night splints to eccentric exercise at 12 weeks (VISA-A:-0.35,-1.44 to 0.74). Limited evidence from an individual RCT suggests microcurrent therapy to be an effective intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Practitioners can consider eccentric exercise as an initial intervention for AT, with the addition of laser therapy as appropriate. Shock wave therapy may represent an effective alternative. High-quality RCTs following CONSORT guidelines are required to further evaluate the efficacy of physical therapies and determine optimal clinical pathways for AT.

Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: listening to Australian women

Objective. To investigate the prevalence and nature of lumbo-pelvic pain (LPP), that is experienced by women in the lumbar and/or sacro-iliac area and/or symphysis pubis during pregnancy. Design. Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting. An Australian public hospital antenatal clinic. Sample population: Women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Method. Women were recruited to the study as they presented for their antenatal appointment. A survey collected demographic data and was used to self report LPP. A pain diagram differentiated low back, pelvic girdle or combined pain. Closed and open ended questions explored the experiences of the women. Main Outcome Measures. The Visual Analogue Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (Version 2.1a). Results. There was a high prevalence of self reported LPP during the pregnancy (71%). An association was found between the reporting of LPP, multiparity, and a previous history of LPP. The mean intensity score for usual pain was 6/10 and four out of five women reported disability associated with the condition. Most women (71%) had reported their symptoms to their maternity carer however only a small proportion of these women received intervention. Conclusion. LPP is a potentially significant health issue during pregnancy.

Unilateral eccentric exercise of the knee flexors affects muscle activation during gait

Uni-lateral muscle soreness is common yet the effects on gait or electromyographic (EMG) activity are unknown. The purpose of our study was to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the knee flexor group and measure the resultant change in EMG activity and knee motion during gait. Nine healthy subjects participated in the study. Measures of function, evoked tenderness of the biceps femoris, as well as knee angle, and EMG activity during gait were assessed prior and 48 h after an eccentric exercise protocol. DOMS was induced unilaterally in the knee flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer and subjects exercised until they could not generate 50% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). There was a significant decrease in biceps femoris activity after DOMS during the last phase of gait. Moreover, there was a day × phase interaction for gastrocnemius activity with the last two phases displaying an increase in activity. There was no significant change in knee angle during gait. The decrease in biceps femoris activity as well as the increase in gastrocnemius activity could be evidence of a protective mechanism designed to decrease activity of the sore muscle while increasing the activity of a synergistic muscle.

Transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy using traditional laparoscopic instruments: a report of thirty-six cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the operation of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TSPLC) by traditional laparoscopic instruments and summarize the initial experience.

METHODS

Sixty subjects with cholelithiasis were divided into two groups. One group (36 cases) underwent TSPLC and the control group (24 cases) underwent traditional three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Postoperative complications were observed and operation time, hospital days, visual analogue scale (VAS) after 6 and 24 h of operation, and subject satisfaction score were measured.

RESULTS

TSPLC and traditional LC were performed successfully in the two groups. The operation time in the TSPLC group was significantly longer than that in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in hospital stay and VAS between the TSPLC and control groups. The subject satisfaction score in the TSPLC group was 91.2, significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). All subjects recovered from the operation and no postoperative complication occurred during the period of two weeks after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

TSPLC is a feasible and safe method for cholecystectomy, although it may be more time-consuming. However, it is welcomed by patients who are more concerned with cosmetic outcomes. Future studies are needed to confirm its disadvantages and contraindications.

Development of a novel rating system to assess lower-limb comfort

BACKGROUND

Comfort evaluation techniques are commonplace in medicine. However, measures of lower-limb comfort are infrequently used in the sporting environment. The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for measuring lower-limb comfort, which will extend previous work in the field of injury awareness.

METHODS

A lower-limb comfort index (LLCI) was developed for use in the environment of elite sport. Forty professional footballers participated in development of the index. The study had three components. A critical appraisal of the literature established the need for an LLCI. The second phase involved 20 professional footballers establishing and testing the components of the comfort index as an instrument for measuring comfort.

RESULTS

Nonparametric statistics (the McNemar test) in phase 2 indicated that the LLCI demonstrated good responsiveness to suitability (P = .019) and ease of use (P < .01). After a high level of agreement for responses, the third stage required 20 players to pilot test the reliability of the LLCI in a controlled environment. Repeated measures of difference between two periods for sum comfort (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99) and individual anatomical segments (κ = 0.72-1) provided confidence that the comfort index was reliable.

CONCLUSIONS

The LLCI showed good trait construct to provide confidence to conduct a future study to investigate interrater consistency in a wider cohort of professional footballers under different conditions, such as match-day and training-week environments.

Neck Pain and Disability Scale and Neck Disability Index: validity of Dutch language versions

Purpose

To investigate the validity of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale Dutch Language Version (NPAD-DLV) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI)-DLV.

Methods

NPAD–DLV, NDI–DLV, Short-Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)-DLV, visual analog scale (VAS)_pain and VAS_disability were administered to 112 patients with non-specific chronic neck pain in an outpatient tertiary rehabilitation setting. Twenty seven hypotheses were formulated regarding validity. NPAD–DLV and NDI–DLV were evaluated for content validity (normal distribution total scores, missing items, floor and ceiling effects), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman Item–total correlations), construct validity (Pearson correlations with SF-36 domains, VAS_pain and VAS_disability and Pearson correlation between total scores of NPAD–DLV and NDI–DLV).

Results

NPAD–DLV and NDI–DLV scores were distributed normally. Missing items were negligible. Floor and ceiling effects were absent in NPAD–DLV and in NDI–DLV two items had floor effects and one item had a ceiling effect. Cronbach’s alpha of NPAD–DLV was 0.93 and of NDI–DLV 0.83. Item–total correlations ranged for NPAD–DLV from 0.45 to 0.73 and for NDI–DLV from 0.40 to 0.64. The correlation between, respectively, NPAD–DLV and NDI–DLV and: SF-36 domains ranged from −0.36 to −0.70 and from −0.34 to −0.63; VAS_pain was 0.54 and 0.43; VAS_disability was 0.57 and 0.52. The correlation between the total scores of NPAD–DLV and NDI–DLV was 0.77. Twenty six hypotheses were not rejected and one hypothesis was rejected.

Conclusion

The NPAD–DLV and NDI–DLV are valid measures of self-reported neck-pain related disability.

Efficacy of paracetamol versus diclofenac for Grade II ankle sprains

BACKGROUND

Ankle sprains are usually treated with the RICE protocol often with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for pain reduction. We evaluated the effect of diclofenac, an NSAID, versus paracematol in the reduction of pain and acute edema of severe ankle sprains.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety patients, 18 to 60 years old, with Grade II acute ankle sprains were randomized into two groups. Group A (45 patients) received for the first 10 days diclofenac 75 mg orally twice per day. Group B (45 patients) received paracetamol 500 mg orally three times per day for the same period. We evaluated ankle joint edema with the Figure-of-Eight method and with the volumetric method, as well as pain with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in both groups.

RESULTS

The patients had no significant differences concerning their baseline values (p > 0.05). The ankle joint edema was decreased in both groups (p < 0.001) but there was more edema in group A than in group B at the third post-traumatic day with both measurement methods (p = 0.028/0.025). By the tenth post-traumatic day no difference was found. Pain decreased in both groups at the third day and at the tenth day (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

According to these results, diclofenac and paracetamol had the same effect on pain reduction of ankle sprains but more acute ankle edema was present in patients who were treated with diclofenac than in patients who were treated with paracetamol.

Robotic-Assisted Parathyroidectomy

Objective. Targeted parathyroidectomy is the gold standard for localized parathyroid disease. A robotic-assisted approach has not been investigated. The aim was to assess the feasibility of a robotic technique that avoids a neck scar.

Study Design. Feasibility study.

Setting. Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods. Eleven patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were prospectively evaluated. Triple modality concordant localization was a prerequisite. All patients underwent robotic-assisted parathyroidectomy (RAP). Outcome variables assessed were operative time, voice change, biochemical cure, and histopathological confirmation. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) included subjective assessment of pain and scar cosmesis, Voice Handicap Index 2, and EQ-5D quality-of-life assessment. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range, 3-12 months).

Results. The parathyroid adenoma was successfully excised in all cases with negligible blood loss (<5 mL). There was 1 conversion. There was no voice change in any case. Robot docking time plateaued to 10 minutes after 8 cases. Mean exposure and console times (31 and 51 minutes, respectively) were affected by body habitus. The mean visual analog scale for scar cosmesis was 75% on the first postoperative day, improving to 92% at 6 months and 95% at 1 year. Pain scores decreased to 8% at 2 weeks. All 5 EQ-5D quality-of-life parameters significantly improved following surgery.

Conclusion. The robotic approach is feasible for performing targeted parathyroidectomy that avoids a neck scar. The clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the robotic approach compared with conventional targeted parathyroidectomy warrant further evaluation to establish if this represents a viable alternative to the existing targeted techniques.

A bio-psycho-social exercise program (RÜCKGEWINN) for chronic low back pain in rehabilitation aftercare--study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

There is strong, internationally confirmed evidence for the short-term effectiveness of multimodal interdisciplinary specific treatment programs for chronic back pain. However, the verification of long-term sustainability of achieved effects is missing so far. For long-term improvement of pain and functional ability high intervention intensity or high volume seems to be necessary (> 100 therapy hours). Especially in chronic back pain rehabilitation, purposefully refined aftercare treatments offer the possibility to intensify positive effects or to increase their sustainability. However, quality assured goal-conscious specific aftercare programs for the rehabilitation of chronic back pain are absent.

Methods/Design

This study aims to examine the efficacy of a specially developed bio-psycho-social chronic back pain specific aftercare intervention (RÜCKGEWINN) in comparison to the current usual aftercare (IRENA) and a control group that is given an educational booklet addressing pain-conditioned functional ability and back pain episodes. Overall rehabilitation effects as well as predictors for compliance to the aftercare programs are analysed. Therefore, a multicenter prospective 3-armed randomised controlled trial is conducted. 456 participants will be consecutively enrolled in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and assigned to either one of the three study arms. Outcomes are measured before and after rehabilitation. Aftercare programs are assessed at ten month follow up after dismissal form rehabilitation.

Discussion

Special methodological and logistic challenges are to be mastered in this trial, which accrue from the interconnection of aftercare interventions to their residential district and the fact that the proportion of patients who take part in aftercare programs is low. The usability of the aftercare program is based on the transference into the routine care and is also reinforced by developed manuals with structured contents, media and material for organisation assistance as well as training manuals for therapists in the aftercare.

Trial Registration

Trial Registration number: NCT01070849

Favorable outcomes after sonographically guided intratendinous injection of hyperosmolar dextrose for chronic insertional and midportion achilles tendinosis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to report on changes in the short-term sonographic appearance and 2-year follow-up for pain outcomes in a large patient population with chronic Achilles tendinosis who underwent sonographically guided dextrose injections.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

One hundred eight tendons (86 midportion and 22 insertional) from 99 patients experiencing pain for greater than 6 months at either the Achilles tendon insertion or midportion were included in the study. Gray-scale (5-12 and 7-15 MHz) and color Doppler sonography examinations preceded the injection procedure using a 27-gauge needle administering a net 25% dextrose-lidocaine solution intratendinously. Structural features of each tendon and presence of neovascularity were noted. Visual analog scale (VAS) items were recorded at baseline, posttest, and 28.6 months follow-up.

RESULTS

A median of five (range, 1-13) injection consultations were needed for each patient, spaced 5.6 +/- 3.1 (SD) weeks apart. There was a significant improvement in pain scores for both midportion (rest: 34.1 +/- 27.7-3.3 +/- 7.4, activities of daily living (ADL): 50.2 +/- 25.6-9.5 +/- 16.2, and sport: 70.7 +/- 23.3-16.7 +/- 22.0) and insertional (rest: 33.0 +/- 26.5-2.7 +/- 6.0, ADL: 51.3 +/- 25.4-10.0 +/- 16.3, and sport: 69.6 +/- 24.5-17.7 +/- 29.1) patients from baseline to follow-up for all VAS items. There were reductions in the size and severity of hypoechoic regions and intratendinous tears and improvements in neovascularity.

CONCLUSION

Dextrose injections appear to present a low-cost and safe treatment alternative with good long-term evidence for reducing pain from pathology at either the insertion or midportion of the Achilles tendon.

Safety and efficacy of therapeutic angiogenesis as a novel treatment in patients with critical limb ischemia

BACKGROUND

In some patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) the possibility of revascularizing treatment does not exist. In this case therapeutic angiogenesis (TA) using autologous endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) transplantation could be an alternative. The objective of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TA using EPC.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with CLI who were not candidates for surgical or endovascular revascularization were included in a prospective study. To mobilize EPCs from the bone marrow, granulocyte colony-stimulating growth factor was injected subcutaneously at doses of 5 microg/kg/day for 5 days. Apheresis was performed, obtaining 50 mL of blood with a high rate of EPCs (CD34(+) and CD133(+) cells were counted). EPCs were implanted in the ischemic limb by intramuscular injections. Primary end points were the safety and feasibility of the procedure and limb salvage rate for amputation at 12 months. Other variables studied were improvement in rest pain, healing of ulcers, ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), and digital plethysmography. All procedures were done pretreatment and every 3 months for a year on average. Postransplantation arteriography was done in selected cases.

RESULTS

No adverse effects were observed. Mean follow-up was 14 months. Before treatment, mean basal ABI was 0.35+/-0.2 and at 18 months postimplantation, 0.72+/-0.51 (p=0.009). There was a mean decrease of five points in pain scale: basal 8.7+/-1, after TA 3.8+/-2.9 (p=0.01). Seven patients required major amputation. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a limb salvage rate of 74.4% after 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Implantation of EPCs in CLI is a safe alternative, improves tissue perfusion, and obtains high amputation-free rates. Nevertheless, this is a small cohort and results should be tested with long randomized trials.

Effectiveness of manual physical therapy for painful shoulder conditions: a systematic review

Multiple disease-specific systematic reviews on the effectiveness of physical therapy intervention for shoulder dysfunction have been inconclusive. To date, there have been two systematic reviews that examined manual therapy specifically but both considered effects within diagnoses. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the effectiveness of manual therapy to the glenohumeral joint across all painful shoulder conditions. A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials for articles dated 1996 to June 2009 was performed. Inclusion for review were manual therapy performed to the glenohumeral joint only; non-surgical painful shoulder disorders; subjects 18-80 years; and outcomes of range of motion, pain, function, and/or quality of life. Quality assessment was performed using the PEDro scale with subsequent data extraction. Seventeen related articles were found with seven fitting the inclusion criteria. The average PEDro score was 7.86, meeting the cutoff score for high quality. Significant heterogeneity in outcome measures prohibited meta-analysis. Five studies demonstrated benefits utilizing manual therapy for mobility, and four demonstrated a trend towards decreasing pain values. Functional outcomes and quality-of-life measures varied greatly among all studies. Manual therapy appears to increase either active or passive mobility of the shoulder. A trend was found favoring manual therapy for decreasing pain, but the effect on function and quality of life remains inconclusive. Future research utilizing consistent outcome measurements is necessary.

Examining the degree of pain reduction using a multielement exercise model with a conventional training shoe versus an ultraflexible training shoe for treating plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common injury to the plantar aponeurosis, manifesting as pain surrounding its proximal insertion at the medial calcaneal tubercle. Pain is typically worse in the morning when getting out of bed, and may subside after the tissue is sufficiently warmed up. For running-based athletes and individuals who spend prolonged periods of time on their feet at work, plantar fasciitis may become recalcitrant to conservative treatments such as ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medication. Exercise-based therapies have received only limited attention in the literature for this common problem, yet they are becoming increasingly validated for pain relief and positive tissue remodeling at other sites of similar soft-tissue overuse injury. This study reports on pain outcomes in individuals experiencing chronic plantar fasciitis while wearing a shoe with an ultraflexible midsole (Nike Free 5.0) (FREE) versus a conventional training (CON) shoe in a 12-week multielement exercise regimen, and after a 6-month follow-up. Adults with >or= 6-month history of painful heel pain were recruited and randomly assigned to wear 1 of the 2 shoes. All subjects completed the same exercise protocol. A visual analogue scale item tracked peak pain in the preceding 24 hours taken at baseline, 6- and 12-week points, and at the 6-month follow-up. Twenty-one subjects completed the program (9 FREE; 12 CON). Both groups reported significant improvements in pain by the 6-month follow-up, and the FREE group reported an overall reduced level of pain throughout the study as a result of lower mean pain scores at the midpoint and post-test compared with the CON group. The exercise regimen employed in this study appears to reduce pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis, and in doing so, the Nike 5.0 shoe may result in reductions in pain earlier than conventional running shoes.