Diagnosis Of Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Articles

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding musculoskeletal disorders among industrial workers in a wind turbine industry in India

To Study the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Workers in a wind turbine industry in India. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affecting Industrial workers must be considered and addressed as a serious issue. Thus, it is important to incorporate ergonomics into clinical practice to prevent MSDs. In order to do screening and diagnosis of MSD's Among Industrial workers it is mandatory to know how much of awareness they have regarding MSD's and Ergonomic Hazards respectively as a preliminary study.A cross-sectional study conducted in which the participants were interviewed to complete a validated four-section questionnaire (demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practice information related to ergonomics). The questionnaire was newly self-developed based on a literature review and was pilot tested after development.Out of the total workers who gave their responses for the questionnaire, about 80 percentage of the responses were positive among which the positive responses for knowledge-based questions, Attitude based questions and Practice based questions amounted to 73.16%, 83.12% and 88.36% respectively. The study aimed to investigate MSDs among industrial workers in the wind turbine industry in India. A validated questionnaire was used to collect and analyze workers' responses. The findings will enhance awareness and engagement regarding MSDs and ergonomic hazards, leading to effective interventions and a safer working environment. Addressing the identified gaps can improve worker well-being and productivity.

Determinants of use of rehabilitation services before entering disability pension: Time series analysis of insured members of the German Pension Insurance Federation in Berlin and Brandenburg

The age-standardized application rate for medical rehabilitation services of the German Pension Insurance Association has been declining since 2009. Two of the most frequent reasons for applying for rehabilitation services represent musculoskeletal disorders and mental disorders. The aim of this analysis was to identify factors influencing the utilization of rehabilitation services in the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg. The explorative time series analysis is based on a research dataset of the German Pension Insurance Federation. Insured persons of the German Pension Insurance Federation from the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg with a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders or mental disorders were included. Descriptive differences in targeted and prognostic parameters were calculated using chi-square and t-test statistics. Predictive parameters for the utilization of medical rehabilitation services were calculated using binary, logistic regression analyses. A total of 11,257 insured cases were examined. For the population of insured persons from Berlin, the use of medical rehabilitation services showed significant prognostic variables for gender, age at retirement, marital status, level of education, occupational requirement level, total accumulated earning points, gross pension level, status of a temporary pension, health insurance status, and diagnosis group. For Brandenburg, significant prognostic variables were found for age at retirement, marital status, nationality, education level, occupational requirement level, total accumulated earning points, status of a temporary pension, occupational sector, and diagnosis group. In Berlin and Brandenburg mental disorders and sociodemographic parameters are associated with an increased probability of not claiming medical rehabilitation services before the onset of reduced earning capacity. It remains to be investigated which mechanisms cause people with mental disorders to make no use of medical rehabilitation services. Future analyses should examine isolated interaction mechanisms for the utilization of medical rehabilitation services, especially in the case of existing F-diagnoses. In addition, explanations for different influencing variables between states remain to be explored.

The mediation effect of vitamin A and vitamin D supplement in the association between serum vitamin K levels and musculoskeletal disorders in preschool children.

Vitamin K deficiency may elevate the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), whereas it lacks validation for pediatric populations and has uncertain dose recommendations. In this context, we hypothesized that serum vitamin K levels are associated with MSD in preschool children, and the widely used vitamin A and vitamin D supplements may mediate these associations based on potential mechanisms, which expects to provide guidance for future practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sichuan province in southwestern China, from January 2021 to May 2022. Serum levels of vitamin K1/K2 and 25(OH)D were determined using the high-performance liquid chromatography method, and the diagnosis of MSD was executed by clinicians. Overall and stratified logistic regression analysis based on categorized 25(OH)D levels were conducted to assess association between serum vitamin K levels and MSD prevalence after adjusting for confounders. Mediation analysis was further performed and vitamin A and D supplementation was regressed as the mediator. A total of 6,368 children aged 0-6 years old were enrolled. MSD was identified in 1179 (18.51%) of the children, while 5,189 (81.49%) of them did not present such disorder. After adjusting confounders, a significant difference was found in serum vitamin K1 level between children in MSD and Non-MSD group (OR = 0.802, 95%CI 0.745-0.864). No significant difference was found in serum vitamin K2 level between the two groups (OR = 0.975, 95%CI 0.753-1.261). The association between vitamin K1 level and MSD prevalence was partly (36.8%) mediated by vitamin A and D supplementation. A low serum vitamin K1 level is connected with an increased risk of MSD among children, highlighting that vitamin A and D supplementation is a helpful intervention to prevent MSD in children with vitamin K deficiency.

Efectividad de la entrevista motivacional en la atención fisioterápica de los trastornos musculoesqueléticos de la espalda

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) combined with the usual physiotherapy treatment in patients with back musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in primary care (PC). MethodsQuasi-experimental study with 2groups with therapeutic action (control group and experimental group) and prospective follow-up, in a physiotherapy unit in PC, in patients who began their treatment in 2020, with a medical diagnosis of MSD in the back. MI was used only in the face-to-face visits of the experimental group. Both groups were interviewed by telephone about 3and 6months after finishing the physiotherapy treatment. For this purpose, the Barthel scale was used for the subjective perception of the state of health, and the scale of compliance with home guidelines. Linear (regression coefficient, 95% CI) and logistic (OR, 95% CI) regression models were fitted. ResultsThe study population was 154 people (76.6% women). Perceived health was significantly better (P<.001) in the experimental group than in the control group, both at 3(7.4 versus 5.0, respectively) and at 6months of follow-up (7.1 versus 4.6, respectively). There was a strong association between perceived health and compliance (regression coefficient 3.0 [95% CI=2.5–3.4]). The strong association between MI and treatment adherence was maintained after multivariate adjustments (6-month OR=383.6 [95% CI 31.0–4742.4]). ConclusionsMI is a feasible and effective complement to physiotherapy treatments to improve compliance with home recommendations and subjective perception of health.

The Protocol of Ultrasonic Backscatter Measurements of Musculoskeletal Properties.

This study aims to introduce the protocol for ultrasonic backscatter measurements of musculoskeletal properties based on a novel ultrasonic backscatter bone diagnostic (UBBD) instrument. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can be adopted to measure bone mineral density(BMD) in the hip, spine, legs and the whole body. The muscle and fat mass in the legs and the whole body can be also calculated by DXA body composition analysis. Based on the proposed protocol for backscatter measurements by UBBD, ultrasonic backscatter signals can be measured in vivo, deriving three backscatter parameters [apparent integral backscatter (AIB), backscatter signal peak amplitude (BSPA) and the corresponding arrival time (BSPT)]. AIB may provide important diagnostic information about bone properties. BSPA and BSPT may be important indicators of muscle and fat properties. The standardized backscatter measurement protocol of the UBBD instrument may have the potential to evaluate musculoskeletal characteristics, providing help for promoting the application of the backscatter technique in the clinical diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as osteoporosis and muscular atrophy.

Work-related psychosocial and physical paths to future musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Given the human, industrial and societal costs of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) we evaluated antecedents to MSDs (assessed as pain, doctor diagnosis, and workplace injury) over a six-year period T1 (2014/2015) and T2 (2020/2021). The purpose of the study was to examine the role of the organisational climate (i.e., psychosocial safety climate, PSC) for employees' psychological health and safety as an antecedent to physical demands, and psychosocial risks (e.g., low control, harassment) that in turn might relate to MSDs using a longitudinal design. We used matched data from follow-up telephone interviews of 432 Australian employees. We found evidence for several psychosocial paths; PSC was related to future workplace injuries through decision authority; PSC was related to MSD pain through depressive symptoms. For future doctor diagnosed MSDs, PSC was directly negatively related. Older age, being male and low income was related to work injury; being female associated with MSD pain; and being older was associated with MSD diagnosis. A novel finding was the linkage between psychosocial risks (low skill discretion and harassment) and future physical demands leading to future MSD pain and work injury highlighting a new pathway linking psychosocial and physical aspects. Overall poor PSC was found as a distal antecedent of all MSDs. Decision authority and skill discretion were most critical psychosocial risks in predicting future pain and injuries. Psychosocial factors predicted future demands. Actions should target improving PSC and autonomy and reducing harassment and physical demands, to decrease the incidence of MSDs.

Musculoskeletal pain among nursing professionals in material and sterilization centers.

To identify the presence of musculoskeletal pain during the working day among nursing professionals in material and sterilization centers. A cross-sectional study with 36 nursing professionals who answered a questionnaire for personal characterization and diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders and Corlett and Manenica's diagram of painful areas at the beginning and end of the working day. Frequency distribution analysis, Fisher's exact test and likelihood ratio were carried out. The presence of pain was reported by 80.6% (n = 29) of the participants at the start of the working day and 94.4% (n = 34) at the end, and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 66.6% (n = 24). There was a statistically significant difference in the number of segments with pain between professionals with and without a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, in the initial and final assessments. The lumbar spine had a higher prevalence of pain in both assessments. The prevalence of pain increased towards the end of the working day and indicates that there may be a relationship between the work process and the development of pain. It is important to identify working conditions that may contribute to the onset of pain and to adopt preventive measures.

Musculoskeletal manifestations in type-2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in a North-Eastern city of India-A cross-sectional observational study.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of diabetes are common and not life threatening, but these are an important cause of morbidity, pain and disability among diabetic patients. In 2004, the National Health Interview Survey determined that 58% of diabetic patients would have musculoskeletal functional disability. This study was designed to estimate the proportion of musculoskeletal manifestations among Type 2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Tripura and also to determine the association of various musculoskeletal manifestations with glycaemic status, body mass index and duration of diabetes mellitus. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in a northeastern state of India from December 2020 to November 2021. All the diabetic patients attending diabetes nutrition clinic of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year were considered for this study. Diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorder was made based on history, physical examination, laboratory test and imaging test. Quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Descriptive data was expressed in percentages and frequencies using charts and tables. Chi-square test was applied to explore any association between variables. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Out of four hundred and forty-two diabetic cases and two hundred and thirty-four (52.9%) patients were found with musculoskeletal manifestations, 55% of which belong to 45-59 age group. Physicians treating diabetic patients should be encouraged for regular examination for musculoskeletal complaints. Early diagnosis will facilitate appropriate treatment and thus prevents further complications.

Risk of first musculoskeletal disorder in Danish occupational fishermen – a register-based study

Abstract Background Occupational fishery increase risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to a combination of heavy workloads and strenuous settings. Scarce and inconsistent knowledge exists on work-related risk factors despite high prevalence is evident. The aim was to determine work-related risk factors for the first diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders in Danish occupational fishermen. Methods This study was a register-based cohort study. We extracted data the from Nationwide Danish registers on work affiliation and health data for all persons registered as occupational fishermen between 1994 and 2017. Job titles were retrieved from the Danish Occupational Cohort with eXposure (DOC*X). Time-to-event analysis using cox regression with age as timescale was applied. Results Among 15.739 fishermen, forty percent (n = 6.218 cases) experienced first musculoskeletal disorder during 82.2 million person-years of follow-up. Adjusted gender-stratified analysis showed that male fishermen, who worked less than 5 years and more than 15 years had the highest significant risks of MSD (HR 2.40 (95%CI: 2.06, 2.80), HR: 2.40 (95%CI: 1.76, 2.35)) respectively, compared to working more than 20 years. In males, more years in workforce, a captain education and working part time significantly protected against first MSD, while shifting trades above three times increased risk. Women had estimates with greater uncertainties due to their small numbers in the industry. Conclusions A high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders was found in Danish occupational fishermen between 1994-2017. Findings suggest a bimodal relationship between occupational fishermen seniority level and their risk of musculoskeletal disorder, where highest risk was seen at five years in trade, afterwards from lower estimate slowly increasing with accumulating years until highest occupational seniority, compared to more than twenty years in trade. Continued development actions of preventive measures are suggested. Key messages

USEFULNESS OF THE SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHICAL RECORDINGS FOR EVALUATION OF SYNERGISTIC MUSCLE FUNCTION IN THE LOWER EXTREMITIES OF PATIENTS AFTER INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURIES FOR THE PHYSIOTHERAPY PURPOSES

Introduction Electromyographic examinations with the use of surface leads (sEMG) in the standing and lying position are used in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders and prognostically, assessing the patient’s therapeutic process, especially kinesiotherapy. There is little data on synergistic muscle function in patients with partial spinal cord injury (iSCI) from which an optimal isometric rehabilitation program can be determined. Aim The aim of the following pilot study is to demonstrate the pathological pattern of synergistic interaction of lower limb muscles in patients with (iSCI) preventing correct posture. This is to enable the future to create a detailed algorithm through selective and targeted activities aimed at restoring the correct pattern of muscle synergy. Material and methods The studies were carried out in 12 patients with (iSCI) (documented in the MRI at levels C3-C8 and Th7-S1). The electrodes recorded bipolar activity (sEMG) on both sides of the: gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF), tibialis anterior (TIB), extensors of the back of the foot (EXT). Records were performed in the position that activated the proximal and distal muscles. Results The results show changes in the muscle synergy pattern for the lower extremities in patients with (iSCI), by the intensification of muscle interaction (GM) with (EXT). Conclusions The results demonstrate the behavior of the synergistic muscle pathways of the distal muscles of the lower extremities and the role of the interacting with (GM) activity in maintaining correct posture. Kinesiotherapy exercises should be aimed at returning balance between (RE) and (GM) to restore the patient’s correct posture.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Should Radiologists Maintain a Role?

Radiologists throughout the decades have introduced, developed, and advanced the use of ultrasound in evaluation of the musculoskeletal system, first evaluating the rotator cuff in 1977 (1). With the development of improved equipment producing high resolution imaging, ultrasound plays a significant role in musculoskeletal imaging complementing, and at times rivaling other imaging methods such as MR imaging for specific indications (2-4). Additionally, musculoskeletal ultrasound is now an important modality not only for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders but also for guiding diagnostic and therapeutic interventions including injections and biopsies (5).

Ultrasound Imaging in Sport-Related Muscle Injuries: Pitfalls and Opportunities.

Muscle injuries occur frequently in athletes, accounting for more than one-third of sport-related trauma. Athletes most affected by these injuries are those practicing football and track and field, with hamstrings and gastrocnemius-soleus as the mainly involved sites. Muscle injuries lead to loss of competitions, long recovery times and risk of re-injury with a consequent increase of the management costs. It is therefore advisable to make an accurate and timely diagnosis to establish appropriate interventions for proper healing in the shortest time. In this context, ultrasound imaging is widely used for diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders because of several advantages including absence of radiation, portability, good spatial resolution, and the ability to perform dynamic tests. The aim of this review is to address the role of US in the evaluation of athletes with muscle injuries. US may play a pivotal role for the management of sport-related muscle injuries because it is fast and relatively cheap, allowing dynamic muscle assessment and time series evaluation of the healing process.

Diagnosis of Waist Muscle Injury after Exercise Based on High-Frequency Ultrasound Image.

The low back is the weight-bearing part of the human trunk and has a complex anatomy with a variety of lesions. The traditional diagnostic imaging methods include X-ray, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With the rapid development of ultrasound diagnostic instruments and diagnostic techniques, high-frequency ultrasonography plays a more important role in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders by virtue of its advantages of being safe, noninvasive, inexpensive, repeatable in a short period of time, and real-time imaging, especially for the display of fine structures of soft tissues, which is superior to CT and MRI. In this paper, the puncture needle was punctured near the intervertebral foramen, anti-inflammatory analgesics were injected under ultrasound surveillance. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs mainly consist of local anesthetics and glucocorticoids. Local anesthetics can immediately block the nociceptive transmission of the diseased nerve, improve muscle tension, and eliminate muscle spasm, and glucocorticoids can effectively eliminate edema and inflammation of the lumbar nerve root and its surrounding tissues. The results showed that high-frequency ultrasound, as a noninvasive imaging examination, can clearly display the structure and spatial hierarchy of the skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, and muscles of the low back, can provide real-time dynamic bilateral contrast observation, which can be the preferred imaging examination method for soft tissue disorders of the low back, and can compensate with general X-ray, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging to provide richer clinical diagnosis and treatment. It can provide richer imaging information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Occupational Diseases and Perceived Health in Operating Room Nurses: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Observational Study

BackgroundThe surgical environment has multiple factors that could affect nurses’ health. The aim was to determine the effects of the working environment of operating room nurses on their health compared to hospitalization nurses.MethodsA sample of operating room nurses and hospitalization nurses were included in the study and participated by filling in a self-report survey containing sociodemographic data items, the validated Nordic and SF12 scales and a list of medical conditions.ResultsThree hundred and thirty-one nurses participated in the study. Statistically significant results had obtained for diagnoses of musculoskeletal disorders and contact dermatitis among the operating room nurses.Conclusion/Application to PracticeContinuous training in ergonomics is essential. Moreover, surgical protocols for preventing infection should be revised, optimizing the chlorhexidine content of soaps to reduce the risk of lesions among the surgical staff.

Significance of Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Various Musculoskeletal Disorder

Introduction: Ultrasound is a safe, highly cost effective and non-invasive imaging technique without any absolute contraindication. It is also one of the most useful investigations in all medical specialities worldwide. The trend of use of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of various musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) is tremendously rising in orthopedics practice in Nepal over the last few years.&#x0D; Objectives: The study was conducted to fulfill the existing lacunae in medical literature about use and benefits of ultrasound in context of Nepal. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound in the diagnosis of MSD among patients attending orthopedic department.&#x0D; Methodology: All the consecutive patients who visited department of orthopedics and received the diagnosis of MSD and had undergone ultrasonography from February 2017 to February 2019 were included in the study. The effectiveness of ultrasound was evaluated by assessing the correlation between clinical and ultrasound based diagnosis.&#x0D; Results: Out of 420 patients, majorities were female (55%). Out of 6 different anatomical sites identified, maximum patients had problem around wrist and hand (31%) followed by ankle and foot (22.9%). Similarly the most common diagnosis was related to tendon pathology including tendonitis, tenosynovitis and tendinopathy (31.9%). There was statistically significant correlation between ultrasound and clinical diagnosis with P value &lt;0.01.&#x0D; Conclusion: Overuse tendon injury are common pathology around wrist and ankle that can be diagnosed by ultrasound along with many other MSD. The use of ultrasound is gradually widening in scope but has to be performed by the expert to improve the diagnostic accuracy and also to avoid misleading diagnoses. Since there is significant correlation between clinical and ultrasound based diagnosis, it can be beneficial even for young doctors for making effective diagnosis of MSD.

Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches Are Underused Among Older Veterans With Musculoskeletal Pain

Complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches are recommended in national policy guidelines as viable options for managing chronic pain, yet their use among Veterans has been suboptimal, especially for older Veterans. We identified 64,444 Veterans with a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) who reported a moderate to severe pain intensity during primary care visits in 2013 from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic records. Using natural language processing (NLP), CIH use (acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage) was documented for 8169 (6.5%) of 125408 primary care visits in providers’ progress notes. Compared to their younger counterparts, older Veterans aged ≥ 65 years had 21% lower likelihood of using CIH during the year [Odds Ratio (OR): 0.79; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 0.73, 0.86] after accounting for demographic, clinical, temporal and spatial confounding using a generalized estimating equation logistic model. Non-white race/ethnicity, tobacco use, medical comorbidities and diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorders were independently associated with less CIH use (ORs ranging 0.97-0.80, p<0.03-0.0001); whereas female gender, being married and number of MSD diagnoses were associated with greater CIH use (ORs ranging 1.13-1.30, p<0.0001). Redefining CIH use as chiropractic care alone [4.8% person-visits; OR: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.86)] or incorporating structured data [9.0% person-visits; OR: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70-0.82)] in the adjusted GEE model derived consistent results. Research to identify and address barriers to CIH use among older Veterans is encouraged.

A novel RGB-trichrome staining method for routine histological analysis of musculoskeletal tissues

Morphometry and histology are essential approaches for investigation and diagnosis of musculo-skeletal disorders. Despite the advent of revolutionary methods of image analysis and high resolution three-dimensional imaging technology, basic conventional light microscopy still provides an incisive overview of the structure and tissue dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. This is crucial to both preclinical and clinical research, since several clinically relevant processes, such as bone repair, osteoarthritis, and metabolic bone diseases, display distinct, if not pathognomonic, histological features. Due to the particular characteristics of the skeletal tissues (i.e., the existence of mineralized extracellular matrices), a large number of staining methods applicable to either decalcified or undecalcified tissues are available. However, it is usually the case that several staining methods need to be sequentially applied in order to achieve the different endpoints required to fully assess skeletal tissue structure and dynamics, and to allow morphometric quantification. We describe herein a novel staining method, the RGB trichrome, amenable for application to decalcified, paraffin embedded human musculoskeletal tissues. The acronym RGB corresponds to the three primary dyes used: picrosirius Red, fast Green, and alcian Blue. Although these individual pigments are commonly used either isolated, in binary combinations, or as part of more complex polychrome staining methods, when merged in the RGB trichrome staining produce high-quality/high-contrast images, permitting not only clear identification of different tissues (i.e., the different types of cartilage, bone and fibrous connective tissue), but also discrimination between calcified and uncalcified bone and cartilage, as well as an unexpected diversity of shades of color, while displaying singular properties among polychrome staining methods, such as the unveiling of the bone osteocyte dendritic/canalicular network. Hence, we propose the RGB trichrome as simple but highly-reliable tool for the preclinical and clinical study of the musculoskeletal system.

Diagnostic Value of Dynamic High-frequency Ultrasound for the Slipping Rib and Twelfth Rib Syndrome: A Case Series with Review.

High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is a mobile, radiation-free imaging tool for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. We aim to demonstrate the diagnostic value of dynamic HFUS for undiagnosed lower chest, upper abdomen, and loin pain with this case series. A cricketer presented with long-standing left-sided dull ache lower chest and upper abdominal pain, aggravated on exertion and leaning forward. His previous laboratory and previous imaging tests were unrevealing. Dynamic HFUS of his left ribs during hooking maneuver demonstrated slipping of the eighth rib over the seventh rib associated with clicking. He also reported tenderness over this region. He was diagnosed with slipping rib syndrome (SRS), and was treated with the eighth nerve block under the HFUS guidance. The second and third cases presented with chronic undiagnosed waxing and waning loin pain despite extensive laboratory and radiological workup. Both patients demonstrated twelfth rib HFUS probe tenderness in a sitting position with a specific movement that reproduced the pain during the dynamic HFUS study. The diagnosis of twelfth rib syndrome (TRS) was confirmed and treated successfully with a local intercostal nerve block. HFUS is the most underutilized imaging tool for the diagnosis of unexplained upper abdominal and lower chest pain syndromes. We identified only a few such reported cases managed with the help of HFUS. The dynamic HFUS is a valuable imaging modality for the undiagnosed lower chest, upper abdominal, or loin pain.

Health Literacy and The Use of Primary Health Care Services of Inpatients with Musculoskeletal Complaints

Aim: Our study aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy and the use of primary health care services in our patient group, where the demand for health services is quite frequent due to their complaints. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 725 patients with various diagnoses of musculoskeletal disorders hospitalizing to whom physical therapy and/or rehabilitation was applied. The volunteer participants filled out a sociodemographic questionnaire which consisted of 26 questions and Adult Health Literacy Scale using face-to-face interview method. Results: The mean total score of health literacy of the participants was identified as 12.02±3.77. In terms of those who previously took medical home service before for any reason, who received counseling by the midwife, and who have consulted their family physician about their current complaints, health literacy score was found to be significantly higher than the others. Conclusion: In order to increase the level of health literacy, which is an integral part of preventive health services especially in primary health care which is the first medical contact point, training programs should be planned according to the level of people’s need and understanding in every opportunity like seeing the patient in polyclinic or giving mobile care or during health screening programs. Keywords: health literacy, health education, national health policy

Artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging.

Ultrasonography (US) is noninvasive and offers real-time, low-cost, and portable imaging that facilitates the rapid and dynamic assessment of musculoskeletal components. Significant technological improvements have contributed to the increasing adoption of US for musculoskeletal assessments, as artificial intelligence (AI)-based computer-aided detection and computer-aided diagnosis are being utilized to improve the quality, efficiency, and cost of US imaging. This review provides an overview of classical machine learning techniques and modern deep learning approaches for musculoskeletal US, with a focus on the key categories of detection and diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, predictive analysis with classification and regression, and automated image segmentation. Moreover, we outline challenges and a range of opportunities for AI in musculoskeletal US practice.