Locomotor System Disorders Research Articles

The Impact of Multimorbidity on the Functional Skills in Elderly People

Introduction. Multimorbidity is defined as the occurrence of two or more chronic diseases and is the most noticeable feature of an elderly person. With age, an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases is observed. Somatic diseases frequently co-occur with mental illnesses. In most cases, chronic diseases result in seniors’ disability. The most common ones include cardiovascular system, locomotor system, sight and hearing disorders; neurological and mental diseases; and mental impairments. Aim. The aim of the paper was to assess the prevalence of multimorbidity in elderly people in their home environment and to determine the relationship between multimorbidity and seniors’ functional skills. Material and Methods. The method of a diagnostic survey was applied, with the direct questionnaire technique. A questionnaire of the authors’ own construction was used, as well as standardized tools, i.e. the Barthel and the Lawton scales. The study involved 504 people aged 66–94 years staying in their home environment. Results. Only 0.05% of the subjects did not report any disease. The average number of diseases was 2.98 (3.03 in women, 2.90 in men). A statistically significant correlation was found between the number of the declared diseases and the patients’ age (p<0.001). In addition, together with an increase in the number of diseases, a deterioration was observed in the results on the Barthel and Lawton scales (p<0.001), as well as in cognitive and emotional skills (p<0.001). Conclusions. The vast majority of people aged over 65 years living in rural areas experienced multimorbidity; the following predominated among the diseases: hypertension, osteoarthritis, circulatory insufficiency, atherosclerosis, and diabetes mellitus. Together with an increase in the number of diseases, a deterioration was observed in the patients’ functional, cognitive, and emotional skills. (JNNN 2024;13(1):17–22)

Role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in musculoskeletal disorders

Inflammasomes are innate immune sensors and receptors that play key pathological roles in the development and progression of numerous diseases. Recent studies have shown that NLRP3 inflammasomes are critical in the pathology of diseases with a high impact on public health, such as musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders, mainly caused or aggravated by work and the surrounding environment, are locomotor system disorders such as muscles, joints, bones, as well as diseases associated with neurological and circulatory system injuries. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes can induce inflammation and pyroptosis, leading to further bodily harm. Therefore, investigating the mechanism and function of NLRP3 inflammasomes, holds great significance and importance for the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. This review provides a summary of the activation pathway and mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasomes, and analyzes the role in musculoskeletal disorders such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis and arthritis, with the aim to facilitate the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Invasive Bacterial Infections of the Musculoskeletal and Central Nervous System during Pig Rearing: Detection Frequencies of Different Pathogens and Specific Streptococcus suis Genotypes.

Locomotor and central nervous system disorders occur during pig rearing, but there is no systematic recording of the different causative agents in Germany. Joint and meningeal swabs, kidneys, lungs, and eight different lymph nodes per pig were cultured, and isolated pathogens were identified using polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). The cps and pathotype of Streptococcus suis (S. suis) isolates were determined using multiplex-PCR. S. suis was the most important pathogen in the infected joints (70.8%) and meningeal swabs (85.4%) and was most frequently detected in both sites in suckling and weaning piglets. To elucidate the possible portal of entry of S. suis, eight different lymph nodes from 201 pigs were examined in a prospective study. S. suis was detected in all examined lymph nodes (n = 1569), including the mesenteric lymph nodes (15.8%; n = 121/765), with cps 9 (37.2%; n = 147) and cps 2 (24.3%; n = 96) being the most dominating cps types. In piglets with a systemic S. suis infection, different lymph nodes are frequently infected with the invasive S. suis strain, which does not help clarify the portal of entry for S. suis.

Minimal Brain Dysfunctions (MBD): Causes, Clinical Symptoms - Deformity of The Feet, Knees, Hips, Pelvis and Spine Physiotherapy

In the pathology of children, from the orthopedic point of view, there commonly occur problems connected with the Syndrome of Contractures and Deformities described by Professor Hans May from Germany. His observations have been made between 1960 and 1980, additionally, in this subject, there are observations from Lublin (Tomasz Karski and Jacek Karski) from 1995-2023. The second group of causes of pathologies in children which if not properly treated, can also occur in adults leading to problems of locomotor system disorders connected with abnormalities of the Central Nervous System – Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD). This article is devoted to the MBD problems.

Assessment of static and dynamic balance in patients after total hip arthroplasty based on the Tinetti Test

Introduction: A degenerative disease of a hip joint (osteoarthritis) is a chronic affliction which causes progressive degeneration of a hip joint and tissue located around it. It inflicts limitation of locomotor skills, deteriorates life quality to a significant extent, and prevents a patient from normal activities in daily life. In Poland, more than 3 million people suffer from osteoarthritis. The disease symptoms are pain, limitation of mobility scope in a joint, postural and gait disorders, and positioning of a lower limb in non-functional position. The aim of the study was to analyze the gait pattern and to assess the static and dynamic balance of people qualified for hip joint arthroplasty, as well as possibility of falling.Material and methods: The Tinetti Test has been used for the research in question. This test has been completed in patients awaiting for hip joint arthroplasty, and once more on a third day upon completion of arthroplasty, in the Department and Clinic of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Oncology of Locomotor System of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. This test has included a group of 31 – 11 women and 20 men.Results: The mean age of the research group was 65.1 years. The intensity of pain in the hip joint, based on the VAS scale before and after the procedure, was 6.53 and 5.22 points, respectively. The average number of points obtained by the patient in the Tinetti Test before the surgery was 22.71 points. On the third day of hip surgery, the mean number of points decreased to 18.81 points.Conclusions: Patients treated with alloplastic surgery of a hip joint show lower static and dynamic balance. Upon completion of the surgery, the patients are more prone to fall. The patients with completed hip joint arthroplasty show symptoms of locomotor system disorders.

Functional imaging diagnostic decentralization idea

Home imaging diagnostic means: a service to satisfy the needs of all those who, for many reasons, have to do radiographs and ultrasounds at home or in private care istitutions which got no imaging system. Examples: patients with severe diseases(accidents, after surgery outcome), cronich disease or locomotor system disorders (ex. spine disorders), affected by cardiorespiratory diseases or,also, the ones who cannot move. So,in the next future, we can see the healtcare facility critical importance for this service, it must be programmed. Now, to activate home diagnotic imaging (hospital or private health care provider), all the criteria is analysed.

Functional imaging diagnostic decentralization idea

Home imaging diagnostic means: a service to satisfy the needs of all those who, for many reasons, have to do radiographs and ultrasounds at home or in private care istitutions which got no imaging system. Examples: patients withsevere diseases(accidents, after surgery outcome), cronich disease or locomotor system disorders (ex. spine disorders), affected by cardiorespiratory diseases or,also, the ones who cannot move.So,in the next future, we can see the healtcare facility critical importance for this service, it must be programmed.Now, to activate home diagnotic imaging (hospital or private health care provider), all the criteria is analysed.

Incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in police officers riding motorcycles while on duty

Riding a motorcycle involves a risk of suffering from ailments of the musculoskeletal system. These can be caused, i.a., by long-term persistence of a unfavorable body position, vibrations or the necessity of wearing a protective helmet. One of the occupational groups that use motorcycles are road traffic police officers. There are few literature reports of ailments related to riding a motorcycle, especially as regards police officers using these vehicles while on duty. The key objective of this research was to investigate the occurrence of locomotor system disorders during a motorcycle ride or after it, among Polish police officers who actively ride motorcycles. Factors which can affect the occurrence and characteristics of those disorders were also verified. A survey including 42 questions was used in the research. After obtaining the consent from the Police Commander-in-Chief, 485 questionnaires were distributed to selected Provincial Police Headquarters, 377 of which were eventually approved for statistical analysis. In 57.37% of the investigated police officers who regularly rode motorcycles while on duty, ailments of the locomotor system were reported, which most often appeared after a long ride (53.46%), and usually disappeared within a few hours after its end (60.65%). The ailments were found to mostly occur in the lumbosacral (76.17%) and cervical spine (50.93%); however, the highest intensity was observed in the lumbosacral spine (5.86%) and knee joints (5.11%). Also, there was a direct connection between pain and years of service on a motorcycle (p = 0.014), the average monthly distance (p = 0.036), and past motorcycle accidents (p = 0.001), or other accidents (p = 0.002). The Polish police officers experience locomotor system disorders related to riding a motorcycle while on duty. The factors affecting their occurrence include experience in riding a motorcycle, the monthly distance covered, and accidents. Med Pr. 2020;71(2):177-86.

Abdominal muscles activity during abdominal bracing and posterior pelvic tilt in women after natural birth and after caesarean delivery

Exercises after pregnancy can reduce the severity and risk of postnatal locomotor system disorders and muscular dysfunctions. The aim of the study was to evaluate electromyographic activity of abdominal muscles in women who gave birth naturally and via a caesarean section, and to compare it to a group of women who have never given birth. 27 women were included into the study after completing the personal questionnaire and functional examination. The surface electromyography during abdominal bracing and posterior pelvic tilt was used to test rectus abdominis muscles and internus oblique/ transversus abdominis muscles bilaterally. After normalization test, patients were asked to perform abdominal bracing and posterior pelvic tilt exercises. Activity of rectus abdominis muscle is higher in posterior pelvic tilt compared to abdominal bracing. It should be noted that the internus oblique/transversus abdominis muscle activity in both exercises is similar. In women after natural birth and after a cesarean section who experienced no locomotor system symptoms, no statistically significant differences in abdominal muscle activity in both exercises were observed. In each group being studied, posterior pelvic tilt activated rectus abdominis muscles to a greater extent than just bracing.

Welfare and locomotor system disorders in active draft horses (cart horses)

ABSTRACT: Horses performing tasks is a common scene in urban centers, evidenced by the significant number of animals pulling carts along the streets (cart horses). Despite the rising concern of the population for animal welfare, as well as the creation of laws that prohibit traction activity in several Brazilian municipalities, these attitudes must be based on the impact of such activity on equine health. Locomotor system disorders are commonly observed in animals of this species, and become even more frequent when they are submitted to unhealthy working conditions. In this context, we conducted a survey on locomotor system disorders in 11 active draft horses. To this end, we performed lameness assessments and radiographic and ultrasound examinations. Information on management regarding the horses’ hooves, type of harness used, and type of work performed was also obtained through the application of questionnaires to the owners. The collected data showed that, although most of the animals in the study presented critical orthopedic conditions, they were not treated and the horses did not rest for adequate time. We observed that the disorders, which are often chronic, may be directly associated with incorrect management of the animals. We emphasize the importance to disseminate information that values the welfare of traction animals in order to tackle mistreatment.

Recommendations for acupuncture in clinical practice guidelines of the national guideline clearinghouse.

To organize the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to acupuncture included in the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) to systematically summarize the diseases and disorders most commonly treated with acupuncture, the strength of recommendations for acupuncture and the quality of evidence. The NGC database was systematically searched for guidelines that included acupuncture as an intervention. Two independent reviewers studied the summaries and the full texts of the guidelines and included guidelines based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty-nine guidelines were collected with 80 recommendations. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument was used to assess the quality of these guidelines. Of the 80 recommendations on acupuncture, 49 recommendations were clearly for acupuncture, 25 recommendations were against acupuncture and 6 recommendations did not indicate any clear recommendations, 37 recommendations were for painful diseases/disorders, and 12 recommendations were for non-painful diseases/disorders. Locomotor system disorders were the most common in the painful diseases/disorders category. Out of all the recommendations for acupuncture, most recommendations (87.76%) were weak in strength, and most of the evidence (40.84%) was of low quality. In the National Guideline Clearinghouse, the recommendations for acupuncture focus on painful diseases/disorders. The recommendations in the guidelines are not high in strength, and most of the evidence is moderate or low in quality.

Primary Cilia in Chondrogenic Differentiation of Equine Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Ultrastructural Study

Locomotor system disorders in equine species, such as tendon lesions, osteoarthritis, or ligament injuries, are some of the most frequent causes of dramatic reduction in horse performance. Traditional therapies are aimed at the inflammatory process and pain, but they do not regenerate normal tendon or ligament matrix and do not reduce re-injured rates. Mesenchymal stem cells have started to use as therapeutic option to repair these injured tissues. Most studies have focused on their isolation, in vitro culture and phenotyping. However, mesenchymal stem cell ultrastructure has been disregarded in the last years. We investigate the ultrastructural characteristics of these cells once differentiated into chondrocytes. Ultrastructural analysis was conducted on suspension cultures of differentiated chondrocytes from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by means of transmission electron microscopy. The morphologic characteristics of these cells, their ability to produce the extracellular matrix, and the presence of a single cilium could be indicative of the mesenchymal cells differentiation into chondrocyte phenotype. This study provides essential data to evaluate the degree of suitable phenotypic stability, for these cells can be used with repair purposes.

Assessment of static loads on the locomotion system accompanying work on dairy stock farms

The aim of this study was to perform statistical analyses of the load on the locomotion system during a variety of basic (elementary) work tasks associated with dairy cattle breeding, its causes and suggested key preventive measures illustrated, with an example of a large dairy stock farm. A comparative analysis was performed to compare the activities of the locomotion system during the use of traditional and modern milking methods. The analysis included elementary work tasks performed by 12 healthy, full‑time stock workers (only males) employed at a large dairy stock farm in the Province of Wielkopolska, operating as a limited liability company. The working area consisted of two dairy cowsheds, in which different milking methods were used. OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysing System) method and the supporting WinOWAS computer system were employed to analyse all occupational activities generating static loads. The elementary work tasks in dairy cow breeding may involve significant loads on the musculoskeletal system. Unergonomic performance of these tasks results from bad habits and the level of mechanisation specific to a dairy cowshed. The proposed corrective and preventive measures presented in the analysis of specific works consists mainly in substituting the tools used so far with more ergonomic equipment, which is safer for the human locomotion system. The implementation of the proposed solutions requires specific investments; however, the risk of locomotor system disorders can be significantly reduced. Specific works, especially in traditional cowsheds, such as cow preparation for milking and the milking process itself, require prompt corrective measures, however, the lack of space may seriously limit the possibility to implement such measures, and stock workers are forced to assume awkward body positions. Education of stock farm staff should become one of the key preventive measures. Educational campaigns should be introduced within the framework of obligatory occupational safety training, in particular. However, the access to occupational safety training among individual farmers in Poland is currently very limited and may pose a challenge.

Discovery of Characteristics of Patients with Increased Level of Inflammation

This paper is a study on knowledge discovery for the prediction of characteristics of older patients with increased level of inflammation. The etiology of inflammation is thought to be multifactorial and associated with the development of chronic aging diseases. Chronic low grade inflammation, expressed by slightly elevated serumconcentrations of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP), has been showed to be associated with increased frailty and overall and specific cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality. However, it has not been discovered before which conditions, taken all at once, are associated with elevated systems level of inflammation. To answer this question, we used the group of older primary health care attenders, burdened with multiple chronic conditions and described their health status by many aspects. The dataset was composed of 61 low-cost health parameters, many of which were data from patient health records. To predict the characteristics of patients with increased level of inflammation, we used a Linear Regression model and compared the results with some classfication algorithms. In this way, we selected 11 relevant predictors of inflammation and explained their meaning according to the existing knowledge. We could realise that many of them represent the components of the highly conserved functional network in which inflammation is the intermediate mechanism, linking these components together. These components include the metabolic, the neuroendocrineand the immune system, proposed as influencing each other during the development of age-related chronic diseases. We have also identified some new components, represented by the parameters indicating inflammation-mediated locomotor system disorders and the pituitary hormone prolactin serum concentration variations. This model, resulted from the knowledge discovery procedure, can be used to provide guidelines for further research on chronic low grade inflammation and for more practical purposes, to help physicians recognizing older persons who are at increased risk for frailty and death.

Analysis of Orthopaedic Sequelae of Special Treatment of Malignant Tumors in Children

Ninety five patients (mean age 13.72±4.2) with complaints on loco-motor system disorders after special treatment for malignant tumors were under observation of orthopaedic surgeon. The most common sequelae of treatment were muscular hypotrophy (66 children), I-III degree scoliosis (75), rigidity (61), bone metabolism disorder and osteopenia (47), one limb shortening even in presence of “growing” endoprosthesis (46). Individual rehabilitation course was performed in 43 (45.3%) children and resulted in increase of joint movement range, improvement of posture, and increase in muscular tension. Timely performed complex of rehabilitation measures enabled to correct sequelae of special treatment at early terms that significantly decreased disability of children, increases their social adaptation and quality of life.

Analysis of Orthopaedic Sequelae of Special Treatment of Malignant Tumors in Children

Ninety five patients (mean age 13.72±4.2) with complaints on loco-motor system disorders after special treatment for malignant tumors were under observation of orthopaedic surgeon. The most common sequelae of treatment were muscular hypotrophy (66 children), I-III degree scoliosis (75), rigidity (61), bone metabolism disorder and osteopenia (47), one limb shortening even in presence of “growing” endoprosthesis (46). Individual rehabilitation course was performed in 43 (45.3%) children and resulted in increase of joint movement range, improvement of posture, and increase in muscular tension. Timely performed complex of rehabilitation measures enabled to correct sequelae of special treatment at early terms that significantly decreased disability of children, increases their social adaptation and quality of life.

Frequency of Musculoskeletal and Eye Symptoms among Computer Users at Work

Computer users most often complain of the eye and locomotor system disorders. The goal of this paper was to find out the frequency and relation between musculoskeletal and eye symptoms among computer workers.The data on musculoskeletal and eye symptoms were provided by two questionnaires. Forty-nine workers were included in the study. Their mean age was 41 years and average length of service 16 years. The average amount of time they spent in front of computers was 6.73 hours per day. Women spent more time working at a computer per day than men (P=0.025). The most frequent complaint in the past year referred to the upper back pain (30.6 % of the workers). Every fourth worker, i.e. 24.5 % of them experienced neck pain in the past year; women more often than men (P=0.024). A health problem which reduced the range of motion and prompted the workers to ask for sick leave was lower back pain. The relation between eye symptoms and the upper back pain experienced in the past year (P=0.004), and in the last week (P=0.031) was statistically significant.Proper exercises for stretching musculoskeletal system, ergonomic computer equipment, and artificial tears could decrease muscular and eye problems, which in turn could enhance productivity and reduce sick leaves.

Influence of the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip by the abduction brace on locomotor development in children

To assess the influence of treating developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with the abduction brace on locomotor development in children. One hundred children treated for DDH served as the study group. There were 80 girls and 20 boys. The children's average age at the beginning of the treatment was 8weeks. The control group consisted of 100 healthy children with normal hips and without any locomotor system disorders. We have evaluated factors such as the age at which the treatment started, the duration of the treatment, the birth weight of the child and the time when the children started sitting and walking independently. On average, treatment with the abduction brace lasted 13weeks (ranging from 6 to 26weeks). The mean age at which the patients began to sit was 7 months, which was one week later compared to children from the control group (P=0.28). The age at which they started walking was 12months and 2 weeks, which was 3weeks later than in the control group (P=0.002). For children with DDH, the abduction brace is a safe and effective method of treatment and, although the infants begin to walk about 3weeks later compared to healthy children, this practice does not seriously affect the child's locomotor development.

Correlation of Surface Electromyography of the Vastus Lateralis Muscle in Dogs at a Walk with Joint Kinematics and Ground Reaction Forces

To describe the activity pattern of the vastus lateralis muscle in dogs at walk measured by surface electromyography (EMG) in relation to kinematics and kinetics of the pelvic limb. Experimental. Malinois dogs (n=11). Dogs (mean +/- SD age, 5.5 +/- 2.9 years; weight, 27.3 +/- 3.8 kg; shoulder height, 62.7 +/- 3.3 cm) walked on a treadmill system with integrated force plates, which allowed simultaneous analysis of kinematics, kinetics, and EMG data from all limbs. The maxima, minima, and their time of occurrence in the motion cycle of the EMG and the pelvic limb kinematics and kinetics were calculated; correlations between joint movement patterns, ground reaction forces (GRF), and activity pattern of the muscle group were investigated. The vastus lateralis muscle had an activity pattern with 2 peaks and a close positive correlation with GRF. The 1st peak occurred in early stance, followed by a decrease in activity during mid-stance. The 2nd peak occurred directly before the quick activity decrease in late stance phase, reaching its minimum early in swing phase. These results suggest that the vastus lateralis muscle supports the vertical position and elevation of the pelvis during stance and push-off. During early stance, the muscle acts as a coantagonist to the hamstring muscle group and the gastrocnemius muscle, and restrains flexion during the late stance. Results of this study could enhance diagnosis of locomotor system disorders and facilitate monitoring effects of treatments (e.g., therapeutic exercises) on gait ability and muscle function.

Is there a Relationship Between Eagle Syndrome and Cervicofacial Painful Soft Tissue Rheumatisms?

To investigate the incidence of locomotor system pathologies such as myofacial pain syndrome (MPS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), and temporomandibular dysfunction in patients with Eagle Syndrome. Prospective study. Fourteen patients with Eagle Syndrome, who were treated surgically, were enrolled in the study. Etiologic factors for cervicofacial pain were assessed, pain status was compared preoperatively and postoperatively using visual analogue scale. Palpation of tonsillar fossa, neck and shoulder examination, neurologic examination, evaluation of occlusion status, trigger points, and painful zones were done. Plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the cervical spine were obtained and the lengths of the transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebrae were measured bilaterally. MPS, FMS, and temporomandibular dysfunction were diagnosed in 9 (64.3%), 3 (21.4%), and 2 (14.3%) patients, respectively. Visual analogue scale scores decreased significantly after the surgical excision of elongated styloid processes (from 6.7 +/- 2.3 to 2.1 +/- 1.8), and all the complaints except for headache had diminished (P < .05). Lengths of transverse processes of seventh cervical vertebra were found to be correlated with the length of styloid process (right; r = 0.644, P = .024, left; r = 0.616, P = .033). Cervicofacial pain is a common complaint in patients with Eagle Syndrome. It frequently coexists with rheumatic disorders resulting in chronic pain such as MPS and FMS. Even though Eagle Syndrome is a rare condition, it should be kept in mind in patients suffering from chronic cervicofacial pain that is refractory to treatment. Clinicians should be alert to diagnose and treat coexisting locomotor system disorders.