Visual Scale Pain Research Articles

Hydrodilatation: a comparison between diabetics and non-diabetics with adhesive capsulitis.

The primary aim of this retrospective study is to compare the short and medium-term outcomes for shoulder hydrodilatation for treatment of shoulder AC between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, to evaluate if there were better outcomes amongst non-diabetic patients. Patients with clinical or radiological diagnosis of AC and who underwent fluoroscopic guided shoulder hydrodilatation in our local institution from January 2021 to June 2022 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes were measured with visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and passive range of motion consisting of forward flexion (FF) and external rotation (ER) at pre-hydrodilatation, one month and six months post hydrodilatation. A total of 163 shoulders were included, corresponding to 156 patients consisting of 47 diabetics, 109 non-diabetics and seven bilateral shoulders (3 diabetics and 4 non-diabetics). At the time of presentation, there was no significant difference in VAS, FF or ER between diabetics and non-diabetics. From pre-hydrodilatation to 1-month post-hydrodilatation and one month to six months post-hydrodilatation, there was significant improvement in VAS, FF and ER for both groups. Comparing diabetics vs. non-diabetics, the non-diabetic group had significantly better FF (p < 0.01) at one month post hydrodilatation. At 6 months post-hydrodilatation, non-diabetic group also had significantly better outcomes including VAS score (p = 0.02), FF (p < 0.01) and ER (p = 0.02). Hydrodilatation is an effective treatment option in the short and medium term in both diabetics and non-diabetics with adhesive capsulitis, with good relief of pain and improvement in shoulder range of motion. Diabetic patients have significantly less improvement in range of motion and pain compared to non-diabetics at six months post hydrodilatation.

Effects of high and low level lasers on soreness following dry needling in patients with chronic myofascial neck pain. A randomized-controlled trial.

This research was designed to study effects of high versus low-level laser therapy (HILT and LLLT) on post-dry needling soreness (PNS) at patients with chronic neck pain. We also studied effects of HLLT or LLLT application plus dry needling (DN) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) at the identified patients. This is a clinical trial in 48 women with chronic neck pain aged 18-35 who were divided into three groups: HLLT, LLLT, and placebo group. All the participants received one session of DN and laser therapy. The study assessed the soreness using Visual Analog Scale for needle pain (nVAS) and Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) before, immediately after, 24 and 48h after laser therapy. Pain, ROM, and NDI assessed before and also different time courses after DN plus laser therapy. PPT and nVAS improved in all groups over time. In the placebo group, nVAS increased significantly (p < 0.001) after treatment. VAS, NDI, and ROM improved 48h after treatment in all groups. The VAS scores were substantially decreased (p < 0.001) immediately after treatment for LLLT group and also 24h after treatment for both LLLT and HLLT groups. LLLT and HLLT might prevent immediately increasing the PNS. Adding one session of LLLT or HLLT to DN could effectively eliminate the neck pain at 24h. All groups improved NDI and ROM the same. Registration number: IRCT20190411043241N1.Registered Sep 2, 2019.

Arthroscopy combined with bone tunnel technique for treating Berndt and Harty stage III or IV osteochondral lesions of the talus.

To explore the efficacy and feasibility of arthroscopy combined with bone tunnel technique in treating Berndt and Harty stage III or IV osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 21 patients with Berndt and Harty stage III or IV OLT who underwent surgical treatment at our institution from September 2017 to September 2022. Under arthroscopy, the displaced talar osteochondral lesion was restored. A 2.0mm Kirschner wire (K-wire) was used to create a bone tunnel from the medial (or lateral) malleolus to the realigned osteochondral lesion. A 1.5mmK-wire was then used to drill through this tunnel into the osteochondral fragment, and a 1.5mm absorbable bone rod was inserted for fixation. Preoperative and final follow-up visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale were recorded and compared. All 21 patients were followed up for an average of 23.95 ± 6.01months. All wounds healed by primary intention, with no nerve, blood vessel, or tendon injuries. All osteochondral lesions healed, with an average healing time of 3.71 ± 0.62months. The VAS score decreased from a preoperative average of 5.38 ± 0.59 to 0.48 ± 0.51 at the final follow-up. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale increased from a preoperative average of 56.29 ± 5.98 to 88.43 ± 2.68 at the final follow-up (P < 0.05), showing statistically significant differences. Two cases experienced medial pain after 12months, which was tolerable with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Arthroscopy combined with bone tunnel technique for treating Berndt and Harty stage III or IV OLT has the advantages of minimal injury, visualization of fracture reduction, and fewer complications.

Beyond traditional surgery for far lateral lumbar herniation : transforaminal full endoscopic discectomy

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of transforaminal full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD) for treating lateral lumbar disc herniation. MethodsA retrospective single-center study was conducted at Centre Orthopédique Santy, Lyon, France, including 58 adult patients with foraminal or extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations who underwent surgery between October 2020 and January 2023. Inclusion criteria were patients with significant functional impairment due to unilateral radicular pain unresponsive to conservative treatment for over six weeks. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were collected, evaluated preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Macnab criteria. ResultsThe cohort had a mean age of 56.5 years and consisted predominantly of males, with 35 men (60%). Most herniations were at the L4-L5 level (29 patients, 50%). Significant improvements were observed in lumbar VAS (mean reduction of 1.9 points, p < 0.001), radicular VAS (mean reduction of 4.9 points, p < 0.001), and ODI (mean reduction of 41.9 points, p < 0.001) scores. Patient satisfaction was high, with 91% (53 patients) reporting excellent or good outcomes. The reoperation rate was 6.9% (4 patients). Linear regression analysis indicated that longer symptom duration and higher preoperative radicular VAS scores predicted greater satisfaction. ConclusionsTransforaminal FELD is a safe and effective technique for treating lateral lumbar disc herniation, offering high patient satisfaction. Symptom duration and preoperative radicular VAS scores are key predictors of positive outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are necessary to confirm these findings.

Impact of postoperative cauda equina clumping on recovery after biportal endoscopic decompression for severe lumbar stenosis.

This study determined the prevalence of cauda equina clumping among patients with Schizas grade C or higher central stenosis after decompression and compared the radiographic and clinical outcomes between patients with and without clumping. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study involving 98 patients who underwent biportal endoscopic spine surgery between January 2019 and June 2022. Based on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings, the patients were divided into the clumping (n = 40) and non-clumping (n = 58) groups. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Radiographic evaluations included measuring the cross-sectional area of the dural sac preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively using the PACS software. Postoperative cauda equina clumping was observed in 40.8% of the patients. Despite an average dural sac expansion of approximately 270%, the clumping group exhibited significantly higher radiating pain at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05) than the non-clumping group. The ODI and EQ-5D scores were worse in the clumping group at 3 months (p < 0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups were not significant. Patients in the clumping group required longer duration of postoperative medication than those in the non-clumping group (p = 0.024). Post-decompression cauda equina clumping is commonly observed in patients with severe lumbar stenosis and impacts intermediate-term clinical recovery. Although long-term outcomes at 1 year are similar, tailored postoperative care is essential for patients exhibiting clumping to effectively manage prolonged symptoms.

Mid-term results of intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with minimally invasive two-point distractor

Summary Background Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures are a complication-ridden injury to treat and there are various treatment techniques to address this injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid-term outcome of a percutaneous two-point distractor technique in patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Methods A retrospective data analysis of patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated in a level 1 trauma center was conducted. The patients were subsequently invited for a follow-up visit to assess the mid-term outcome. The Böhler’s and Gissane’s angles, the American Orthopaedic Foot &amp; Ankle Society hindfoot score, the Maryland foot score and a visual analog scale for pain were measured preoperatively and postoperatively and after at least 6 years to assess the radiological and functional outcome. Results Of the patients 59 completed the study with a mean follow-up of 76 months after surgery. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score at the last follow-up visit was 81, the mean Maryland foot score was 78. There were three cases (5%) of superficial wound complications and secondary arthrodesis of the subtalar joint was performed in five patients (8%). Conclusion The low rates of postoperative infections and secondary arthrodesis in this study underline the good to excellent mid-term functional results for a minimally invasive technique.

Should We Operate on Octogenarians with Cervical Myelopathy or Radiculopathy?

Retrospective Cohort. Investigate the disparities between octogenarians and non-octogenarians undergoing cervical spine surgery regarding perioperative, and postoperative outcomes. As the population ages, the demand for elective cervical spine surgery among older, more active adults increases. However, concerns remain regarding the optimal management of older patients undergoing cervical surgery, given the potential complexities associated with advanced age, comorbidities, and physiological decline. While the safety and efficacy of cervical spine surgery in younger cohorts have been extensively studied, there is a paucity of literature specifically addressing outcomes in octogenarians. Octogenarians undergoing elective cervical spine surgery were propensity matched 3:1 to patients <80 years old by baseline neck and arm pain, surgical approach, and total instrumented levels. Primary outcomes of interest were postoperative complications, unexpected 90-day hospital readmissions and 12-month reoperation. Secondary outcomes were 12-month patient satisfaction and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 3 and 12 months, including EuroQol-5D, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association, neck disability index, and visual analog scale for neck and arm pain. There were 29 octogenarians and 87 nonoctogenarians identified. The mean age in each cohort was 82.4±2.2 vs. 59.1±11.1 years, respectively. There was no difference in postoperative complications (10.3% vs. 6.9%, P=0.548), 90-day readmission (10.3% vs. 6.9%, P=0.548), and 12-month reoperation (3.4% vs. 2.3%, P=0.736) between octogenarians and non-octogenarians. Similarly, octogenarians and nonoctogenarians experienced comparable 12-month patient satisfaction (65.2% vs. 55.3%, P=0.393), improvement in 3- and 12- month PROMs and MCID achievement. Postoperative complications, readmission, reoperation rate, patient satisfaction, and PROMs did not significantly differ between octogenarians and non-octogenarians undergoing cervical spine surgery. These findings suggest that age alone should not be a determining factor in surgical decision-making for elective cervical spine procedures, as octogenarians can achieve comparable outcomes to their younger counterparts.

Impact of Health Education Programme on Adherence to Treatment in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Interventional Study on Egyptian Patients.

To measure the level of adherence of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) to an interventional therapeutic and rehabilitation programme and investigate factors that hinder patients' adherence. A total of 154 participants with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention protocol included patient education on the nature and treatment of KOA, therapeutic exercise, a weight loss programme for overweight patients, and a physical therapy programme. Participants were followed for 3months. The Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS-p), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and knee Kellgren-Lawrence OA grading were measured before and after the intervention. Additionally, the Morisky adherence questionnaire and the WHO Multidimensional Framework for factors affecting adherence were assessed. One fifty four participants with KOA were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. A low level of adherence was detected in both groups (68.8% in the intervention group vs. 84.4% in the control group). Patients who followed the interventional programme were more adherent. Adherence to therapy was associated with a reduction in the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS-p) (p=0.016) and improved function as measured by WOMAC (p=0.018). Factors primarily associated with patient non-adherence included unemployment (67.8%), low income (59.3%), no previous response to therapy (58.5%), less frequent follow-up visits (55.1%), lack of insurance (66.9%), difficult access to services (59.3%), and high cost of services (55.1%). Adherence to treatment in OA patients is a significant concern and a common problem, appearing to be associated more with socioeconomic factors than with pain and function.

The Impact of Symptom Duration on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The optimal timing at which patients should undergo Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery to achieve the best outcomes has not been determined. Given that patients may experience delays in care and that insurance companies often require a minimum of six weeks of conservative treatment before surgery, it is essential to determine the impact of symptom duration on outcomes following ACDF. To evaluate the impact of symptom duration on outcomes following ACDF surgery. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from inception through July 2nd, 2024 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Data on Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain, and Short Form-12 (SF-12) physical and mental component scores were extracted. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare the outcomes at 6-months, 12-months and 24-months cutoff time points. Mean differences with 95%CI were used for continuous data. Nine studies comprising 1,511 patients (48.64% female) with a mean age of 50.56±9.88 years were included in this study. All patients achieved improvements in NDI, VAS, and SF-12 following ACDF. The amount of improvement decreased as symptom duration increased with patients experiencing greater than 24 months of symptoms experiencing statistically significantly less improvement in NDI (8.70 vs. 18.93, p=0.03), VAS Neck (1.95 vs. 3.33, p=0.003), and VAS Arm (1.74 vs. 3.72, p<0.001) in comparison to patients with less than 24 months of symptoms. There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes at the 6 and 12 months cut off points between cohorts. Longer symptom duration is associated with worse outcomes compared to shorter symptom duration with statistically significant differences observed at the 24-month cutoff for NDI, VAS Arm, and VAS Neck scores. Patients with greater than 24 months of symptoms also failed to achieve clinically significant improvement in neck pain postoperatively. Given the lasting impact of disability and pain on patients, more studies should assess the impact of symptom duration on postoperative outcomes and at even shorter cut-off points.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair and Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients With Massive Rotator Cuff Tears and High-Grade Fatty Atrophy Without Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis.

Despite the effectiveness of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) for treating massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs), controversies remain in patients without glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA). To compare clinical outcomes of ARCR or RSA in patients with MRCT with high-grade fatty atrophy without GHOA. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. This was a retrospective study on patients with MRCTs without GHOA and with grades 3 or 4 Goutallier muscle changes who underwent ARCR or RSA, with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected-including visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Veterans Rand 12-Item Health survey, and Subjective Shoulder Value. Postoperative results were compared based on rotator cuff tendon healing in the ARCR group. A total of 81 patients met the study criteria-56 underwent ARCR and 25 underwent RSA. Patients in the RSA (age, 71.7 ± 7.7 years) group were older than those in the ARCR (age, 66.7 ± 7.4 years) group (P = .01) and more likely to have pseudoparalysis (52% vs 21.4%; P = .016). The mean follow-up for the ARCR and RSA groups was 56.5 ± 19 months and 36.1 ± 7.6 months, respectively (P < .001). The rate of patients with ≥2 tendons with grade 3 or 4 changes was higher in the RSA group compared with the ARCR group: 96% versus 47% (P < .001). PROs significantly improved after surgery in both groups (P < .05). Postoperative forward flexion (FF) and internal rotation were higher after ARCR compared with RSA-144°± 22° versus 113°± 25° and L3 ± L4 versus S1 ± S2, respectively (P <.001 and P = .002, respectively). Also, 31 of the rotator cuff repairs (55%) healed. PROs were similar between the healed and unhealed ARCR groups, with the only difference observed in postoperative FF-150°± 18° in the healed group versus 136°± 26° in the unhealed group (P = .044). Both ARCR and RSA improved functional outcomes in patients with MRCT without GHOA. While healing was moderate after ARCR, the postoperative ROM was greater after ARCR compared with RSA in appropriately selected patients. Moreover, healed rotator cuffs demonstrated improved postoperative FF compared with unhealed repairs.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Score.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common leg injury in military personnel and athletes and is especially related to running and jumping. A patient-reported outcome measure, the MTSS score, was developed to determine the severity of MTSS. To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the MTSS score for the Turkish language. Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Established guidelines were used for translation and adaptation. The Turkish version of the MTSS (MTSS-Tr) score was completed twice with a 1-week interval between assessments. In the first assessment, patients also completed the Turkish version of the 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36-Tr) and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the MTSS-Tr were measured with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach α coefficient, respectively. The construct validity was demonstrated with the Spearman correlation coefficient (r S). A total of 48 participants were included in the study. The test-retest reliability was good and internal consistency was good (ICC, 0.9; Cronbach α, 0.884). The MTSS-Tr score was highly negatively correlated with the physical component score of the SF-36-Tr (r S = -0.716; P < .001). There was a moderate correlation between the MTSS-Tr score and the VAS pain score (r S = 0.465; P = .001). The translated MTSS-Tr score has good internal consistency and good reliability and validity. Therefore, the MTSS-Tr score is useful to evaluate symptoms in patients with MTSS. NCT05400668 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Osteoarthritis (OA) poses a significant global burden, with conventional treatments like corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections commonly used. Emerging injectable biologics, including bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), show promise in OA management. To investigate the clinical efficacy of BMAC injection compared with other injection treatments for knee OA. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials with Level 1 evidence that compared the clinical efficacy of BMAC with other injections. The visual analog scale for pain and the Pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were used as clinical scores representing pain. For functional assessment, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form were used. For studies comparing BMAC with HA, each clinical score was standardized to pain and function scales based on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Eight studies, consisting of a total of 937 patients, were included. Patients treated with BMAC showed a significant improvement in clinical scores compared with baseline, starting at 1 month postinjection. For pain scores at 6-month (P = .033) and 12-month follow-up (P = .011), BMAC demonstrated favorable results over HA, with a statistically significant difference. However, these differences did not exceed the MCID. When BMAC was compared with other injections, no significant differences were observed in the degree of clinical score improvement. No serious adverse events or events significantly associated with BMAC compared with other treatments were reported. BMAC injections demonstrated effectiveness in providing pain relief and functional improvement for patients with knee OA. When BMAC was compared with other intra-articular injection options, distinct differences surpassing the MCID were not evident. Further research is deemed necessary to investigate the role of BMAC in the treatment of knee OA.

Arthroscopic Autologous Minced Cartilage Implantation of Cartilage Defects in the Knee: A 2-Year Follow-up of 62 Patients.

Symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee joint are frequently diagnosed and can be treated with different available surgical methods. Nevertheless, there is currently no gold standard treatment for all indications. Minced cartilage implantation is increasingly coming into focus as a refined surgical technique. To investigate the 2-year clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic autologous minced cartilage repair with the standardized commercial implantation system AutoCart. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. A total of 62 consecutive patients were included and prospectively evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Outcomes were assessed using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Tegner activity scale at all follow-up time points. The examination of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using the Area Measurement and Depth and Underlying Structures (AMADEUS) score, and the examination of MRI at 24 months was performed using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) 2.0 score. There were 34 male and 28 female patients (mean age, 38.79 ± 10.78 years) with symptomatic cartilage lesions with a mean defect size of 2.53 ± 1.24 cm2. Lesions were predominantly International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3 located in the region of the femoral condyles. Concomitant surgery was performed in 40.3% of patients. The total KOOS score significantly improved from 62.4 ± 13.1 at baseline to 74.4 ± 15.9 at 24 months (P < .001). The secondary outcome measures of the VAS, WOMAC, and SANE showed a similar pattern, with score improvements in the follow-up period compared to baseline. The mean AMADEUS score was 64.75 ± 13.87, while the mean MOCART 2.0 score was 62.88 ± 9.86, among 20 available patients. The revision surgery rate was 8.1% mainly because of hypertrophy (6.5%). Among this cohort of patients, minced cartilage implantation demonstrated satisfying 2-year outcomes with increased patient-reported outcome measure scores from 3 to 24 months postoperatively. Regenerated tissue quality on MRI was comparable to that using other cartilage repair methods and showed no associations with patient characteristics or patient-reported outcome measures. Larger cohorts, longer postoperative intervals, and comparable trials are needed to further evaluate the role of this technique in treating cartilage defects.

Modified Distalization Shoulder Angle and Lateralization Shoulder Angle show weakly correlation with clinical outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty

IntroductionThe focus in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has been on the lateralization and distalization of prosthesis positioning, influenced by implant design and surgical technique. There's no consensus on the optimal amount of lateralization and distalization or the best radiographic parameters for evaluating placement. This study examines the correlation and the predictive value between previously described modified distalization shoulder angle (DSA) and lateralization shoulder angle (LSA) with postoperative outcomes, which aim to differentiate the contributions of the humeral and glenoid components in the global distalization and lateralization of the RSA. The LSA was divided into the glenoid lateralization angle (GLA) and the humeral lateralization angle (HLA); the modified distalization shoulder angle (mDSA) was divided into the glenoid distalization angle (GDA) and the humeral distalization angle (HDA). Our hypothesis was that these new angles play a marginal role in predicting clinical outcomes. Materials and MethodsRetrospective analysis of 83 RSA patients from 2017-2021 at San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome. Angles were measured using true anteroposterior radiographs. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley Score (CS), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and range of motion (ROM). ResultsA weak correlation was found between the modified angles and clinical outcomes. Modified DSA (mDSA) correlated positively with internal rotation and negatively with VAS score. Glenoid distalization angle (GDA) correlated positively with abduction, forward flexion, and CS. Humeral distalization angle (HDA) correlated positively with internal rotation and negatively with VAS. Glenoid lateralization angle (GLA) and humeral lateralization angle (HLA) showed negative correlation with internal rotation and positive correlation with VAS. ConclusionModified DSA and LSA show marginal correlation with postoperative outcomes and have limited predictive value. Further research with larger, diverse populations is needed to refine these metrics and their clinical utility.

The Lack of Effect of Botulinum Toxin-A on Upper Limb Activity in Chronic Stroke: A Short Report from the InTENSE Trial

We examined the effect of botulinum toxin-A on upper limb impairments and activity limitations in chronic stroke. This study is a secondary analysis of control group data from a national, multicenter, Phase III randomized trial with a masked outcome assessment. We studied 71 stroke survivors who received a botulinum toxin-A injection in any muscle(s) that crosses the wrist due to significant spasticity after a stroke greater than 3 months previously. We measured upper limb activity, spasticity, range of motion, grip strength, pain and other outcomes at injection and three months later. The median difference between injection and 3 months later was 0.0 blocks/s (interquartile range (IQR) 0.0) on the Box and Block Test, 0/4 (IQR 1) on the Tardieu Scale, 4 degrees (IQR 26) of wrist extension, 0.0 kg (IQR 2) of grip strength, 0.0 (IQR 1.5) on the 10 cm visual analogue scale for pain, 0/100 (IQR 21) on the 10 cm visual analogue scale for overall health, 0/3 (IQR 0) for self-care and −2 (IQR 8) for burden of care. In chronic stroke survivors who have little activity in their upper limb, botulinum toxin-A is not effective in improving any measured outcomes and does not appear to be clinically justified in this population with severe activity limitations.

Efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) combined with sinuvertebral nerve ablation versus PELD for low back pain in lumbar disc herniation

BackgroundPercutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has demonstrated variable efficacy in alleviating low back pain (LBP) associated with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Sinuvertebral nerve ablation (SNA), which targets the nociceptive pathway implicated in discogenic LBP pathogenesis, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy. The efficacy of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in enhancing PELD for the treatment of LBP in patients with LDH remains unclear.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on LDH patients with concomitant LBP treated at the Spinal Surgery Department, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, from June 2020 to June 2023. Participants were categorized into two groups: PELD combined with SNA (n = 51) and PELD alone (n = 46). Primary outcome measures included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline and 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups.ResultsBoth groups exhibited significant improvements in VAS, JOA, and ODI scores for LBP and leg pain postoperatively compared to preoperative assessments. Notably, the PELD combined with SNA group demonstrated statistically significant superior outcomes in VAS, JOA, and ODI scores specifically for LBP compared to the PELD group.ConclusionThe combination of PELD with SNA significantly improves LBP outcomes compared to PELD alone in LDH patients. While the observed improvements did not reach the minimal clinically important differences (MICD), these findings suggest that SNA may enhance the efficacy of PELD in LBP management.

CO2 Laser Versus Surgical Deroofing for the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Tunnels: A Comparative Multicentric, Retrospective Study.

Tunnels of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are one of the most challenging aspects to manage, and different surgical techniques have been proposed for their treatment. CO2 laser and surgical deroofing are 2 of the most widely used techniques, but no studies have compared them directly. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and outcomes of CO2 laser treatment versus surgical deroofing for HS tunnels, with a focus on healing time, complication rates, pain perception, and cosmetic outcomes. The authors performed a multicentric retrospective analysis of 20 patients with HS tunnels who were treated with either CO2 laser (n = 10) or surgical deroofing (n = 10). The primary end point was to compare the 2 procedures in terms of healing time, complication rates, pain, and cosmetic outcome. Outcome measures included Visual Analog Scale for pain, the Vancouver Scar Scale for scar evaluation, and the relapse rate at 6 months. Secondary end point included the identification of variables associated with the healing time. The mean time to healing was 4.7 ± 1.9 weeks in the CO2 laser group and 10.9 ± 4.1 weeks in the surgical deroofing group (p < .01). Pain score at the first dressing change was lower in the CO2 laser group, with a mean Visual Analog Scale score of 1.7 ± 0.8 in the CO2 laser group and 4.9 ± 1.7 in the surgical deroofing group (p < .01). The mean scar evaluation score using the Vancouver Scar Scale at 6-month follow-up was 2.5 ± 1.3 in the CO2 laser group and 3.4 ± 1.1 in the surgical deroofing group. The number of postprocedural complications was low in both groups (1 in the CO2 laser group and 3 in the surgical deroofing group). The proportion of patients achieving complete healing of the tunnels at 6 months was similar among the CO2 laser and the surgical deroofing group (90% in the CO2 laser group vs 80% in the surgical group). CO2 laser is a safe and effective treatment for HS tunnels, with fast healing rates and low pain perception.

Comparative Analysis of Full Endoscopic Interlaminar Lumbar Discectomy and Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

Retrospective clinical study. The aim is to assess and contrast the results of full endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD) and lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) for L5-S1 disc herniation, with a specific emphasis on postoperative pain reduction and surgical effectiveness. Although minimally invasive spine operations are becoming more popular, there is still little research on the comparative effectiveness of FELD and LMD. The research had a total of 50 patients who received surgical intervention for L5-S1 disc herniation, with 25 patients getting full endoscopic interlaminar discectomy and the other 25 patients undergoing LMD. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale for low back and leg pain, collected preoperatively and at the end of 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postsurgery. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using Odoms criteria at the same intervals. The study included 50 patients (26 men, 24 women), with a mean age of 51.11 ± 13.76 years. The groups had no significant differences in demographic data. Back and leg pain Visual Analog Scale scores decreased more significantly in the FELD group after 1 week of surgery (P < 0.001), although the declines at 3 months and 6 months were not significantly different between the two groups. According to Odoms criteria, patient satisfaction was favorable in both groups and significantly better in the FELD group than in the LMD group at 1 week postoperatively [excellent in 20 patients (80%) in the FELD group vs 9 patients (36%) in the LMD group (P = 0.025)]. However, patient satisfaction at 3 months and 6 months did not differ between the groups. This study demonstrates that FELD offers significant early postoperative advantages over LMD at the L5-S1 level when compared with pain and satisfaction scales. Level III.

Associations Between Partial Common Extensor Tendon Tears and Clinical-Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis

Abstract Objective This study investigates the effect of partial common extensor tendon(CET) tears on demographic, clinical and ultrasound(US) parameters in patients with lateral epicondylitis(LE). The research aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these US-detected partial tears, influence the clinical presentation and imaging findings associated with LE. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Records of 227 patients with LE met the inclusion-exclusion criteria were reviewed. The patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation(PRTEE) questionnaire was used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were visual analogue scale for pain, algometric measurements, hand grip strength, and US parameters(maximum tendon thickness measurements from the capitellar-radiocapitellar sides and presence of bone abnormalities). Results Partial CET tears detected using US were present in 22.7%(n = 54) of the patients. Patients with partial CET tears were older(50,31±9,22), had higher PRTEE scores(65,48±12,76), capitellar-radiocapitellar maximum tendon thickness measurements(0,60±0,80/0,60±0,72), and incidence of bone abnormalities(%40.7,n = 32)(p &lt; .05). Logistic regression analysis identified age and PRTEE pain score as associative factors with partial CET tears. Capitellar-radiocapitellar maximum tendon thickness measurements greater than 0.55 cm were associated with an increased probability of partial CET tears. Conclusion US-detected partial CET tears may worsen the clinical and US parameters in patients with LE. Older age, higher PRTEE scores and higher maximum tendon thickness measurements were associated with partial CET tears.

Determining the Relationship Between Sleep Problems, Shock Pain, and Shock Anxiety in Patients With ICD.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between sleep problems, shock pain, and shock anxiety in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and the affecting factors. The population of this descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of all patients who underwent ICD implantation in university hospital (N = 200), and the sample consisted of patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study (n = 132). Data were obtained using a "General Information Form", the "Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS)", the "Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)", the "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)", and the "Visual Pain Scale (VPS)". The mean age of the patients was 66.13 years. The VPS was 6.40±3.36; the mean FSAS score was 29.98±8.46; the mean PSQI score was 8.02±3.81; the mean ESS score was 7.59±4.10. PSQI had a statistically significant correlation with the total FSAS score (p<0.001) and a statistically insignificant correlation with ESS (p>0.001). Age, sex, marital status, smoking status, cohabitants, previous ICD shocks, the status of lying on ICD, and fear of dislocation of ICD affected the total FSAS score; sex, employment status, history of heart attack, defined sleep disorder, awakening from sleep due to nightmares, and cessation of breathing during sleep affected the total PSQI score; history of previously defined sleep disorder, history of heart attack, use of medication for a sleep disorder, the pain felt when lying on ICD, and pain experienced during ICD shocks affected the total ESS score. The mean shock VPS scores differed between patients who received an ICD shock during sleep and those who were awakened by nightmares. It was found that the shock anxiety and shock pain scores of ICD patients were above average, that they had poor sleep quality, and that their sleepiness was at the level of "normal but increased daytime sleepiness".