Three-Dimensional Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Cartilage Evaluation of the Hand Joints of Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Novel Insight on Hand Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis-Preliminary Report.

Background: Osteoarthritis of the hand joints in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients might be an independent manifestation leading to limitation of upper extremity function. There is no publication quantitatively assessing the thickness of articular cartilage within the hand joints of SSc patients by MRI. The purpose of our study was to quantify the condition and thickness of hand joints cartilage with three-dimensional quantitative MRI (3D q-MRI).

A clinical, radiological and isokinetic evaluation in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation undergoing MPFL reconstruction according to Avikainen: a prospective study evaluating early degenerative changes after a minimum 10-year follow-up period.

Background: The aim of the study was to conduct a comprehensive functional and radiological follow-up assessment in patients at least 10 years after adductor magnus MPFL reconstruction, and to assess the presence of early degenerative changes.

Methods: The mean age at the time of surgery was 16 years (range: 8 to 18 years, SD 2.5).

The eccentric mechanotransduction, neuro-muscular transmission, and structural reversibility of muscle fatty infiltration. An experimental advanced disuse muscle-wasting model of rabbit supraspinatus.

Introduction: Full-thickness rotator cuff tear is present in almost 50% of patients over age 65 years, and its degree is known to be a good predictor of the severity of muscle-wasting (MW) sarcopaenia, also known as fatty degeneration (FD). A FD CT grade > 2° is recognized as a borderline of its reversibility. A disuse model of supraspinatus FD (grade 2) in rabbits provides clinically relevant data.

Assessment of knee flexor muscles strength in patients with patellar instability and its clinical implications for the non-surgical treatment of patients after first patellar dislocation - pilot study.

Background: Biomechanical studies indicate that during outward rotation of the tibia and the valgus knee joint position, the patella is shifted in the lateral direction. After first-time patellar dislocation, the dynamic position of the femur in relation to the tibia plays an important role in joint stability, because the medial stabilizer of the patella (mostly the MPFL) is damaged or inefficient. The most important factor in controlling the rotational movement of the tibia in relation to the thigh are the hamstring muscles.

Role and effectiveness of complex and supervised rehabilitation on overall and hand function in systemic sclerosis patients-one-year follow-up study.

The aim of this study was to estimate the long-term results of complex and supervised rehabilitation of the hands in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Fifty-one patients were enrolled in this study: 27 patients (study group) were treated with a 4-week complex, supervised rehabilitation protocol. The control group of 24 patients was prescribed a home exercise program alone.

Interleukin-18, interleukin-20, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3) as markers of psoriatic arthritis disease severity and their correlations with biomarkers of inflammation and turnover of joint cartilage.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, seronegative spondyloarthropathy characterised by joint inflammation and psoriatic skin changes. Recent data indicate that interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-20 (IL-20) may be involved in the aetiopathogenesis of PsA.

Aim: To evaluate the potential role of IL-18, IL-20, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3) in the pathogenesis of PsA and their correlations with other markers of inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage, as well as clinical changes.

The influence of tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors treatment - etanercept on serum concentration of biomarkers of inflammation and cartilage turnover in psoriatic arthritis patients.

Introduction: Effective treatment in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients can protect them from severe musculoskeletal complications. For appropriate monitoring of anti-tumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α) treatment in PsA, specific biomarkers are needed.

Aim: To investigate whether biological treatment with anti-TNF-α (etanercept 50 mg once a week subcutaneously) affects the activity of selected mediators of inflammation and destruction of articular cartilage: interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18), matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (MMP-1, MMP-3), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), human cartilage glycoprotein (YKL-40) in serum of patients with PsA.

Selective Glenohumeral external rotation deficit - sequelae of post-ORIF deltoid adhesions after treatment of the proximal humerus fracture.

Background: The deltopectoral approach is commonly used for plate stabilization of proximal humerus fracture. Although adhesions between the deltoid, plate, and humerus are common sequelae of plate ORIF, little is known about their effect on the range of movement and a function of the shoulder. To confirm their impact, the preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of the range of motion (ROM) was measured during the sequential arthroscopic release of adhesions, with special regard to external rotation.

Serum and synovial fluid concentrations of interleukin-18 and interleukin-20 in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and their correlation with other markers of inflammation and turnover of joint cartilage.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease, and its aetiology is not entirely known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the involvement of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-20 (IL-20) in the pathogenesis of knee OA and their correlations with other markers of inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage, as well as clinical and radiological changes.

Material And Methods: The study included 25 patients with knee OA and a control group.

Bilateral Hidden Isokinetic Quadriceps Performance before and after MPFL Reconstruction in Pediatric Patients.

We perform prospective study to evaluate the isokinetic performance of quadriceps before and 1 year after medial patella-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with the adductor magnus tendon in the case of recurrent patellar dislocation. The present study is the first to describe the isokinetic function of the quadriceps of the involved and uninvolved extremity, in such a wide range. The MPFL is a crucial passive stabilizer of patella and, along with the conditions of the anatomical shape of the femoral-patellar joint and the function of quadriceps, influences the overall patellar stability.

A new anatomical insight into the aetiology of lateral trunk of suprascapular nerve neuropathy: isolated infraspinatus atrophy.

Introduction: Although the pathomechanism of isolated infraspinatus atrophy (ISA) in throwing sports is known to be traction, it is unclear why only some players are affected. One likely explanation is that the infraspinatus pulling force exerted by its contracture generate the compressive resultant component force (Fn) compressing the lateral trunk of the suprascapular nerve (LTSN) against the edge of scapular spine. This paper makes two key assumptions (1) the course of LTSN in relation to the scapular spine, defined as the suprascapular-scapular spine angle (SSSA) is the key individual anatomical feature influencing the Fn magnitude, and thus potentially ISA development (2) SSSA is correlated with scapular notch type.

Prosarcopenic Effects of Statins May Limit Their Effectiveness in Patients with Heart Failure.

Some studies using small doses of statins revealed significant benefits for patients with chronic heart failure (HF). However, the results of large randomized studies did not confirm these advantages. Along with the primary effect of cholesterol lowering, statins have many ancillary actions that may be relevant for body wasting.

Statin-associated myopathy and the quest for biomarkers: can we effectively predict statin-associated muscle symptoms?

Over the past three decades, statins have become the cornerstone of prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Albeit generally well tolerated, these drugs can elicit a variety of muscle-associated symptoms that represent the most important reason for treatment discontinuation. Statin-associated myopathy has been systematically underestimated by randomized controlled trials as compared with the incidence observed in clinical practice and obtained from patient registries.

Shoulder proprioception - lessons we learned from idiopathic frozen shoulder.

Background: Of all the most frequent soft tissue disorders of the shoulder, idiopathic frozen shoulder (IFS) offers the greatest potential for studying proprioception. Studies concerning the presence of proprioception dysfunctions have failed to determine the potential for spontaneous healing of passive shoulder stabilizers (anterior and posterior capsule, middle and inferior gleno-humeral ligaments), its relationship with passive (PJPS) and active (AJPS) shoulder proprioception for internal and external rotation (IR, ER), as well as the isokinetic muscle performance of the internal and external rotators. This study investigates these dependencies in the case of arthroscopic release of IFS.

Preliminary results of two surgical techniques in the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation : Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction versus combined technique of vastus medialis advancement, capsular plasty and Roux-Goldthwait procedure in treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation.

Purpose: Recurrent patellar dislocation is defined as a dislocation occurring more than once. There is no consensus as to the choice of operative technique for recurrent dislocation in adolescents. Recently, great importance has been attributed to MPFL reconstruction.

Arthroscopic-assisted Arthrodesis of the Knee Joint With the Ilizarov Technique: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Arthrodesis of the knee joint is a mainly a salvage surgical procedure performed in cases of infected total knee arthroplasty, tumor, failed knee arthroplasty or posttraumatic complication.The authors report the case of 18-year-old male with posttraumatic complication of left knee because of motorbike accident 1 year before. He was treated immediately after the injury in the local Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

The quantitative evaluation of the impact of viable medial meniscus graft type on the biochemical and biomechanical properties of the rabbit tibial cartilage.

Background: Knowledge of the impact of viable medial meniscus allograft and autograft transplantation on biochemical and mechanical properties of cartilage is needed to understand the development of joint osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this relationship 6 months after viable medial meniscal autograft and allograft transplantation.

Methods: Twenty rabbits were chosen for the study.

Atrophy of type I and II muscle fibers is reversible in the case of grade >2 fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus muscle: an experimental study in rabbits.

Background: Although clinical investigations indicate that the limit of reversibility of rotator cuff muscles fibers type I and II atrophy is grade 2 of fatty degeneration (FD) according to the Goutallier computed tomography classification, little is known about the morphometric verification of these findings.

Methods: The supraspinatus tendon was detached from the greater tubercle and the infraspinatus and subscapularis in 12 rabbits, and a 12-week observation period followed. This proved to be sufficient for development of grade >2 FD of the supraspinatus tendon.

The results of adductor magnus tenodesis in adolescents with recurrent patellar dislocation.

Recurrent dislocation of the patella is a common orthopaedic problem which occurs in about 44% of cases after first-time dislocation. In most cases of first-time patellar dislocation, the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) becomes damaged. Between 2010 and 2012, 33 children and adolescents (39 knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation were treated with MPFL reconstruction using the adductor magnus tendon.

Is resection of the tendon edge necessary to enhance the healing process? An evaluation of the expression of collagen type I, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13 in the distal 1 cm of a torn supraspinatus tendon: part II.

Background: Type I collagen proin pro-in expression in a damaged supraspinatus tendon is thought to be dependent on the distance from the edge of the tear and the local expression of pro-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and pro-proliferative cytokines. The study evaluates the expression of type I collagen, pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL) 1β, anti-proliferative interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and pro-proliferative IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines along a 1-cm section taken from the edge of a torn supraspinatus tendon. Three sections were taken: 3 mm distal to the tear, 3 mm proximal to the tear, and the 4-mm middle section between them.

The impact of arthroscopic capsular release in patients with primary frozen shoulder on shoulder muscular strength.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of arthroscopic capsular release in patients with primary frozen shoulder on muscular strength of nonaffected and treated shoulder after at least two-year follow-up after the surgery. The assessment included twenty-seven patients, who underwent arthroscopic capsular release due to persistent limitation of range of passive and active motion, shoulder pain, and limited function of upper limb despite 6-month conservative treatment. All the patients underwent arthroscopic superior, anteroinferior, and posterior capsular release.

Is resection of the tendon edge necessary to enhance the healing process? An evaluation of the homeostasis of apoptotic and inflammatory processes in the distal 1 cm of a torn supraspinatus tendon: part I.

Background: We hypothesize that the expression of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic molecules and cytokines is dependent on the distance from the torn supraspinatus tendon edge and this expression may influence its potential for healing. The aim of this work is to evaluate the expression of proapoptotic Bax molecule and caspases 3, 8, and 9; antiapoptotic Bcl-2 molecule; and proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) in 3 sections taken from a 1-cm section of the edge of a torn supraspinatus tendon: 3 mm distal and 3 mm proximal, as well as the remaining 4-mm middle section between them.

Methods: Nine patients, with a mean age of 58 years, were included in the study.