Publications by authors named "Martin Lamontagne"
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify key flexibility and point-of-care ultrasound measures that can predict how long it will take elite Canadian university football players to return to play after a first hamstring strain injury (HSI).
- It followed 167 athletes over five seasons, collecting data on muscle flexibility and tissue alteration within a week of the injury.
- Results showed that greater flexibility asymmetry and specific ultrasound findings increased the chances of a longer recovery, outlining the importance of these measures in clinical decision-making for better RTP outcomes.
Objective: Assess the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of a newly developed mobile app.
Design: Descriptive survey study.
Setting: Home-based rehabilitation program.
Article Synopsis
- A clinical practice guideline was created to assess, manage, and facilitate the return to work for adults with rotator cuff disorders in Quebec, Canada.
- The guideline includes 73 recommendations and 3 clinical decision algorithms, emphasizing the importance of a thorough initial assessment and recommending active rehabilitation over surgery for most patients.
- It highlights the need for early collaboration on return-to-work plans involving healthcare providers and the patient to ensure effective recovery and reintegration into the workplace.
Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a chronic musculoskeletal pathology best evaluated by ultrasound imaging. This cross-sectional study aimed at better understanding the relationship between musculoskeletal ultrasound biomarkers (MUBs) of Achilles tendon and localized pain, ankle flexibility, ankle strength, and functional abilities. Forty-one participants with unilateral midportion chronic AT had their tendon images analyzed bilaterally in the longitudinal and transverse planes.
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- A consensus was formed by 15 expert physicians to create guidelines for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis, inspired by the French National Authority for Health recommendations.
- The study involved a thorough literature review, and from this, 25 recommendations for PRP use were developed, focusing on their efficacy and application based on expert agreement.
- Key recommendations concluded that PRP injections are beneficial for early to moderate knee osteoarthritis, advocate for 1-3 injections per treatment, and suggest the use of leucocyte-poor PRP to maximize effectiveness.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers analyzed images from 41 individuals with unilateral tendinopathy and 35 healthy controls, capturing data in both longitudinal and transverse planes.
- * A minimal data set was identified through statistical methods, highlighting key biomarkers like mean thickness and echogenicity that effectively differentiated symptomatic from asymptomatic tendons.
Article Synopsis
- The study is a pilot randomized controlled trial aimed at assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of a new preoperative neuromobilization exercise program (NEP) for individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) awaiting surgery.
- A total of 30 participants were divided into two groups—one following the NEP and the other receiving standard care for four weeks, with outcomes measured pre-surgery and four weeks post-surgery.
- Results indicated high adherence and satisfaction with the NEP, and although some improvements in pain and neurodynamics were noted, the program's overall impact as a standalone intervention was limited, suggesting a need for additional therapeutic components.
Article Synopsis
- The study systematically reviewed clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for managing rotator cuff disorders in adults, focusing on recommendations and their methodologies.
- Nine CPGs published from 2008 onward were analyzed using a standardized framework and assessed for methodological quality, revealing that only three had high quality.
- Key recommendations included active treatment options like exercise programs and varying opinions on pain medications and surgical approaches, highlighting the need for more rigorous and consistent guidelines in this area.
Article Synopsis
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used to dissolve freeze-dried chitosan (CS) to create injectable implants for tissue repair, and this study examines how different PRP types affect the performance of these formulations.
- Seven PRP preparations were tested with 1% CS formulations, resulting in successful solubilization of CS, but CS-PRP formulations demonstrated less fluidity and faster clotting times compared to traditional PRP controls.
- Overall, the study found that in vitro performance of CS-PRP formulations was consistent across all PRP types tested, indicating their potential for effective tissue repair applications.
Article Synopsis
- Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy involves the buildup of crystals in rotator cuff tendons and may be treated with ultrasound-guided lavage, though its effectiveness is still debated.
- A systematic review analyzed previous studies to determine how ultrasound-guided lavage compares to other treatments, focusing on pain relief and functional improvement.
- Results suggest that ultrasound-guided lavage might reduce pain and enhance function better than shockwave therapy and corticosteroid injections, though the evidence is considered low-quality and more research is needed.
Article Synopsis
- Quantitative ultrasound imaging is becoming popular for measuring the movement abilities of peripheral nerves, particularly in relation to carpal tunnel syndrome and the median nerve's ability to glide.
- This study explored how well ultrasound measurements of nerve movement compare to traditional motion analysis, using a specially designed nerve model in a controlled lab setting.
- Results showed that ultrasound and motion analysis data matched closely, indicating that ultrasound is a reliable method for researching nerve properties and could aid future studies in this field.
Comparison of the 3 Different Injection Techniques Used in a Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating a Cross-Linked Sodium Hyaluronate Combined With Triamcinolone Hexacetonide (Cingal) for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Subgroup Analysis.
Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord
August 2017
Article Synopsis
- A recent trial found that combining sodium hyaluronate with corticosteroids (Cingal) led to significantly better pain relief for knee osteoarthritis patients compared to sodium hyaluronate alone or saline, lasting up to 3 weeks post-injection.
- The effectiveness of Cingal was mainly significant when given via the anteromedial injection technique, while the anteromedial and anterolateral methods provided better pain relief than the lateral midpatellar approach at 18 and 26 weeks.
- There is still no agreement on which specific injection technique is best, as results vary with each method used.
Cost-Utility of a Single-Injection Combined Corticosteroid-Hyaluronic Acid Formulation vs a 2-Injection Regimen of Sequential Corticosteroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections.
Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord
June 2017
Article Synopsis
- - Research indicates that combining corticosteroids (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in a single injection provides early and lasting pain relief for knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients.
- - A study compares the cost-effectiveness of a single injection versus two separate injections for this combination therapy, finding the single injection may be more economically viable when considering overall costs.
- - The single injection is suggested to be cost-effective at a threshold of $50,000 per quality-adjusted life year, making it a preferable option for patients looking for convenience and relief from OA symptoms.
Article Synopsis
- Shoulder disorders significantly affect work productivity, yet the factors influencing sick leave and return-to-work (RTW) are not well understood.
- A systematic review identified determinants like atraumatic history, disease severity, and previous sickness absence as impactful on delayed RTW, although many studies had high bias risk.
- The findings recommend more rigorous research to enhance understanding of these predictors to support workers with shoulder disorders better.
Article Synopsis
- Quantifying the integrity of the Achilles tendon (AT) using quantitative ultrasound measurements (QUS) is aimed at improving rehabilitation, focusing on test-retest reliability and optimal collection protocols.
- The study evaluated 23 symptomatic and 63 asymptomatic ATs through various QUS measurements, revealing that geometric measurements had excellent reliability, while those from histogram distributions showed poor results.
- It is recommended that clinicians use the average of three images taken by one evaluator for the most accurate assessment of AT integrity; further research on other QUS methods is needed.
Background: It is important for clinicians to rely on suitable prognosis factors after hamstring injuries because of the high incidence of these injuries and time away from athletic activities.
Purpose: To summarize the current literature on factors that influence return to play after a hamstring injury in athletes.
Study Design: Systematic review.
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed how reliable and consistent the measurements of median nerve movement are during specific upper limb tests in both healthy individuals and those with carpal tunnel syndrome.
- - The research used advanced techniques like ultrasound imaging and involved repeated tests to quantify nerve excursion, revealing the highest reliability when measurements were averaged from multiple images taken in one session.
- - It recommends averaging results from three image sequences during clinical assessments and suggests incorporating a second visit for improved accuracy in research.