Periarticular Infiltration Compared to Single Femoral Nerve Block in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Study.

 To compare patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) under spinal anesthesia and single femoral nerve block (FNB) with subjects undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia and periarticular infiltration (PAI).  A total of 100 patients undergoing primary TKA were randomized into two groups. Group 1 included patients undergoing surgery under FNB associated with spinal anesthesia, while group 2 included patients undergoing TKA under IPA and spinal anesthesia.

Does Parkinson's disease affect peripheral circulation and vascular function in physically active patients?

Previous studies demonstrated that aging, neurodegeneration, and the level of physical activity are associated with vascular alterations. However, in Parkinson's disease (PD) only cerebral vascular function has been investigated; instead, the contribution of PD on systemic vascular function and skeletal muscle circulation remains a matter of debate. In this study, the hyperemic response during the single passive leg movement test (sPLM), largely nitric oxide dependent, was examined at the level of the common femoral artery with an ultrasound Doppler system to assess systemic vascular function in 10 subjects with PD (PDG), compared with 10 aged-sex and physically active matched healthy elderly (EHG), and 10 physically active young healthy individuals (YHG).

To Retain or Resurface the Patella in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study.

 To evaluate and compare clinically and functionally patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with preservation or replacement of the patella.  In a cross-sectional study, the functional results were evaluated and compared, using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) and Lequesne scores, of 158 patients undergoing primary TKA (162 knees); in 81 knees the patella was submitted to arthroplasty and in 81 the joint surface of the patella was preserved.  No significant differences were identified in terms of the Lequesne score (p = 0.

The key role of physical activity against the neuromuscular deterioration in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Aim: Decreased muscle strength has been frequently observed in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this condition is still poorly examined in physically active patients. This study compared quadriceps (Q) maximal force and the contribution of central and peripheral components of force production during a maximal isometric task between physically active PD and healthy individuals.

Biomechanical Study of Different Femoral Fixation Devices in the Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament in Porcine Knees.

 To evaluate different femoral fixation devices for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and compare their effectiveness regarding fixation strength up to failure in porcine knees.  Thirty porcine knees were used, divided into three groups of 10 knees. The removed grafts were dissected from the extensor tendons of porcine feet.