Effect of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation on Pain after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) has proven to be effective for postsurgical pain relief. However, there is a lack of well-constructed clinical trials investigating the effect of TENS after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In addition, previous investigations reported that low- and high-frequency TENSs produced analgesic tolerance after 4 or 5 days of treatment.

Effects of Multidirectional Vibrations Delivered in a Horizontal Position (Andullation®) on Blood Microcirculation in Laboratory Animals: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND A whole-body vibration technique delivered in a horizontal position through a massage mattress was introduced in 2007. The present study analyzed the effects of different exposure periods to these vibrations on microcirculation of mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Different periods of vibrations (30Hz) were locally delivered in a horizontal position on the external abdominal skin in 3 randomized groups of mice (N=42).

The Use of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques in the Assessment of Secondary Lymphedema Tissue Changes as Part of Staging Lymphedema.

Too often, in clinical settings, the diagnosis and evolution of lymphedema is determined by limb circumference measurements and/or volume calculations. Besides the unrecognition of small lymphedemas, these techniques provide little to no information concerning the stage of the lymphedema. This latter is important in choosing appropriate treatment modalities and making an accurate prognosis.

Anatomical Effects of Axillary Nodes Dissection on Rat Lymphatic System Model: Indocyanine Green Mapping and Dissection.

Background: Axillary nodes dissection (AND) is an important risk factor for the appearance of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). The anatomy and pathophysiology leading to the development of BCRL after AND are not completely understood. Despite the existence of lymphedema models after AND, none of them were able to create lymphedemas without additional chemical inflammatory drugs or auxiliary physical techniques (radiotherapy).

A systematic review investigating the relationship between efficacy and stimulation parameters when using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation after knee arthroplasty.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in the treatment of postoperative knee arthroplasty pain and to relate these results to the stimulation parameters used.

Data Sources: PubMed, Pedro and Web of Knowledge were systematically screened for studies investigating effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on postoperative knee arthroplasty pain.

Review Methods: Studies were screened for their methodological and therapeutical quality.

Ultrasound elastography as an objective diagnostic measurement tool for lymphoedema of the treated breast in breast cancer patients following breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND.: Lymphoedema of the operated and irradiated breast is a common complication following early breast cancer treatment. There is no consensus on objective diagnostic criteria and standard measurement tools.

Early contralateral shoulder-arm morbidity in breast cancer patients enrolled in a randomized trial of post-surgery radiation therapy.

Introduction: Shoulder/arm morbidity is a common complication of breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy (RT), but little is known about acute contralateral morbidity.

Methods: Patients were 118 women enrolled in a RT trial. Arm volume and shoulder mobility were assessed before and 1-3 months after RT.

Scapula alata in early breast cancer patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of post-surgery short-course image-guided radiotherapy.

Background: Scapula alata (SA) is a known complication of breast surgery associated with palsy of the serratus anterior, but it is seldom mentioned. We evaluated the risk factors associated with SA and the relationship of SA with ipsilateral shoulder/arm morbidity in a series of patients enrolled in a trial of post-surgery radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: The trial randomized women with completely resected stage I-II breast cancer to short-course image-guided RT, versus conventional RT.

Effect of tens on pain in relation to central sensitization in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Central sensitization has recently been documented in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OAk). So far, the presence of central sensitization has not been considered as a confounding factor in studies assessing the pain inhibitory effect of tens on osteoarthritis of the knee. The purpose of this study is to explore the pain inhibitory effect of burst tens in OAk patients and to explore the prognostic value of central sensitization on the pain inhibitory effect of tens in OAk patients.

Postmastectomy lymphoedema: different patterns of fluid distribution visualised by ultrasound imaging compared with magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives: Postmastectomy lymphoedema remains a disabling complication caused by treatment for breast cancer. The increased thickness of the dermal layer and the increased volume of the subcutis represent the most important contributions to the total swelling of the arm. Ultrasound imaging of the subcutaneous layer results in different patterns of reflected ultrasound waves depending on the morphological alternations that occurred due to impaired lymphatic drainage.

Histological findings compared with magnetic resonance and ultrasonographic imaging in irreversible postmastectomy lymphedema: a case study.

Postmastectomy edema is a current complication after axillary lymph node dissection in cases of breast cancer treatment. Staging is important in order to select those patients who can benefit from complex physical therapy (CPT). Different imaging techniques can be used to evaluate the edema.