The diagnostic potential of low-field MRI in problematic total knee arthroplasties - a feasibility study.

Purpose: Low-field MRI, allowing imaging in supine and weight-bearing position, may be utilized as a non-invasive and affordable tool to differentiate between causes of dissatisfaction after TKA ('problematic TKA'). However, it remains unclear whether low-field MRI results in sufficient image quality with limited metal artefacts. Therefore, this feasibility study explored the diagnostic value of low-field MRI concerning pathologies associated with problematic TKA's' by comparing low-field MRI findings with CT and surgical findings.

MRI as Diagnostic Modality for Analyzing the Problematic Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Background: Various diagnostic modalities are available to assess the problematic knee arthroplasty. Visualization of soft-tissue structures in relation to the arthroplasty and bone remains difficult. Recent developments in MRI sequences could make MRI a viable addition to the diagnostic arsenal.

Self-reported functional recovery after reconstruction versus repair in acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ROTOR): a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is today's surgical gold standard for ACL rupture. Although it provides satisfactory results, not all patients return to their previous activity level and moreover, early posttraumatic osteoarthritis is not prevented. As such, a renewed interest has emerged in ACL suture repair combined with dynamic augmentation.

Successful Treatment of a 15-Year-Old Nonunion of a Midshaft Clavicle Fracture Causing Brachial Plexus Compression.

A 49-year-old man with a 15-year-old nonunion of a midshaft clavicle fracture suffered from progressive tingling in his entire arm and fingers for two years, due to irritation of the brachial plexus in the costoclavicular space, especially upon elevation of the arm. After open reduction and internal plate fixation, all symptoms were resolved and complete consolidation of the fracture was achieved at one-year follow-up. This case demonstrates two things: brachial plexus compression can occur even many years after a nonunion of a clavicle fracture and union can be still achieved, even in a longstanding nonunion.

Neck of Femur Fracture in a Patient with a Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Ipsilateral Foot.

This case report describes a successful two-stage treatment in a 75-year-old male with a displaced neck of femur fracture, also suffering from an active chronic osteomyelitis of the ipsilateral calcaneus. In our case, a below-knee amputation was performed first, followed by total hip arthroplasty two weeks later. At 15-month follow-up, full recovery of the prefracture level of activities of daily living without significant impairment was obtained.

Smoking and morphology of calcific deposits affect the outcome of needle aspiration of calcific deposits (NACD) for calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff.

Introduction: Although NACD has proven to be an effective minimal invasive treatment for calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff, little is known about the factors associated with treatment failure or the need for multiple procedures.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic calcific tendinitis who were treated by NACD were evaluated in a retrospective cohort study. Demographic details, medical history, sonographic and radiographic findings were collected from patient files.

A Serious Exergame for Patients Suffering from Chronic Musculoskeletal Back and Neck Pain: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Over recent years, the popularity of videogames has gone beyond youth and gamers and is slowly entering the field of professional healthcare. Exergames are an attractive alternative to physical therapy. The primary aim of this pilot study was to explore the user experience (usability, satisfaction, level of motivation, and game experience) of the patient with the "PlayMancer" exergame.

Deployment of e-health services - a business model engineering strategy.

We designed a business model for deploying a myofeedback-based teletreatment service. An iterative and combined qualitative and quantitative action design approach was used for developing the business model and the related value network. Insights from surveys, desk research, expert interviews, workshops and quantitative modelling were combined to produce the first business model and then to refine it in three design cycles.

Prognostic factors for the effect of a myofeedback-based teletreatment service.

We investigated the potential prognostic factors for clinically relevant improvements in pain intensity and pain-related disability after myofeedback-based teletreatment. Sixty-five female computer users, 56 female patients with whiplash-associated disorders and 18 female patients with non-specific neck and shoulder pain participated in the study. They received myofeedback-based teletreatment or usual treatment.

Clinical evaluation of a myofeedback-based teletreatment service applied in the workplace: a randomized controlled trial.

We evaluated the clinical effects of a myofeedback-based teletreatment service in terms of pain, pain-related disability and work ability. We also investigated the time investment/savings of this treatment with respect to conventional care. Sixty-five women with neck and shoulder pain at work participated in the study.

Relation between patient satisfaction, compliance and the clinical benefit of a teletreatment application for chronic pain.

We investigated the ease of use and usefulness as a measure of patient satisfaction, compliance, clinical benefit and its mutual relationships concerning a teletreatment application for chronic pain. Fifty-two subjects with neck and shoulder pain received and completed a four-week myofeedback-based teletreatment intervention. Prior to the onset of the intervention (at baseline) and immediately after the intervention they were asked to fill in questionnaires to measure discrepancies (gap scores) between expectations and experiences with the ease of use and usefulness of the treatment, as well as pain intensity and pain disability.

The clinical effectiveness of a myofeedback-based teletreatment service in patients with non-specific neck and shoulder pain: a randomized controlled trial.

We investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of a four-week myofeedback-based teletreatment service in subjects with non-specific neck and shoulder pain. Subjects were recruited in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands and randomly allocated to the intervention or conventional care. Subjects in the intervention group received four weeks of myofeedback training.

A scenario guideline for designing new teletreatments: a multidisciplinary approach.

Lack of user acceptance of telemedicine services is an important barrier to deployment and stresses the need for involving users, i.e. medical professionals.

A staged approach evaluation of remotely supervised myofeedback treatment (RSMT) in women with neck-shoulder pain due to computer work.

Remotely supervised myofeedback treatment (RSMT) is a relatively new intervention aimed at reducing neck-shoulder pain and disabilities. Subjects are equipped with a garment that can be worn under the clothes during daily work. Dry surface electrodes incorporated in this garment measure muscle activation (sEMG) of the trapezius muscle.

Determinants of successful telemedicine implementations: a literature study.

Telemedicine implementations often remain in the pilot phase and do not succeed in scaling-up to robust products that are used in daily practice. We conducted a qualitative literature review of 45 conference papers describing telemedicine interventions in order to identify determinants that had influenced their implementation. The identified determinants, which would influence the future implementation of telemedicine interventions, can be classified into five major categories: (1) Technology, (2) Acceptance, (3) Financing, (4) Organization and (5) Policy and Legislation.

Tele-treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mainly consists of (psycho) social support and advice on activities of daily living. We evaluated the effects of tele-treatment in addition to the conventional method of care in four patients with ALS. A Web application was built with information about ALS and a link to the tele-treatment environment.

Context aware tele-monitoring and tele-treatment services.

This report describes the Awareness project which attempts to make a step forward new kind of e-health services by realizing remote monitoring of health functions and by demonstrating the feasibility of free health treatment concepts; meaning monitoring and treatment independent of time and place utilizing a mobile service infrastructure.