A systematic review of the use of shockwave therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Previous studies assessed the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for knee osteoarthritis (OA) among different situations. Thus, results from a meta-analysis regarding this topic may not be reliable due to heterogeneity.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted on three internet databases, namely Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase, gathering pertinent papers from their establishment to March 2024.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review of dose-response meta-analysis.

Introduction: The aim of the research was to conduct a systematic review of dose-response meta-analysis, examining the correlation between the energy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and clinical outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of three online databases - PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library - to collect relevant articles from their inception to May 2023. We included the articles that investigated the efficacy of ESWT in treating knee OA and were designed using randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Comparison of distal radius fracture plating surgery under wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique and balanced anesthesia: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Distal radius fractures (DRF) are frequently treated with internal fixation under general anesthesia or a brachial plexus block. Recently, the wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) technique has been suggested as a method that results in higher patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes, complications, and patient-reported outcomes of DRF plating surgery under both the WALANT and balanced anesthesia (BA).

Suramin ameliorates osteoarthritis by acting on the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in chondrocytes and promoting M2 polarization in macrophages.

Osteoarthritis (OA)-the most prevalent of arthritis diseases-is a complicated pathogenesis caused by cartilage degeneration and synovial inflammation. Suramin has been reported to enhance chondrogenic differentiation. However, the therapeutic effect of suramin on OA-induced cartilage destruction has remained unclear.

Suramin enhances chondrogenic properties by regulating the p67/PI3K/AKT/SOX9 signalling pathway.

Aims: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a promising treatment for articular cartilage degeneration and injury; however, it requires a large number of human hyaline chondrocytes, which often undergo dedifferentiation during in vitro expansion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of suramin on chondrocyte differentiation and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Porcine chondrocytes were treated with vehicle or various doses of suramin.

Efficacy of Prenatal Yoga in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Women commonly suffer from depression during pregnancy. For reducing depression, yoga seems to be more suitable for pregnant women than other physical activities because of its low exercise intensity. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of prenatal yoga on the treatment of depression during pregnancy.

Analgesic effects of sterile water injection in the management of low back pain during labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sterile water injections (SWIs) as a non-pharmacologic and cost-effective method have been adopted to relieve low back labor pain (LBLP).

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intradermal and subdermal SWIs in the treatment of LBLP.

Search Strategy: Three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect) were searched to find relevant articles using two terms, "labor" and "sterile water".

Arthroscopic Partial Trapeziectomy for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis: 5-Year Follow-up.

Osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is the most common type of arthritis of the hand. The goal of the study was to evaluate clinical results and radiographic changes after arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy combined with ligament shrinkage and K-wire fixation to treat thumb CMC joint arthritis. From February 2013 to March 2014, 24 patients with thumb CMC joint arthritis received this arthroscopic procedure.

Comparison of Robotic and Conventional Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes in Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Robotic-arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RUKA) was developed to increase the accuracy of bone alignment and implant positioning. This retrospective study explored whether RUKA has more favorable overall outcomes than conventional unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (CUKA). A total of 158 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis were recruited, of which 85 had undergone RUKA with the Mako system and 73 had undergone CUKA.

The Er:YAG vaginal laser for management of women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of vulvovaginal erbium laser on the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and sexual function of postmenopausal women. We conducted a retrospective study of sixty-four postmenopausal women with GSM, and these patients were scheduled for three times of vulvovaginal erbium laser treatment. A baseline and post-treatment vaginal status was assessed by measuring vaginal pH, patients' subjective vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) symptoms, which included dryness, dyspareunia, itching, and burning.

Zonal-Layered Chondrocyte Sheets for Repairment of Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Defect: A Mini-Pig Model.

The cell sheet technique is a promising approach for tissue engineering, and the present study is aimed to determine a better configuration of cell sheets for cartilage repair. For stratified chondrocyte sheets (S-CS), articular chondrocytes isolated from superficial, middle, and deep zones were stacked accordingly. Heterogeneous chondrocyte sheets (H-CS) were obtained by mixing zonal chondrocytes.

A New Strategy for Rapid Diagnosis of the Source of Low Back Pain in Patients Scheduled to Undergo Treatment with Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a new strategy for rapid diagnosis of the source of low back pain (LBP) for treatment with cooled radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials: Patients suffering from facet joint (FJ) or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain for more than 3 months were included. Two methods, Technetium Tc99m methylene diphosphonate single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (Tc-MDP SPECT/CT) and a modified Fortin finger test were used to identify the source of LBP for treatment with cooled RFA.

Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss and Transfusion Volume in Scoliosis Surgery for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Results of a 20-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) has been administered to reduce intraoperative blood loss in scoliosis surgery. However, the therapeutic effect of TXA on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) scoliosis surgery is not well demonstrated. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of intravenous TXA in SMA scoliosis surgery.

Hybrid versus total sublaminar wires in patients with spinal muscular atrophy undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Background: Early versions of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) scoliosis correction surgery often involved sublaminar devices. Recently, the utilization of pedicle screws has gained much popularity. Pedicle screws are generally believed to provide additional deformity correction, but pedicle size and rotational deformity limit their application in the thoracic spine, resulting in a hybrid construct involving pedicle screws and sublaminar wire.

Pain Control Affects the Radiographic Diagnosis of Segmental Instability in Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Background: Diagnosing intervertebral instability is crucial for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). Disabling back pain will reduce spinal mobility which leads to an underestimate of the incidence of intervertebral instability. We hypothesized that adequate analgesia could alter the flexion/extension exam performance, and thus increase the diagnostic accuracy of segmental instability.

Suramin attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting NF-κB signalling pathway.

Aims: Interleukin (IL)-1β is one of the major pathogenic regulators during the pathological development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, effective treatment options for IDD are limited. Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness.

Comparison of Efficacy among Three Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques for Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was first introduced for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 2010 and has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option. Three RFA techniques have been adopted for treating knee OA, including conventional, pulsed, and cooled RFA. However, the efficacy among different RFA techniques in the treatment of knee OA is still unclear.

Shockwave Treatment Enhanced Extracellular Matrix Production in Articular Chondrocytes Through Activation of the ROS/MAPK/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

Objective: Shockwave application is a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Oxidative stress and a counterbalancing antioxidant system might be the key to understanding this mechanism. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),which is an important regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, are plausible elements.

Efficacy of different platelet-rich plasma injections in the treatment of mild-moderate knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of different numbered sets of injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of mild-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A comprehensive search in three databases of Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed was conducted to find relevant articles that investigated the efficacy of PRP injection therapies in the treatment of mild-moderate knee OA through August 2020. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function scores were the primary outcomes and visual analogue scale (VAS) was the secondary outcome.

Extracorporeal shock wave promotes activation of anterior cruciate ligament remnant cells and their paracrine regulation of bone marrow stromal cells' proliferation, migration, collagen synthesis, and differentiation.

Aims: Proliferation, migration, and differentiation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant and surrounding cells are fundamental processes for ACL reconstruction; however, the interaction between ACL remnant and surrounding cells is unclear. We hypothesized that ACL remnant cells preserve the capability to regulate the surrounding cells' activity, collagen gene expression, and tenogenic differentiation. Moreover, extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) would not only promote activity of ACL remnant cells, but also enhance their paracrine regulation of surrounding cells.

Comparative effectiveness of various treatment strategies for trigger finger by pairwise meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of various strategies in the treatment of trigger finger.

Data Sources: A systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials to compare treatments for trigger finger was conducted through three online databases, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library, from their inception dates to 22 May 2020.

Methods: Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the effect sizes in success rate for included articles.

Management of nonunion of humeral medial condyle fracture: A case series and review of the literature.

Pediatric humeral medial condyle fracture (HMCF) is a rare condition and is difficult to detect, especially in young children. The management of late presentation of HMCF is challenging and lacks consensus. Herein, we reported four cases of HMCF nonunion received open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or supracondyle osteotomy from our institution.