Dong-wook Rha

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection and dry needling in rotator cuff disease: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare the effects of platelet-rich plasma injection with those of dry needling on shoulder pain and function in patients with rotator cuff disease. Design: A single-centre, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study. Setting: University rehabilitation hospital. Participants: Thirty-nine patients with a supraspinatus tendon lesion (tendinosis or a partial tear less than 1.0 cm, but not a complete tear) who met the inclusion criteria recruited between June 2010 and February 2011. Intervention: Two dry needling procedures in the control group and two platelet-rich plasma injections in the experimental group were applied to the affected shoulder at four-week intervals using ultrasound guidance. Measurements: The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, passive range of motion of the shoulder, a physician global rating scale at the six-month follow-up, adverse effects monitoring and an ultrasound measurement were used as outcome measures. Results: The clinical effect of the platelet-rich plasma injection was superior to the dry needling from six weeks to six months after initial injection (P < 0.05). At six months the mean Shoulder Pain and Disability Index was 17.7 ± 3.7 in the platelet-rich plasma group versus 29.5 ± 3.8 in the dry needling group (P < 0.05). No severe adverse effects were observed in either group. Conclusions: Autologous platelet-rich plasma injections lead to a progressive reduction in the pain and disability when compared to dry needling. This benefit is certainly still present at six months after treatment. These findings suggest that treatment with platelet-rich plasma injections is safe and useful for rotator cuff disease.

Relationship between inspiratory muscle strength and cough capacity in cervical spinal cord injured patients.

Study design:Prospective single centre study.Objectives:Pulmonary rehabilitation focuses on improving the expiratory muscle function in order to increase the reduced cough capacity in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI). However, an improvement in the inspiratory function is also important for coughing effectively. Therefore, this study was to examine the significance of the inspiratory muscle strength on the cough capacity in the patients with a cervical SCI.Setting:SCI unit, Yonsei Rehabilitation Hospital, Seoul, Korea.Methods:The vital capacity (VC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured. Moreover, the unassisted peak cough flow (PCF) and assisted PCF under three conditions were evaluated.Results:All three assisted cough methods showed a significantly higher value than the unassisted method (P<0.001). The VC correlated with the voluntary cough capacity and the MIP (R=0.749) correlated more significantly with the VC than the MEP (R=0.438) (P<0.01). The MIP showed a higher correlation with both the unassisted PCF and all three assisted PCFs than the MEP (P<0.001).Conclusions:The management of the inspiratory muscle strength should be considered in the pulmonary rehabilitation at cervical SCI patients.

Accuracy of Manual Needle Placement for Gastrocnemius Muscle in Children With Cerebral Palsy Checked Against Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE To investigate the accuracy of manual needle placement into gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) for botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN Prospective clinical study. SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 272 injections in GCMs of 39 children with spastic CP who were scheduled to receive BTX-A injections in GCMs. INTERVENTION Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The accuracy of manual needle placement was checked against ultrasonography. RESULTS The needle was accurately inserted into GCM muscles in 78.7% of cases. Accuracy was 92.6% into gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and 64.7% into gastrocnemuis lateralis (GL). Muscle thickness at the needle insertion site was significantly thinner in GL than GM. Accuracy of GL in the younger age group (<4y, 57.6%) was lower than in the older age group (> or =4y, 78.1%). For GM, accuracy in both younger and older age groups was good (>90%). CONCLUSIONS Injection of the toxin into GCMs through the use of anatomic landmark was acceptable in GM, but not acceptable in GL, especially in young children.

Detecting Local Twitch Responses of Myofascial Trigger Points in the Lower-Back Muscles Using Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of ultrasonography for detecting local twitch responses (LTRs) of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in deeply located lower-back muscles. DESIGN Case-control study. Active MTrP was diagnosed in all patients based on the criteria proposed by Travell and Simons in their upper-trapezius or lower-back muscles. One investigator administered trigger point injections while observing LTRs on ultrasonography. The other investigator observed LTRs visually during the procedure. SETTING University rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS Patients (n=41; mean age, 51.8 ± 11.8y) with MTrPs in the upper-trapezius muscles and patients (n=62; mean age, 56.8 ± 11.9y) with MTrPs in the erector spinae or quadratus lumborum were recruited from April 29 to October 31, 2010. INTERVENTIONS Ultrasound-guided trigger point injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LTR detection rate according to the depth of MTrPs; subjective pain intensity using a visual analog scale before and immediately after the trigger point injection. RESULTS In upper-trapezius muscles, all LTRs were detected by means of both ultrasonographic and visual inspection. In the lower-back muscles, many LTRs were detected only on ultrasonography during the trigger point injection. For deep muscles, ultrasound helped identify LTRs that were not detected by using visual assessment. Pain was alleviated more significantly in the group with LTRs during trigger point injections compared with the group without LTRs. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that ultrasonography was useful for detecting LTRs of MTrPs, especially for LTRs in the deep muscles. Ultrasound guidance may improve the therapeutic efficacy of trigger point injection for treating MTrPs in the deep muscles.

Comparing quantitative tractography metrics of motor and sensory pathways in children with periventricular leukomalacia and different levels of gross motor function

IntroductionThe neural tracts responsible for gross motor dysfunction in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) caused by periventricular leukomalacia remain unknown. This study investigated both sensory and motor tracts using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).MethodsBrain MRIs with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) performed on 19 children (ten boys and nine girls) with bilateral spastic CP were analyzed. DTT was reconstructed from DTI. Participants were classified according to gross motor function measured with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Those with GMFCS levels I–III comprised the high-functioning group (n = 11), and those with GMFCS levels IV–V comprised the low-functioning group (n = 8). We compared DTT-based metrics, such as fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, and fiber number and volume, between the groups.ResultsIn the corticospinal tract, the volume and number of fibers were significantly higher in the high-functioning group (p < 0.001), whereas the fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient of the corticospinal tract did not differ significantly between the groups. In the somotosensory tract and posterior thalamic radiation, none of the DTT parameters differed significantly between the groups.ConclusionsChildren with bilateral spastic CP with differing levels of gross motor function have corresponding differences detectable on DTT in their corticospinal tracts but not in their somatosensory tracts and posterior thalamic radiations. In addition, the number and volume of fibers, but not fractional anisotropy values or apparent diffusion coefficients, are lower in the corticospinal tracts in children with low gross motor function than in those with high gross motor function.

Effect of Hinged Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Standing Balance Control in Children with Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Purpose To identify the characteristics of static standing balance and its postural control mechanisms during quiet side-by-side standing and the changes in these measures whilst wearing hinged ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and Methods Twenty-one children with bilateral spastic CP (6.10 ± 1.09 year-old) and 22 typically developing (TD) children (5.64 ± 0.49 year-old) were recruited. Pressure data were recorded while subjects with or without AFOs stood on dual force platforms and net body center of pressure (CoP) coordinates were calculated from this data. Net body CoP was traced for measuring mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) displacement and path length per second. Correlation coefficients between parameters representing ankle, hip, and transverse body rotation strategies were also analyzed. Results ML and AP displacement and path length per second of the CoP trajectory were higher in children with CP compared to TD children (p < 0.05). There were no significant improvements in these parameters whilst wearing hinged AFOs. Compared to TD children, children with CP used less ankle strategy though more hip and transverse rotation strategies for postural control during quiet standing. Whilst wearing hinged AFOs, the contribution of ankle strategy was significantly increased for ML balance control in children with CP (p < 0.05). Conclusion Hinged AFOs for children with CP may be helpful in improving the postural control mechanisms but not the postural stability in quiet side-by-side standing.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Management of Upper Limb Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy: a Literature Review

The aim of this article was to present a review of the research literature on the outcome of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection for management of upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We searched the electronic databases of MEDLINE, CINAHL and PUBMED for all published studies with full-length English text available. For each study, the quality of the methods and the strength of evidence were assessed by 2 independent reviewers based on the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) guidelines. Four studies of level I, 8 studies of level IV and 4 studies of level V were identified. Due to the limited number of studies with high quality evidence and inconsistent results among studies, we were unable to support or refute the usefulness of BTX-A injection for management of upper limb spasticity in children with CP. Moreover, we identified several variables that may affect the outcome of injection, such as timing of age, dosage, dilution volumes, localization techniques of target muscles and participant characteristics. In summary, we have presented a review the literature and a discussion of the considerable uncertainty and variation associated with the clinical use of BTX-A injection for management of upper limb spasticity in children with CP.

Effects of Hippotherapy on Gross Motor Function and Functional Performance of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Purpose The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and Methods We recruited 34 children (M:F=15:19, age: 3-12 years) with spastic CP who underwent hippotherapy for 45 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks. Twenty-one children with spastic CP were recruited for control group. The distribution of gross motor function classification system level and mean age were not significantly different between the two groups. Outcome measures, including the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66, GMFM-88 and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory: Functional Skills Scale (PEDI-FSS), were assessed before therapy and after the 8-weeks intervention as outcome measures. Results There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups in mean baseline total scores of GMFM-66, GMFM-88 or PEDI-FSS. After the 8-weeks intervention, mean GMFM-66 and GMFM-88 scores were significantly improved in both groups. However, the hippotherapy group had significantly greater improvement in dimension E and GMFM-66 total score than the control group. The total PEDI-FSS score and the sub-scores of its 3 domains were significantly improved in the hippotherapy group, but not in the control group. Conclusion The results of our study demonstrate the beneficial effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance in children with CP compared to control group. The significant improvement in PEDI-FSS scores suggests that hippotherapy may be useful to maximize the functional performance of children with CP.

Rapid analgesic onset of intra-articular hyaluronic acid with ketorolac in osteoarthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular ketorolac to improve intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy in knee osteoarthritis with respect to the initiation of pain relief. METHODS This study was designed as a single-blind study with a blinded observer and a 3-month follow-up. Forty-three patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to the ketorolac group (n=21) or the HA group (n=22). Ketorolac group members were given three weekly intra-articular injections of HA with ketorolac and then two weekly intra-articular injections of HA; and HA group members were given five weekly intra-articular HA injections. Visual analog scale (VAS), pain rating score (PRS) and adverse events were assessed at baseline and at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 16th week after treatment commencement. RESULTS Significant improvement regarding pain assessment tools was observed in the ketorolac group by the addition of ketorolac to HA as compared with the HA group within 16 weeks of follow-up (p < 0.05). In the ketorolac group, 5 of the 21 subjects developed focal post-injection knee pain for about 8 hours after injection. CONCLUSION Intra-articular HA with ketorolac showed more rapid analgesic onset than intra-articular HA alone and did not induce any serious complications.

Comparison of the ratio of upper to lower chest wall in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and normally developed children.

The upper chest wall does not grow properly in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with paradoxical breathing. This suggests that long-term inability to take a deep breath in developing children may result in underdevelopment of the upper chest wall. In addition, a rapid and paradoxical breathing pattern is frequently observed in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP), which often corresponds to the underdevelopment of the upper chest wall. The present study is designed to evaluate the ratio of the upper to lower chest wall in children with severe spastic quadriplegic CP, compared with normal children. We compared normal children with children that had spastic quadriplegic CP who did not have kyphosis or scoliosis. Test subjects were matched in terms of age, height, and weight. The diameters of upper chest (Dapex) and of lower chest (Dbase) were measured on the anteroposterior (AP) view of a chest X-ray and the Dapex to Dbase ratio was calculated. In selected cases the forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured using a Wright Respirometer. The Dapex to Dbase ratio was significantly lower in the CP group than in the control group (p<0.001). The ratio increased linearly with age (p<0.001) in both CP (R = 0.372) and control groups (R = 0.477). The FVC/preFVC showed significant correlation with the Dapex to Dbase ratio (R = 0.542, p<0.01). The results of this study suggest a deviation of optimal chest wall structure in children with spastic quadriplegic CP.