Martine De Muynck

The Impact of Muscular Variation on the Neurodynamic Test for the Median Nerve in a Healthy Population With Langer's Axillary Arch

OBJECTIVEnThe neurodynamic test of the median nerve (ULNT1) is frequently used to assess the mechanics and physiology of the brachial plexus and median nerve. The present study looks for a positive ULNT1 in a healthy population with Langers axillary arch (LAA) and analyzes whether LAA affects the elbow extension range of motion (EE-ROM) of the ULNT1.nnnMETHODnOf 640 volunteers screened, 26 LAA sides were finally included. Additional history taking revealed minor symptoms in some subjects. Minor symptoms do not qualify as a disorder because there is no interference with daily activities and no medical advice is sought. This study investigates whether the ULNT1 can (re)produce minor symptoms or abnormal responses in subjects with LAA. The EE-ROM was compared between the subjects left and right side, and the subtraction angle-which is the effect of placing the cervical spine in contralateral lateral flexion-was compared between LAA sides and controls.nnnRESULTSnLangers axillary arch sides showed a significant increase in the occurrence of minor symptoms and positive ULNT1, but no influence was observed on the EE-ROM.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese findings suggest that LAA may be capable of transiently provoking the axillary neurovascular bundle. The unaffected EE-ROM may be the consequence of a vascular origin of the minor symptoms or the consequence of an ulnar nerve/medial cord response to the ULNT1.

Free radical scavengers versus methylprednisolone in the prevention of experimentally induced heterotopic ossification

The etiology of heterotopic ossification (HO) is still obscure, it is difficult to devise an effective preventive or therapeutic approach. The options for the prevention of HO are still limited. The prophylactic effect of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is insufficient. Moreover, NSAIDs increase the risk of nonunion and loosening in patients with multiple joint injuries. The present experimental study was designed to compare methylprednisolone with free radical scavengers for the prevention of HO. The model of Michelsson et al. was used to induce HO in the hind legs of 30 female New Zealand albino rabbits, weighing approx. 4 kg. The animals were randomized into three groups of 10 animals each, and received daily either placebo, a free radical scavenger cocktail [allopurinol and N‐acetylcysteine (A/A)], or methylprednisolone in a randomized, double‐blind fashion. Every four days, X‐rays were obtained to measure the thickness and the length of new bone formation at the thigh. A statistically significant difference in thickness and length of newly formed bone was found between the three groups. In the placebo group HO increased from day 16 toward a medium length of 6 mm and a median thickness of 1.5 mm. In the A/A group, no signs of HO were found. In the methylprednisolone group, only one animal presented minor HO from day 32. Both free radical scavengers and methylprednisolone were found to inhibit HO, and may be considered effective measures for the prevention of heterotopic bone formation. However, it could not be demonstrated which of the two had the strongest inhibitory effect.

Effect of whole body vibration on intracompartmental pressure in the lower leg

BackgroundWhole body vibration has important effects on neuromuscular functions. It seems to be a promising tool in the conservative treatment and rehabilitation of compartment syndrome. In the present study we investigated the effect of whole body vibration on intracompartmental pressure in the lower leg during a strenuous static exercise program.MethodsWe conducted a cross-over pilot study in which fifteen healthy male subjects participated. They twice performed a 20.5-min static exercise program on the Fitvibe Medical whole body vibration device, once with 27 Hz vibrations and once without. The intracompartmental pressure was measured by two examiners at the superficial posterior compartment of the left and right lower leg, at rest and during the exercise programs.ResultsA general linear model for repeated measures showed a significant difference between the exercise program with vibrations and that without (P = 0.001) and a significant difference in intracompartmental pressure for the factor time of measurement (P < 0.001). Mean intracompartmental pressure was at any point in time lower in the vibrating than in the non-vibrating exercise conditions, though not always significant. In the program with vibrations the exercise pressures showed a non-significant trend to decrease (from 23.5 mmHg to 21.3 mmHg) as the program advanced, while in the non-vibration program, there was a trend to increase (from 24.1 to 27.9 mmHg).ConclusionsThe mean intracompartmental pressure was lower when whole body vibration at 27 Hz was superimposed. Therefore, whole body vibration seems to be a possible tool to lower intracompartmental pressure. Further research is needed to confirm whether these findings are also applicable in patients, athletes, and in dynamic exercises.

Lumbosacrale plexopathie veroorzaakt door een gemetastaseerd adenocarcinoom van de maag

Maligne lumbosacrale plexopathie ontstaat voornamelijk door directe intra-abdominale tumoruitbreiding. Metastatische lumbosacrale aantasting komt minder voor en wordt gewoonlijk pas gezien bij gevorderde, systemische tumorverspreiding. Het adenocarcinoom van de maag is een veel voorkomende tumor, die vaak pas gevonden wordt in een gevorderd, palliatief stadium. nAan de hand van de MRI-beelden van een patiente met een lumbosacrale plexopathie, wordt bij verdere uitwerking uiteindelijk de diagnose van een gemetastaseerd maagcarcinoom gesteld.

Efectos de la variación muscular en la prueba neurodinámica del nervio mediano en una población sana con arco axilar de Langer

Objetivo La prueba neurodinamica del nervio mediano (PNES1, prueba neurodinamica 1 de la extremidad superior, o ULNT1 en ingles) se utiliza con frecuencia para evaluar la mecanica y la fisiologia del plexo braquial y del nervio mediano. El presente estudio investiga las PNES1 positivas en una poblacion sana con arco axilar de Langer (AAL) y analiza si el AAL afecta al arco de movimiento durante la extension de codo (AM-EC) durante la PNES1. Material y metodos De los 640 voluntarios examinados, finalmente se incluyeron 26 lados con AAL. La realizacion de un cuestionario clinico adicional revelo “sintomas menores” en algunos sujetos. Estos sintomas menores no se consideraron un trastorno porque no suponian un obstaculo para la realizacion de las actividades diarias y los sujetos no solicitaron atencion medica. Este estudio investiga si la PNES1 puede producir o reproducir sintomas menores o respuestas anormales en sujetos con AAL. Se comparo el AM-EC del lado izquierdo y derecho de los sujetos. Por otra parte, se comparo el angulo de sustraccion, que es el efecto de colocar la columna cervical en flexion lateral contralateral, entre los lados con AAL y los controles. Resultados Los lados con arco axilar de Langer mostraron un aumento significativo en la aparicion de sintomas menores y PNES1 positivas, pero no se observo efecto alguno en el AM-EC. Conclusiones Estos hallazgos indican que el AAL puede afectar de forma transitoria al haz neurovascular axilar. La falta de efectos sobre los AM-EC puede ser consecuencia del origen vascular de los sintomas menores o de una respuesta del nervio cubital/cordon medial a la PNES1.

Bladder dysfunction and sacral Tarlov cysts: an unsuspected diagnosis

Lifting is said to be on of the major risk factors for the onset of low back pain, several different measures has been developed to study this. Several programs are available in order to measure these components, or to determine the ability of an individual to perform a certain job or to discover if the job creates dangerous positions for the worker. In these different fields reliable and valid instruments exist but they are costly and time spending. We present a simplified functional capacity measuring that we use daily in practise.nMethod: 280 patients have been evaluated on this base. The majority was referred to multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment. The patients had recurrent back problems for months or years. Inclusion criteria were between 18 and 64 years, currently of work, no work compensation. Exclusion criteria were chronic low back pain with a specific cause. They followed a one-hour evaluation test as a functional capacity evaluation at the end of the multidisciplinary treatment period, it was compared to the PILE-test done at the beginning and at the end.nResults: We included 280 subjects: 160 men and 120 women. Mean age 43.6 by the women and 44 years by the men. We studied the caring foot-hip, hip-shoulder, 5 m carrying, pushing and tiring and the global weight carried during the test. We found this global value to be 696 kg by men and 422 kg by women suffering from chronic lumbar pain. The increase in this value had a clear incidence on a greater work ability, as had a decrease.nConclusions: We were able to develop a lifting capacity program that is easy to reproduce and not expensive, giving us the possibility to have an idea on how to reorient the patients according to their work place and their capacities. We could also have an information of work performance and power consumption. It should be more tested and compared to standard capacity in the healthy population.