Volkan Yilmaz

Efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and lowintensity pulsed ultrasound in a rat knee osteoarthritis model: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on osteoarthritic rat knees. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four rats were divided into 3 groups: group 1-control (n=8), group 2-LIPUS (n=8) and group 3-ESWT (n=8). Cartilage degeneration was provided using mono-iodo-asetate (MIA). One milligram of MIA was delivered to the right knees in group 1 and both knees in group 2 and 3. A 0.09% saline solution was delivered to the left knees in group 1 for control. Twenty-four hours after the delivery, ESWT was applied once on the right knees in the group 2 rats to the medial tibia plateu with a 1 Hz frequency and 800 impulses. LIPUS was applied to the right knees in the group 2 rats to the medial tibia plateu with a 3 mHz frequency and 40 mW/cm2 intensity for 20 minutes over a period of 15 days. Pain scores were measured with a knee bend test. Bone mineral density measurements and scintigraphic bone scans were performed. Histopathological examination was done using a modified Mankin scale. RESULTS There was no difference among the right knee subchondral bone osteoblastic activities (p>0.05). The left knee osteoblastic activities in the LIPUS and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) groups were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05), but there was no difference between the LIPUS and ESWT groups. There was no difference among the groups for both knee subchondral bone BMD values (p>0.05). The modified Mankin scores of both the right and left knees of the ESWT and LIPUS groups were lower than those of the control group (p<0.05), but there was no difference between the ESWT and LIPUS groups. The pain scores of both knees of the ESWT and LIPUS groups at day 7 were higher than those of the control group (p<0.05), but there was no difference between the ESWT and LIPUS groups. There was no difference among the pain scores of the right knees at day 14 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION ESWT and LIPUS have systemic proliferative and regenerative effects on cartilage and tissue.

Evaluating neuropathic complaints by DN4 and lanss scales after local corticosteroid therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuropathic symptoms after local steroid injection in CTS. Since 2001, neuropathic pain scales have been used in the assessment and follow-up of neuropathic pain. DN4 and LANSS pain questionnaires have been applied to groups, mostly consisted of radiculopathy and polyneuropathy cases, before and after various treatments and the results have been compared with the electrophysiologic findings. However to our knowledge there is yet no such study focusing on neuropathic complaints and the relationship between neuropathic pain and electrophysiological findings before and after local corticosteroid injection. METHODS Forty-one patients aged 22-65 years and diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome by nerve conduction studies who were also found to have neuropathic symptoms were included in the study. All patients received local steroid injection into the carpal tunnel while the questionnaires and nerve conduction studies were performed before and 2 months after the injection. RESULTS Local steroid injection was found effective on clinical and electrophysiologic parameters as well as on DN4 and LANSS scores in CTS patients (p< 0.05). Electrophysiologic severity exhibited no statistically significant relationship with DN4 and LANSS scores, before and after treatment (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION These findings suggests that the treatment of neuropathic complaints should be planned independently from the electrophysiologic findings and minimally invasive local steroid injection appears to be effective with regard to clinical and electrophysiologic aspects in CTS patients with neuropathic complaints.

Exertional Compartment Syndrome Leading to Bilateral Foot Drop: A Case Report

Background Although more commonly encountered with trauma, long-lasting exercise can cause a compartment syndrome. This is the first reported case of bilateral exertional compartment syndrome [ECS] that led to bilateral foot drop. Findings A 20-year-old man presented with complaints of swelling and pain in both legs which starting after a long, strenuous exercise. Magnetic resonance imaging showed edema in the peroneus longus and brevis muscles. The electromyography examination demonstrated severe axonal degenerations on bilateral peroneus profundus nerves. The diagnosis of ECS of the both legs leading to bilateral foot drop was established. Decompressive fasciotomies was performed one month after the onset of complaints. Improvement after physical therapy and rehabilitation was not satisfactory. Conclusions ECS can be overlooked as a diagnosis. Surgical decompression is the best choice of treatment. Late diagnosis and delayed surgery might lead to poor prognosis.