Journal of Musculoskeletal Research

Purpose: Kinesio taping is most widely used to correct postural dysfunction. Forward head and rounded shoulder posture (RSP) are common postural dysfunctions in the upper quadrant. Despite claims that Kinesio taping can be used to correct upper quadrant postural dysfunction, this seems to be controversial. Thus, our purpose is to determine the effect of Kinesio taping in subjects with upper quadrant postural dysfunction.

Methods: The electronic databases searched include PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane and PEDro were searched from April 2001 to April 2023. Studies searched were included if they met the eligibility criteria. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to assess the risk of bias. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

Results: Nine RCTs involving 293 participants were included. The present meta-analysis demonstrated significant differences between Kinesio taping groups and control groups in terms of forward shoulder angle (FSA). No significant difference was found regarding craniovertebral angle (CVA) and pain.

Conclusion: In subjects with RSP, Kinesio taping is beneficial in correcting FSA and does not show improvement in CVA and pain. The findings of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution due to the low quality of the evidence.

Background: Plantar fasciitis, the impairments include pain, changed skin blood flow (SBF) and temperature, changed plantar fascia (PF) and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) thickness, and affected foot function index. However, the association is still unknown.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the association among pain, SBF and temperature, PF and FDB thickness, and foot function index in individuals with plantar fasciitis.

Methods: Thirty-two individuals with unilateral plantar fasciitis were interviewed for demographic data and assessed for pain at the first step in the morning (Pain${}_m$), pain at rest (Pain${}_r$), and pain at 80 N/cm² pressure (Pain${}_{80}$) by visual analog scale (VAS), SBF, and skin temperature (ST) by laser dropper flowmetry (LDF), PF and FDB thickness by ultrasound imaging (USI), and foot function by foot functional index (FFI). The association was analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results: A significant correlation was found among Pain${}_m$ and Pain${}_r$, Pain${}_{80}$, SBF, PF, and FFI. Pain${}_r$ was correlated with SBF, and FFI. Pain${}_{80}$ was also correlated with FFI. SBF was correlated with ST and FFI.

Conclusions: The association among pain, PF thickness, and FFI was reported in individuals with plantar fasciitis, which can be meaningful relationship between clinical outcomes and ultrasonographic evidence.

Background: Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocations are among one of the most common injuries of the shoulder and still a challenge for surgeons. We propose a technique that combines the advantages of external fixation (to obtain a stable reduction of ACJ) and a modified suspension device system (for minimally invasive ACJ reconstruction) in acute dislocations. We tend to add associate augmentation of autologous semitendinosus graft to supply a biological reconstruction of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments in chronic dislocations.

Material and Methods: We enrolled 8 patients, 6 with acute and 2 with chronic injuries. Inclusion criteria were the following: types IV, V, and VI ACJ dislocations; type III ACJ dislocations in high-demand patients. Exclusion criteria were the following: asymptomatic chronic ACJ dislocation without functional impairment, previous coracoid or clavicle fracture, nonparticipating patients, alcohol abusers, previous infection, and neurological problems. The external fixator was removed at 40 days after surgery and patients were followed up clinically (through Constant Score and Simple Shoulder Test Questionnaires) and radiologically for the first three months, at six months and one year after surgery.

Results: In all cases, radiographic ACJ reduction was maintained at a minimum one-year follow-up. Steel wire breakage occurred in one patient but the retained tip in the clavicle was asymptomatic; we report no further complications. Shoulder active and passive range of motion was painless in all patients; the Constant score (CS) was 85/100 and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score was 9/10 on average at one year of follow-up.

Conclusions: Our technique demonstrated stable joint reduction and good functional outcomes at one-year follow-up and it seems to be promising, but more clinical and biomechanical studies are required to confirm these encouraging results.

Purpose: Isolated medial condyle fractures of femur with metaphyseal extension are a rare type of injury around knee joint. Most common mode of injury is high-energy trauma (road traffic accident, fall from height, sports injury) and is commonly seen in younger age group. Is open reduction and internal fixation with locking plates is the treatment of choice for sagittal plane medial femur condyle fractures with metaphseal extension?

Methods: We conducted a prospective study from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2021 including 12 patients (seven males and five females) with isolated medial femur condyle fractures (AO 33B2.1). In our study, open reduction and internal fixation was performed with medial femur plates or T-buttress plates in all 12 cases. At final follow-up, functional outcome was evaluated using ‘functional criteria’, ‘IKS knee and function score’ and radiological assessment.

Results: At final follow-up, out of 12 patients, 11 had excellent to good outcome according to ‘Kolmert Functional score’ and ‘IKS knee and function score’ were 83.33 and 78.33. At final follow-up, one out of twelve patients had extensor lag of 10 and flexion around 90.

Conclusion: Isolated fractures of medial condyle with metaphyseal extension have good outcome in terms of function if proper anatomical reduction is achieved and supplemented with locking plates.

Introduction: Osteoid osteoma is a benign painful bony lesion that often affects children and young adults. It is 3% of all bone tumors. It may result in growth disturbance, bony deformity, joint swelling and contractures. Long bones especially of the lower limb are the most commonly affected regions. During the initial period, the resection of nidus was performed by open surgery where a bone block was removed. This was followed by development of computed tomography (CT)-guided procedures for complete removal of nidus using various percutaneous techniques. These include CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or trephination. If these lesions are near any important vascular structures, it becomes difficult to use RFA due to risk of injuring them. While the results of RFA are well studied, percutaneous trephination is still not widely researched.

Objectives: We evaluated the results of 14 cases of osteoid osteoma treated with percutaneous drilling resection of the nidus under CT guidance and discussed the positive and negative impact of the same.

Material and Methods: We included 14 patients who presented, from October 2017 to September 2020, at a tertiary level health care center. The diagnosis was established by clinical as well as imaging modalities. The patients underwent CT scan and the exact site was localized. Safe zone for percutaneous drilling was identified using contrast for vascular bundle. Percutaneous drilling was done using 8 mm reamer and complete lesion was removed under CT guidance. Patients were followed up for 2 years after the procedure and the final results were obtained in terms of pain, functional ability of limb and recurrence.

Results: 13 out of 14 patients were pain-free at the end of the follow-up. One patient did have some pain after 1 year and on repeat imaging, there were changes suggestive of recurrence. The success rate was thus 13/14 patients (92.8%). The mean pre-operative pain score improved from 2.3 (range, 0–4) to 4.85 (range, 4–5) after procedure. There was no functional deficit of the limb recorded at the end of final follow up.

Conclusion: CT-guided percutaneous trephination is a cost-effective alternative to available treatments protocols for Osteoid osteoma. Although newer techniques such as radio-frequency ablation are available, they are neither easily accessible nor affordable for the masses in developing countries.

Introduction: Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the stronger of the two cruciate ligaments of the knee and is a constraint to posterior dislocation of the knee in 90 degrees of flexion. Damage to PCL due to bony avulsion if not treated can lead to chronic pain and patellar degeneration due to posterior subluxation of the tibia. Various modalities are there to treat PCL bony avulsion fracture, including the conservative method (in undisplaced or <5 mm displaced bony piece) and open methods, including the midline posterior approach, Burks and Schaffer approach, and Arthroscopic approach with the help of sutures and screws.

The purpose of this study was to objectively evaluate the results after Burks and Schaffer’s approach to tibial PCL avulsion fractures using cannulated cancellous (cc) screws with or without a washer.

Methodology: This is an observational study of PCL bony avulsion fractures of 30 patients in the age group of 15–45 years admitted to Dr. S.N. Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Jodhpur who were followed up for six months and were classified under Modified Meyers and Mckeever classification. Patients with associated vascular injuries and severe comorbidities were excluded. Through Burks and Schaffer’s approach, PCL bony avulsion fractures were fixed with a 4 mm partially threaded cc screw with or without a washer. Their functional outcome was assessed using the Lysholm scoring system.

Results: In our study, 30 patients are treated with the Burks and Schaffer method out of which excellent surgical outcomes were found in 23 (76.67%) patients and good outcomes in seven patients (23.33%).

Conclusion: PCL bony avulsion fracture treated with screw fixation through the Burks and Schaffer approach has excellent clinical outcomes due to the ease of performing it with fewer complications during exposure and fixation with an easily available and affordable implant. With this method, patients reported stable knees with a good range of motion and functional outcomes.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of NeuroMuscular Taping (NMT) in pain and neck disability in reducing work-related musculoskeletal stress.

Methods: This study was conducted on 20 workers, with an age mean of about 53.85 years who work in the home industry of “Batik-Village” in Solo Indonesia that were divided into two groups. Intervention groups ($n$ = 10) received NMT application, while control groups ($n$ = 10) received sham treatment by the traditional approach. The collected data covered the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for a neck disability. Evaluations were made at four points of time: before, after 3 times, after 6 times of NMT application, and follow-up 15 days after the last application with mirroring duration on the control group.

Results: Intervention group showed reduction on pain ($p$ = 0.000) and neck disability ($p$ = 0.000) during the intervention but only pain has prolonged effect on follow-up ($p$ = 0.001).

Conclusion: NMT application to painful neck muscles in manual labor workers decreases their subjective sensation of pain during the work, after work, and after the tape removal.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of concern for workplace safety for healthcare workers. The prevalence of nurses with MSDs is particularly high. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of MSDs among nurses working in a tertiary hospital in Oman.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study was used to examine 125 nurses using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire.

Results: We sampled 125 nurses working in different units. We found that the main age group is between 31 and 40 years old (58.4%), mostly female (79.2%), majority are married (80.8%) and have children (76.8%). Nurses in this sample work at different departments, majority are working in the orthopedic unit (18.4%). The minimum years of experience was 1 year, and the maximum was 33 years. Upper back pain was the most reported complaint (7.2%). Out of the 125 nurses 87 had symptoms of MSDs at a prevalence of 0.696. Three factors were found to have a relationship with workplace-related MSDs: working in the same position for long periods of time ($p$ = 0.007), having lift-and-transfer- dependent patients ($p$ = 0.023), and being forced to work harder under the condition of staff shortage ($p$ = 0.062). None of the demographic and work-related characteristics were found to be related to MSDs.

Conclusion: MSDs are very prevalent among nurses in Oman. The factors of developing MSDs are work related regardless of the demographic or workplace characteristics. Healthcare institutions shall implement preventive and rehabilitative measures to help nurses have better musculoskeletal health.

The observational data from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) confirm the superiority of surgical over conservative management of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis. The most common reported neurologic complications after lumbar posterior decompression and fusion are implant malposition, contralateral foraminal stenosis, hematoma/seroma, arachnoiditis, and nerve root oedema or vascular underlying causes.

The current study reported that the patient developed unexpected left side neurological deficit after conventional lumbar posterior spinal decompression surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis. No intraoperative dural insult. The computer topography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine after index surgery show adequate canal and foraminal decompression. No hardware-related complications or compressive hematoma could explain the patient’s symptoms. The patient recovered completely after removing the redundant posterolateral bone graft. The theory behind that is aggressive posterolateral dissection over the transverse process and abundant application of the bone graft might compress or injure the lumbar plexus. So, we suggested a delicate dissection posterolaterally and only a reasonable amount of bone graft could be applied to prevent such a devastating neurological complication.