Recent Research Articles
2010
June 2010
A close look at hyperkyphosis: how it develops, how to manage it
Age-related hyperkyphosis, which is defined by an exaggerated curvature of the thoracic spine, is a common condition in the elderly population that impairs the ability to function properly and increases the risk of falls and fractures. Though it effects somewhere between 20-40% of senior citizens, the natural history of hyperkyphosis is not completely understood, and it’s thought to come about from a variety of processes. Fortunately, if hyperkyphosis is identified and treated early in its onset, the chances of recovering from it are much more likely. Take a look at what can cause it and the best ways to treat hyperkyphosis if it occurs.
How hip-strengthening exercises can help reduce knee pain in runners
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is an extremely common issue encountered by runners in that usually occurs when the kneecap (patella) and thighbone (femur) rub against each other, causing pain in and around the kneecap area. The condition tends to only come about while in the course of running, but can intensify to the point where running becomes nearly impossible. One theory suggests that strengthening the hips will alleviate PFP since stronger hips can mean an improvement in running-form flaws that cause the pain in the first place, and a small trial of collegiate female runners provided outcomes that were favorable in supporting this theory.
Shoulder muscles with pendulum exercises and light activities during rotator cuff rehab
Tears and other injuries to the rotator cuff are seen in a variety of sports and usually occur due to the stress that repetitive throwing motion puts on the shoulder. Some studies claim that 75% of patients who repair large rotator cuff tears will go on to re-tear their rotator cuff in the future, meaning proper rehab is extremely important. One study sought to get a better understanding of activities that could be harmful to a healing shoulder, and found that the commonly prescribed pendulum exercises, when done incorrectly, as well as drinking out of a water bottle, could have a detrimental effect on shoulder rehab and should be performed with caution.
May 2010
Full-scale evaluation of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery for older adults
Spinal stenosis, a condition in which the narrowing of the spinal cord causes nerve pinching and subsequent pain in the buttocks, is the most common indicator for spine surgery in older adults, which itself is extremely prevalent. Despite the popularity of the surgery, however, a general consensus on the best surgical method has yet to be reached, as many surgeons still take their own individualized approach. To investigate these various methods and to clarify which is the best option, a study was conducted that evaluated Medicare trends to determine the optimal surgical style.
The effects of exercise intervention on elite swimmers' posture
Swimmers who compete at a competitive level rotate their shoulders an average of 16,000 times a week, a motion that over time can have serious complications and lead to sidelining injuries. Consequently, some studies show that as many as 47% of collegiate swimmers report pain, or swimmer's shoulder, for three weeks or more at some point in their career. Exercise interventions aimed at strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight ones are believed to alleviate pain and reduce the risk for injury, and to better understand the potential benefits of such an intervention, a study was performed on a group of Division I collegiate swimmers.
Resistance training for young athletes: possible benefits, risks and safety precautions
A new form of exercise that has been experiencing a significant upswing in popularity for young athletes over the past few years has been resistance training, a form of conditioning that uses resistive loads and a variety of exercises to improve strength and overall health. Not quite weightlifting or bodybuilding, which are more focused on increasing muscle size exclusively, resistance training s designed to help young athletes in a number of sports improve their overall performance with a carefully-constructed regimen. Responses to its usefulness and level of necessity have varied, with some deeming it too dangerous for young athletes. On the contrary, though, research has shown it to be a valuable form of conditioning that can be extremely effective if carried out properly and safely.
April 2010
A choice of words: what to use, what to avoid when delivering news to patients
When it comes to hearing news regarding an important, possibly life-altering condition, patients are at an increased level of susceptibility and vulnerability. For this reason, the manner in which news is delivered to patients is of extreme importance, and it can go on to have a major impact on how they come to deal with their diagnosis. Some medical professionals still manage to err in this sensitive process, but this pamphlet should elucidate on the most common mistakes and how to properly deliver these pieces of news.
Differences between running-related injury predictors for male and female novice runners
Running is far and away the most popular form of physical activity throughout the world, primarily due to the fact that just about any able-bodied person in just about any location can do it. With its popularity, however, also comes a high risk of injury, as some studies report numbers as high as 79% of all runners sustaining a running-related injury (RRI) at some point in their career. To evaluate the inherent risks associated with running and to determine the differences in risk factors for male and female novice runners, a randomized control trial was performed with these objectives in mind.
Why obese and overweight young athletes are more likely to sustain injuries
Figures for obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in the U.S. remain some of the highest in the world, and despite major attempts to counter the trend, the numbers don't seem to be getting any smaller. In addition to the general drawbacks of being overweight or obese, experts are now pointing out that there is also an additional risk of injury resulting from excessive weight that must be acknowledged and dealt with. Fortunately, awareness and some minor modifications in both lifestyle and sports participation can help overweight young athletes be less likely to suffer an injury.
March 2010
Vitamin C considered effective in reducing CRPS associated with distal radius fractures
Vitamin C, a water-soluble compound that's found in a wide array of fruits and vegetables, is essential for a number of important bodily functions and is recommended to improve general health. Some physicians also prescribe vitamin C to patients who've recently suffered a wrist fracture to prevent a condition known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but debate exists as to whether or not it's effective in doing so. To evaluate vitamin C's specific role in preventing CRPS, two randomized control trials were analyzed.
Evidence-based medicine: the importance of understanding varying levels of evidence
With the overwhelming slew of information on the Internet regarding just about any subject imaginable, including medical research and advice, it's difficult for the common man to determine what to believe and what to dismiss. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) uses a system that assigns a number to each medical study according to its strength of evidence, and as a result, makes the process of deciding what to trust as credible much easier.
Common training mistakes for marathon and half marathon runners
Making the decision to participate in a marathon (26.2 miles) or half marathon (13.1 miles) usually means one will be spending a sizable period of time prior to the race involved in a serious training program. For many who follow these programs, however, a number of minor but common mistakes in the course of training or on the day of the race can have negative effects on performance, but can easily be avoided by following these guidelines.
Feburary 2010
How injuries affect adolescent athletes' quality of life
Participation in sports for adolescents remains high, with an estimated 30 million being active in some organized form. Along with it, injuries are common and affect close to half of all young athletes. Aside from the natural impact on physical abilities and functioning, injuries can also have a negative effect on overall quality of life and wellbeing. In order to better understand these secondary implications of injury and the best ways to handle them, a study was performed on a small group of adolescent athletes.
An investigation of physical therapy intervention for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition defined by pain, stiffness and a reduced range of motion and can have long-term implications if left untreated. The amount of research on nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy for the disorder is extremely small, prompting a group to conduct an extensive randomized control trial that evaluated the effectiveness of specific therapy interventions. Certain interventions were shown to be beneficial while others proved more likely to impede rehabilitation rather than help it.
Evaluation of osteoporosis risk factors and recommendations for prevention
It's estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men in Canada have osteoporosis, a skeletal condition that occurs as a result of low bone mineral density. Osteoporosis particularly affects those over the age of 65 and has significant implications for those who suffer from it and on the entire health care system due to its prevalence. By understanding who's at risk and by following some simple preventative measures given by the organization Osteoporosis Canada, the rate of osteoporosis can be lowered, saving money and reducing complications for all those affiliated with the condition.
January 2010
Stem cells used in new treatment for damaged cartilage to prevent osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the wearing away of cartilage in a joint, is the most common form of arthritis in the country, and is often caused by weakened or damaged cartilage as a result of injury. Damaged cartilage is usually treated with a procedure known as microfracture, which is only semi-effective and of which the long-term benefits are not known. With a new approach in mind, Dr. Constance Chu of the University of Pittsburgh has been working for the past 20 years on new forms of treatment that use stem cells to regenerate new, improved cartilage.
Hip impingement: recognizing, understanding and treating a common cause of hip pain
Based off the recent progress in diagnosing and treating nonarthritic hip injuries, hip impingement has become increasingly recognized as one of the more common causes of hip pain for athletes, adolescents and adults. Caused by a bone in the hip and the thighbone rubbing against each other, hip impingement can lead to the wearing away of cartilage and eventually osteoarthritis if not treated properly. The debilitating disease can have serious implications for both physical and daily life activities, but physical therapy has been strongly recommended as a method to treat it.
The effect of Pilates on adult fitness characteristics
Pilates have seen a major upswing in popularity in recent years, with more than five million Americans regularly using the exercise system today. The Pilates method, as its formally known, employs a series of resistance exercises performed with various apparatuses and a Pilates mat, and its goal is to improve body composition, flexibility and muscular endurance. Despite its prominence, evidence on the specific benefits of Pilates is scarce. To better analyze the actual effects of Pilates, a small study was performed using a group of physically active adults.2009
December 2009
The benefits of dealing with obesity in patients with knee osteoarthritis
People who suffer from obesity are at an increased risk of obtaining knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to excessive pressure on joints in the knee, and for obese patients who already have the condition, not doing anything about it can lead to further complications. Increased physical activity and dietary modifications with the purpose of losing weight are therefore considered productive methods to prevent knee OA and lessen the severity of pain in those who have it. To highlight these benefits and prompt physicians to encourage weight-loss treatment programs, a study was conducted and published in The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Hip arthroscopy for athletes in the long term: a 10-year follow up
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure preferred by some for its shorter recovery time and smaller scar, and it has been a popular method to treat sports-related hip problems for years. Despite the popularity of hip arthroscopy, there is a lack of data on the long-term effects of the surgery, spurring a study in which athletes who underwent the procedure were monitored over the course of 10 years to determine its effectiveness or lack thereof.
Obesity accounts for nearly 10% of all medical spending in the United States
Recent research released by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that obesity-related diseases account for 9.1% of all medical spending in the U.S., or about $147 billion annually. With this in mind, the CDC emphasizes the importance of reducing the national obesity rate in order to lower health care costs, and suggests certain ways in which this can be accomplished.
November 2009
Evaluating postconcussive outcomes after return to play in Australian Football
Concussions are prevalent in any sport in which contact is involved, and the rule of thumb usually says the higher the level of contact, the higher the frequency of concussions. One matter of debate amongst physicians is the amount of time that should be spent recovering from a concussion before returning to competition. A study was therefore conducted on players in the Australian Football League (AFL), a sport with one of the highest rates of concussion, to determine the ideal amount of sitting out time following a concussive injury.
How ACL reconstruction and/or meniscectomies can affect NFL players' careers
Two of the most common injuries in football are those related to the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and as a result, procedures done to repair those areas are extremely prevalent with NFL players. Due to the frequency of these procedures, a study was performed using data from the NFL Scouting Combine to determine how the procedures impact the length and quality of players' careers.
Thrown a curve: a new take on youths, curveballs and overuse injuries
Since the early days of sports medicine, parents and coaches of young pitchers have been under the belief that curveballs are dangerous for developing arms, and should not be thrown at least until the age of 14. Two separate studies investigated the validity of this concept and discovered that fastballs are in fact more stressful on the elbow than curveballs, but a high volume of any pitch will be detrimental to the pitcher's arm despite the type.
What a knee arthroplasty could mean for one's golf game
The popularity of golf in the U.S. is due in part to the fact that its low-impact nature makes it a sport for all ages to participate in, especially elders. Many elders suffering from degenerative arthritis, however, experience problems with their knees during play and go on to have a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to resolve the issue. In order to better understand the usefulness of TKA on golfers, a study was conducted that evaluated pain and enjoyment levels before and after the procedure.
February 2009
Getting on the ball for diabetes prevention
High rates of diabetes are far from limited to the United States, as the International Diabetes Federation estimates there to currently be 246 million adults worldwide with diabetes, a figure expected to only continue to increase. Mainly due to the paralleled ascension of obesity and overweight, the diabetes problem has reached a global level, and requires dedicated efforts in education, research and development, and forms treatment on grand scale.
Type 2 diabetes patients should be given option of self-monitoring
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Collaborating Center for Chronic Conditions surveyed nearly 900 type 2 diabetics to garner a clearer understanding of their perception towards the disease and how best to treat their condition. An updated set of guidelines was subsequently released that emphasized the need for more educational information for diabetics, and recommended diabetics monitor their own glycosylated hemoglobin target barring that it doesn't affect their quality of life.
How high-force eccentric resistance exercise can improve glucose control for diabetics
With the numerous forms of treatment available for diabetics, one of the easiest and cheapest remains basic aerobic exercise. In addition to everyday aerobic exercises like walking, running and biking, a new study found that an eccentric resistance exercise program designed to increase strength and muscle size could also help type 2 diabetics.
2008
December 2008
What studies have more validity and why: The importance of clinical trials
With such an abundance of medical reports being released by the media, it has become a difficult task to determine whether a source or study is trustworthy. Clinical trials, due to a number of powerful factors, are proven to be the most accurate of studies, even when their conclusions contradict popular belief.
Chasing the enigma of female ACL injuries and the gender differences that cause them
A research retreat was held in Greensboro, NC, to further examine why females suffer from ACL injuries easier than males. The group came up with three important themes that need to be aggressively pursued in order to better understand the mysterious disparity.
How menstrual cycle phase and anatomy may have an impact on ACL injuries in females
One major consensus emerging in medical literature is the possibility that the menstrual cycle phase of females affects their vulnerability to ACL injuries. According to a number of studies, females are much more likely to experience an ACL injury in the preovulatory phase of their cycle than the postovulatory phase. Female anatomical makeup is also investigated.
Wrist guards' impact on wrist and elbow injury in snowboarders
An Australian study investigated the effect of wrist guards on both wrist and elbow injuries, as it has been suggested by some that wrist guards can actually lead to elbow injury as a result of redistributing the impact of the force. The study found the claim to be false and the guards to be extremely effective for their purpose.
October 2008
An investigation into damaged menisci in the average middle-aged and elderly reveals a shockingly high number of incidences of damage, many of which occurred in patients who did not have symptoms of injury
Tears to the meniscus, a pair of fibrocartilaginous discs in the knee that provide support and protection, are one of the most common injuries and surgeries to repair this region are recognized as the most common surgery performed by orthopedic surgeons. In addition, many middle aged and elderly persons suffer from damaged menisci without being aware of it. One study investigated the number of people with the injuries and whether MRI usage was effective in diagnosing them.
Evaluating arthroscopic surgery vs. physical therapy for treatment of Osteoarthritis of the knee: the minimally invasive procedure rising in popularity may not be any more effective in rehabilitating OA knee than therapy, but will veritably cost more money and time than the latter
Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee) is a condition that can be treated with extensive physical and medical therapy or with arthroscopic surgery in other situations. While arthroscopy has risen in popularity, whether or not it is actually more effective than therapy alone is a matter of debate. An investigation sent nearly 200 eligible patients to both forms of treatment and evaluated which was a more beneficial means of alleviating pain.
Dairy intake, particularly milk and yogurt, is a proven weapon used for combating weight issues and type 2 diabetes due to dietary calcium in all dairy and a number of weight loss properties found in milk
One new dietary method for preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes is based on higher amounts of dairy due to its high concentration of dietary calcium, which is known to burn fat rather than store it. In addition, milk's bioactive peptides provide additional weight loss capabilities, due to their multiform composition with elements that reduce blood pressure, regulate food intake and cause a number of other reactions that contribute to weight loss.
Cod liver oil supplements capable of reducing Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are forced to limit their usage of NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are essential for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, yet certain people have to limit their usage of NSAIDs due to unwanted gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects. A Scottish study found that cod liver oil supplements were able to lower the amount of NSAIDs taken on a regular basis by a significant degree.
