Perception of limb orientation in the vertical plane depends on center of mass rather than inertial eigenvectors

We performed two experiments to test the hypothesis that the perception of limb orientation depends on inertial eigenvectors (

Effect of positioning and bracing on passive position sense of shoulder joint

Objective: To examine the effects of positioning and sleeve type bracing on passive position sense of shoulder joints of healthy untrained subjects. Method: A cross over study was carried out on 26 subjects (13 male, 13 female) with a proprioception measurement device. The selected method of testing was passive reproduction of a target angle. Both shoulder joints of all the subjects were evaluated with and without a compressive neoprene sleeve type of brace at two different start positions (45° internal rotation, 75° external rotation) with an angular rotational movement at a constant speed of 0.5°/s. The angular displacements from the target angles at the end of the reproduction tests were recorded as position sense deficit scores. Results: The overall mean (SD) deficit score (0.99 (0.06)) was significantly (p<0.001) lower with the brace than without, and the overall mean deficit score was significantly (p<0.001) higher at the 45° internal rotation start position than at the 75° external rotation start position. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) interaction between brace application and start position. Conclusion: Terminal limits of range of motion facilitate the position sense of shoulder joints. Compressive brace application improves the passive positioning sense possibly by stimulating cutaneous mechanoreceptors

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the functional level of activity and postural control after rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed knees and compare them with non-operated limbs and healthy limbs in control subjects. [Subjects] Twenty-seven patients participated in the study: 17 had undergone reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone and 10 with a semitendinosus graft technique. The same rehabilitation protocol was used for all of the patients. Besides the patients, 18 healthy volunteers participated as a control group. [Methods] Both groups were tested for one-leg standing (eyes open and closed), static (eyes open and closed) and dynamic postural control on The Kinesthetic Ability Trainer-KAT 2000 (OWM Medical, Carlsbad, California, USA) at the 3, 6 and 12 month post-operation. Functional outcomes of the rehabilitation were evaluated by Lysholm scoring. [Results] There were no significant differences for the eyes open static stabilometry test between operated and non-operated limbs of the patients. On the other hand, there were statistically significant differences for the closed eyes static balance test between the operated and non-operated limbs at 3 and 6 months after surgery. There were significant differences for the eyes open static balance test between the 3rd and 6th, and 6th and 12th months and for the eyes closed test of non-operated limbs between the same months as well. No statistically significant differences were noted in the dynamic balance tests between the patients and the control group. Lysholm scores of the patients obtained at 6 and 12th months after surgery were significantly better than those at 3 months after surgery. Different operation techniques revealed no significant differences in any test performed at any time. [Conclusions] Performing a postoperative sportive rehabilitation including specific proprioceptive training sessions has positive effects both on clinical status and postural control of the patients

Comprehensive Isokinetic Knee Measurements And Quadriceps Tendon Evaluations In Footballers For Assessing Functional Performance

Objectives: To ascertain whether detailed isokinetic knee muscle testing reflects the results of other functional measurements in footballers and to look for any correlations between quadriceps tendon thickness and knee strength. Methods: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the quadriceps tendon (Hitachi EUB-405), isokinetic knee testing (Biodex System 3), and sprint measurements using telemetric photoelectric cells (Chronometre Prosport ESC TX02) were carried out on 29 elite footballers. Jumping capacity was evaluated using Bosco's jumping mat (Ergojump). Anaerobic fitness was assessed by auricular capillary blood lactate measurements (YSI Model 1500 Sport Lactate Analyzer). Results: Quadriceps tendon thickness correlated positively with jumping and sprint measurements and negatively with extensor and flexor strength. However, these correlations did not reach statistical significance. There were significant correlations between knee extensor strength at 60 degrees/s and jumping or sprint measurements and between the extension acceleration values of both knees during isokinetic tests at 240 degrees/s and the sprint measurements. No significant correlation was found between the fatigue ratio values of both knees at 240 degrees/s and the calculated fatigue ratios from the sprint measurements. Conclusions: Apart from a few variables which correlated with the performance tests, the isokinetic studies did not fully predict the various functional measurements. Neither was there any relation between the quadriceps tendon measurements and the knee strength values nor with the functional performance.WoSScopu

Case Report: Meralgia Paresthetica in a Baseball Pitcher

We report a case of meralgia paresthetica occurring in an amateur baseball pitcher who experienced inguinal pain and dysesthesia in the anterolateral thigh during pitching practice. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was pushed up by the iliac muscle to the inguinal ligament at the sharp ridge of its fascia and ensheathed in the tendinous origin of the sartorius muscle. Neurolysis of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and partial dissection of the inguinal ligament and sartorius muscle promptly relieved the symptoms and the patient resumed pitching 1 month later. These anatomic variations of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the inguinal region might render the nerve susceptible to compression and irritation, and repetitive contraction of inguinal muscles during throwing motion might induce and exacerbate the neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

The effect of functional electrical stimulation cycling on late functional improvement in patients with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury

Study design: Prospective single-arm study. Objectives: To investigate the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling on late functional recovery, spasticity, gait parameters and oxygen consumption during walking in patients with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey. Methods: Ten patients with chronic (duration of more than 2 years) incomplete SCI who could ambulate at least 10m independently or with the assistance of a cane or walker, but no hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis. The subjects underwent 1-h FES cycling sessions three times a week for 16 weeks. Outcome measures including the total motor score, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, the Modified Ashworth Scale for knee spasticity, temporal spatial gait parameters and oxygen consumption rate during walking were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months after the baseline. Results: There were statistically significant improvements in total motor scores, the FIM scores and spasticity level at the 6-month follow-up (P0.05). Oxygen consumption rate of the patients showed significant reduction at only 6 months compared with baseline (P<0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that FES cycling may provide some functional improvements in the late period of SCI