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Risk factors of lateral epicondylitis: A meta-analysis. Sayampanathan, A. A., Basha, M., & Mitra, A. K. (2020) Level of Evidence : 2a- Follow recommendation : 👍 👍 👍 (3/4 thumbs up) Type of study : Prognostic Topic : Lateral epicondylalgia – Risk factors This is a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing risk factors for the development of lateral epicondylalgia (LE). Fourteen studies, most of which were retrospective, were included in the meta-analysis, for a total of 24,526 participants. A diagnosis of LE was confirmed in all studies by pain localised at the lateral epicondyle and pain reproduction on palpation of the lateral epicondyle and resisted wrist extension. The results showed that females had 1.12 to 1.5 greater odds of presenting with LE compared to males. In addition, a current or past history of smoking increased the odds of having LE by 1.2 to 1.9 times. The results showed that smoke cessation did not reduce the likelihood of presenting with LE, suggesting that a past history of smoking has an ongoing effect on tendons' health. A high body mass index (BMI) did not increase the odds of presenting with LE ( OR : 1.12; 95%CI : 0.7 to 1.3). Other factors that increased the odds of presenting with LE were metabolic conditions including diabetes mellitus and elevated blood pressure. However, a limited number of studies investigated these risk factors. The results of this study need to be considered in the context of a few limitations. Due to the retrospective nature of the studies included, causation between these risk factors and LE cannot be proven. A third variable not measured in the studies may be the causative factor for the development of LE. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, LE is more common among female clients or clients with a present or past history of smoking. A high BMI does not appear to increase the likelihood of presenting with LE, although metabolic diseases may increase the odds of presenting with the condition. It is possible that an improvement in the metabolic profile of our patients, may reduce the likelihood of presenting with LE. Smoking cessation does not appear to reduce the risk of developing LE, however, this should clearly be encouraged due to other health benefits. URL : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2019.08.003 Abstract Introduction Lateral Epicondylitis is commonly associated with numerous anatomical and mechanical risk factors. Thus far, there have been no reviews synthesising the risk factors of lateral epicondylitis. We hence aimed to perform a meta-analysis of factors associated with lateral epicondylitis. Methodology We searched MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science for 1032 articles. Eventually, based on our exclusion criteria, we had 33 articles remaining for our systematic review. 15 of these articles were used for our meta-analysis. Data was analysed using Mantel-Haenszel statistics and random effect models where appropriate. Results Females had a 1.29 times higher odds of sustaining lateral epicondylitis (OR Males: Females = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.67–0.89, Z = 3.52, I2 = 33%, p < 0.001). The odds of an individual with a current or past tobacco smoking history sustaining lateral epicondylitis was 1.49 times that of an individual with no tobacco smoking history (95% CI = 1.18–1.87, Z = 3.40, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in sustaining lateral epicondylitis when comparing individuals with a current tobacco smoking history to individuals with a past or no tobacco smoking history (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.91–1.51, Z = 1.26, I2 = 0%, p = 0.21). Neither was there a statistical difference in sustaining lateral epicondylitis when comparing individuals with a BM ≥ 25 to those with a BMI<25 (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.69–1.83, Z = 0.46, I2 = 62%, p = 0.65). Conclusion Female gender and a positive and past smoking history were associated with lateral epicondylitis. Further studies should focus on identifying other associations with lateral epicondylitis and the pathophysiological explanation of such associations. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Biceps disorder rehabilitation for the athlete: A continuum of moderate- to high-load exercises. Borms, D., I. Ackerman, P. Smets, G. Van den Berge and A. M. Cools (2017). Level of Evidence : 2c Follow recommendation : 👍 👍 (2/4 thumbs up) Type of study : Therapeutic Topic : Biceps tendon - Gradual loading This is a cross-sectional study assessing the activation of biceps brachii during several different exercises. The aim was to identify which exercises should be included in the early/middle phase vs later phase rehabilitation of clients presenting with a biceps brachii pathology. A total of 30 healthy participants were included in the present study. Of these, 50% were females. Participants were excluded if they were performing resistance training of their upper limb for more than 5 hours a week and if they were competitive overhead athletes. Eleven different exercises were assessed. The weight utilised in the exercises was based on the participants' body weight. The percentage of biceps brachii activation was based on a maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of the biceps (EMG). In the exercises described, biceps activation ranged from a minimum of 15% of MVC to 70% of MVC. For your ease of use, I have created the table below. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, the exercises described above can be utilised to gradually load biceps brachii during the early/middle and later phases of rehabilitation. These exercises may be appropriate for distal biceps brachii tendinopathies ( after an initial rest has been provided ), which could be detected through the distal Biceps Provocation Test (BPT) . This test is, however, unlikely to be useful when we suspect a full distal biceps tendon rupture where a hook test may be more appropriate. URL : https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546516674190 Abstract BACKGROUND: Progressive biceps loading is recommended in the nonoperative and operative rehabilitation of biceps-related disorders. Previous researchers have proposed a continuum of exercises with low to moderate biceps loads to be used in the early and intermediate phases of rehabilitation. A progression of exercises with moderate to high biceps loads to be used in the more advanced phases of rehabilitation is lacking. PURPOSE: To describe a progression of exercises with progressive moderate to high loads on the biceps brachii (BB) based on electromyographic (EMG) analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: The EMG activity of BB and triceps brachii; upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius; and serratus anterior was determined with surface electromyography in 30 asymptomatic participants during 11 exercises. RESULTS: Of the 11 exercises, 4 (arm shake with an Xco-trainer, lateral pull-down in pronation, chest shake with an Xco-trainer, lateral pull-down in supination) showed low (<20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]), 5 (pull-up in pronation with Redcord, air punch, forward flexion in supination, pull-up in supination with Redcord, inclined biceps curl) showed moderate (between 20%-50% MVIC), and 2 (throwing forward flexion, reverse punch) showed high (>50% MVIC) EMG activity in the BB. These exercises were ranked with an increasing level of activity in the BB. CONCLUSION: The continuum of exercises with moderate to high biceps activity may be applied in the more advanced phases of treatment for biceps disorders. In addition, biceps muscle activity may be targeted by (1) sagittal plane elevation; (2) elbow flexion with supination, without upper arm support; (3) biceps contraction from an elongated position; or (4) high-velocity, explosive exercises. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings may assist clinicians to select appropriate exercises to be used in the more advanced phases of nonoperative or postoperative rehabilitation of overhead athletes with biceps-related injuries. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Operative versus non-operative treatment of distal biceps ruptures: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Looney, A. M., et al. (2022) Level of Evidence : 1a Follow recommendation : 👍 👍 👍 👍 (4/4 thumb up) Type of study : Therapeutic Topic : Distal biceps rupture - Conservative vs surgical treatment This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effect of surgical repair vs conservative treatment of distal biceps rupture. Sixty-two articles were included for a total of 2,481 patients with a distal biceps rupture. Of these, 2,302 underwent operative management whilst 79 underwent conservative management. Patients' average age was 47-50 years old. The effectiveness of interventions was assessed through elbow range of movement (flexion/extension, supination/pronation), strength/endurance of elbow flexion/supination, self-reported function (DASH), and complication rate. The results showed that elbow range of movement was similar between the surgical and conservatively managed patients. Elbow flexion and supination strength were 19% to 34% greater in the surgically managed compared to the conservatively managed group. Endurance was 1% to 44% greater in the surgically managed group. Functional improvements measured through the DASH were greater in the surgical group, however, they did not achieve the clinical relevance threshold. Complication rates ranged between 10% to 25% following surgical repair with the most common being heterotopic ossification (7% to 18%) and sensory nerve injury (7% to 15%). Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, surgical repair of distal biceps ruptures leads to better elbow flexion/supination strength and endurance outcomes. However, the risk of complications associated with surgery is much greater. In particular, heterotopic ossification is very common. In addition, injury to the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is common and may lead to numbness/dysaesthesia in the lateral aspect of the forearm. Overall, surgery may be appropriate for those people who require to recover high levels of elbow flexion and supination strength. URL : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2021.12.001 Abstract Background: Ruptures of the distal biceps tendon are most commonly due to traumatic eccentric loading in the middle-aged male population and can result in functional deficits. While surgical repair has been demonstrated to result in excellent outcomes, there are few comparative studies that show clear functional benefits over nonoperative management. Purpose/Hypothesis: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the functional outcomes of operative and nonoperative management for these injuries. We hypothesized that operative treatment would be associated with significantly superior outcomes. Methods: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials), Embase, and Web of Science databases. Outcomes of interest included range of motion (ROM), strength, endurance, and patient-reported outcomes including Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain scores. Summary effect estimates of the mean difference between operative and nonoperative management for each outcome were estimated in mixed effects models. Results: Of an initially identified 6478 studies, 62 reported outcomes for a total of 2481 cases (2402 operative, 79 nonoperative), with an overall average age of 47.4 years (47.3 for operative, 50.3 for nonoperative). There were 2273 (98.5%) males and 35 (1.5%) females among operative cases, while all 79 (100%) nonoperative cases were males. Operative management was associated with a significantly higher flexion strength (mean difference, 25.67%; P < .0001), supination strength (mean difference, 27.56%; P < .0001), flexion endurance (mean difference, 11.12%; P = .0268), and supination endurance (mean difference, 33.86%; P < .0001). Patient-reported DASH and MEPS were also significantly superior in patients who underwent surgical repair, with mean differences of -7.81 (P < .0001) and 7.41 (P = .0224), respectively. Comparative analyses for ROM and pain VAS were not performed due to limited reporting in the literature for nonoperative management. Conclusion: This study represents the first systematic review and meta-analysis to compare functional and clinical outcomes following operative and nonoperative treatment of distal biceps tendon ruptures. Operative treatment resulted in superior elbow and forearm strength and endurance, as well as superior DASH and MEPS. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Rehabilitation exercises for athletes with biceps disorders and slap lesions: A continuum of exercises with increasing loads on the biceps. Cools, A. M., et al. (2014). Level of Evidence : 2c Follow recommendation : 👍 👍 (2/4 thumbs up) Type of study : Therapeutic Topic : Biceps tendon - Low-level loading This is a cross-sectional study assessing the activation of biceps brachii during several different exercises. The aim was to identify which exercises should be included in the very early phase rehabilitation of clients presenting with a biceps brachii pathology. A total of 32 healthy participants were included in the present study. Of these, 50% were females. Participants were excluded if they performed resistance training of their upper limb for more than 5 hours a week and if they were competitive overhead athletes. Sixteen different exercises were assessed. However, only eleven exercises were included in this synopsis. The reason being that the other exercises assessed, closely overlapped with the exercises described in another synopsis . The weight utilised in the exercises was based on participants' body weight. The percentage of biceps brachii activation was based on a maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of the biceps (EMG). In the exercises described, biceps activation ranged from a minimum of 2% of MVC to 13% of MVC. I have created the table below so you can easily determine what exercise is appropriate for your clients, Enjoy! Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, the exercises described above can be utilised in the very early stages of biceps brachii rehabilitation. These exercises may be appropriate in the very early phase of a biceps brachii tendinopathy or distal biceps repair where an initial rest is required . Once clients can start loading their bicep more, the exercises described in this other synopsis provide a worthy loading progression. URL : https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546514526692 Abstract BACKGROUND: Although rehabilitation exercises are recommended in the nonoperative and postoperative treatment of biceps-related disorders and superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions in overhead athletes, a progressive exercise protocol with controlled low to moderate loads on the biceps has not yet been described. PURPOSE: To describe a continuum of exercises with progressive low to moderate loads on the biceps based on electromyographic (EMG) analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Using surface electromyography, the EMG activity of 8 muscles (upper [UT], middle [MT], and lower [LT] trapezius; serratus anterior [SA]; anterior [AD] and posterior [PD] portions of the deltoid; and biceps [BB] and triceps [TB] brachii) was measured in 32 healthy participants performing 16 commonly described shoulder rehabilitation exercises. RESULTS: Of the 16 exercises, 13 (side-lying shoulder forward flexion, prone extension, seated rowing, serratus punch, knee push-up plus, internal and external rotation both in 20° and 90° of abduction, forearm supination, uppercut, and internal and external rotation diagonal) showed low (<20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) EMG activity in the BB, and 3 (forward flexion in supination, full can, and elbow flexion in forearm supination) showed moderate (20%-50% MVIC) activity. None of the exercises elicited high (>50% MVIC) EMG activity. Based on the results, a ranking was calculated of the exercises, with mean EMG levels between 2.2% ± 1.24% (during internal rotation against resistance in 90° of shoulder abduction) and 35.9% ± 18.82% (during forward flexion in external rotation and supination) of MVIC. CONCLUSION: This study describes a continuum of exercises with an increasing level of EMG activity in the BB. Exercises targeting the trapezius resulted in less loads on the biceps compared with exercises for the SA. In addition, exercises with an internal rotation component showed low activity in the BB. In general, the exercises meant to target the BB showed the highest levels of activity in the BB. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results may assist the clinician in the appropriate choice of exercises in a graded rehabilitation program of biceps-related injuries. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Management of nondissociative instability of the wrist. Zelenski, N, & Shin, A. (2020) Level of Evidence : 5 Follow recommendation : 👍 Type of study : Diagnostic/Therapeutic Topic : Carpal instability non dissociative - Diagnosis and treatment This is a narrative review on presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of non dissociative carpal instability (CIND), which is reported as a rare condition. This pathology is defined as a loss of synchronous movement of the carpal rows associated with pathology of extrinsic ligaments of the wrist with intact intrinsic ligaments. In contrast, a carpal instability dissociative disorder (e.g. DISI, VISI) is characterised by an intrinsic ligament pathology of the wrist. Patients with CIND often report absence of trauma, achiness following activity, and relief by rest. Objectively, generalised ligament laxity has been reported in 70% of people with symptomatic CIND. The midcarpal shift test and axial load radioulnar deviation test are often performed. These tests should only be considered positive if there is an obvious hypermobility and patients report wrist pain. X-rays can identify volar intercalated segment instability (VISI) and/or subluxation of the carpus in relation to the radius. The authors suggest that pain is the only indication for treatment of CIND. Non operative treatment includes proprioceptive and resistance training, short time splinting, and taping as required. Surgical and conservative treatment outcomes are similar, making the non-operative option the first line treatment for these patients. If conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention with ligament reconstruction or arthrodesis may be performed. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, non dissociative carpal instability is a rarely encountered pathology. A history of atraumatic wrist pain, the objective presence of laxity (pain associated with hypermobility), a positive midcarpal shift test and axial load radioulnar deviation test may direct the hand therapist towards a diagnosis of CIND. First line treatment involves proprioceptive and strength training, escalated to surgical management if conservative treatment fails. URL : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.10.030 Abstract Nondissociative carpal instability is instability of an entire carpal row and can lead to vague ulnar-sided wrist pain as well as a clunking wrist. The etiology of this process is most often generalized ligamentous laxity; however, it can infrequently occur as a result of trauma or malalignment of the radiocarpal joint. Whereas treatment remains controversial, the literature supports nonsurgical management and includes patient education, dynamic placement of orthoses, proprioceptive therapy, and extensor carpi ulnaris strengthening. If extensive nonsurgical therapy fails, surgical intervention includes soft tissue and bony procedures, all with high complication and failure rates and limited long-term outcome data. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Defining DISI and VISI. S. Braun, N., R. A. Berger and S. W. Wolfe (2021) Level of Evidence : 5 Follow recommendation : 👍 Type of study : Diagnostic/Therapeutic Topic : Dissociative segmental instability DISI and VISI - Diagnosis This is an expert opinion on radiographic diagnosis of dissociative carpal instability (dorsal intercalated segmental instability - DISI; volar intercalated segmental instability - VISI). These conditions are commonly referred to as scapholunate instability (DISI) or lunotriquetral instability (VISI). In contrast to non dissociative instability (rare condition), which is a lesion of of extrinsic ligaments of the wrist , DISI and VISI are due to lesions of intrinsic ligaments (scapholunate and lunotriquetral respectively). In DISI and VISI the "intercalated segment" simply refers to the lunate and triquetrum unit, which forms a "layer" (intercalated segment) within the wrist. In this article, the authors suggest to make a diagnosis of DISI or VISI only based on the position of the lunate in relation to the radius. More specifically, a dorsal orientation of the lunate in relation to the radius greater than 15° suggests a DISI. In contrast a palmar orientation of the lunate in relation to the radius greater than 20° suggests a VISI. One important assumption is that the x-ray projection needs to be a pure lateral (3rd metacarpal in line with radius) without ulnar or radial deviation. These suggestions are based on the authors' review of the original article describing DISI and VISI in which the lunate positioning was the most indicative of the presence of these conditions. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, it may be possible to diagnose a DISI or VISI by looking at the position of the lunate in relation to the radius. Be aware that this method requires a pure lateral x-ray view without radial and ulnar deviation. If we suspect a DISI due to scapholunate instability, the "clenched pencil" view may provide useful information. If you are interested in additional information on wrist instability, have a look at this previous synopsis on non dissociative wrist instability (extrinsic ligaments diagnosis and treatment) . URL : https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193421989933 Abstract not available publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Dubois, B. and J.-F. Esculier (2020) Level of Evidence : 5 Follow recommendation : 👍 (1/4 thumbs) Type of study : Therapeutic Topic : Acute non-traumatic pain – Biopsychosocial approach This is an editorial from the British Journal of Sports Medicine. A new PEACE and LOVE era has started for soft tissue injuries. This era comes after the RICE era and aims at updating it. The PEACE and LOVE acronyms stands for several steps that we can follow to rehabilitate soft tissue injuries. P rotection is the first pillars which aims at allow tissue healing following an injury. This is followed by E levation which allows for reduction of swelling. A voidance of anti-inflammatories is also suggested as they inhibit the remodelling of injured tissue, which is a necessary step in the healing process. C ompression goes alongside elevation and it aims at reducing swelling. E ducation clearly follows these steps as it is important to provide clients with a timeframe and get them to buy into the rehabilitation process. Gradual L oading favours tissue healing and can modulate pain. O ptimism is also fundamental as a positive attitude can make a significant difference. Getting clients to take part in aerobic exercise has also been shown to improve V ascularisation and healing. Regaining strength, local tissue capacity, and proprioception is then achieved through active E xercises. Overall this article summarises nicely a large body of literature, which encompasses not only biological but also psychosocial aspects of rehabilitation. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, we should provide PEACE and LOVE to our clients with soft tissue injuries. A large amount of evidence supports this approach. Thus it has been shown that education in combination with exercise can reduce pain , and that gradual loading can build up local tissue capacity . In addition, there is a growing amount of evidence showing that aerobic exercise may favour soft tissue healing, including wounds healing . Finally, several research studies have shown a correlation between upper limb disability and mental health (e.g. kinesiophobia , pain catastrophising , depression ). URL : http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101253 Abstract Rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries can be complex. Over the years, acronyms guiding their management have evolved from ICE to RICE , then on to PRICE and POLICE .1 Although widely known, these previous acronyms focus on acute management, unfortunately ignoring subacute and chronic stages of tissue healing. Our contemporary acronyms encompass the rehabilitation continuum from immediate care ( PEACE ) to subsequent management ( LOVE ). PEACE and LOVE (figure 1) outline the importance of educating patients and addressing psychosocial factors to enhance recovery. While anti-inflammatories show benefits on pain and function, our acronyms flag their potential harmful effects on optimal tissue repair. We suggest that they may not be included in the standard management of soft-tissue injuries. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Heterotopic ossification after revision carpal tunnel release causing mixed ulnar and median compression neuropathy. Maheshwari, A. V., et al. (2022) Level of Evidence : 5 Follow recommendation : 👍 (1/4 thumbs up) Type of study : Diagnostic/Therapeutic This is the answer to last week's Sherlock Handy. The patient was a 46 years old right-handed woman. They reported previous surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome 6 years prior. This was followed by a second surgery for ongoing symptoms where additional fibrotic tissue was removed from the volar aspect of the wrist. After the second surgery, a mass on the volar aspect of the wrist slowly developed. Subjectively, the patient presented with numbness in all fingers. Objectively, there was a hard, non-mobile mass in the volar aspect of the distal forearm. They also presented with limited wrist range of movement, a positive Allen's test, and reduced 2-points discrimination ability in all fingers. An x-ray was taken and is shown below. Surgery was performed to remove the mass and diagnose the lesion. The median and ulnar neurovascular bundles were found to be stretched by the mass. Following surgery, the patient underwent hand therapy and within four months they had regained full strength and sensation in the hand. The pathology report indicated that this was a heterotopic ossification with no evidence of malignancy. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical take home message : Based on what we know today, heterotopic ossification is a rare space invading lesion following carpal tunnel surgery. In contrast, the elbow is a more common site for heterotopic ossification and it can be a significant contributing factor to post-traumatic elbow stiffness . URL : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.12.009 Abstract We report a case of heterotopic ossification formation 6 years after a revision carpal tunnel release in a 46-year-old woman, causing new-onset mixed ulnar and median nerve compression symptoms. The patient underwent excision of the heterotopic ossification mass along with decompression of the median and ulnar nerves, and postoperative radiation. Four years after treatment, the patient was completely asymptomatic with full range of motion in her hand and wrist. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Fluoroquinolone-associated tendinopathy of the hand and wrist: A systematic review and case report. Berger, I., I. Goodwin and G. M. Buncke (2017) Level of Evidence : 1a- Follow recommendation : 👍 👍 (2/4 thumbs up) Type of study : Therapeutic/Preventative Topic : Medications - hand and wrist tendinopathy This is a systematic review investigating antibiotics-induced tendinopathies in the hand and wrist. The review identified 7 case studies on fluoroquinolone (antibiotic) induced hand and wrist tendinopathy. Several types of fluoroquinolones were suggested to cause hand/wrist tendinopathy (see table). Tendinopathies occured one to four weeks since the start of antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic care was initiated to treat a suspected or confirmed hand infection. Most cases of tendinopathy or rupture (finger flexors/extensors) presented with unilateral symptoms. Due to nature of the studies involved in the review (case studies) it is hard to identify causality between the antibiotics use and tendinopathy/tendon rupture. There are, however, basic science studies showing that fluoroquinolone antibiotics lead to connective tissue matrix degradation and the formation of weaker collagen fibres. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, fluoroquinolone used to treat hand infections may contribute to the development of tendinopathies or tendon rupture. It is therefore important to ask our clients what medications they take and be particularly alert when they are taking these antibiotics (see table). In particular, if they start reporting pain which is not in line with the expected recovery trajectory, fluoroquinolones should be interrupted. URL : https://doi.org/10.1177/1558944717701237 Abstract Background: Fluoroquinolone use has been known to be associated with tendinopathy and tendon rupture for over 30 years. Hand and wrist involvement has been reported rarely, yet without early recognition and withdrawal of the fluoroquinolone, there is potential for significant morbidity. Methods: We searched Medline using a comprehensive search strategy for fluoroquinolones and tendinopathy of the hand and wrist, and provide a case report of a possible levofloxacin-related tendon rupture in a patient with a previous mutilating hand injury. Results: We located 10 previously reported cases of fluoroquinolone-associated tendinopathy in the hand or wrist ranging from 1983 to 2015. Unlike Achilles tendinopathy, women were no more likely than men to have tendon rupture affecting the hands or wrists. Our patient was a 59-year-old man with prior tendon repair but otherwise noncontributory medical history who experienced spontaneous tendon rupture on an extended course of levofloxacin and required extensive pulley and boutonnière repair. Conclusions: Given the extensive damage that may be caused to weakened tissue, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion of tendinopathy in patients taking fluoroquinolones who have had previous tendon repairs, particularly in the setting of unexplained changes in recovery trajectory. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Post-traumatic elbow stiffness: Pathogenesis and current treatments. Zhang, D., Nazarian, A., & Rodriguez, E. (2018) Level of Evidence : 5 Follow recommendation : 👍 Type of study : Aetiologic, Therapeutic Topic : Post traumatic elbow stiffness - Aetiology and treatment This is a narrative review on aetiology and treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. The aetiology of elbow stiffness is usually classified as intrinsic (e.g. osteophytes), extrinsic (e.g. heterotopic ossification), or mixed (intrinsic + extrinsic). The goal of treatment for elbow stifness is the re-establishment of 100° to 30° of elbow flexion/extension and 100° of pronation (50°) and supination (50°). Conservative treatment should aim at starting active mobilisation as soon as possible after the injury and introducing passive range of motion exercises at 6-12 weeks after injury/surgery. Delayed movemement interventions result in worse outcomes. Very little evidence supports the use of manual therapy in the recovery range of movement in post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Level 2b evidence (systematic review of cohort studies) supports the use of static progressive or dynamic bracing for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. It has been suggested that after 4 to 6 weeks of bracing, range of movement should improve by 30-40°. During the bracing period, care should be taken to avoid pressure sores and ulnar neuropathies (when splinting to regain elbow flexion). Surgical treatment is utilised when nonoperative treatments fails. Improvements following surgery range between 18° to 66° of elbow flexion/extension. Traumatic elbow osteoarthritis is a negative predicting factor for surgical success (surgery is less likely to be effective). The presence of heterotopic ossification is a positive predicting factor for surgical success (surgery is more likely to be effective). Clinical Take Home Message : Hand therapists may use a conservative trial of static progressive or dynamic bracing to treat post traumatic elbow stiffness. This should be trialled for 4-6 weeks to assess its effectiveness. Surgical intervention may be required if no improvements are noted with conservative treatment. URL : https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1758573218793903

At the intersection of anger, chronic pain, and the brain: A mini-review. Yarns, B. C., J. T. Cassidy and A. M. Jimenez (2022). Level of Evidence : 5 Follow recommendation : 👍 (1/4 thumbs up) Type of study : Therapeutic Topic : Anger - Pain perception This is a narrative review on the effect of anger on pain. Several studies were included and the authors suggested that anger suppression and unhealthy anger expression (e.g. shouting) contribute to heightened levels of pain. Some research has also shown that anger can lead to unconscious increases in muscle recruitment, which may contribute to nociception. Interventions aimed at regulating anger such as awareness of anger as well as modifying unhealthy anger expression can reduce pain. In addition, being able to say "no" rather than suppresing anger appears to be a useful strategy in managing these issues. The association between increased levels of anger and pain may be mediated by areas of the brain that appear to be upregulated both during anger states and in persistent pain conditions. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, anger management may reduce pain intensity in clients with anger suppression or unhealthy anger expression. Strategies aimed at increasing awareness as anger (such as meditation/yoga ) or learning to create boundaries by saying "no" may be helpful. This synopsis is a nice adjunct to the one written about the effect of an empathetic attitude of clinicians and its effect on endogenous analgesia. URL : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104558 Abstract Chronic pain remains one of the most persistent healthcare challenges in the world. To advance pain treatment, experts have recently introduced research-driven subtypes of chronic pain based on proposed underlying mechanisms. Nociplastic pain (e.g., nonspecific chronic low back or fibromyalgia) is one such subtype which may involve a greater etiologic role for brain plasticity, painful emotions induced by life stress and trauma, and unhealthy emotion regulation. In particular, correlational and behavioral data link anger and the ways anger is regulated with the presence and severity of nociplastic pain. Functional neuroimaging studies also suggest nociplastic pain and healthy anger regulation demonstrate inverse patterns of activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala; thus, improving anger regulation could normalize activity in these regions. In this Mini-Review, we summarize these findings and propose a unified, biobehavioral model called the Anger, Brain, and Nociplastic Pain (AB-NP) Model, which can be tested in future research and may advance pain care by informing new treatments that address anger, anger regulation, and brain plasticity for nociplastic pain. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings

Exploring indicators of extremity pain of spinal source as identified by Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT): A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Rastogi, R., et al. (2022) Level of Evidence : 2b Follow recommendation : 👍 👍 (2/4 thumbs) Type of study : Diagnostic Topic : Peripheral vs spinal referred pain - Diagnosis This is a secondary analysis of a prospective multicentre cohort study with the aim of identifying factors helping in differentiating between peripheral and spinal referred pain. A total of 369 participants were included. Potential participants were included if they presented with upper limb or lower limb pain. In particular, 145 participants presented with either wrist/hand/forearm/elbow/shoulder symptoms. Participants underwent an extensive subjective and objective examination by physiotherapists trained in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) and classified participants as presenting with either a peripheral source of pain or spinal referred pain. After the assessment, participants were provided with exercises for a peripheral or spinal dysfunction. At the follow-up visit, participants were classified as presenting with a spinal source of impairment if symptoms improve with spinal treatment only. The results showed that a diagnostic model based on the presence of paresthesia, symptoms presentation in association with a specific posture or postural change, limitations in range of movement of the spine, and the presence or not of peripheral joint limitations, was moderately accurate in predicting those people who would respond to spinal interventions or peripheral interventions alone. Unfortunately, this model has not been validated on an external population and should therefore be utilised keeping in mind this limitation. Disclaimer: This publication was reviewed and assessed by one reviewer only and it reflects their interpretation. Readers should come to their own conclusions by reading the original article. Clinical Take Home Message : Based on what we know today, the combination of a few subjective and objective factors provides us with a probability estimate of upper limb pain originating from a peripheral or spinal dysfunction. Clinical reason will be (as always) important in supporting your conclusions and the use of other information such as dermatomal presentations , myotomes , anastomoses , and neurodynamic tests will help you interpret what are the likely causes and/or origin of symptoms. URL : https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2022.2030625 Abstract Objective: To explore indicators that predict whether patients with extremity pain have a spinal or extremity source of pain. Methods: The data were from a prospective cohort study (n = 369). Potential indicators were gathered from a typical Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) history and examination. A stepwise logistic regression with a backward elimination was performed to determine which indicators predict classification into spinal or extremity source groups. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to examine the number of significant indicators that could predict group classification. Results: Five indicators were identified to predict group classification. Classification into the spinal group was associated with the presence of paresthesia [odds ratio (OR) 1.984], change in symptoms with sitting/neck or trunk flexion/turning neck/when still (OR 2.642), change in symptoms with posture change (OR 3.956), restrictions in spinal movements (OR 2.633), and no restrictions in extremity movements (OR 2.241). The optimal number of indicators for classification was two (sensitivity = 0.638, specificity = 0.807). Discussion: This study provides guidance on clinical indicators that predict the source of symptoms for isolated extremity pain. The clinical indicators will allow clinicians to supplement their decision-making process in regard to spinal and extremity differentiation so as to appropriately target their examinations and interventions. publications = Total number of papers citing this research supporting = Citation statements supporting the findings mentioning = Neutral citation statements contrasting = Citation statements not supporting the findings