The American journal of sports medicine
-
Although many clinical studies have assessed the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in knee osteoarthritis, evidence on their efficacy remains unclear owing to heterogeneity of cell entity and concomitant procedures. ⋯ Intra-articular injection of culture-expanded MSCs without adjuvant surgery can improve pain for patients experiencing knee osteoarthritis at short-term follow-up (6-12 months). However, evidence regarding function and cartilage repair remains limited.
-
Identifying separate dimensions of concussion symptoms may inform a precision medicine approach to treatment. It was previously reported that a bifactor model identified distinct acute postconcussion symptom dimensions. ⋯ The SCAT-3 total score remains a valuable, robust index of overall concussion symptom severity, and the specific factors identified may inform management strategies. Because some symptom dimensions continue to worsen in the first 24 to 48 hours after injury (ie, Sensory, Fatigue, Emotional), routine follow-up in this time frame may be valuable to ensure that symptoms are managed effectively.
-
The number of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in professional baseball players is increasing. UCL reconstruction (UCLR) is the treatment of choice in players with failed nonoperative treatment who wish to return to sports (RTS). It is unknown if UCL tear location influences the ability of players to RTS or affects their performance upon RTS. ⋯ Professional baseball players who sustain a distal UCL tear and undergo UCLR may be more likely to RTS than those who sustain a proximal UCL tear and undergo UCLR. Players with distal UCL tears who underwent UCLR saw higher utilization postoperatively than those with proximal UCL tears. Further work is needed in this area to confirm this result.
-
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as a promising alternative to traditional corticosteroid (CS), is now increasingly used in the treatment of elbow epicondylitis (EE) and plantar fasciitis (PF). To date, however, the synthesis of information on the clinical efficacy of PRP versus CS is limited with divergent conclusions. ⋯ The use of PRP yields statistically and clinically better improvement in long-term pain than does CS in the treatment of EE. The use of PRP yields statistically and clinically better long-term functional improvement than that of CS in the treatment of PF.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Utility of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Preserve Quadriceps Muscle Fiber Size and Contractility After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Reconstruction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Blinded Trial.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and reconstruction (ACLR) promote quadriceps muscle atrophy and weakness that can persist for years, suggesting the need for more effective rehabilitation programs. Whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be used to prevent maladaptations in skeletal muscle size and function is unclear. ⋯ NCT02945553 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).