Effectiveness of exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee:A review of the literature

Osteoarthritis(OA)of the knee is the most common type of arthritis and the major cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain and mobility disability in the elderly.The objective of this paper is to discuss the effectiveness of exercise for OA of the knee based on a review of the literature.We reviewed the relevant literature,i.e.systematic reviews and meta-analyses searched using PubMed.Muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises are effective in reducing pain and improving physical function in patients with mild to moderate OA of the knee.

Analysis of stress fractures in athletes based on our clinical experience

AIM:To analyze stress fractures in athletes based on experience from our sports medicine clinic.METHODS:We investigated the association between stress fractures and age,sex,sports level,sports activity,and skeletal site in athletes seen at our sports medicine clinic between September 1991 and April 2009.Stress fractures of the pars interarticularis were excluded from this analysis.RESULTS:During this period(18 years and 8 mo),14276 patients(9215 males and 5061 females)consulted our clinic because of sports-related injuries,and 263 patients(1.8%)[171 males(1.9%)and 92 females(1.8%)]sustained stress fractures.The average age of the patients with stress fractures was 20.2 years(range 10-46 years);112 patients(42.6%)were 15-19 years of age and 90(34.2%)were 20-24 years of age.Altogether,90 patients(34.2%)were active at a high recreational level and 173(65.8%)at a competitive level.The highest proportion of stress fractures was seen in basketball athletes(21.3%),followed by baseball(13.7%),track and field(11.4%),rowing(9.5%),soccer(8.4%),aerobics(5.3%),and classical ballet(4.9%).The most common sites of stress fractures in these patients were the tibia(44.1%),followed by the rib(14.1%),metatarsal bone(12.9%),ulnar olecranon(8.7%)and pelvis(8.4%).The sites of the stress fractures varied from sport to sport.The ulnar olecranon was the most common stress fracture site in baseball players,and the rib was the most common in rowers.Basketball and classical ballet athletes predominantly sustained stress fractures of the tibia and metatarsal bone.Track and field and soccer athletes predominantly sustained stress fractures of the tibia and pubic bone.Aerobics athletes predominantly sustained stress fractures of the tibia.Middle and long distance female runners who sustained multiple stress fractures had the female athlete triad.CONCLUSION:The results of this analysis showed that stress fractures were seen in high-level young athletes,with similar proportions for males and females,and that particular sports were associated with specific sites for stress fractures.Middle and long distance female runners who suffered from multiple stress fractures had the female athlete triad.

Strategy for prevention of hip fractures in patients with Parkinson's disease

Hypovitaminosis D and K due to malnutrition or sunlight deprivation,increased bone resorption due to immobilization,low bone mineral density(BMD)and an increased risk of falls may contribute to an increased risk of hip fractures in patients with Parkinson’s disease.The purpose of the present study was to clarify the efficacy of interventions intended to prevent hip fractures in elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease.Pub Med was used to search the literature for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)regarding Parkinson’s disease and hip fractures.The inclusion criteria were 50 or more subjects per group and a study period of 1 year or longer.Five RCTs were identified and the relative risk and95%confidence interval were calculated for individual RCTs.Sunlight exposure increased serum hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D]concentration,improved motor function,decreased bone resorption and increased BMD.Alendronate or risedronate with vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D concentration,strongly decreased bone resorption and increased BMD.Menatetrenone(vitamin K2)decreased serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin concentration,decreased bone resorption and increased BMD.Sunlight exposure(men and women),menatetrenone(women),alendronate and risedronate with vitamin D supplementation(women)significantly reduced the incidence of hip fractures.The respective RRs(95%confidence intervals)according to the intention-to-treat analysis were 0.27(0.08,0.96),0.13(0.02,0.97),0.29(0.10,0.85)and 0.20(0.06,0.68).Interventions,including sunlight exposure,menatetrenone and oral bisphosphonates with vitamin D supplementation,have a protective effect against hip fractures elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Effect of risedronate on speed of sound in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

AIM: To examine the effects of treatment with risedronate for 1 year on speed of sound(SOS) of the calcaneus and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. METHODS: Thirty-eight postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who had been treated with risedronate for > 1 year were enrolled in the study. The SOS and bone turnover markers were monitored during treatment with risedronate for 1 year. RESULTS: The urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased at 3 mo(-34.7%) and 12 mo(-21.2%), respectively, compared with the baseline values. The SOS increased modestly, but significantly by 0.65% at 12 mo compared with the baseline value. Treatment with risedronate elicited an increase in the SOS of the calcaneus exceeding the coefficient of variation in vivo(0.27%). CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that risedronate suppressed bone turnover and elicited a clinically significant increase in the SOS of the calcaneus in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Return to sports activity by athletes after treatment of spondylolysis

AIM:To clarify the efficacy of conservative and surgical treatment of spondylolysis in athletes.METHODS:PubMed was used to perform a search of the literature for studies published during the period from 1990 to 2009 that reported data on the outcome of conservative or surgical treatment of spondylolysis in athletes.The articles were examined for data on the percentage of athletes who returned to sports activities and the interval between the start of treatment and their return.RESULTS:Five studies were identified.Two studies were concerned with conservative treatment and the other three with surgical treatment(wire fixation or screw fixation with bone graft).The percentages of athletes who returned to sports activities ranged from 80.0%to 89.3%and from 81.9%to 100%,respectively,and the intervals until their return ranged from 5.4 to 5.5 mo and from 7 to 12 mo,respectively.CONCLUSION:The percentages of athletes who returned to sports activities after conservative and surgical treatment appeared to be satisfactory,but the