Preparation for Kilimanjaro
The preparation Begins with choosing the right company click on the link to see the travel blog http://chetandnilainafrica.travel.blog/.
Vitamin D Supplementation
High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation May Have Beneficial Effect on Bone Microarchitecture in Seniors
By Danny Kucharsky
MONTREAL — October 3, 2018 — Long-term, high-dose vitamin-D supplementation of 2,000 IU daily may have a slight beneficial effect on bone microarchitecture in seniors, according to results of a double-blind study presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
The trial evaluated the effect of 2-year long supplementation of 800 IU versus 2,000 IU daily of vitamin D on bone microarchitecture in patients aged 60 years or greater using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).
HR-pQCT, a non-invasive imaging method, allows for in vivo 3-dimensional characterisation of human bone microstructure. Most trials use the 2-dimensional dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess bone outcomes, but DXA cannot resolve bone microstructure, explained lead author Ursina Meyer, PhD, Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich Switzerland, speaking here on September 28.
Dr. Meyer and colleagues recruited 273 patients undergoing unilateral total-knee replacement due to severe knee osteoarthritis. The team randomised patients to receive daily doses of either 2,000 IU vitamin D or the standard-dose of 800 IU vitamin D. All patients received 500 mg of calcium supplements daily.
After 2 years, the group receiving 2,000 IU vitamin D daily had higher 25(OH)D levels compared with the group receiving 800 IU vitamin D (35.7±6.8 vs 28.8±6.1 ng/ml; P≤ .001).
DXA showed similar small increases in mean areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at 2 years, but when investigators used HR-pQCT to assess bone outcomes at the tibia, there was a significant increase in trabecular number (TbN) (beta = 0.05mm-1 [95% confidence interval: 0.004 to 0.09]) at the tibia in the 2,000 IU group compared to the 800 IU vitamin D group. The increase in TbN was accompanied by a statistically trending lower rate of TbN bone loss in the 2,000 IU group.
The investigators observed no other statistically significant differences in other microstructural parameters of the tibia and radius.
In a preliminary subanalysis, a higher 2-year dose of vitamin D did not translate into increases in bone strength as represented by changes in stiffness or failure load compared with the 800 IU vitamin D group.
[Presentation title: Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D on Bone Microarchitecture assessed via High Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HR-pQCT): a Double-Blind RCT. Abstract FRI-0827]
Large Knee Swelling may be a Reason to Operate
Association of Changes in Effusion‐Synovitis and Progression of Cartilage Damage Over 18 Months in Patients with Osteoarthritis and Meniscal Tear
This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1002/art.40660
Abstract
Objective
Synovitis is a feature of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and meniscal tear and has been associated with articular cartilage damage. Our study examined the associations between baseline and changes in effusion‐synovitis and changes in cartilage damage in a cohort with OA and meniscal tear.
Methods
We analyzed data from the Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research (MeTeOR) trial of surgery vs. physical therapy for treatment of meniscal tear. We performed semiquantitative grading of effusion‐synovitis and cartilage damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dichotomized effusion‐synovitis as none/small (‘minimal’) and medium/large (‘extensive’). We assessed the association between baseline and changes in effusion‐synovitis on changes in cartilage damage size and depth over 18 months, using Poisson regression models. Analyses were adjusted for demographics, treatment, and baseline cartilage damage.
Results
We analyzed 221 participants. Over 18 months, effusion‐synovitis was persistently minimal in 45.3% and persistently extensive in 21.3%. The remaining 33.5% had minimal synovitis on one occasion and extensive on the other. In adjusted analyses, extensive effusion‐synovitis at baseline was associated with a relative risk (RR) of 1.7 (95% CI 1.1, 2.6) for progression of cartilage damage depth. Compared to those with persistently minimal effusion‐synovitis, persistently extensive effusion‐synovitis had a statistically significant increased risk of progression of cartilage damage depth (RR 2.0 95% CI 1.1, 3.4).
Conclusions
The presence of extensive effusion‐synovitis is associated with subsequent progression of cartilage damage over 18 months. Persistence of extensive effusion‐synovitis over time was associated with the greatest risk of concurrent cartilage damage progression.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Injection of your own serum gives better relief than steroids.
OC38 EFFICACY STUDY OF THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS-INDUCED KNEE PAIN WITH AUTOLOGOUS CONDITIONED SERUM: A COMPARATIVE, PROSPECTIVE AND RANDOMIZEDSTUDY D. W. Hang1 1Shin Kong Orthopedic Sports Medicine Institute, Taipei, Taiwan, Province of China Objective: To compare the efficacy of the standardized injection therapies of (1) autologous conditioned serum (ACS) against (2) corticosteroid in patients with bilateral knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis. Material and Methods:34patients(N=68knees)withbilateral knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis were followed prospectively after intra-articular knee injection of either corticosteroid (group 1) or ACS (group 2). Every patient received a series of six intra-articular injections with ACS into one of the randomly selected knee over a three week period. The other contra-lateral knee received a one-time only standard regime of corticosteroid injections (dexamethasone). Results: In group 1, 23.5 % of the 34 knees experienced 50100 % pain reduction at 12 months after injection. Average VAS pain relief was 41.0 %. The WOMAC score showed significant (p Conclusion: Therapy with both steroid and ACS effectively reduces pain in osteoarthritic knees. Both treatments have beneficial effects on pain, function, and mobility in osteoarthritic knees. In addition, the risk profile is minimal for both treatment regimens.
A Comparative, Prospective and Randimised Study with Autologous Conditioned Serum (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Containing Serum) and Corticosteroid for Treatment of Osteoarthritic Knee. Abstract OC38
MILAN, Italy — April1, 2015 — Intra-articular injections of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) are effective and safe compared with a corticosteroid for the treatment of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, according to prospective trial results presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO).
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is the main cytokine responsible for the pathophysiological processes underlying cartilage destruction. Conversely, an IL-1 receptor antagonist is a naturally occurring 25-kDa glycoprotein cytokine that can decrease cartilage destruction through antagonism of IL-1 effects. Based on this knowledge, “a new technique was developed to produce a serum containing high concentrations of autologous IL-1 receptor antagonist,” stated lead investigator David W. Hang, MD, Shin Kong Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Institute, Taipei, Taiwan, China, speaking here on March 29.
The production of this IL-1 antagonist-containing serum, or ACS, is based on the concept of cell adherence, in which direct contact between monocytes in the blood and specially etched glass beads stimulates production of the autologous cytokine by monocytes.
Dr. Hang and colleagues produced ACS by the glass-bead treatment of 60 mL of blood from 34 patients with bilateral knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis (mean age, 61.3 years), providing 68 knees for evaluation. Production of ACS resulted in increased mean IL-1 receptor antagonist levels in this serum from 270 pg/mL at baseline to 4,051.3 pg/mL after 24 hours (mean ratio: 15.9).
For each patient, the researchers randomised 1 knee to 2 ml ACS as 6 biweekly intra-articular injections. The contralateral knee, as a comparator, received a single injection of 5 mg 5% dexamethasone (1 mL) and 2% xylocaine (1 mL).
Efficacy (defined at 12 months as >50% reduction in visual analogue scale [VAS] pain score) was achieved in 67.6% of ACS-injected knees, compared with 23.5% of corticosteroid-injected knees. Similarly, the mean percentage reduction in VAS pain scores at 12 months demonstrated greater benefit for ACS-injected knees (56.2% vs 41.0%).
For the VAS and Western Ontario McMaster (WOMAC) scores assessed over 3, 6, and 12 months, at all times there were significant improvements over baseline for ACS (P < .0001 for all) and corticosteroid (P < .001 for all). ACS generally provided significant benefits over corticosteroid across these assessments for VAS pain score and WOMAC function and pain scores (P < .05).
In the safety analysis, Dr Hang noted that, “The average side effects were 26% for the steroid group and 7% for the ACS group, but [side effects] were all transient, and were resolved in a few hours.”
Dr Hang also noted possible synergistic effects on the contralateral knee that he feels require further study. “The long-term effectiveness and the histological effects of ACS on cartilage remain to be determined,” he stated.
WCO is sponsored by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO).
Knee Injections No benefit to Exercise
This paper shows that the use os knee injections
to treat Osteoarthritis has no effect on exercise tolerance
Evaluation of the Benefit of Corticosteroid Injection Before Exercise Therapy in Patients With Osteoarthritis of the KneeA Randomized Clinical Trial ONLINE FIRST
Exercise helps reduce ACL injury
Exercise helps reduce ACL injury
Exercise helps reduce ACL injury when done before an injury when the training targeting at prevention of injury to the ACL. All research paper were analysed and the results pooled together and analysed. The results showed that it was especially effective in preventing injury in female athletes. This Meta analysis of a recent paper in the medical literature ads to this evidence.
Specific Exercise Effects of Preventive Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Reduction in Young Females
Meta-analysis and Subgroup Analysis
Dai Sugimoto, Gregory D Myer, Kim D Barber Foss, Timothy E Hewett, Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(5):282-289.
Context
Clinical trials have demonstrated that preventive neuromuscular training (PNMT) can be effective to reduce ACL injuries in young females. However, the magnitude of the overall effect of PNMT for ACL injury reduction has not reached consensus. In addition, the effects of individual exercises in PNMT that optimise ACL injury reduction are unknown.
Objective
The purpose of this project was to systematically review previously published clinical trials and evaluate types of exercises that best support ACL injury reduction in young females.
Data sources
The key words ‘knee’, ‘anterior cruciate ligament’, ‘ACL’, ‘prospective’, ‘neuromuscular’, ‘training’, ‘female’, and ‘prevention’ were used for studies published from 1995 to May 2012 in PubMed and EBSCO host.
Study selection
Inclusion criteria for the current analysis were: (1) documented number of ACL injuries, (2) employed a PNMT intervention that aimed to reduce ACL injuries, (3) had a comparison group, (4) used a prospective controlled study design, (5) recruited female athletes and (6) recorded exercises implemented in the PNMT.
Data extraction
The number of ACL injuries and female athletes in each group (control and intervention) were extracted. In addition, exercises were categorised into four types and analysed for each investigation.
Data synthesis
A total of 14 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The subgroup analyses identified fewer ACL injuries in PNMT that focused on strengthening (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.46, p=0.001), proximal control exercises (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.47, p=0.001) and multiple exercise interventions (OR 0.32, CI 0.22 to 0.46, p=0.001).
Conclusions
The current subgroup analyses indicate strengthening, proximal control exercises and multi exercise genres increased efficacy in PNMT intervention designed to reduce ACL injury in young female athletes.