The effect of synthesized cartilage tissue from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in orthopedic spine surgery in patients with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that causes degeneration of articular cartilage and involvement of subcutaneous bone and inflammation of surrounding tissues. It can affect any joints, but the most common joints are the joints of the hands, feet, knees, thighs, and spine. Osteoarthritis patients need surgery in acute cases. The use of methods that increase the efficiency of this surgery has always been considered by researchers and surgeons. For this purpose, in the current study, the effect of synthesized cartilage tissue from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells was considered in orthopedic spine surgery in patients with osteoarthritis. Thirty patients over the age of 60 who had acute spinal osteoarthritis and required surgery were selected. The pellet culture system of human adipose-derive mesenchymal stem cells of each patient was used to construct cartilage tissue. For 15 of them, in addition to implants, cartilage grafts were transplanted during surgery. All patients were monitored by the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire, for one year. In general, the results showed that over time, patients with transplanted cartilage tissue and implants were in a better condition than patients who underwent only implant surgery.

Implications of historical height loss for prevalent vertebral fracture, spinal osteoarthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease

We recently uncovered an association between spinal osteoarthritis and height loss that was independent of incident vertebral fracture. However, the optimal cut-off value of historical height loss (HHL) for discriminating spinal osteoarthritis has not been reported. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the implications of HHL for prevalent vertebral fracture, spinal osteoarthritis, and other co-morbidities in postmenopausal women from the Nagano Cohort Study. In total, 942 Japanese postmenopausal outpatients (mean age: 66.7 years) were investigated. HHL was estimated by arm span – body height difference. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant independent associations of HHL with prevalent vertebral fracture (odds ratio [OR] 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55–2.29), spinal osteoarthritis (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.31–1.88), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.34–2.28) after adjustment for other confounders. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of HHL was conducted to discriminate the prevalence of co-morbidities. The optimal cut-off value as defined by the Youden index for prevalent vertebral fracture, spinal osteoarthritis, and GERD was 4.95 cm (area under the curve [AUC] 0.740; 95% CI 0.704–0.776), 2.75 cm (AUC 0.701; 95% CI 0.667–0.735), and 5.35 cm (AUC 0.692; 95% CI 0.629–0.754), respectively. Better understanding of the above relationships and proposed cut-off values will be useful for improving the diagnosis, care management, and quality of life in elderly patients.

Assessment of Changes in Concentration of Total Antioxidant Status, Acute-Phase Protein, and Prolactin in Patients with Osteoarthritis Subjected to a Complex Spa Treatment with Radon Water: Preliminary Results

Spa treatment brings many clinical benefits such as improved physical activity, pain relief, and improved quality of life. In the literature, there are only few objective studies evaluating changes in metabolism possibly influencing clinical outcomes. The main purpose of our study was the assessment of the effect of spa treatment on changes in concentration of TAS, CRP, and PRL in patients with osteoarthritis. Patients receiving spa treatment were enrolled. TAS, CRP, and PRL levels were obtained using standard tests before the beginning of treatment as well as on days 5 and 18. The study group consisted of n=35 patients with peripheral joint and spinal osteoarthritis. The control group consisted of 15 people selected from the resort staff, who also suffered from osteoarthritis and had no contact with radon. An increase in TAS concentration was found in the study group following therapy while the control group was characterized by a significant decrease in TAS. On day 5, an increase in TAS concentration was found in both groups, however, with much worse result in the control group. No changes in CRP concentration were statistically significant. PRL concentration was proven to decrease in a statistically significant way after treatment in the study group. This trial is registered with NCT03274128.

Considerations On Kinetotherapy Of Low Lumbar Pain

Low lumbar pain is a very common condition that can benefit from kinetotherapy, which can be combined with specific medication and cognitive therapy. Depending on the pathophysiological mechanism of production, some physiotherapy exercises or techniques can be highlighted, because they have an increased efficiency in combating this type of pain. Thus, in the case of lower lumbar pain inherent to fibromyalgia, aerobic exercises appear to be more useful, and in the case of pain that accompany a herniated disc are recommended strenght exercises and lumbar stabilization. Lower lumbar pains due to work accidents are particularly beneficial for aerobic exercise if muscular contractions are present, and those with a sacroiliac joint dysfunction as an etiology can be alleviated by Mulligan mobilizations, Mulligan tapping and ultrasound; for those caused by spinal osteoarthritis are especially useful yoga and stretching exercises. Lower lumbar pain can also be caused by ankylosing spondylitis, in which case they can be improved by gymnastics, hydrotherapy, massage, leisure activities.

BACK PAIN CHARACTERISTICS IN PHYSICAL AND OFFICE WORKERS

The aim of our study was to characterize back pain according to the occupation comprising physical and office work. Accordingly questionnaires from 100 physical workers (PW) and 100 office workers (OW) were collected. This dedicated questionnaire included 19 questions, of which 7 concerned demographic, work and stature features and 12 concerned back pain. Collected data showed that lower back pain was more common in PW but cervical pain in OW (p<0.001). Most common aetiology of back pain was spinal osteoarthritis, sciatica and scoliosis but of different spread in two groups (p<0.001). The history of back pain was most often above 5 years and there were significant differences in frequency, intensity and pain handling methods between groups (p<0.005). Back pain prophylaxis was well acknowledged in both groups (85% in OW, 91% in PW). Regular physical activity was considered the main prophylaxis method (67% in PW, 89% in OW) and similarly incorporated in both groups (p=0.691) however OW more often performed physical exercises (p<0.001). Physical therapy was used in both groups (PW 100%, OW 92%, p=0.004) but with variable efficacy according to responders. To conclude there were multiple differences between both groups in terms of the pain characteristic but with similar awareness and incorporated prophylaxis.