Effect of Applying Cold Plasma on Structural, Antibacterial and Self Cleaning Properties of α-Fe2O3 (HEMATITE) Thin Film

Objective: In this study, α-Fe2O3 thin film was formed on a glass substrate to study the impact of adding cold plasma on the self-cleaning and antibacterial properties of the samples. Method: The samples were synthesized using the chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) method at 450°C. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscope were used to investigate the morphological and structural characteristics of α-Fe2O3 thin layers prior to and following plasma injection. Finding: The degree of wettability and antibacterial characteristics of iron oxide (hematite) thin film were evaluated in the presence of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria prior to and following plasma injection, given the great potential of plasma injection in the surface modification of thin films. Novelty: The findings indicate that exposing plasma to α-Fe2O3thin film produces substantial changes in morphology, self-cleaning, and antibacterial characteristics. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-01-06 Full Text: PDF

Functional outcome of autologous platelet rich plasma injection in plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow

Recent developments in cellular and molecular biology have emerged as a potent tool in the management of orthopaedic illnesses and injuries. Upon binding to the target cell receptor, the growth factor from platelets triggers the activation of an intracellular signal transduction system, which results in a biological response that is essential for chemotaxis, cell proliferation, and osteoblastic differentiation. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma injection in tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis. We conducted a prospective study with patients who were suffering from plantar fasciitis (n=37) or tennis elbow (n=23) and were given with autologous platelet-rich plasma injection. A short term follow up of all these cases were done at regular intervals for 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The clinical outcomes were analyzed with severity of pain and movements of the pathological part. The functional outcomes were analyzed with VAS and AOFAS scoring for plantar fasciitis and VAS and Mayo’s elbow scoring for tennis elbow. All these patients were statistically analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA test. Our investigation found a statistically significant difference between pre-procedural and post-procedural scores in both the subjective (VAS) and functional (AOFAS and Mayo elbow score) grading systems used in this study. Patients who received an autologous platelet-rich plasma injection experienced a statistically significant (p <0.05) improvement in their ability to combat both of the musculoskeletal illnesses studied. Autologous platelet-rich plasma acts as a promising efficacious biological therapeutic agent for use in musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow without major complications upon its usage.

Platelet-rich plasma injection for tennis elbow: did it ever work?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a commonly used treatment for tendinopathies such as tennis elbow despite the questionable evidence of its efficacy. A recent Cochrane review suggests that it likely does not provide clinically meaningful benefits in people with tennis elbow. In this viewpoint, we discuss how lack of regulation allowed aggressive marketing and clinical use without normal phases of drug development and approval process or rigorous evidence of benefits. Since several phases of development were bypassed, we still do not know the optimal preparation method and dosing of PRP for tendinopathies. Furthermore, several clinical trials compared PRP with other interventions although it was unclear if PRP was better than placebo and these comparisons created distraction rather than improved understanding of its effects.

Effects of platelet-rich plasma injection on pain, range of motion, and disability in adhesive capsulitis: A prospective, randomized-controlled study

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in adhesive capsulitis. Patients and methods: Between January 2019 and December 2019, a total of 40 patients (21 males, 19 females; mean age: 57.1±6.5 years; range, 44 to 72 years) with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis were included. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups as the PRP and the control group. The PRP group received two doses of PRP via intra-articular route biweekly under ultrasound guidance. No injection was performed to the control group. In both groups, stretching and Codman exercises were applied as a home- based program. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM), and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores were evaluated before the treatment and at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after the treatment. Results: There were significant differences in all VAS, SPADI, and ROM scores at all time points after treatment compared to baseline in both groups. At the end of the study, there were significant differences in the active flexion, passive flexion, active abduction, passive abduction, and active external rotation scores at 12 weeks between the groups (p=0.012, p=0.015, p=0.008, p=0.019, and p=0.040, respectively). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of VAS and SPADI scores and the other parameters (active and passive extension, active and passive internal rotation, passive external rotation) at 2, 6, and 12 weeks (p>0.05). Conclusion: The addition of PRP to exercise treatment can improve patients' joint mobility, but not pain and disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Results of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Chronic Lateral Humeral Epicondylar Tendinopathy

Background: Lateral humeral epicondylitis or tennis elbow is one of the commonest causes of pain around elbow. Platelet rich plasma is a stimulant for repair in various tendinopathies. Previous studies have suggested platelet rich plasma as a safe & effective treatment option in tennis elbow. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy in terms of relief of pain& functional improvement after PRP injection in patients with chronic tennis elbow. Materials & Method: The trial was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in 70 patients over a period of 2 years.3ml of PRP was injected in & around the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis. Pain relief & functional improvement were assessed using visual analogue scale q-DASH scale at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months & 1 year. Results: The mean Nirshl pain score & q-DASH started improving after 02 weeks but significant improvement was seen after 3 months & pain decreased continuously for up to 1 year (p<0.0001). Conclusion: PRP offers a significant pain relief & functional improvement from 3 months to 1 year after injection. Keywords: Lateral epicondylar tendinopathy, platelet rich plasma