Evaluation of the Use of Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) in the Treatment of Postoperative Edema in Acute ACL Repair Surgery

Background: Surgical techniques for the treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are exponentially improved in the past few decades. Nevertheless, edema and pain commonly accompany post-surgical procedures and when excessive, can adversely affect the healing course. In recent years, Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) has been proposed as a new technique for the treatment of post-operative edema. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) in the treatment of edema in the acute and post-acute postoperative phases of ACL repair surgery. Methods: Thirty patients (19 M, 11F; mean age: 27 y/o) with ACL injury were randomly assigned to two groups for the rehabilitation program: (1) An experimental group to receive a NMT treatment; or (2) A control group which underwent the standard-of-care rehabilitation protocols. Both groups where weekly monitored for 4 weeks after the surgery. Swelling was assessed through measurement of the limb circumference; post-operative pain was evaluated with VAS. After collection, data were processed by means of the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon statistical tests, through which we evaluated the percentage decrease in knee swelling of the operated limb. Results: In comparison to the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in swelling and pain. The circumference of the operated limb registered was: -2.4% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and + 0.3% ±0.2 in the control group in the first week (p = 0.030), -3.7% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and -0.63% ±0.3 in the control group in the second week (p = 0.038), -4.5% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and -1.2% ±0.3 in the control group in the third week (p = 0.019), -5.8% ±0.1 in the NMT-treated group and -2.4% ±0.3 in the control group in the fourth week (p = 0.019). VAS in the first week was 3.11 ±01.05 in NTM-treated group and 4.67 ±0.71 in the control group (p = 0.006). Our data showed a statistically significant reduction of the mean circumference of the lower limb at each time point and the reduction of mean VAS at the first week treated with NMT compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results revealed that NMT technique applied in the acute rehabilitation program of ACL surgery is effective in the treatment of postoperative edema.

Can we Depend on Sunshine for Vitamin D? A mini review and historical perspective

Worldwide studies have confirmed that vast population globally is suffering from vitamin D deficiency that can be linked to not only calcium and bone metabolic disorders, but also to diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Traditionally, inadequate sunlight exposure was implicated in Vitamin D deficiency. However recent studies from the Middle East and other countries suggest the contrary and thus unreliable. Test based diagnostics remain the most desirable way to prevent and treat Vitamin D deficiency rather than relying on sunshine.

Electromyographic Determination of Jump Landing Sequence and Pre-activation Times During One-foot Landing

Introduction: Monopodal jumping is a common gesture in daily life and sports. In the Landing Phase (LF), potential energy is absorbed from the tridimensional stability of the Lower Limb (LH). This stability depends on neuromuscular strategies that include factors such as Muscle Preactivation Times (MAT) and the Sequence of Participation (SP) of the muscle groups. The alteration of TPA has been pointed out as a factor of possible injury. The aim of this study was to determine the preactivation times and participation sequence of the gluteus medius, adductor magnus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis quadriceps, biceps femoris longus, semimembranosus and soleus muscles during the monopodal jump landing in university students. At the same time, we sought to determine the existence or not of significant differences between men and women. Materials and methods: Twenty-six young adults, 16 women and 10 men, participated. An inertial sensor and 7 surface electrodes were used to collect electromyographic data in the gluteus medius, rectus femoris and vastus medialis quadriceps, semimembranosus, biceps femoris long head, soleus and adductor magnus muscles. Results: The general activation sequence was Vastus medialis -Biceps femoris longus - Adductor magnus - Gluteus medius - Rectus femoris -Semimembranosus and soleus. The data obtained reflects the activation prior to ground contact of all the muscles studied. There were differences between genders. Women presented a previous activation in all muscles with the exception of the gluteus medius. The muscles with the greatest variability were the adductor magnus in men and the rectus femoris in women. Conclusion: The significant differences found between men and women show that there are trends that can be the beginning to better understand the risk factors for injury generation. The TPA data presented a great variability which could reflect the existence of different activation patterns and not a unique behavior of the MMII musculature.