Background Studies evaluating the role of both corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathies have been contradicting. We compared structural and clinical changes in RC muscles after corticosteroids and PRP injections. Methods This is a randomized double-blind clinical trial. All individuals with diagnosis of RC tendinitis during 2014–2017 were considered. Individuals were randomly allocated to either receive PRP or corticosteroids. Overall, 3cc of PRP was injected within the subacromial joint and another 3cc was injected at the site of the tendon tear, under the guide of sonography. For the corticosteroid group, 1cc of Depo-medrol 40mg and 1cc of lidocaine (2%) was injected within the subacromial joint. Results Overall, 58 patients entered the study. Comparison of pain, range of motion (ROM), Western Ontario RC (WORC), Disability of Arm-Hand-Shoulder (DASH) scores, and supraspinatus thickness showed significant improvement during follow-ups in both groups (p<0.05). During 3 months of follow-up, pain improvement was significantly better within the PRP group during (from 6.66±2.26 to 3.08±2.14 and 5.53±1.80 to 3.88±1.99, respectively; p=0.023). Regarding ROM, the PRP group had significant improvement in adduction (20.50°±8.23° to 28°±3.61° and 23.21°±7.09° to 28.46°±4.18° for the PRP and corticosteroid groups, respectively; p=0.011) and external rotation (59.66°±23.81° to 76.66°±18.30° and 57.14°±24.69° to 65.57°±26.39°, for the PRP and corticosteroid groups, respectively; p=0.036) compared to the corticosteroid group. Conclusion We found that PRP renders similar results to that of corticosteroids in most clinical aspects among patients with RC tendinopathies; however, pain and ROM may show more significant improvement with the use of PRP. Considering that the use of corticosteroids may be contraindicated in some patients and may be associated with the risk of tendon rupture, we suggest the use of PRP in place of corticosteroid-based injections among patients with RC tendinopathy. Trial registration Clinical trial registration code: IRCT201302174251N9

Background: Visual skills play a pivotal role in athletic performance. However, in a professional setting, visual assessment is limited to a brief examination of visual acuity by the Snellen chart. This is while visual skills in sport comprise several other components. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between visual skills and sports injuries in professional soccer players. Methods: Through a prospective cohort study between September 2017 and October 2018, professional soccer league players were recruited for a complete eye examination including visual acuity, field of vision, and color discrimination as pre-competition examination. Any possible relationship between an abnormal eye finding and sports injury during the upcoming season was investigated. Results: A total of 386 male soccer players in 4 different playing positions were recruited from 16 league teams. Myopia, visual field defects, and green/blue/red color blindness were the most common visual impairments. Overall, there was no significant relationship between abnormal visual skills and the incidence of low back and upper extremity injuries among soccer players. However, a logistic regression model showed that the odds of quadriceps injury is 1.92 times higher (P-value: 0.005) for one diopter increase in both eyes' sum of refractive error. There is also an increased risk of concussion in players who have visual field defects (P-value < 0.005). Conclusions: Visual field defects can put soccer players at a higher risk for concussion. Moreover, uncorrected refractive eye errors will increase the incidence of lower limb injuries, mostly quadriceps injuries.

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Background: Employing different procedures with the aim of treating obesity may improve the adverse consequences of obesity, especially disabilities secondary to pain or musculoskeletal deficits. The present study aimed to assess the long-term beneficial effects of weight reduction following obesity treatment by surgical interventions on musculoskeletal pain and body posture in obese patients.Methods: 60 morbidly obese patients aged higher than 30 years and having a body mass index of at least 40 kg/m 2 who were candidates for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for obesity treatment took part in the present prospective interventional case series study. The data related to spinal pain were collected using the standardized neck disability index (NDI) and Roland-Morris questionnaires immediately before and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the surgery. The postural status was assessed using a plumb line. Results:The mean weight and body mass index, as well as the mean NDI score and Roland-Morris score, considerably reduced during 12 months after the surgical intervention as compared to before the surgery. Of all the measured postural parameters, foot pronation significantly improved. In addition, anteroposterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, elevated and dropped shoulder and head lateral tilt significantly reduced within 12 months after the surgery. The downward trends of the changes in weight, body mass index, NDI score, and Roland-Morris score were all significant after the surgery. Conclusions:The surgical treatment of obesity can effectively reduce disability resulting from spinal pain and can correct postural deviations. Ethical Considerations:This survey was a present prospective interventional case series approved by the