Context There are no scientific reports unambiguously describing the efficacy of alternating magnetic field therapy in patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the early postoperative period. Objective This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of using an alternating magnetic field in the resorption of postoperative joint effusion in patients after ACL reconstruction. Study design A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Setting Inpatients. Participants Forty patients were enrolled in the trial. However, the final study group consisted of 38 patients (28 men and 10 women) after ACL reconstruction who were randomly divided into an experimental group (19 patients) and a control group (19 patients). Intervention Each group received magnetic field therapy in the postoperative period, but only 1 apparatus emitted a magnetic field (the experimental group). Patients used the apparatus every day for 30 minutes for the next 11 days. The parameters in both devices were the same—3 mT and 10 Hz. Main outcome measures The measurement of the knee circumference and range of motion were made. The knee circumference measurement was performed before magnetic field therapy began and for 11 days after magnetic field treatment. The active knee range of motion was evaluated before and after magnetic field therapy was completed. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the reduction of post-operative joint effusion or knee joint function. Conclusion In patients after ACL reconstruction , in whom an alternating magnetic field was used to treat postoperative joint effusion, there were no beneficial effects on the analyzed variables compared to the control group.

Background There are no scientific reports clearly describing the effectiveness of the High Tone Power Therapy in patients after ACL reconstruction. This caused that in own research an attempt was made to present the possibilities of using the selected method of electrical stimulation in the treatment of an orthopaedic patient. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of electro stimulation of the quadriceps muscle in patients after ACL reconstruction, with the use of High Tone Power Therapy. Methods In randomized controlled trial took part thirty-five men, aged 21–50, after ACL reconstruction. The tests were carried prior to and 6 months following the ACL reconstruction. After the surgery, the patients were randomly divided into experimental group (17 patients) with the High Tone Power Therapy in rehabilitation and control group (18 patients) without the High Tone Power Therapy. Patients were subjected to 6-month rehabilitation. Research tools included the measurement of muscle strength torque, ROM, knee and thigh circumference measurements, the Lysholm and the VAS scale. Results After applying HiToP, the analysis showed a statistically significant improvement of muscle torque (p = 0.041, Es = 3.71), knee circumference (p = 0.039, Es = 1.65), thigh circumference (p = 0.049, Es = 1.26), knee extension (p < 0.001, Es = 2.20) in Experimental group compared to the control group. Only the results of the VAS scale did not differ statistically significantly both within a given group and between groups. Conclusions The results confirm the hypothesis that the use of HiToP in patients after ACLr have a beneficial effect on muscle strength, reduction of joint effusion, muscle mass gain and joint function. The assumption that HiToP significantly reduces pain levels is not supported - the results in both groups are statistically insignificant. Trial registration The research project was retrospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Date of first registration 11.10.2016. Registration number: ACTRN12616001416482.

The assessment of the six-week influence of Kinesio Taping combined with a rehabilitation on selected ultrasonography measurements, the level of disability, and the quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions. 60 participants were randomly assigned into a taping group (KT combined with a six-week rehabilitating protocol) and a control group (only rehabilitation protocol). In all patients the following assessments were performed twice: USG, UEFI and NHP questionnaires. In the examination of the subacromial space and the subacromial bursa in the taping group, no statistical significance was observed. A statistically significant change in the thickness of the muscles was obtained only for the thickness of the infraspinatus in the taping group. A statistically significant change was obtained in the assessment of tendinopathy only for the supraspinatus muscle in both groups. Within both groups a statistically significant difference was observed in the average UEFI and NHP scores; however, the differences in the scores obtained between the groups were not statistically significant. The use of KT with a rehabilitation program did not yield statistically significantly better results in the improvement of selected shoulder region indicators, the function of the upper limb and the quality of life.

Background The aim of the study was the assessment of the early impact of the selected kinesiotaping technique on the static stability of the knee joint in patients with ACL rupture on the basis of stabilographic parameters. Methods Sixty-two patients with a complete ACL rupture (32 patients in experimental group and 30 patients in placebo group) took part in the randomized single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The ligament technique of KT was taken into consideration. Application of a KT tape only on the injured knee was to stabilize the knee joint. Experimental group had application of KT on the injured knee and the placebo group had a KT placebo application (with no tension on KT). Intervention and stabilographic test in both groups was the same. Research tools included measurements of static stabilographic parameters on stabilometric platform CQStab2P®. Outcome measures were assessed before intervention and after KT application. The analysis included evaluation of outcome variables – total path length, (SP), statokinesiogram path length in the XY axes (SPML, SPAP), and mean velocities in the XY axes (MV, MVML, MVAP). Results The results show a statistically significant shortening of the SP, SPAP and SPML variables only in experimental group. In the placebo group the results were not significant. The analysis also showed a significant improvement in all analyzed variables in the experimental group compared to the healthy side. In the placebo group, the results did not improve significantly after KT application compared to the healthy side. Conclusions Application o f KT in patients after ACL rupture shortened the total path length and improved the value of parameters in the frontal and sagittal planes in experimental group, which may suggest the potentially greater improvement in these parameters. By improving the values of the analyzed variables, the KT application is able to compensate for the loss of static stability of the knee. Trial Registration This study was registered retrospectively in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Registration number: ACTRN12616001407482.

BACKGROUND: The gold standard in the clinical assessment of the extent of scoliosis is the Cobb method but the analysis also covers the changes that occur within the spine and trunk in relation to the transverse and sagittal planes. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to estimate changes in the sagittal plane of the spine in girls with right-sided thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: The study involved 29 girls with scoliosis (13.6 ± 0.6 years) and 36 healthy girls as the comparison group. The tests included an interview, clinical examination (with the use of Adam’s test and the Cobb angle), and examination of shape of the spine surface with the use of the photogrammetric method and the projection moire effect. RESULTS: Lower values of the thoracic kyphosis parameters were found in the scoliosis group. Significant differences were noted for the parameters of the lumbosacral section α (p= 0.02), thoracolumbar section β (p< 0.001), the upper thoracic section γ (p< 0.001), thoracolumbar and upper thoracic section β+γ (p< 0.001) and the total size of α+β+γ (p< 0.001) curvatures. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that with an increase in the angular value of the thoracic curvature, the thoracic kyphosis decreased.