Study design: Retrospective, 12-year case series. Objective: To compare neurological and functional outcomes, and complications of patients with traumatic vs non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) after in-patient rehabilitation. Setting: In-patient rehabilitation unit of a tertiary research hospital. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 165 newly injured patients with traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord lesions whose medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, etiology, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, functional independence measurement (FIM) subgroup scores, length of stay and medical complications in both groups were compared. Results: In all, 38 patients (23%) were non-traumatic and 127 patients (77%) were traumatic in etiology. Compared with patients with traumatic SCI (mean age 37.81 ± 13.65 years), patients with non-traumatic SCI (mean age 53.97±14.48 years) were significantly older (Po0.05). Incomplete SCI was significantly higher in the non-traumatic group when compared with the traumatic group (Po0.001). In the non-traumatic group, admission motor FIM scores were significantly higher (28.29 ± 16.04) than scores from the traumatic group (36.60 ± 21.65; P ¼ 0.029); however, there was no significant difference in discharge motor FIM scores between the two groups (P ¼ 0.140). ASIA impairment scale scores were significantly higher in non-traumatic group both at admission and discharge (P ¼ 0.000 and P ¼ 0.000, respectively). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the non-traumatic group (P ¼ 0.002). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, although patients with non-traumatic SCI had shorter length of stay and higher ASIA scores, there was no significant difference in functional outcomes between traumatic and non-traumatic SCI patients.

[Purpose] The aims of this study were twofold. The first was to compare the functional capacity and pain of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), with or without pes anserine tendino-bursitis (PATB). The second is to compare the efficacy of two treatment methods (physical therapy and corticosteroid injection) for patients with PATB. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty patient with KOA and PATB (Group 1) and 57 patients with KOA but without PATB (Group 2) were enrolled in the study. The patients’ visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scores and three-meter timed-up and go scores were measured. The PATB group was randomly divided into two groups (Group A and B). Physical therapy (PT) modalities were applied to the first group (Group A), and the second group (Group B) received corticosteroid injections to the pes anserine area. Eight weeks later, patients’ parameters were measured again. [Results] Initial WOMAC scores and timed up-and-go times were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. Both treatments resulted in significant improvements in all measured parameters, but no significant difference was detected between Group A and B. [Conclusion] Patients with PATB tend to have more severe pain, more altered functionality, and greater disability than those with KOA but without PATB. Both corticosteroid injection and PT are effective methods of treatment for PATB. Injection therapy can be considered an effective, inexpensive and fast therapeutic method.

SummaryObjective: The effect of vitamin D on bone metabolism has been well known for a long time. Recently, various hormonal and immunity related effects has have been obtained. Additionally, the deficiency of vitamin D is thought to be related with various pain syndromes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the main musculoskeletal symptoms of patients with vitamin D deficiency admitting to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics. Materials and Methods:The data were retrospectively investigated in patients with myalgia, arthralgia, regional pain, widespread body pain (WBP) and in whom vitamin D levels were measured. Patients over 50 years old and with known osteoporosis/osteomalacia diagnosis, endocrinological pathology, and inflammatory rheumatological disease were excluded. Results: The data of 571 patients were investigated and totally 214 of them were included in the study. There were 178 females (83.2%), 36 males (16.8%). The mean age of the patients was 39.19±9.58 years. Of the patients, 100 (46.7%) were in severe deficiency, 68 (31.8%) were in deficiency, 46 (21.5%) were in insufficient group. The symptoms were regional pain in 65 (30.3%), WBP in 63 (29.4%), arthralgia in 49 (23%), and myalgia in 37 (17.3%) patients. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency may be encountered as musculoskeletal problems. In the presence of persistent joint-muscle pain, regional pain and fibromiyalgia, vitamin D deficiency should be kept in mind.

Study design: Retrospective review of medical notes. Objective: To describe clinical, laboratory and examination findings of acute abdominal emergencies (AAE) in Turkish patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to examine diagnosis and management of AAE in early stages. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation unit of tertiary research hospital. Methods: The medical records of 237 SCI patients were reviewed. The SCI patients who were recruited in the study had been diagnosed with AAE and treated medically or surgically while they were inpatients at the rehabilitation clinic. Results: Nine out of 237 SCI patients had been diagnosed with one of the AAE. Three patients were AIS A, three patients were AIS B and three patients were AIS C. The most common AAE was acute cholecystitis; three patients were diagnosed with this. The others were single cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, intra-abdominal abscess, tuba-ovarian abscess, subileus, Crohn's disease and cholangitis. Three of the patients were treated with surgery and six were treated medically. The most common symptoms in patients were fever, abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort (four of AAE). Three patients had abdominal tenderness and abdominal distension. The expected findings of AAE, rebound and defense, were positive only in two patients. Conclusion: Gall bladder disease is a common cause of AAE. The classic symptoms and examination findings will usually not facilitate acute abdomen diagnosis in the SCI group, so we should be aware of patients' subjective complaints and when necessary use advanced imaging techniques immediately.

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