Objectives: This study aims to compare the superiority of different suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) application methods on hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP), in a blinded and stimulator guided manner. Patients and methods:Twenty-six stroke patients (19 males, 7 females; mean age 61.0±9.4 years; range 53 to 76 years) meeting the enrollment criteria, were included in this study between September 2014 and November 2014. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. Patients in group A received blinded SSNB and patients in group B received stimulator guided SSNB. Range of motion (ROM) (by goniometer) and pain levels (by visual analog scale-VAS) were assessed. Evaluations were made before, one hour after and one week after SSNBs. Results:In each group, VAS pain scores significantly decreased over time (p<0.0001) and a significant increase in terms of flexion and abduction ROM angles (group A: p=0.002 and p=0.010; group B: p=0.004 and p=0.012, respectively) was observed. In addition, internal rotation ROM angles were found to have increased in group B (p=0.036). There were no significant differences in ROM and VAS one hour and one-week change scores between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion:Both blinded or stimulator guided suprascapular nerve block techniques were safe and effective for pain relief in hemiplegic shoulder pain management. None of the injection techniques was superior to the other.Keywords: Blinded; hemiplegic shoulder pain; stimulator guided; suprascapular nerve block.Hemiplejik omuz ağrısında kör ve stimülatör kılavuzluğunda supraskapular sinir blokajının karşılaştırılması: Pilot çalışma ÖZ Amaç: Bu çalışmada hemiplejik omuz ağrısında (HOA) kör ve stimülatör kılavuzluğunda, farklı supraskapular sinir blokajı (SSSB) uygulama yöntemlerinin birbirlerine üstünlüğü araştırıldı. Hastalar ve yöntemler:Eylül 2014 -Kasım 2014 tarihleri arasında yapılan bu çalışmaya katılma kriterlerini karşılayan 26 inme hastası (19 erkek, 7 kadın; ort. yaş 61.0±9.4 yıl; dağılım 53-76 yıl) dahil edildi. Hastalar randomize olarak iki eşit gruba ayrıldı. Grup A'daki hastalara kör SSSB, grup B'deki hastalara ise stimülatör kılavuzluğunda SSSB verildi. Eklem hareket açıklığı (EHA) (gonyometre ile) ve ağrı düzeyleri (görsel analog ölçeği-GAÖ ile) değerlendirildi. Ölçümler SSSB öncesinde, bir saat sonrasında ve bir hafta sonrasında yapıldı. Bulgular:Her iki grupta GAÖ ağrı skorlarında zamanla anlamlı olarak azalma (p<0.0001); fleksiyon ve abdüksiyon EHA açılarında (sırasıyla grup A: p=0.002 ve p=0.010; grup B: p=0.004 ve p=0.012) ise anlamlı artış gözlendi. Ek olarak grup B internal rotasyon EHA açılarında artış saptandı (p=0.036). Gruplar arasında, GAÖ ve EHA açıları bir saatlik ve bir haftalık değişim skorlarında anlamlı bir farklılık yoktu (p>0.05).Sonuç: Kör ya da stimülatör kılavuzluğunda yapılan supraskapular sinir blokajı tekniklerinin her ikisi de güvenli ve hemiplejik omuz ağrısı tedavisinde ağrının giderilmesinde etkilidir. Hiçbir enjeksiyon tekniği diğerinden üstün değildir.Anahtar sözcükler: Kör; hemiple...

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of shortwave diathermy in treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Design: The study was a double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting, participants: A total of 76 adult patients diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow clinically and electrophysiologically, were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients were evaluated at baseline, after completing treatment and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Physical examination, quick-DASH (disabilities of arm, shoulder, hand) and SF-36 (short form) questionnaires for daily life activities, dynamometer for grip strength, and visual analog scale for pain were used. Intervention: A total of 10 sessions of shortwave diathermy were applied to patients in treatment group as five sessions/week, 2 weeks. Control group was given placebo shortwave diathermy. Both groups were given elbow splints and informed to avoid symptom provoking activities. Main outcome measures: Visual analog scale, grip strength, SF-36, and quick-DASH results. Results: Out of 76 patients, 61 of them completed the study where n = 31 for treatment group and n = 30 for control group. Mean age was 46.18 ± 13.45 years. There were 32 (52.5%) women and 29 (47.5%) men. The p values between groups 3 months after intervention for visual analog scale, quick-DASH, SF-36 questionnaire, and dynamometer were 0.669, 0.277, 0.604, and 0.126, respectively ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Application of shortwave diathermy to patients with ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow was not associated with any difference in outcome.

Background/aim: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy in primary knee osteoarthritis. Materials and methods: Ninety patients between 40 and 65 years of age having grade 2 and 3 bilateral knee osteoarthritis enrolled in the study were randomly assigned into 3 groups: continuous ultrasound, pulsed ultrasound, and placebo ultrasound. All patients were given a home exercise program. Patients were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the treatment, and at the second month after the treatment by a range of motion measurement, visual analog scale, Lequesne index for knee osteoarthritis, and Short Form-36 quality of life scale. Results: The increase in the knee range of motion was similar in both ultrasound groups, while the change in the placebo group was not statistically significant. Visual analog scale scores and Lequesne scores of the placebo group at the second month were significantly greater than both ultrasound groups' scores (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Significant improvements in terms of pain, function, and quality of life scales were noted in both ultrasound groups in comparison with the placebo group. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of efficacy between the continuous and pulsed ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to investigate the differences between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke patients in terms of clinical and functional features.METHODS:Medical records of the patients with stroke were analyzed retrospectively. The patients’ demographic characteristics, stroke etiology, time interval after the event, comorbid illness and functional status were recorded.RESULTS:The stroke etiology was ischemia for 60 (36 male/24 female) (75%) patients, and haemorrhage for 20 (10 male/10 female) (25%) patients. Patients with ischemic stroke were classified as Group 1, and patients with hemorrhagic stroke were classified as Group 2. The mean age for Group 1 was 62.2±13.2, and 55.8±17.1 years for Group 2 (p=0.592). In Group 1, 33 (55%) patients, and in Group 2, 11 (55%) patients were primary school graduates (p=0.984). Localization of the lesion was in the right side for 33 (55%) patients in Group 1, and for 15 (75%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.372). The mean time interval after event for Group 1 was 7 months (0-211 days), and for Group 2 it was 14.5 (1-420 days) months (p=0.592). FIM score for Group 1 was 71.9±28.0, and 68.1±21.0 for Group 2 (p=0.575). The mean Brunnstrom score for upper extremity was 3.5 for Group 1, 3 for Group 2, (p=0.866), and for lower extremity, it was 3.5 for Group 1, and 3 for Group 2 (p=0.143). Spasticity was present in 45 (75%) patients in Group 1, and in 12 (60%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.311). In Group 1 51 (85%) of the patients and 18 (95%) patients had a history of comorbid disease (p=0.554).CONCLUSION:Etiology of stroke is thought to be not effective on the patient’s clinical and functional status.

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