In this study, the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on cartilage was evaluated in a rat osteoarthritis (OA) model using serum biomarkers such as CTX-II (type II collagen degradation) and CPII (type II collagen synthesis) as well as histological criteria (Mankin score and immunohistochemical type II collagen staining). OA was surgically induced in the knee joint of rats by anterior cruciate/ medial collateral ligament transection and medial meniscus resection (ACLT þ MMx). Animals were divided into three groups: shamoperated group (Sham), ACLT þ MMx group without LIPUS (ÀLIPUS), and ACLT þ MMx group with LIPUS (þLIPUS; 30 mW/cm 2 , 20 min/ day for 28 days). CTX-II levels were elevated in both ÀLIPUS and þLIPUS groups compared to that in the Sham group after the operation, but there was no significant difference between þLIPUS and ÀLIPUS groups, suggesting that LIPUS does not affect the degradation of type II collagen in this model. In contrast, CPII was significantly increased in þLIPUS group compared to ÀLIPUS and Sham. Moreover, histological damage on the cartilage (Mankin score) was ameliorated by LIPUS, and type II collagen was immunohistochemically increased by LIPUS in the cartilage of an OA model. Of interest, mRNA expression of type II collagen was enhanced by LIPUS in chondrocytes. Together these observations suggest that LIPUS is likely to increase the type II collagen synthesis in articular cartilage, possibly via the activation of chondrocytes and induction of type II collagen mRNA expression, thereby exhibiting chondroprotective action in a rat OA model. ß

These observations demonstrate that ME-MILD is a safe and very effective minimally invasive technique for degenerative LSS, similar to MEL.

Calcification around the cervical spine is thought to be relatively rare case, among these conditions the calcification at the longus colli muscle is called retropharyngeal tendinitis and only several cases were reported in the literature. In this disease, the three characteristic clinical features are acute severe posterior neck pain without any trigger, severely restricted range of motion, and odynophagia. The radiographic findings include swelling of the retropharyngeal space and amorphous calcification anterior to C1-C2 in lateral view of the cervical spine. Diagnosis is established by sound history taking coupled with computed tomography (CT) scan of the affected area, treatment is the administration of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), for a few weeks and/or oral steroid. We present a new 3 cases (27, 35, and 24 years old, male) and review of literature.

To examine the relationship between Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), which is useful for determining the effects of therapy on lumbar spinal stenosis, and physical therapy evaluation. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 76 people who were diagnosed with stenosis and underwent surgery. Physical therapy evaluation was performed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), standing sagittal plane alignment, paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). The results were examined using multiple regression analysis. [Results] Factors influencing JOABPEQ were standing sagittal plane alignment and PCS. There was no strong association between 6MWT and VAS. [Conclusion] The need for a multifaceted physiotherapy evaluation during postoperative physiotherapy intervention was suggested.

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