Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by progressive joint damage leading to significant disability. Although rehabilitative treatment methods for KOA have been widely implemented, the optimal integrated instrumental physical therapy approach remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) on pain reduction as the primary outcome and the functional improvement in activity daily living (ADL) as a secondary outcome. The study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in an outpatient setting. Fifty-four (N = 54) patients were enrolled and then randomized into three groups according to a simple randomization list: Group 1 (intensive protocol, N = 22), Group 2 (extensive protocol, N = 21), and a Sham group (N = 11). Patients were evaluated over time with scales assessing pain and function. Treatment was performed with the QMR model electro-medical device, which generates alternating electric currents characterized by high frequency (4-64 MHz). The results showed that QMR had a positive effect with respect to the Sham group in terms of pain and function (p < 0.01), and intensive treatment was more effective than the extensive treatment in terms of \"speed of response\" to the treatment (p < 0.05). In conclusion, QMR in KOA could be effective in slowing the progression of clinical symptoms and improving patients\' pain and functionality and thus quality of life. Future studies will be necessary to investigate further treatment algorithms and therapeutic associations with rehabilitative exercise.

Objective  Radiographic evaluate if there are signs of early loosening of the cementless total knee arthroplasties Amplitude-Score® (Amplitude Surgical SAS, Valence, France), checking with a follow-up time ranging from 2 to 5.75 years (mean of 3.75 years). Methods  Descriptive longitudinal investigation of observational nature, non-comparative, through a static radiographic study of annual control, of a case series, in a single center, all operated on by the same surgeon (S.M.). All cementless arthroplasties that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria performed from March 2012 to October 2014 were included. Results  Among the 46 cementless knee arthroplasties evaluated in 40 patients, no radiographic signs of early loosening were verified. Conclusion  Cementless arthroplasty promotes optimal osteointegration, with no early release, and it is essential that the surgical technique is perfectly respected.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish Society of Rheumatology carried out the EPISER2000 study in 2000 to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases in the Spanish population. Recent sociodemographic changes and lifestyle habits in Spain justified updating the epidemiological data on osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases (EPISER2016-study).
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee and hand in the adult population in Spain.
METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based study. A multistage and stratified random cluster sampling was carried out. The participants were contacted by telephone to complete an osteoarthritis screening questionnaire. A rheumatologist confirmed or discarded the diagnosis. The ACR-clinical-criteria were used to diagnose hand-osteoarthritis and the ACR-clinical-radiological criteria to diagnose knee- and hip-osteoarthritis. To estimate the prevalence and its 95% confidence interval, weights were calculated according to the probability of selection in each of the sampling stages.
RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoarthritis in Spain in one or more of the locations studied was 29.35%. The prevalence of cervical-osteoarthritis was 10.10% and of lumbar-osteoarthritis 15.52%. Both are more frequent in women and at older ages, as well as in people with low levels of education and obesity. The prevalence of hip-osteoarthritis was 5.13%, that of knee-osteoarthritis 13.83%, these are associated with female sex, overweight and obesity. The prevalence of hand osteoarthritis was 7.73%. It is more frequent in women, who are obese, with a low educational level and who are older.
CONCLUSIONS: The EPISER2016 study is the first to analyse the prevalence of symptomatic osteoarthritis in 5 locations (cervical, lumbar, knee, hip and hands) in Spain. Lumbar spine osteoarthritis is the most prevalent.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of nuclear magnetic resonance therapy (MBST®) on the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) in the elbow joints of dogs. Methods: In this double-blind study, 28 dogs with lameness caused by OA in the elbow joint were randomly allocated to two groups: 14 dogs received nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) therapy [treatment group (TG)], and 14 dogs received a placebo [placebo group (PG)] over a period of 7 consecutive days. Visual and objective gait analyses were performed before treatment (M1) and at 3 (M2) and 6 months (M3) after treatment. At M2 and M3 Symmetry indices (SI) of the peak vertical force (PVFz) and the vertical impulse (IFz), lameness scores, and pain scores were compared with their values at M1 to calculate the overall treatment effectiveness (OTE) score. We also documented additional pain medication and medical physiotherapy during the time of study. Finally, we measured the range of motion (ROM) in order to evaluate the functional development of the joint. Results: The median OTE score of dogs in the TG indicates no change after 3 month and was improved after 6 months of treatment. There was an improvement of the median OTE score of dogs in the PG after 3 months of treatment. Further, the OTE scores of dogs in the PG were actually worse after 6 months. Nevertheless, there were no significance differences in SIPVFz, SIIFz, ROM, and lameness- and pain scores between the TG and PG at M1, M2, and M3. When considering all collected parameters (excluding the ROM) to calculate the OTE, no significant difference between groups was measurable for the OTE. Conclusion: There was a positive effect of NMR therapy (MBST®) on the treatment of OA in dogs. However, future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying NMR therapy and the pathophysiology of OA to provide optimal treatments for patients. Clinical Significance: Our results demonstrated that the response to NMR treatment was individualized for each dog. As an integral way of treating dogs with chronic OA, NMR therapy may be an alternative therapeutic approach to support traditional medications.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish Society of Rheumatology carried out the EPISER2000 study in 2000 to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases in the Spanish population. Recent sociodemographic changes and lifestyle habits in Spain justified updating the epidemiological data on osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases (EPISER2016-study).
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee and hand in the adult population in Spain.
METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based study. A multistage and stratified random cluster sampling was carried out. The participants were contacted by telephone to complete an osteoarthritis screening questionnaire. A rheumatologist confirmed or discarded the diagnosis. The ACR-clinical-criteria were used to diagnose hand-osteoarthritis and the ACR-clinical-radiological criteria to diagnose knee- and hip-osteoarthritis. To estimate the prevalence and its 95% confidence interval, weights were calculated according to the probability of selection in each of the sampling stages.
RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoarthritis in Spain in one or more of the locations studied was 29.35%. The prevalence of cervical-osteoarthritis was 10.10% and of lumbar-osteoarthritis 15.52%. Both are more frequent in women and at older ages, as well as in people with low levels of education and obesity. The prevalence of hip-osteoarthritis was 5.13%, that of knee-osteoarthritis 13.83%, these are associated with female sex, overweight and obesity. The prevalence of hand osteoarthritis was 7.73%. It is more frequent in women, who are obese, with a low educational level and who are older.
CONCLUSIONS: The EPISER2016 study is the first to analyse the prevalence of symptomatic osteoarthritis in 5 locations (cervical, lumbar, knee, hip and hands) in Spain. Lumbar spine osteoarthritis is the most prevalent.

BACKGROUND: First tarsometatarsal arthrodesis (modified Lapidus procedure) constitutes a sufficient treatment for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity and first ray instability. The plantar plate arthrodesis was shown to provide superior mechanical stability and less postoperative complications than screw fixation or dorsal plating. Nevertheless, the in-brought hardware may cause irritation of the tibialis anterior or peroneus longus tendon requiring explantation of the material in some cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of tendon irritation after plantar first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis in a cadaver study.
METHODS: Plantar plate arthrodesis was performed as in real surgery on twelve pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric feet. Two different plate systems were randomly allocated to each pair of feet. After plate fixation careful dissection of the feet followed to analyze potential tendon irritation and to determine a \"safe zone\" for plantar plate placement.
RESULTS: A \"safe zone\" between the insertion sties of tibialis anterior and peroneus longus tendon was found and proven to be sufficiently exposed using a standard medio-plantar approach. Both plates were fixed in this zone without compromising central tendon parts. Peripheral tendon parts were irritated in 42% using Darco Plantar Lapidus Plating System® (Wright Medical, Memphis, TN) and in 8% using the Plantar Lapidus Plate® (Arthrex, Naples, FL). Bending of the anatomically preshaped plates is often necessary to ensure optimal fit on the bone surface.
CONCLUSIONS: Modified Lapidus procedure with plantar plating of the first tarsometatarsal joint can be performed safely without compromising central tendon parts via standard medio-plantar approach.
METHODS: 5, Cadaver Study.

BACKGROUND: A series of studies has suggested some efficacy of glucosamine in arthrosis of the knee, but virtually no documentation exists regarding its effects on low back pain.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to examine whether a 12-week course of a glucosamine complex (GC) could benefit patients having low back pain despite a course of noninvasive physical therapy. In addition, we sought to delineate the subgroup of responders.
METHODS: This open-label, randomized, controlled study was conducted at the Division of Rheumatology and Physical Medicine, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. Male and female outpatients aged 40 to 80 years with low back pain (duration, ≥ 12 weeks; pain score on 10-cm visual analog scale [VAS] [0 = none to 10 = worst imaginable], ≥3 cm) despite noninvasive physical therapy (massage, stretching, heat application, and analgesics for ≥4 weeks) were included. Patients were randomly assigned to receive, in addition to conventional treatment (CT) (physical therapy plus analgesics/antiinflammatories), a GC (enriched with sulfonyl methane, silicon, and a botanical extract of Ribes nigrum) or CT alone (control) for 12 weeks. Pain at rest and on movement (effort) and early morning lumbar stiffness were measured every 4 weeks using the VAS. The primary end point was improvement in VAS score for pain at rest at 12 weeks. Two validated questionnaires were used to assess improvements in quality of life (QOL) (Oswestry Disability Questionnaire [ODQ] [10 items; scale: 0 = no disability to 60 = maximal disability] and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ] [24 items; scale: 0 = no disability to 24 = severe disability]). Responders were defined as patients who positively assessed the efficacy of the GC. At each visit, patients were also asked about possible adverse events.
RESULTS: Of 36 enrolled patients, 32 completed the study (18 men, 14 women; mean [SE] age, 64 [2] years; 17 in the GC group and 15 in the control group). Four patients were lost to follow-up. At week 4, changes from baseline VAS scores for pain at rest and lumbar stiffness were significantly greater in the GC group compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). At week 4, QOL was found to be improved, as measured using the ODQ, in the GC group compared with the control group (P = 0.028), but the between-group difference as measured using the RMDQ was not significant. The improvements from baseline on the questionnaires were sustained over the 12-week period in the GC group (all, P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal adverse effects were reported by 1 GC-treated patient and 1 patient in the control group, but neither patient withdrew from the study. Of the 17 GC-treated patients, 9 considered themselves responders, but the profile of a responder could not be delineated.
CONCLUSIONS: In this study in patients with low back pain, analgesic effect and improvement in QOL were found with the use of GC. GC was well tolerated.