There is potentially a broad range of patient populations in which ultrasound imaging (US) might be beneficial form of physiotherapy process support. Among them, the group of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is of great importance, as in this individuals the diaphragm dysfunction is frequently observed. Pulmonary physiotherapy often includes techniques which are intended to influence the diaphragm muscle but its anatomy does not allow for variety of techniques to assess function. Lack of easily available and reliable measures complicates outcomes interpretation and makes decision-making process difficult. A review of the electronic literature was conducted to identify studies related to the US assessment of physiotherapy process and its outcome in COPD patients. As a consequence, seven papers were identified. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the diaphragm excursion is US measure that is most often described in context of diaphragm-related physiotherapy in COPD patients. The methodology applied, however, varies greatly making it difficult to compare results. Thus, developing standards of outcome assessment methods and therapy monitoring systems which are supported by evidence should be of paramount importance. Future studies could also focus on identifying which components of physiotherapeutic diaphragm-targeted approach provide acceptable level of evidence.

Rehabilitation programs are considered effective at reducing the impact of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip; however, studies using reliable measures related to OA biomarkers to assess the effects of rehabilitation are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an MRI-based (Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based), semi-quantitative system for an OA severity assessment is feasible for the evaluation of the structural changes in the joint observed during a long-term physiotherapy program in patients with hip OA. The study group consisted of 37 adult OA patients who participated in a 12-month physiotherapy program. The Scoring hip osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI) system was used to evaluate the severity of structural changes related to hip OA. Hip disability and the osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS) and the core set of performance-based tests recommended by Osteoarthritis Research Society International were used for functional assessment. SHOMRI showed excellent inter- and intra-rater agreement, proving to be a reliable method for the evaluation of hip abnormalities. At the 12-month follow-up no statistically significant changes were observed within the hip joint; however, a trend of structural progression was detected. There was a negative correlation between most of the SHOMRI and HOOS subscales at baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Although SHOMRI provides a reliable assessment of the hip joint in patients with OA it showed a limited value in detecting significant changes over time in the patients receiving physiotherapy over a 12-month period.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the basis of an integrated treatment program for patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. Contributing to the reduction of dyspnoea and fatigue, increase in exercise tolerance and improvement in functional capabilities and emotional state, PR growths participation in social life, and reduces utilization of health care. Despite the scientifically proven benefits of its use, it is very often, for a variety of reasons, insufficiently exploited or even unavailable. The article presents a brief history of pulmonary rehabilitation and emphasizes the importance of developing PR programs. The aim of the paper is to increase interest in issues related to pulmonary rehabilitation, including its key element - physiotherapy and to persuade professionals dealing with the treatment of respiratory diseases, to implement this form of therapy and become familiar with the current international guidelines, that create foundation of pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

The patient with bacterial infection sequelae in the form of damage to cranial nerves III, IV, and VI was followed up. He had exhibited clinical and radiographic signs of paranasal sinusitis. Before his physiotherapy, the patient received standard treatment with natural and synthetic antibiotics and steroids. After acute signs of infection resolved without any functional improvement, the patient was referred to a rehabilitation unit to undergo neuromuscular re-education of the paralyzed extraocular muscles. Periorbital hydrocortisone iontophoresis and visuomotor exercises with intense ideomotor stimulation led to complete and rapid resolution of extraocular muscle paralysis and diplopia. Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment of choice after failed pharmacological treatment in patients with damage to cranial nerves III and VI. It has many theoretical advantages, including noninvasiveness and avoidance of first-pass metabolism of drugs administered systemically.

Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disease worldwide, generating enormous social and medical costs. In recent years, research shedding new light on the etiology and pathogenesis of osteoarthritis has been closely related to innovations in diagnostic imaging. Precise visualization of all joint structures affected by osteoarthritis is critical for early detection and assessment of the prognosis and response to treatment. The purpose of this paper is to present recent advances in the imaging of hip osteoarthritis.