No abstract

Plantar heel pain is a commonly encountered orthopedic problem and is most often caused by plantar fasciitis. In recent years, different shapes of insole have been used to treat plantar fasciitis. However, little research has been focused on the junction stress between the plantar fascia and the calcaneus when wearing different shapes of insole. Therefore, this study aimed to employ a finite element (FE) method to investigate the relationship between different shapes of insole and the junction stress, and accordingly design an optimal insole to lower fascia stress.A detailed 3D foot FE model was created using ANSYS 9.0 software. The FE model calculation was compared to the Pedar device measurements to validate the FE model. After the FE model validation, this study conducted parametric analysis of six different insoles and used optimization analysis to determine the optimal insole which minimized the junction stress between plantar fascia and calcaneus. This FE analysis found that the plantar fascia stress and peak pressure when using the optimal insole were lower by 14% and 38.9%, respectively, than those when using the flat insole. In addition, the stress variation in plantar fascia was associated with the different shapes of insole.

Objectives Interleukin (IL)‐37 is a natural suppressor of innate inflammation. This study was conducted to explore the anti‐inflammatory effects of IL‐37 in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation. Materials and Methods The expression of IL‐37 in the TMJ was measured using ELISA and IHC. Human TMJ chondrocytes were treated with IL‐37b and IL‐1β, and inflammation‐related factors were detected. siRNA‐IL‐1R8 was transfected into chondrocytes, and the affected pathways were detected. IL‐37b was used in disc‐perforation‐induced TMJ inflammation in SD rats. Micro‐CT, IHC, real‐time PCR and histological staining were used to quantify the therapeutic effect of IL‐37b. Results IL‐37 was expressed in the synovium and the disc of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and in the articular cartilage of condylar fracture patients. IL‐37 was highly expressed in synovial fluid of patients with synovitis than in those with OA and disc displacement and was closely related to visual analogue scale (VAS) score. In vitro, IL‐37b suppressed the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors. In addition, IL‐37b exerted anti‐inflammatory effects via IL‐1R8 by inhibiting the p38, ERK, JNK and NF‐κB activation, while silencing IL‐1R8 led to inflammation and upregulation of these signals. In disc‐perforation‐induced TMJ inflammation in SD rats, IL‐37b suppressed inflammation and inhibited osteoclast formation to protect against TMJ. Conclusions IL‐37b may be a novel therapeutic agent for TMJ inflammation.

Posterolateral fusion with hemilaminectomy (preserved partial lamina, spinous process, and supraspinous and interspinous ligaments) was able to alleviate the stress concentration of the disc above the fusion mass in flexion.