The application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a treatment for different orthopaedic conditions has experienced a rapid increase over the last several years. However the mechanism of action and the therapeutic effect is not clear. The aim of this study was to review the literature about the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, lateral epicondylitis, shoulder painful disorders and non-union fractures. Only randomized controlled studies published in the last 5 years were retrieved from electronic database and manual search. Results on efficacy of ESWT are controversial. Studies that have claimed therapeutic benefit did not fulfill scientific criteria and controlled randomized trials were not able to confirm significant improvement after treatment with ESWT.

Falls are the leading accidental cause of death among elderly people in their homes. Falls and their consequences are the primary reason in 40% of admissions to hospitals for people older than 65 years. The study population consisted of 77 randomly selected patients of both genders older then 65 years. Each patient was tested in his/her home and was completely informed about the methodology and the goals of investigation. Based on the exclusion criteria, three patients were excluded from the study, which means the investigation was conducted on 27 males (35.06%) and 50 females (64.94%) with the average age being 71.23 +/- 5.63 years. For each patient, a specially prepared questionnaire about risk factors was filled in. The sum of affirmative answers represented a relative index of fall risk. All patients were evaluated through Folstein's Mini-Mental State Examination Test that is suitable for on-sight use in patient's home. The score value over 20 excludes dementias, delirium, schizophrenia and affective disorders. Considering the values of the risk factor, scores obtained by the questionnaire and MMSE test scores, statistically significant differences were found between males and females (p < 0.005, respectively p < 0.01), "fallers" and "non-fallers" (p < 0.001, respectively p < 0.01), while considering the relation to the way of living (alone or with family), there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05).

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a group of overlapping disorders, which may have different aetiology but similar biological, morphologic and clinical outcome. In osteoarthritis, process will not encompass the joint cartilage only, but the entire joint, including sub-hondral bone, ligaments, capsule, and sinovial membrane and surrounding muscles. Osteoarthritis is a multi-factor disorder of sinovial joints, which occurs as result of mechanical and biological factors, which destabilise normal hondrocyte function, partitioning of cartilage, extra-cellular matrix and sub-hondral bone. The earliest changes, which are restricted to the joint cartilage surface only, do not cause any subjective feeling. The pain in arthrosis occurs (or re-occurs) a bit later, Diagnosis will be determined based on clinical exam as well as signs and symptoms present. Symptomatic and functional treatment of osteoarthritis as one of rheumatic disorders must be taken throughout years, sometimes throughout a lifetime. It encompasses application of many medications and physical therapy procedures.

Combination of insulin and metformin has been shown to improve glycaemic control in clinical trials, particularly in obese patients with diabetes type 2. Insulin therapy can improve function of pancreatic beta cells and periphery insulin activity in target cells in order to enhance glycaemic homeostasis (1, 2, 3). In our study we included obese patients with diabetes type 2 in the early stage of the disease. The study is partially retrospective and partially prospective. The study encompassed 40 patients split in two groups. The first group of 20 patientsreceived insulin therapy combined with metformin, while the patients of the second group were treated with oral antidiabetic drugs, sulfonylureas and metformin. Three months later, the group treated with insulin and metformin showed improvement in the monitored parameters, namely significant reduction in HbA1c (p = 0.003), MFBG (p = 0.0009), PPG (p = 0.028). Insulin therapy administered together with metformin, in obese patients with diabetes type 2, in the early stage of the disease, resulted in well regulated fasting blood glycaemia, as well as post challenge glycaemia and HbA1c.