[Purpose] Osteoarthritis is a chronic and degenerative joint disease and is considered to be one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. This study evaluated the differences in the quality of life of females treated with supervised physiotherapy and a standardized home program after unilateral total knee arthroplasty. [Subjects and Methods] From January 2012 to May 2015, a total of 40 females were examined at the Central Military Hospital in Ruzomberk, Slovakia. Quality of life was assessed with the Short Form-36. Quality of life and intensity of pain after normal daily activity, according to the visual analog scale, were assessed before total knee arthroplasty, immediately after physiotherapy, 3 months after total knee arthroplasty, and 6 months after total knee arthroplasty. [Results] We found statistically significant improvement of the quality of life results and a decreased intensity of pain at each time point compared with before total knee arthroplasty. [Conclusions] The results of this study provide further evidence indicating that patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis of the knee can achieve a significant improvement in the quality of life by using supervised physiotherapy compared with a standardized home program.

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Introduction. Osteoporosis is currently the most common bone disease affecting a significant part of the population. The occurrence of this disease increases with the increasing average life expectancy. One should not forget that prevention is the key component to avoid osteoporosis and one of the most important parts of the prevention are lifestyle, eating habits, adequate intake of minerals and appropriate physical activity. Along with the pharmacologic treatment, appropriate physical activity is proved to significantly mitigate the negative effects of the disease. The aim of this study is to expand the knowledge about patients´ awareness of osteoporosis and provide recommendations for physical activity for patients with osteoporosis. Methods. We approached patients suffering from osteoporosis (n=96), 78 female patients, and 18 male patients. The average age of the participants was ±65. Our research was conducted at specialized outpatient clinics in eastern Slovakia. For data collection, we used a non-standardized questionnaire that was part of the questionnaire battery explicitly designed for this research. We focused on the basic information about the health conditions including patients´ awareness of the appropriate physical activity with regard to their diseases. Based on these findings we suggested a set of recommendations for the performance of physical activity for patients suffering from osteoporosis. Results. Our findings show that 73 % of patients were informed about their health condition and most patients receive this information from their primary care physicians. 45 % of the respondents received information about the appropriate physical activity in treating osteoporosis from their primary care physicians and 22 % from the nursing staff. 21 % of respondents were not interested in any information regarding physical activity. 57 % of the patients in our sample spend leisure time gardening and 76 % of respondents spend leisure time doing household chores. Further leisure time activities included shopping (45 %) and reading (36 %). Watching TV and computer-related activities were identified by 34 % of respondents and 10 % of respondents performed recreational physical activity, especially hiking and walks. Conclusion. Most respondents received information about their diagnosis and physical activity from their physicians, nursing staff, or media. It is encouraging that patients were aware of the appropriate physical activity and they also try to learn about it through various information channels, however, only a small number of patients in our sample perform specific physical activity in their leisure time.

Acquired adult flatfoot is a three-dimensional deformation, which consists of hindfoot valgus, collapse of the longitudinal arch of the foot and adduction of the forefoot. The aim of the work is to present problems related to etiology, biomechanics, clinical diagnostics and treatment principles of acquired flatfoot. The most common cause in adults is the dysfunction of the tibialis posterior muscle, leading to the lack of blocking of the transverse tarsal joint during heel elevation. Loading the unblocked joints consequently leads to ligament failure. The clinical image is dominated by pain in the foot and tibiotarsal joint. The physical examination of the flat feet consists of: inspection, palpation, motion range assessment and dynamic force assessment. The comparable attention should be paid to the height of the foot arch, the occurrence of “too many toes” sign, evaluate the heel- rise test and correction of the flatfoot, exclude Achilles tendon contracture. The diagnosis also uses imaging tests. In elastic deformations with symptoms of posterior tibial tendonitis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, short-term immobilization, orthotics stabilizing the medial arch of the foot are used. In rehabilitation, active exercises of the shin muscles and the feet, especially the eccentric exercises of the posterior tibial muscle, are intentional. The physiotherapy and balneotherapy treatments, in particular hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and laser therapy, are used as a support. In advanced lesions, surgical treatment may be necessary, including plastic surgery of soft tissues, tendons, as well as osteotomy procedures.