The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on plantar fasciitis documented by the ultrasonographic appearance of the aponeurosis and by patients' pain scores. Thirty individuals with diagnosis of unilateral plantar fasciitis were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, but 25 participants completed the therapeutic protocol. The contralateral asymptomatic fascia was used as control. After enrolment, symptomatic individuals were randomly assigned to receive LLLT, or identical placebo, for 6 weeks. Ultrasonography was performed at baseline and after completion of therapy. The subjective subcalcaneal pain was recorded at baseline and after treatment on a visual analogue scale (VAS). After LLLT, plantar fascia thickness in both groups showed significant change over the experimental period and there was a difference (before treatment and after treatment) in plantar fascia thickness between the two groups. However, plantar fascia thickness was insignificant (mean 3.627 +/- 0.977 mm) when compared with that in the placebo group (mean 4.380 +/- 1.0042 mm). Pain estimation on the visual analogue scale had improved significantly in all test situations (after night rest, daily activities) after LLLT when compared with that of the placebo group. (P=0.006 and P=0.01, respectively). Additionally, when the difference in pain scores was compared between the two groups, the change was statistically significant (after night rest P=0.000; daily activities P=0.001). In summary, while ultrasound imaging is able to depict the morphologic changes related to plantar fasciitis, 904 nm gallium-arsenide (GaAs) infrared laser may contribute to healing and pain reduction in plantar fasciitis.

Dysgenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare vascular disorder with a variety of different grades (agenesis, aplasia, and hypoplasia). The left internal carotid artery is reported to be affected by dysgenesis three times more often than the right one. Most of the patients with dysgenesis of the internal carotid artery are asymptomatic. We report a case of a patient with right internal carotid artery agenesis presented to our hospital as transient ischaemic attack. CT scans at skull base level with bone settings showed absence of the right carotid canal, consistent with congenital agenesis of the internal carotid artery. MR imaging of the brain revealed signal void of the intracranial portion of right internal carotid artery. Maximum intensity projection reconstruction confirmed the agenesis of the right ICA, with the right middle cerebral artery fed through a dilated posterior communicating artery and the right anterior cerebral artery supplied by the anterior communicating artery (fetal type of collateral flow). In patients with agenesis of the internal carotid artery non-invasive imaging techniques are currently the mainstay of diagnosis.

Lateral ankle sprains account for 15% to 45% of all sports related injuries. Although often considered minor, they can lead to persistent disability in athletes and long term complications. Over the last decade, several studies have provided the opportunity to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Range of Motion is an important physical characteristic in athletes in terms of performance and injury prevention. Goniometry is an easy and cheap method to assess active ankle range of motion (AROM) to establish normative values. We assessed AROM in elite track and field athletes.During 1999-2011, we measured bilaterally the Ankle AROM with the knee extended during an in-season period with a plastic double-arm goniometer in 137 Elite Greek Track and Field Athletes.Male runners (dominant leg=70.90, non dominant leg=70.60) and jumpers(dominant leg=70.90, non dominant=70.90) had a higher mean AROM than throwers (dominant leg=69.20, non dominant=68.60).Female jumpers had a higher mean AROM(dominant leg=73.20, non dominant=72.30 than both runners(dominant leg=69.60, non dominant=69.50) and throwers (dominant leg=69.1, non dominant=69.50) Br J Sports Med 2013;47:e3 31 of 39

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on low back pain documented by history, clinical examination, MRI findings of the Lumbar Spine and patients' pain scores. 39 individuals with diagnosis of low back pain were enrolled in randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, but 32 participants completed the therapeutic protocol. After enrolment, symptomatic individuals were randomly assigned to receive LLLT, or identical placebo, for 6 weeks. MRI was performed at baseline of therapy. The subjective low back pain was recorded at baseline and after treatment on a visual analogue scale. After LLLT, low back pain in both groups showed significant change over the experimental period and there was a significant difference (before treatment and after treatment) in discogenic back pain between the two groups. Pain estimation on the visual analogue scale had improved significantly in all test situations (after night rest, daily activities) after LLLT when compared with that of the placebo group. Additionally when the difference in pain scores was compared between the two groups the change was statistically significant. In summary, while MRI findings are able to depict the morphologic changes related to discogenic back pain, 905 nm gallium-arsenide infrared laser may contribute to healing and pain reduction in discogenic low back pain.

The purpose of the study was to measure Achilles tendon thickness in elite track and field athletes and to investigate any difference between dominant and non-dominant lower limb. Ultrasound examination of Achilles tendons was performed in 20 elite track and field athletes (12 males, 8 females; age range, 18–28 years). A control group of 20 healthy individuals, age and sex matched, was used. The thickness of the Achilles tendons was measured in the transverse plane at the level of the medial malleolus. True tendon thickness was evaluated and it was defined as thickness perpendicular to the greatest width of the tendon. For each participant, the Achilles tendons were measured by two operators. Mean Achilles tendon thickness was 5.37±0.78 mm in elite athletes and 4.66±0.65 mm in the control group. Mean thickness of the Achilles tendon in elite track and field athletes was significantly greater than mean thickness in healthy individuals (p=0.003). A significant result was also depicted between athletes and control groups in dominant lower limbs (athletes, 5.46±0.93 mm; control group, 4.71±0.57 mm, p=0.024) and in non-dominant limbs (athletes, non-dominant limb, 5.28±0.64mm; control, 4.47±0.74 mm; p=0.039). In addition no significant difference was observed in mean thickness of Achilles tendon between dominant and non-dominant limbs (p=0.454) in elite athletes as well as control individuals. Our outcome implies that Achilles tendon thickness is increased in elite track and field athletes.