Introduction: Calcaneal spur is a pathology of the fibrocartilage enthesis of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia or a pathology of the mixed enthesis of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. Ultrasound therapy is commonly applied in the conservative treatment of a calcaneal spur. Foot muscle strengthening exercises, stretching exercises and soft tissue therapy are indicated as effective methods of conservative treatment. The aim of the study was to compare and assess the effects of ultrasound therapy and selected techniques of manual therapy on pain level and functional state in patients with calcaneal spur. Material and methods: Twenty-two patients (14 females and 8 males) with calcaneal spur were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B) with different therapies administered. Group A was treated with ultrasound therapy combined with soft tissue therapy, while group B was subjected to manual therapy only. Results: Significant pain reduction and an increase in functional capacity were noted in all patients from both groups. No statistically significant differences between the groups were found in pain intensity following the therapies. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the relevance of using ultrasound and soft tissue therapies in the conservative treatment of calcaneal spur and prove the need to carry out further research on a larger sample size. These therapies brought about significant pain reduction retained over a period of 3 weeks. A series of 10 therapy sessions is enough to improve pain and functional capacity outcomes; however, it will never result in complete pain relief. A greater number of interventions might contribute to an increase in therapy effectiveness.

Introduction: Hip osteoarthritis manifests itself with pain, limitation of the range of motion, weaker muscles and pathological gait pattern. Total hip arthroplasty is a treatment of choice which leads to pain relief and improvement in patients' functioning. The aim of the work was to assess the influence of total hip arthroplasty on the reduction in patients' disability. Material and methods: The study group included 30 patients aged 62.53 ± 12.79. Mean body height was 168.03 ± 8.83 cm, while mean body mass was 78.47 ± 12.86 kg. Patients were examined twice, i.e. before the surgery and three months post surgery. In order to assess disability levels, two scales were applied, i.e. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and modified Harris Hip Score (HHS). Results: Total hip arthroplasty significantly reduced the patients' disability. Prior to the surgery, the mean results of HHS were at the level of 37.07 ± 14.47 points. After the surgery, the patients scored 74.93 ± 24.12 points. In WOMAC, the study participants scored an average of 61.7 ± 20.82 points before the surgery and 19.78 ± 26.31 points after the surgery. No correlations of the respondents' BMI and the duration of pain with the level of improvement resulting from the surgical treatment were noted either in HHS or in WOMAC. A positive correlation was found between the age of the respondents and the level of improvement in HHS. Conclusions: Total hip arthroplasty significantly reduced the patients' disability three months after the surgery. No correlations of the respondents' BMI and the duration of pain with the level of improvement in their physical fitness were noted.

Introduction: Low-back pain syndromes are a common problem. The authors estimate that this ailment is experienced by more than 80% of populations in developed countries. The treatment of spine pain syndromes is an interdisciplinary issue. Therefore, a proper therapy must be multifactorial and take into consideration all aspects of a patient's life. The aim of this work was to compare subjective evaluation of the process of rehabilitation of patients suffering from ailments related to lumbar spine pain who received physiotherapy within the health insurance reimbursement in Poland and in France. Material and methods: The study included 100 patients who underwent physiotherapy due to lumbosacral spine pain complaints. The study group consisted of 50 participants who received physiotherapy in Poland and 50 subjects who underwent it in France. The authors' own questionnaire was employed in the study. It was prepared in two language versions, i.e. Polish and French. The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions on demography, pain complaints, the process of physiotherapy and the evaluation of pain on the VAS scale, before and after physiotherapy. Results: The assessment of the promptness of the employed treatments was statistically higher in the case of the patients in France (p=0.039). The general assessment of the physiotherapy process by the examined patients in Poland and in France was similar. No statistically significant differences were revealed in this respect (p=0.240). The process of the therapy was most often regarded as very good (66%). Conclusions: The patients with chronic lumbar spine pain undergoing therapy in France evaluated it higher than the patients in Poland. The effectiveness of physiotherapy in both countries did not vary considerably. France respects the rules of early intervention and extensiveness of physiotherapy to a larger degree than Poland.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint disorders and affects a significant percentage of the elderly. Reflexology is a therapeutic method of applying appropriate compression technique to pressure points located, for instance, on feet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of foot reflexology treatment on pain and vitality level in persons with osteoarthritis. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on a group 20 individuals (16 women and 4 men) aged 41-76, who suffered from osteoarthritis. Two questionnaires (surveys), i.e. the NRS scale and the WOMAC questionnaire, were the research tools applied in the study. The study was conducted prior to the therapy and after a series of 8 sessions. Results: After the treatment, the researchers observed an improvement in average results obtained in the WOMAC questionnaire. Moreover, the respondents reported a reduction in pain intensity and improvement in functionality. The applied treatment effectively reduced the intake of pain medications by the surveyed individuals (p = 0.006). The respondents also reported improvement in the quality of sleep. Conclusions: According to the individuals surveyed, reflexology is an effective analgesic method, as a notable reduction in pain severity was observed. Reflexology increases the activity of patients and reduces the intake of pain medications.

Introduction: Despite the positive aspects of taking up physical activity, sport, in general, is inseparably associated with injuries, as well as straining or overloading of the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was to determine the functional state and injuries among young athletes practicing crosscountry skiing. Material and methods: A total of 65 individuals participated in the study. The test group consisted of 33 individuals practicing crosscountry skiing, while the control group consisted of 32 persons not involved in this sport. The study was divided into two stages. The first stage consisted of a survey in which participants completed a personal questionnaire and were asked to answer 17 questions. Next, the Funtional Movement Screen (FMS) test was carried out in both groups using a specialty devised assessment form. Results: The assessment of the risk of injury in both groups was similar, no statistically significant differences were found in this respect (p = 0.992). No statistically relevant relation was between the number of injuries sustained and the training experience of individuals in the test group (p = 0.056). There was no statistically significant relationship between the number of sustained injuries and the training experience of individuals included in the test group (p = 0.056), although this relationship was close to the threshold of statistical significance. Conclusions: Crosscountry skiing training had no significant effect on musculoskeletal injuries. The FMS test result did not correlate with previously sustained injuries. Individuals who adopted preventive training schemes were less likely to sustain injuries.