Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation is a well-established intervention for rehabilitation of clinically stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study investigated feasibility and safety of this method during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We included 19 patients (71 ± 6 years, 76% men) who underwent two sessions/day during hospitalization (15 ± 1 training sessions). They reported good tolerability and excellent safety profile of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation. Our results set the stage for future research to determine specific benefit of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation, either alone or in combination with nutritional support and pharmacological therapy.

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Background: Although a rare complication, septic arthritis (SA) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has potentially devastating consequences for the knee joint. Purpose: To prospectively analyze, at a mean 4-year follow-up, subjective, clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings between patients with SA and those with no septic complication after ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Of 2006 ACL reconstructions performed between 2004 and 2014, a total of 20 patients experienced SA. All patients were treated with arthroscopic irrigation and graft-retaining debridement immediately after diagnosis and at least 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment. After the exclusion process, 18 patients were included in the SA group and 20 in the control group. At final follow-up at a mean 48 months, a physical examination, KT-1000 arthrometer laxity test, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity score, and International Knee Documentation Committee radiographic score were completed and then compared with preoperative data. The Boston-Leeds Osteoarthritis Knee Score was used for MRI evaluation at final follow-up to note chondral changes. Results: No significant differences between the SA and control groups were observed in pre- and perioperative variables that could indicate a higher incidence of early osteoarthritis (OA). Although range of motion and knee stability were not significantly different between the groups at final follow-up, the Lysholm score (mean ± SD, 79.8 ± 13.1 vs 90.9 ± 8.6; P < .01) and Tegner score (6.0 ± 1.1 vs 7.0 ± 1.4; P = .03) were significantly lower in the SA group as compared with the control group. MRI evaluation at final follow-up demonstrated a significantly higher degree of early knee OA in the SA group versus the control group. However, no differences in the degree of OA were seen on plain radiographs at final follow-up between the groups. Conclusion: MRI evaluation provided signs of worsened chondral state in the SA group, which could be associated with reduced functional outcome and return to sports. In contrast to radiograph analyses, MRI was excellent at distinguishing damage to the cartilage and can be useful in early follow-up evaluation of patients with SA after ACL reconstruction.

An elbow's bony impingement is an early x-ray sign of a degenerative process in the elbow joint. Formatted osteophytes in the anterior and posterior compartment of the elbow change the elbow geometry and cause an early deficit in the elbow's range of motion. Because it has a devastating impact on athletes and manual laborers, it has to be recognized and treated early. To do so, a reliable diagnostic method is a necessity. In our study we introduced and tested the radiographic parameters that can be used when diagnosing, pre-operative planning and post-operative evaluating the bony impingement of an elbow.