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Preoperative planning is important for the osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures. Challenges arise for patients presenting with bilateral wrist injuries or a history of contralateral wrist injuries. In such cases, the estimation of the distal radius morphology and the determination of the plate size from the preoperative physical characteristics could prove beneficial. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the physical characteristics and the morphology of the distal radius articular surface. A total of 79 wrist computed tomography (CT) images (41 women and 38 men) were evaluated. Physical characteristics, such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), were recorded. Three-dimensional CT analysis was performed to investigate the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the distal radius. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationships between height, weight, and BMI and the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the distal radius. A moderate to strong correlation was found in the overall analysis between body height and transverse diameter (r = 0.66). There were also moderate correlations between body height and anteroposterior diameter (r = 0.45) as well as weight and transverse diameter (r = 0.41), both of which were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate a statistically significant correlation between height, weight, and morphology of the distal radius. When analyzed by sex, the correlation between body height and the transverse diameter of the distal radius was found to be relatively strong in women (r = 0.47, p = 0.002), suggesting that it could be a useful indicator for preoperative planning, such as estimating plate size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of exercise training (ET) and inspiratory muscle-loaded exercise training (IMLET) on ventilatory response and intercostal muscle deoxygenation levels during incremental cycling exercise. Methods: Twenty-one male participants were randomly divided into IMLET (n = 10) or ET (n = 11) groups. All participants underwent a 4-week cycling exercise training at 60% peak oxygen uptake. IMLET loaded 50% of maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax). Respiratory muscle strength test, respiratory muscle endurance test (RMET), resting hypoxic ventilatory responsiveness (HVR) test, and incremental cycling test were performed pre- and post-training. Results: The extent of improvement in the PImax was significantly greater in the IMLET group (24%) than in the ET group (8%) (p = .018), and an extended RMET time was observed in the IMLET group (p < .001). Minute ventilation (${\dot V_E}$V˙E) during exercise was unchanged in both groups before and after training, but tidal volume during exercise increased in the IMLET group. The increase in the exercise intensity threshold for muscle deoxygenation was similar in both groups (p < .001). HVR remained unchanged in both groups post-training. The exercise duration for the incremental exercise until reaching fatigue increased by 7.9% after ET and 6.9% after IMLET (p < .001). Conclusion: The 4-week IMLET improved respiratory muscle strength and endurance but did not alter HVR. Respiratory muscle deoxygenation was alleviated by exercise training, with a limited impact of inspiratory load training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eccentric contractions of the wrist extensors worsen lateral epicondylitis (LE), whose pathophysiology may involve sex differences in wrist torque. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in wrist torque in patients with LE. The wrist extension and flexion torques of 22 patients with LE (11 males and 11 females) were measured. Maximum muscle output over time was measured for 20 s, initial torque was defined as muscle strength, and the degree of eccentric contraction was quantified and defined as the eccentric contraction index (ECI). The affected/unaffected side ratio of the wrist extensor, extensor/flexor ratio of muscle strength, and affected/unaffected side difference of ECI between sexes were statistically analyzed. Furthermore, correlations between wrist extensor torque, ECI, and Visual Analog Scale of pain during the examination were evaluated. Females were found to display lower affected/unaffected side ratios of the wrist extensor and wrist extension/flexion ratios for the affected side, compared with males; however, no differences were found in the wrist extension/flexion ratios for the unaffected side in both sexes. Additionally, females presented with larger differences between the affected and unaffected sides in the ECI. Based on correlations between wrist torques, ECI, and pain, females tended to suppress muscle output to prevent pain from eccentric contraction of wrist extensors more than males, which would induce an imbalance in muscle strength of the wrist extensors and flexors. This imbalance may result in chronic eccentric contraction of the wrist extensors with gripping, exacerbating LE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-field screening for 'elbow injury in baseball', a condition commonly seen in youth baseball players, was conducted over two years on 160 elementary school students in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This on-field screening was conducted in collaboration with the Ibaraki Prefecture High School Baseball Federation. Pitchers, catchers, symptomatic players, and players who had previously experienced elbow pain were given a comprehensive evaluation that included a physical exam and ultrasound. Out of the 135 students who were successfully screened, 10 were diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum (OCD). Notably, seven among these were asymptomatic. This assessment identified limited range of motion and pain when extending their elbow as significant risk factors for OCD. An attempt at on-field screening for baseball elbow injuries in collaboration with the local baseball federation was introduced. The risk factors for OCD were identified. Considering these factors, more efficient screening will be possible in the next attempt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study investigated the relationships between the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) and physical characteristics in patients with unilateral symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, results of electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), and median nerve CSA at the level of the wrist crease were recorded in 81 patients with CTS who presented with symptoms on only one side. Correlation coefficients between median nerve CSA and physical characteristics, disease duration, and results of EDX were analyzed. Results: Median nerve CSA at the wrist crease (mm2) was significantly larger on the symptomatic side (14.1 ± 3.8) than on the asymptomatic side (11.5 ± 2.9). Median nerve CSA correlated with body weight (correlation coefficient = 0.39) and BMI (correlation coefficient = 0.44) on the asymptomatic side, but not on the symptomatic side. These correlations were slightly stronger in females (correlation coefficient = 0.46) than in males (correlation coefficient = 0.40). No correlations between median nerve CSA and disease duration and the results of EDX were observed in both sides. Conclusions: In patients with unilateral symptomatic CTS, median nerve CSA correlated with BMI only on the asymptomatic side. The present results suggest that the relationship between median nerve CSA and BMI in CTS is significant until symptom onset but may be masked by edema and pseudoneuroma after its onset. A higher BMI is associated with a larger CSA of the median nerve, which may be a risk factor for the development of CTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of throwing-related elbow injuries is still rising. The study aimed to enhance the pathology of acute medial elbow injuries among young Little Leaguers by examining the medial elbows of symptomatic 9–10 years old Little Leaguers using High-Definition Magnetic Resonance Images (HDMRI), which uses a small-diameter surface coil on the target area, leading to greater image resolution. We identified Little Leaguers aged 9–10 years old. To minimize the detection of the chronic adaptative changes, players who experienced the medial elbow pain previously and whose HDMRI had not been taken within 4 weeks from the onset of medial elbow pain were excluded. This study considered 21 players, and the mean age was 9.4 ± 0.5 years. The fragmentation of the medial epicondyle apophysis via HDMRI was found in 15 elbows (71.4%), while the avulsion was seen in three cases. The signal hyperintensity at the medial epicondyle apophysis was observed in 2 cases. Our data showed abnormal changes to the medial epicondyle apophysis and surrounding structures, such as the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), flexor-pronator tendons or the coronoid process of the ulna. We detected 11 abnormalities on X-ray imaging, while 20 subjects showed some abnormal findings via HDMRI. The current study showed that initial medial elbow injury in Little Leaguers without a history of previous elbow injury could be attributed to multi-structure injury. Over 90% of subjects were injured in the perichondrium, while 71.4% demonstrated a fragmentation of the secondary ossification center, and 14.3% experienced an avulsion of the medial epicondyle apophysis. Because the injuries were not limited to bony structures, HDMRI may be beneficial for the appropriate evaluation of medial elbow pain. The pathology of initial medial elbow injuries in young baseball players may be due to acute trauma instead of repetitive microtrauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]