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Three topics are reviewed: iliopsoas bursitis (IPB), iliotibial band frictional syndrome (ITBFS), and Achilles tendinopathy. Although not frequently diagnosed, IPB may be more prevalent than what is commonly thought. Several excellent review articles are presented. Imaging studies are usually needed for confirmation of the diagnosis, and a report on magnetic resonance imaging is presented. Successful treatment of IPB with home exercise is reviewed. Because an increasing number of people are exercising, there is an increasing need to know the syndromes that can result from overuse, such as ITBFS. Several articles on the use of diagnostic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging to aid in the confirmation of this entity are reviewed; one article explores the pathology of ITBFS in a cadaveric study. In the section of the treatment of ITBFS the authors review one article on exercise and one on surgery. Use of ultrasound to aid in the diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy is reviewed, as well as risk factors related to developing it. Two articles on surgical treatment are reviewed.

This review highlights three areas: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The diagnosis and treatment of plantar fasciitis are reviewed; nonsurgical treatments remain the mainstay of management. Several recent articles support the use of night splints. Some novel treatments recently investigated, including low intensity laser irradiation and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, are reviewed, as well as the effectiveness of steroid injection. Novel treatments for Achilles tendinitis are also reviewed, including the use of injection therapy and the treatment approach of one author for the management of Achilles tendon rupture. Nonsurgical techniques in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as yoga, ultrasound, noninvasive laser neurolysis, manipulation, nerve and tendon gliding exercises, and medications, are reviewed. Prednisolone was shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate disease and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were found to be ineffective.

In this review, four areas are discussed: fluoroquinolone-induced tendinitis, volar flexor tenosynovitis (trigger finger), Achilles tendon lesions, and occupational medicine issues. The relationship of fluoroquinolone treatment to musculoskeletal lesions, especially Achilles tendinitis and tear, is most intriguing. The steady increase in reports of the association cannot be ignored. Although Achilles tendinitis and rupture have comprised the most frequently seen lesions, articles on additional sites of involvement, such as in lateral epicondylitis and De Quervain's tenosynovitis, are reviewed. Volar flexor tenosynovitis and trigger finger are among the most common musculoskeletal problems, and additional studies support the success of corticosteroid injections. Although the value of injections was reported well over 25 years ago, surgery is still unfortunately the first-choice treatment of some physicians. We review three studies on Achilles tendinopathy. In one of the reports, diagnostic ultrasonography is again demonstrated to be of value in assessing tendon lesions. The push to use the term tendinosis rather than tendinitis continues as a result of histologic studies of tendinitis that lack the usual findings of inflammation. However, the presence or absence of chemical inflammation is yet to be ascertained. We review an article that fails to show that work activities are the sole cause of such musculoskeletal syndromes as cumulative trauma or repetitive use. Further studies are needed in the area of work-related upper extremity disorders.

In this review, three areas are highlighted: knee injuries due to athletic events, carpal tunnel syndrome, and shoulder problems, especially glenoid labral tears. In patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency, an increasing incidence of meniscal tears was seen. A Finnish study showed that athletes from all types of competitive sports are at a slightly increased risk of requiring hospital care because of osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, or ankle. A number of studies on the electrodiagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome were published, and some of these are reviewed. The shoulder continues to be an intriguing but troublesome joint both to patients and physicians. A biopsy study of the subacromial bursa is reviewed, and several cases of suprascapular nerve entrapment were presented this year, again calling attention to this underrecognized entity. Finally, several articles on tears of the glenoid labrum are reviewed here, especially those focusing on the tear of the superior segment of the labrum from the anterior to the posterior aspects.

A growing interest in nonarticular rheumatic conditions has been shown recently by the large number of articles published on the subject. In this review, three nerve entrapment syndromes and problems of four tendons of the ankle region are covered. Suprascapular neuropathy is underrecognized and, in many cases, may be treated conservatively. Entrapment of the radial and ulnar nerves may be caused by a variety of conditions, some of which are unusual. Tenosynovitis and rupture of the tendons of the ankle region, including the posterior tibial, anterior tibial, peroneus longus, and Achilles tendons, are reviewed.

In the area of rehabilitation and biomechanics, several articles divided into five categories, including therapeutic heat, foot and ankle orthotics, exercise in elderly arthritis patients, muscle strengthening in rheumatoid arthritis, and arthroplasty and immobilization are reviewed. Superficial heat was demonstrated to increase intra-articular temperature, and therefore, may be detrimental. On the other hand, local deep microwave hyperthermia appears to have potential therapeutic benefits. The role and effectiveness of foot orthotic devices are reviewed. The problem and treatment of forefoot varus is emphasized. A new technique of measuring subpedal pressure in the shoe is presented, demonstrating reduced foot pressures by certain types of footwear. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis wee present in 23% of a nursing home population, but were a substantial factor for placement in only 15%. However, this group had higher pain scores, depended more on wheelchair use, and was more likely to have significant functional limitations. Exciting new data on strengthening the quadriceps in the frail elderly, whose mean age was 90.2 years, are reviewed. The relationship of quadriceps muscle strength and maximum voluntary strength as a function of age and gender and the effects of an endurance training program in 15 physically compromised nursing home residents is discussed. A static and a dynamic training program for rheumatoid arthritis patients were compared. The dynamic group significantly increased muscle strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity as compared to the static group, without any increase in disease activity. The results further showed that a home program was beneficial. Interesting data presented show that using a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer (Lumex, Bayshore, NY) test was reliable for normal control and for rheumatoid arthritis patients who were stronger.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)