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Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability and joint pain. Although other risk factors of knee OA have been identified, how physical activity affects incident knee OA remains unclear.Using data from the first (1999-2004) and second (2005-2010) followup periods of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project study, we tested the association between meeting physical activity guidelines and incident knee outcomes among 1,522 adults ages ≥45 years. The median followup time was 6.5 years (range 4.0-10.2 years). Physical activity at baseline (moderate-equivalent physical activity minutes/week) was calculated using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire. Incident knee radiographic OA (ROA) was defined as the development of Kellgren/Lawrence grade ≥2 in a knee at followup. Incident knee symptomatic ROA (sROA) was defined as the development of ROA and symptoms in at least 1 knee at followup. Weibull regression modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for interval-censored data.In multivariable models, meeting the 2008 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) physical activity guidelines (≥150 minutes/week) was not significantly associated with ROA (HR 1.20 [95% CI 0.92-1.56]) or sROA (HR 1.24 [95% CI 0.87-1.76]). Adults in the highest level (≥300 minutes/week) of physical activity had a higher risk of knee ROA and sROA compared with inactive (0 to10 minutes/week) participants; however, these associations were not statistically significant (HR 1.62 [95% CI 0.97-2.68] and HR 1.42 [95% CI 0.76-2.65], respectively).Meeting the HHS physical activity guidelines was not associated with incident knee ROA or sROA in a cohort of middle-aged and older adults.

A case of calcifying tendinitis of the insertion of the gluteus maximus tendon is presented. Plain-film roentgenograms showed amorphous calcific densities extending from the posterior border of the femur. Computed tomography showed cortical erosion associated with the calcified mass. The patient responded well to needle lavage and injection with local anesthesia and corticosteroids. Fifteen-month follow-up roentgenograms showed resolution of the calcification. Recognition of this entity may make a workup and a biopsy unnecessary.

To characterize serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels by age and gender for a radiographically defined population free of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to examine the potential utility of COMP as a diagnostic biomarker for knee OA.Serum samples and knee and hip radiographs were obtained at a baseline evaluation as part of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, a population-based study of OA in rural North Carolina. A total of 291 Caucasian participants were randomly selected for COMP analysis, 143 patients with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] gradeor = 2) and 148 controls with neither hip nor knee OA (K/L grade 0), evenly distributed by age and gender. COMP was quantified by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal antibody 17-C10. The natural log-transformed COMP data were analyzed using general linear models.Serum COMP levels were significantly elevated (P = 0.0001) in the ageor = 65 group (mean +/- SD 1,302.1 +/- 496.7 ng/ml) versus the age 45-54 and age 55-64 groups (1,058.1 +/- 432.4 and 1,038.6 +/- 313.3, respectively). Serum COMP levels of the OA group were significantly higher than those of the control group (1,208.57 +/- 487.47 ng/ml versus 1,061.83 +/- 370.58 ng/ml; P = 0.0093). Serum COMP levels also increased significantly with knee OA K/L grade (P = 0.0047), knee OA laterality (P = 0.0043), and number of knee and hip joints involved (P = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in serum COMP levels by gender or obesity.We demonstrate that in a population-based sample, serum COMP levels can distinguish an OA-affected subgroup from an unaffected subgroup and can reflect disease severity and multiple joint involvement in OA.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of six months of heavy resistance training (weightlifting) on the bone density of premenopausal women.A 6-month prospective design with random assignment to groups.Measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) were obtained from the Radiology Clinic at North Carolina Memorial Hospital. Exercise sessions were completed in the Physical Education Department facilities at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.Thirty-five premenopausal women, 40-50 years of age, were randomly assigned to either a resistance training (RT) and sedentary control (CON) group. The study finished with 12 women exercising and 14 in the control group.The resistance training consisted of three days per week of high-intensity weightlifting specifically designed to place strain on the spine and hips.Bone density of the lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck, and distal radius, were determined prior to and at the end of the exercise program using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Resistance-training produced strength gains: overhead press = 125%, leg press = 86%, and calf raises = 91% (p0.001). RT tended to increased lumbar BMD 1.03%, while the CON decreased 0.36% (p = 0.072). Both groups lost radial BMD (CON = -0.45%; RT = -1.04%). Both groups gained femoral neck BMD (CON = 1.26%; RT = 1.22%).These results suggest that even a short-term weight training program can either maintain or improve the BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae in premenopausal women.

In this study, the performances of stacked niobium/aluminum and molybdenum/aluminum filters were compared to that of a standard 2.5 mm aluminum filter. The molybdenum/aluminum filter had the same performance characteristics as the niobium/aluminum filter but was less expensive. The study results show that the molybdenum/aluminum filter should be a good filter choice for facilities embracing ALARA principles.

Reducing patient exposure while maintaining image quality is key to radiographers. In a comparison study of different filters, the authors found that a combined niobium/aluminum filter provides substantial reduction of entrance skin exposure with fairly small increases in tube loading and little loss of image contrast.

Florid reactive periostitis is a rare, benign process usually occurring in the small, tubular bones of the hands and feet. Typically the lesion occurs in an adolescent or young adult and presents as a small area of pain and erythema over the affected bone. Although the histologic features may suggest malignancy, there is usually little radiographic evidence to support such a diagnosis. In the following report an unusual example of this entity is described whose large size and relentless local progression led to initial diagnostic uncertainty and eventual aggressive management. This case suggests that a wide spectrum of radiologic and morphologic changes may be seen in this entity and that a seemingly unrelated genetic disease may alter the typical clinical course.