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Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the main causes of disability and its frequent hip and knee joint localization requires surgical joint replacement treatment. Patients after total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty often show gait abnormalities, whose comprehension is crucial in order to plan an appropriate rehabilitative treatment. Wearable sensor devices can be a valid tool for gait assessment in clinical practice, being relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Research question Does the use of crutches influence the ability of a single inertial measurement unit (IMU), placed on the lower trunk, to correctly record the spatial-temporal gait parameters in patients after recent THA or TKA? Methods 20 patients walking with crutches after recent THA or TKA and 10 healthy subjects were recruited. Each participant was recorded simultaneously with an IMU and with an optoelectronic motion capture system during 5 consecutive walking tests. Results Intraclass correlation index of spatial-temporal parameters recorded with the IMU showed moderate to excellent reliability results both for healthy subjects (ICC range 0.626–0.897) and for patients (ICC range 0.596–0.951). In terms of concurrent validity, Pearson’s r coefficient of healthy subjects, showed strong to very strong levels of correlations for some spatial-temporal parameters (speed, mean cadence, left and right stride length and stride duration) (r range 0.646–0.977) and very week to moderately week levels of correlation for gait cycle phases (swing, stance, single support and double support) (r range 0.390–0.633). Patients’ data analysis showed similar results for general spatial-temporal parameters (r range 0.704–0.986) and slightly lower values for gait cycle phases (r range 0.077–0.464). Significance We can consider the single IMU as a reliable tool for the detection of some spatial-temporal gait parameters. Crutches seem to interfere with the detection of the gait cycle phases.

Turner syndrome, a chromosomal disorder caused by partial or complete absence of one of the two X chromosomes, is characterized by an increased incidence (compared with that in the normal population) of either autoimmune disorders, including chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, or angiodysplasia of the small intestine. Because ultrasonography and color Doppler ultrasound are widely used to investigate gastrointestinal disorders, we decided to carry out an ultrasound-based screening study in patients with Turner syndrome to determine whether this method might be useful in the follow-up of this population.La sindrome di Turner, patologia cromosomica dovuta a parziale o totale assenza di uno dei due cromosomi X, è caratterizzata da un’aumentata incidenza rispetto alla popolazione normale di malattie autoimmuni, tra cui le malattie infiammatorie croniche intestinali, e di angiodisplasie del tenue. In considerazione dell’attuale ampio utilizzo dell’ecografia e dell’ eco-color-Doppler nello studio diagnostico delle patologie gastrointestinali si è pensato di effettuare uno screening ecografico in una popolazione di pazienti affetti da sindrome di Turner per valutare l’utilità dell’inserimento di questa metodica nel loro follow up.

Objective. To describe a biochemical growth hormone (GH) deficiency and to evaluate therapeutic result in a six-year-old male with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).Methods. GH peak was evaluated after response to arginine and insulin. Bone age was evaluated according to Greulich and Pyle method.Results. The GH-supplementary therapy was very effective in terms of growth gain.Conclusion. The possibility of a growth hormone deficiency and treatment with GH in patients with BMD cannot be excluded, especially considering the good therapeutic response.