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16%
Synopsis: Fifty-two patients with symptomatic KL II–III knee osteoarthritis (OA) were randomized to receive platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (n=26) or corticosteroid (CS) (n=26).The primary outcome was change in VAS pain.Secondary outcomes were NPRS pain, KOOS JR, and WOMAC.Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months.Overall, the results of the study revealed that CS produced significantly larger pain reductions than PRP at 6 weeks and met MCIDs for both VAS and NPRS, whereas groups were similar by 3 months and showed comparable functional gains at both time points. These findings suggest... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
11%
Synopsis: Nine hundred fourty one patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were randomized to receive initial surgical decompression (n=470) or initial corticosteroid injection (n=471); further interventions were allowed in both arms as needed.The primary outcome was recovery at 18 months (CTS-6 <8).Secondary outcomes included time to recovery, serial CTS-6, upper-limb function (QuickDASH), palmar pain and pain-related limitation, global perception of recovery, satisfaction, additional treatments, and adverse events.Outcomes were assessed through 18 months at prespecified intervals.Overall, the results of the study revealed that 61% in the surgery group versus 45% in the injection group recovered, and median time to recovery was shorter with surgery (9.0 vs 18.0 months).Patients starting with surgery also had better 18-month QuickDASH, global recovery, and satisfaction, while palmar pain was more frequent early after surgery but comparable by later follow-up. These findings suggest... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
9%
Synopsis: Forty-two sport-active patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to low tendon compression rehabilitation (LTCR; n=20) or high tendon compression rehabilitation (HTCR; n=22).The primary outcome was VISA-A at 12 and 24 weeks.Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, return-to-sport, pain on hopping (VAS-HOP) and during ADLs (VAS-ADL), single-leg heel-raise repetitions, and ultrasound tendon thickness; outcomes were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks.Overall, the results of the study revealed larger VISA-A gains with LTCR at both 12 weeks and 24 weeks, alongside higher satisfaction and better pain metrics. In short, limiting... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
9%
Synopsis: Seventy-two patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis were randomized to receive extracorporeal shock‐wave therapy (ESWT)(n=36) or Low-Dye taping (LDT) with sham ESWT (n=36).The primary outcome of interest was pain (VAS).Secondary outcomes included FAOS subscales (Symptoms, Pain, Activities of Daily Living, Sport & Recreation, and Quality of Life).Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at six-week follow-up.Overall, the results of the study revealed significant within-group improvements in both arms for VAS and all FAOS subscales, with no between-group differences at any time point. The study concludes... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
4%
Synopsis: Two hundred fifteen patients with inflammatory knee osteoarthritis (OA) and MRI effusion-synovitis were randomized to methotrexate up to 15 mg weekly (n=108) or identical placebo (n=107).The primary outcome of interest was change in knee VAS pain and effusion-synovitis maximal area over 52 weeks.Secondary outcomes of interest included WOMAC (pain, stiffness, function, total), MRI effusion-synovitis volume, infrapatellar fat pad signal metrics, OMERACT-OARSI response, PHQ-9, SF-12, and structural MRI scores.Outcomes were assessed repeatedly to 52 weeks, with MRI at baseline and week 52. Overall, the results... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
4%
Synopsis: Ninety patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to acupuncture (n=30), sham acupuncture (n=30), or waiting list (n=30).Patients received twelve 30-minute sessions over 4 weeks.The primary outcome was response (≥2-point NRS reduction at week 4).Secondary outcomes included changes in NRS, WOMAC, STAI-S, and fMRI metrics: ALFF (resting-state spontaneous activity) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) centered on regions identified by ALFF.Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks.Overall, the results revealed higher response with acupuncture (85.2%) versus sham (52%) and waiting (13.6%), greater NRS improvement with acupuncture versus sham, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) ALFF decreases with both acupuncture and sham, stronger DLPFC–thalamus FC increases with acupuncture, and DLPFC–cerebellum FC decreases with sham. These findings suggest... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
3%
Synopsis: Seventy-five patients with isolated ACL rupture were randomized to bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB), single-bundle quadrupled hamstring tendon (HT), or over-the-top HT plus lateral extra-articular tenodesis (HT+LET) (n=25 per arm initially).At final assessment (mean 23.0±1.1 years), 61 completed PROMs, 37 underwent clinical testing, and 35 had radiographs.The primary outcomes were clinical failure/revision and long-term knee function; secondary outcomes included instrumented laxity (KT-1000; pivot-shift), and tibiofemoral/patellofemoral Osteoarthritis (OA) on standardized radiographs.Overall, the results of the study revealed no between-group differences for most PROMs; Tegner activity was slightly higher with HT+LET vs BPTB, AP laxity was lower with BPTB vs HT, and patellofemoral OA was more frequent after BPTB vs HT+LET.There were no differences in tibiofemoral OA or objective IKDC grades. In sum, all... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
3%
Synopsis: Sixty patients with primary knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive intra-articular ozone therapy at 40 µg/mL (n=20), 20 µg/mL (n=20), or oxygen as control (n=20).The primary outcome was pain reduction, measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and WOMAC pain subscale.Secondary outcomes included functional mobility (WOMAC function, FROM, TUG, and 6MWT).Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, two weeks, one month, and two months post-intervention.Overall, both ozone groups showed significantly greater reductions in pain and improvements in function compared to the control, with no significant differences between the two ozone concentrations. The findings suggest... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
3%
Synopsis: Thirty two patients with full-thickness posterosuperior rotator cuff tears were randomized to immobilization with an abduction neutral-rotation brace (n=16 analyzed) or a conventional arm sling (n=16).The primary outcomes were passive shoulder ROM (forward flexion, external rotation, internal rotation) measured serially; secondary outcomes were pain (VAS) and Constant–Murley Score (CMS).Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months.Overall, the results revealed better early ROM (e.g., forward flexion and external rotation at 3 months) and lower pain at 6 weeks with the brace, while 12-month ROM converged and CMS was only modestly higher in the brace group at 12 months. These findings suggest... Read More »
Level 1 RCT
3%
Synopsis: Five hundred thirty-five patients undergoing elective primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) were randomized to cutaneous closure with staples (n=268) or sutures (n=267).The primary outcome was SSI (<6 weeks).Secondary outcomes included prosthetic joint infection (PJI, <1 year), other wound complications (prolonged discharge, dehiscence, necrosis; <6 weeks), and length of stay.Outcomes were assessed during admission, at discharge, then at 2 weeks (removal), 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year.Overall, the results of the study revealed a higher—nearly significant—SSI rate with staples and a clearly higher rate of early wound complications, driven by prolonged discharge; PJI did not differ. These findings suggest... Read More »
Level 1 RCT