3Shortwave Diathermy Enhances Ankle Dorsiflexion More Than Stretching Alone
Journal of Athletic Training (2002) · S. E. Peres, D. O. Draper, K. L. Knight, M. D. Ricard
This study investigated the effects of pulsed shortwave diathermy (PSWD) combined with stretching on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Forty-four college students were divided into four groups: control, stretching alone, diathermy plus stretching, and diathermy plus stretching followed by ice. Over 14 sessions spanning three weeks, participants receiving diathermy and stretching demonstrated significantly greater ROM improvements compared to those stretching alone. The benefits persisted even six days after treatment concluded, indicating that PSWD enhances the long-term effects of stretching on flexibility.
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17Infrared Laser Improves Collagen Organization in Muscle & Tendon Tissue
Photomedicine and Laser Surgery (2018) · S.M.L. Terena, K.P.S. Fernandes, S.K. Bussadori, et al.
This study examined the effects of infrared laser therapy (LLLT) on collagen deposition and organization in muscle and tendon tissue during compensatory overload in rats. After the removal of synergist muscles, animals were divided into control, hypertrophy, and hypertrophy + LLLT groups. Infrared laser therapy (780 nm, 40 mW) was applied daily. At 7 days, treated muscles showed increased collagen content and better fiber organization. At 14 days, collagen levels decreased in muscle, while tendon fibers remained well-organized. These findings suggest that LLLT helps regulate collagen remodeling, potentially aiding recovery from muscle overload.
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29Surgery Does Not Improve Long-Term Outcomes in Degenerative Meniscus Tears
British Journal of Sports Medicine (2020) · Raine Sihvonen, Mika Paavola, Antti Malmivaara, Ari Itälä, Antti Joukainen, Juha Kalske, Heikki Nurmi, Jaanika Kumm, Niko Sillanpää, Tommi Kiekara, Aleksandra Turkiewicz, Pirjo Toivonen, Martin Englund, Simo Taimela, Teppo L N Järvinen
This 5-year follow-up of the FIDELITY randomized, placebo-surgery controlled trial assessed the long-term effects of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) in 146 adults with degenerative medial meniscus tears. Compared to placebo surgery, APM showed no benefit in knee symptoms, function, or pain reduction, but was associated with a slightly higher risk of radiographic knee osteoarthritis. The findings suggest that APM does not offer long-term advantages and may accelerate joint degeneration in this population.
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68NSAIDs Impair Rotator Cuff Tendon-to-Bone Healing
American Journal of Sports Medicine (2006) · Cohen DB, Kawamura S, Ehteshami JR, Rodeo SA
This controlled laboratory study investigated whether common anti-inflammatory drugs interfere with rotator cuff healing. 180 rats underwent rotator cuff repair surgery and were given either indomethacin (a traditional NSAID), celecoxib (a COX-2 inhibitor), or no medication for 14 days. Both drug groups showed significantly impaired tendon-to-bone healing compared to the control group, with reduced tissue formation and weaker repair strength. The findings indicate that NSAIDs, while commonly prescribed for pain relief after injury or surgery, can actively interfere with the body's ability to heal rotator cuff tendons, supporting the concern that these medications may do more harm than good during recovery.
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79COX-2 Inhibitors Impair Soft Tissue Healing While Nonselective NSAIDs May Not
JBJS Reviews (2019) · Ghosh N, Kolade OO, Shontz E, Rosenthal Y, Zuckerman JD, Bosco JA, et al.
This scoping review examined 44 studies to evaluate the effects of NSAIDs on the healing of musculoskeletal soft tissues including ligaments, tendons, labrum, and meniscus. The findings reveal an important distinction between types of NSAIDs. The majority of studies, including 1 of 2 human studies, 10 of 14 animal studies, and 3 of 3 in vitro studies, demonstrated that COX-2-selective inhibitors (such as celecoxib) had a negative impact on soft tissue healing. In contrast, the majority of studies showed that nonselective COX inhibitors (such as ibuprofen) had no negative effect on the healing of labrum, tendons, and ligaments. In vitro studies showed that NSAIDs generally have a harmful effect on the biological processes involved in tendon healing, including tenocyte proliferation and collagen synthesis. This study supports the nuanced position that not all NSAIDs affect healing equally. The anti-inflammatory properties of nonselective NSAIDs may benefit conditions involving tendons, ligaments, and cartilage where inflammation increases reinjury risk, while COX-2 selective inhibitors should be avoided during healing. These findings highlight the importance of understanding which specific medication a patient is taking and how it may interact with their recovery from a soft tissue injury.
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34Risk Factors Affecting Chronic Rupture of the Plantar Fascia
Foot & Ankle International (2014) · Ho Seong Lee, Young Rak Choi, Sang Woo Kim, Jin Yong Lee, Jeong Ho Seo, Jae Jung Jeong
This retrospective comparative study analyzed 286 patients with plantar fasciitis to identify risk factors associated with chronic rupture of the plantar fascia. Among the 35 patients who experienced a rupture, 33 had received corticosteroid injections, indicating a strong association between steroid use and rupture risk. The study concluded that corticosteroid injections should be administered cautiously due to the significantly higher risk of plantar fascia rupture.
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40Platelet-Rich Therapies for Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Injuries
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2014) · Moraes VY, Lenza M, Tamaoki MJ, Faloppa F, Belloti JC.
This Cochrane systematic review assessed the effects of platelet-rich therapies in treating musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries, including ligament, muscle, and tendon injuries. The review included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing PRP with placebo, autologous whole blood, dry needling, or no treatment. The analysis found insufficient evidence to support the use of platelet-rich therapies for improving healing or functional outcomes in soft tissue injuries.
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47Diffusion of Contrast Agents in Cartilage Under Static Compression
Biophysical Journal (2014) · Xia Y, Grondin M, Lakin BA, Stok KS, et al.
This study investigated the effects of static compression on nutrient transport in articular cartilage using MRI and CT contrast agents. The results showed that compression significantly reduced the diffusion of both small and large solutes into cartilage. The findings support the conclusion that sustained mechanical pressure can impair nutrient access and overall cartilage health, providing a mechanistic basis for how static loading may contribute to tissue dysfunction or injury.
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61Immobilization After Rotator Cuff Repair Is as Effective as Early Motion
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (2014) · Keener JD, Galatz LM, Stobbs-Cucchi G, Patton R, Yamaguchi K
This randomized controlled trial compared early range of motion versus immobilization (delayed motion for 6 weeks) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in 124 patients. At 12 to 24 months follow-up, there were no significant differences in functional scores, active motion, shoulder strength, or tendon healing rates between the two groups. Both groups achieved a 92% healing rate. The only advantage of early motion was slightly better elevation and rotation at 3 months, which disappeared by later follow-up. These findings indicate that resting the injury after repair does not compromise healing, and that early exercise provides no meaningful advantage over a period of immobilization.
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72Rotator Cuff Tears Increase With Age and Are Often Asymptomatic
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (2014) · Teunis T, Lubberts B, Reilly BT, Ring D
This systematic review pooled data from 30 studies encompassing 6,112 shoulders to determine how common rotator cuff abnormalities are across different age groups. The researchers found that rotator cuff tears become increasingly common with age, rising from 9.7% in people aged 20 and younger to 62% in those aged 80 and older. Crucially, a high percentage of these tears were found in people with no symptoms at all, suggesting that many rotator cuff tears exist without causing pain. The prevalence of asymptomatic tears was high enough that the authors concluded rotator cuff degeneration should be considered a normal aspect of human aging, making it difficult to determine when a tear is new or the actual cause of symptoms.
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