Temperature Measurements in Rehabilitation in Patients with Completely Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament before and after RegentK and Physiotherapy

Knee skin temperature response of patients with bilateral patellofemoral syndrome before and after heat and cold stress

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is characterized by the presence of pain in the front area of the knee, which occurs when performing common activities such as climbing stairs, and bending the knees, among others. The objective of this research was to evaluate the detection capability of infrared thermography in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, in the baseline state, as well as after the application of thermal stress. The investigation was conducted in 48 patients, who were subdivided into four groups (n = 12). Two subgroups were healthy patients and two with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. For the diagnosis of the syndrome, a manual evaluation was performed using the Zohlen test and Q angle measurement. Subsequently, cold stress was applied for 10 min to a healthy subgroup and an experimental subgroup. The remaining two subgroups were subjected to heat stress for 15 min. Thermographic images of the lower extremities were acquired at seven time points, at baseline, immediately after application of thermal stress and then every 3 min until 15 min were completed. It was observed that patients presented Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome bilaterally. After statistical analysis, it was found that there were no significant differences in baseline temperature between the groups. However, for heat stress, a higher temperature was observed in the group with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (p < 0.05) in the recovery period, and in the case of cold stress, only a lower temperature in the left knee immediately after the application. In conclusion, it is not possible to detect patellofemoral syndrome bilaterally in the baseline state by thermography and neither is it evident in cold stress. However, after heat stress, thermal recovery is lower for the PFPS group, so it would be susceptible to detection.

What is known about the RegentK regenerative treatment for ruptured anterior cruciate ligament? A scoping review

Background

Conservative/regenerative therapy for cruciate ligament ruptures can be considered as primary treatment. However, nowadays, the first option is almost always only surgical, although studies on the efficacy of intervention exist in the literature.

Objective

This scoping review aimed to map and summarize the literature to identify interventions with RegentK treatment available for cruciate ligament ruptures.

Methods

Four databases were searched until May 2022. Studies that considered anterior cruciate ruptures treated with the RegentK method could be included. All interventions and contexts were considered. No restrictions were applied regarding language, study design, or publication type. No grey literature and reference lists of included articles were identified. Results were presented in numerical and thematic form.

Results

From 245 initial records, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and considered sports patients with cruciate ligament ruptures. The authors discuss only one range of interventions: conservative (n = 7); specifically, the conservative/regenerative RegentK treatment.

Conclusion

This is the first scoping review that provides a comprehensive overview of the topic. The results revealed clear gaps in primary research, confirming that current management is based on surgery. This review may be useful for overall management and may provide a starting point for future research.