Abstract Purpose: To evaluate a model for studying the toxicity in nervous tissue and meninges using ultrasound to guide needle insertion into the subarachnoid space of rabbits, with the objective of avoiding injuries triggered by the puncture and by intraneural injection of solutions. Methods: Forty-five adult female rabbits were divided into 3 groups (G): G1 underwent subarachnoid puncture, G2 underwent subarachnoid injection of saline solution and G3 underwent subarachnoid injection of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. A needle was inserted into the S1-S2 subarachnoid space guided by ultrasound. The sensitivity and motility of the animals were evaluated for 3 days, after which the animals were sacrificed for removal of lumbar and sacral portions of the spinal cord for histological examination by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results: All animals had motor function and pain sensitivity on the evaluation period. No animal had complication during or after the procedures. Conclusion: Ultrasound is a useful and safe method for the correct identification of the subarachnoid space of rabbits.

A Sacroileíte pode ser responsável por até 40% dos casos de dor lombar crônica.Objetivo Análise da eficácia da denervação por radiofrequência na articulação sacro-ilíaca em seis, doze e dezoito meses.Método Trinta e dois pacientes com diagnóstico de sacroileíte foram incluídos em estudo prospectivo. O prognóstico primário foi avaliado pela escala visual analógico (NRS). O prognóstico secundário foi avaliado pela escala de impressão global de mudança pelo paciente (PGIC).Resultados Melhora a curto prazo da dor foi observada, com redução media na NRS de 7,7 ± 1,8 para 2,8 ± 1,2 após 1 mês e para 3,1 ± 1,9 em 6 meses do procedimento (p < 0,001). Após 12 e 18 meses, o NRS manteve-se 3,4 ± 2,1 e 4,0 ± 2,7, respectivamente.Conclusão A denervação da articulação sacro-ilíaca por radiofrequência pode reduzir significativamente a dor em pacientes com sacroileíte.

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is responsible for up to 40% of all cases of lumbar back pain.Objective Report the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency denervation for sacroiliac joint pain at six, twelve and eighteen months.Method Third-two adults’ patients with sacroiliac join pain diagnosis were included for a prospective study. Primary outcome measure was pain intensity on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measure was Patient Global Impression of Change Scale (PGIC).Results Short-term pain relief was observed, with the mean NRS pain score decreasing from 7.7 ± 1.8 at baseline to 2.8 ± 1.2 at one month and to 3.1 ± 1.9 at six months post-procedure (p < 0.001). Long-term pain relief was sustained at twelve and eighteen months post-procedure, with NRS pain remaining at 3.4 ± 2.1 and 4.0 ± 2.7, respectively.Conclusion Radiofrequency denervation of the SIJ can significantly reduce pain in selected patients with sacroiliac syndrome.

Nos últimos anos, o desenvolvimento do esporte paraolímpico nacional e internacional tem estimulado maior participação dos portadores de deficiência em atividades desportivas, exigindo dos atletas incremento na intensidade e freqüência nos treinamentos e competições, o que impulsiona, ainda mais, os índices de lesões traumato-ortopédicas. Objetivou-se neste estudo de caráter descritivo-analítico verificar a prevalência de lesões traumato-ortopédicas em 82 atletas paraolímpicos selecionados de forma não probabilística intencional pertencentes às modalidades: natação = 37; tênis de mesa = 19; atletismo = 19; halterofilismo = 7, sendo 60 do sexo masculino e 22 do feminino, na faixa etária de 15 a 51 anos, participantes dos campeonatos mundiais nas referidas modalidades esportivas no ano de 2002. Utilizando-se como instrumento o prontuário médico do Departamento Médico do Comitê Paraolímpico Brasileiro preenchidos nesses eventos (técnica da observação através da história clínica - esportiva do atleta/anamnese (entrevistas com os atletas) e exame físico), os resultados revelaram prevalência de lesões nos atletas de atletismo (MMII = 64,9%, coluna = 19,3% e MMSS = 15,8%); halterofilismo (coluna = 54,5%, MMSS = 36,4% e MMII = 9,1%); natação (MMSS = 44,4%, coluna = 38,9 e MMII = 16,7%) e tênis de mesa (MMSS = 56%, coluna = 36% e MMII = 8%). Tais resultados nos permitem concluir que a prática esportiva de atletas paraolímpicos, pela intensidade de esforços na tentativa de superação, provoca lesões dessa natureza, o que recomenda diagnóstico e tratamento precoces, além de fortalecer as medidas preventivas dos atletas.

In the last few years, the development of national and international games for the physically challenged has encouraged greater participation of athletes with physical disabilities. This resulted in an increase in intensity and frequency of the training routines and competitions and higher levels of trauma-orthopedic lesions. The aim of this descriptive-comparative study is to analyze statistically the incidence of trauma-orthopedic lesions of 82 physically challenged athletes selected in a non intentional and no probalistic way. These athletes belong to various sports categories, as follows: swimming = 37, table tennis = 19, athletics = 19, power lifting = 7. Sixty are males, 24, females, they range in age from 15 to 51 and they all took part in the 2002 World Championship. Applying the medical records of the Brazilian Paraolimpic Committee medical department filled in at those events (the technique of observing the athlete clinical-sports files and medical examinations), the result showed a recurrence of lesions in athletes in the following sports: athletics (MMII = 64.9%, backbone 19.3% and MMSS = 15.8%; power lifting (backbone = 54.5%, MMSS = 36.4% and MMII = 9.1%); swimming (MMSS = 44.4%, backbone = 38.9% and MMII = 16.7%) and table tennis (MMSS = 56%, Backbone = 36% and MMII = 8%). Such results lead to the conclusion that the performing of sports of the physically challenged athletes, and also the intensity of the training routing to try to beat their previous marks and results, cause these kinds of lesion. In addition, it is important to reinforce the preventive measures to the athletes.