OBJECTIVES: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition in postmenopausal women, with an increasing prevalence due to aging. Some women experience POP recurrence after surgical treatment, significantly affecting their physical and mental health. The uterosacral ligament is a critical pelvic support structure. This study aims to investigate the molecular pathological changes in the uterosacral ligament of postmenopausal women with recurrent POP using transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: Transcriptomic data of uterosacral ligament tissues were obtained from the public dataset GSE28660, which includes samples from 4 postmenopausal women with recurrent POP, 4 with primary POP, and 4 without POP. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between recurrent POP and both primary and non-POP groups. Further analysis included intersection analysis of DEGs, gene ontology enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), single-sample GSEA, and xCell immune cell infiltration analysis to explore molecular pathological changes in recurrent POP. Additionally, histological and molecular differences in the uterosacral ligament were compared between simulated vaginal delivery (SVD) rat models with and without ovariectomy. RESULTS: Compared with primary POP and non-POP groups, recurrent POP exhibited activation of adipogenesis and inflammation-related pathways, while pathways related to muscle proliferation and contraction were downregulated in the uterosacral ligament. Nine key DEGs (ADIPOQ, FABP4, IL-6, LIPE, LPL, PCK1, PLIN1, PPARG, and CD36) were identified, with most enriched in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. These genes were significantly correlated with lipid accumulation, monocyte infiltration, and neutrophil infiltration in the uterosacral ligament. Urodynamic testing revealed that the bladder leak point pressure was significantly higher in ovariectomized SVD rats, both of which had higher values than the sham group. Masson staining showed pronounced adipogenesis in the uterosacral ligament of ovariectomized SVD rats, along with reduced collagen and muscle fibers compared to the sham and non-ovariectomized SVD groups. Furthermore, real-time RT-PCR confirmed significantly elevated expression of key DEGs, including ADIPOQ, IL-6, PCK1, and PLIN1, in the uterosacral ligaments of ovariectomized SVD rats. CONCLUSIONS Adipogenesis and inflammation in the uterosacral ligament may contribute to its reduced supportive function, potentially leading to recurrence POP in postmenopausal women.
Female ; Humans ; Ligaments/pathology* ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/metabolism* ; Postmenopause ; Animals ; Rats ; Adipogenesis/genetics* ; Recurrence ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Ovariectomy ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Aged ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can be defined as an ectopic ossification in the tissues of spinal ligament showing a hyperostotic condition. OPLL is developed mostly in the cervical spine and clinical presentations of OPLL are majorly myelopathy and/or radiculopathy, with serious neurological pathology resulting in paralysis of extremities and disturbances of motility lowering the quality of life. OPLL is known to be an idiopathic and multifactorial disease, which genetic factors and non-genetic factors including diet, obesity, physical strain on the posterior longitudinal ligament, age, and diabetes mellitus, are involved into the pathogenesis. Up to now, surgical management by decompressing the spinal cord is regarded as standard treatment for OPLL, although there might be the risk of development of reprogression of ossification. The molecular pathogenesis and efficient therapeutic strategy, especially pharmacotherapy and/or preventive intervention, of OPLL has not been clearly elucidated and suggested. Therefore, in this review, we tried to give an overview to the present research results on OPLL, in order to shed light on the potential pharmacotherapy based on molecular pathophysiologic aspect of OPLL, especially on the genetic/genomic factors involved into the etiology of OPLL.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Drug Therapy ; Extremities ; Ligaments ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Obesity ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Paralysis ; Pathology ; Quality of Life ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine

Acute lateral ankle sprain, which is the most common musculoskeletal injury, can be treated effectively with appropriate evidence-based initial care using PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and functional rehabilitation. Many systemic reviews reporting a high-level of evidence supporting the clinical usefulness and necessity of primary surgical repair for acute lateral ankle sprain have been insufficient. Regardless of the severity of ligament complex injuries, the surgical treatment for acute lateral ankle sprain without concomitant pathologies is not recommended and should be considered only in young professional athletes with complete ligament rupture (grade III) and severe instability.
Ankle Injuries* ; Ankle* ; Athletes ; Humans ; Ice ; Ligaments ; Pathology ; Rehabilitation ; Rupture ; Sprains and Strains

OBJECTIVE: Cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can be treated via anterior or posterior approach, or both. The optimal approach depends on the characteristics of OPLL and cervical curvature. Although most patients can be successfully treated by a single surgery with the proper approach, renewed or newly developed neurological deterioration often requires repeat surgery.METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with renewed or newly developed neurological deterioration requiring salvage surgery for multi-segment cervical OPLL were enrolled. Ten patients (group AP) underwent anterior approach, and 17 patients (group PA) underwent posterior approach at the initial surgery. Clinical and radiological data from initial and repeat surgeries were obtained and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS: The intervals between the initial and repeat surgeries were 102.80±60.08 months (group AP) and 61.00±8.16 months (group PA) (p < 0.05). In group AP, the main OPLL lesions were removed during the initial surgery. There was a tendency that the site of main OPLL lesions causing renewed or newly developed neurological deterioration were different from that of the initial surgery (8/10, p < 0.05). Repeat surgery was performed for progressed OPLL lesions at another segment as the main pathology. In group PA, the main OPLL lesions at the initial surgery continued as the main pathology for repeat surgery. Progression of kyphosis in the cervical curvature (Cobb’s angle on C2–7 and segmental angle on the main OPLL lesion) was noted between the initial and repeat surgeries. Group PA showed more kyphotic cervical curvature compared to group AP at the time of repeat surgery (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The reasons for repeat surgery depend on the type of initial surgery. The main factors leading to repeat surgery are progression of remnant OPLL at a different segment in group AP and kyphotic change of the cervical curvature in group PA.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; Pathology ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies

Chronic lateral ankle instability is a major complication of acute ankle sprains, which can cause discomfort in both daily and sports activity. In addition, it may result in degenerative changes to the ankle joint in the long term. An accurate diagnostic approach and successful treatment plan can be established based on a comprehensive understanding of the concept of functional and mechanical instability. The patients' history and correct physical examination would be the first and most important step. The hindfoot alignment, competence of the lateral ligaments, and proprioceptive function should be evaluated. Additional information can be gathered using standard and stress radiographs. In addition, concomitant pathologic conditions can be investigated by magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative rehabilitation composed of the range of motion, muscle strengthening, and proprioceptive exercise is the main treatment for functional instability and mechanical instability. Regarding the mechanical instability, surgical treatment can be considered for irresponsible patients after a sufficient period of rehabilitation. Anatomic repair (modified Broström operation) is regarded as the gold standard procedure. In cases with poor prognostic factors, an anatomical reconstruction or additional procedures can be chosen. For combined intra-articular pathologies, arthroscopic procedures should be conducted, and arthroscopic lateral ligament repair has recently been introduced. Regarding the postoperative management, early functional rehabilitation with short term immobilization is recommended.
Ankle Injuries ; Ankle Joint ; Ankle* ; Collateral Ligaments ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Joint Instability ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mental Competency ; Pathology ; Physical Examination ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Sports

Ankle disorders are a relatively common pathological condition, and ankle injuries account for approximately 14% of sports-related orthopedic emergency visits. Various imaging modalities can be used to make a diagnosis in cases of ankle pain; however, ultrasound (US) has several benefits for the evaluation of ankle pain, especially in the tendons, ligaments, and nerves of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to review the common causes of ankle pathology, with particular reference to US features. In addition, the importance of a dynamic evaluation and a stress test with US is emphasized.
Ankle Injuries ; Ankle Joint* ; Ankle* ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Exercise Test ; Ligaments ; Orthopedics ; Pathology ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of sex-hormonal changes in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among post-menopausal women through measuring estrogen receptor (ER) expression in their transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and serum estrogen level, as well as determine the correlation between these factors and electrodiagnostic parameters and Boston score. METHODS: Biopsy samples of TCL were collected from 12 postmenopausal women who had undergone surgery for severe idiopathic CTS; control specimens were collected from 10 postmenopausal women without CTS who had undergone surgery for the other hand pathologies. To determine the distributions of ER in TCL, histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Serum estrogen level was also measured. Electrodiagnosis and Boston questionnaire were used for CTS severity and determination of the patients' function. RESULTS: ER expression in TCL and serum estrogen level were not significantly different in the case group compared to the control group (P = 0.79 and P = 0.88, respectively). Also, there was no correlation between ER expression or serum estrogen level and electrodiagnostic parameters or Boston score. CONCLUSIONS: Sex hormones cannot still be considered as the etiology of idiopathic CTS in postmenopausal women. The role of other factors such as wrist ratio and narrower outlet in females compared to the males should be considered along with hormonal changes.
Biopsy ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Electrodiagnosis ; Estrogens ; Female* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Male ; Pathology ; Wrist

PURPOSE: There has been few published on arthroscopy of metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) despite increasingly being used worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopy for pathologies around MCPJ of the thumb. METHODS: Between September 2007 and June 2015, 56 patients (56 thumb) who underwent arthroscopy of the MCPJ were retrospectively studied. Preoperative diagnoses, which were made through physical examination, plain radiograph, stress radiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance images (MRI), were compared with arthroscopic findings. Therapeutic arthroscopic surgeries were performed according to the needs of each patient. Functional outcomes were assessed with physical examination as well as disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score and Michigan Hand outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) score at an average 7.3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Six patients who suspected with collateral ligament injuries in MRI confirmed different diagnoses under arthroscopy. At final follow-up, the mean range of flexion contracture of the MCPJ was 5°, and the mean range of further flexion was 52.7°. Grip and pinch strength averaged 87.2% and 79.3% of contralateral side. Mean DASH and MHQ score were improved from 48.1 and 44.6, preoperatively to 14.9 and 26.3, postoperatively (p<0.001, p=0.012, respectively). All patients were satisfied with their outcomes at final follow-up, except 4 patients who noted joint stiffness or chronic pain around the thumb. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that arthroscopy is helpful for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of acute and chronic painful MCPJ of the thumb. However, further studies are needed to expand the applications of arthroscopy of MCPJ of the thumb.
Arm ; Arthroscopy* ; Chronic Pain* ; Collateral Ligaments ; Contracture ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Joints ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint* ; Michigan ; Pathology ; Physical Examination ; Pinch Strength ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Thumb* ; Ultrasonography

The recent development of advanced high-resolution transducers has enabled the fast, easy, and dynamic ultrasonographic evaluation of small, superficial structures such as the finger. In order to best exploit these advances, it is important to understand the normal anatomy and the basic pathologies of the finger, as exemplified by the following conditions involving the dorsal, volar, and lateral sections of the finger: sagittal band injuries, mallet finger, and Boutonnière deformity (dorsal aspect); flexor tendon tears, trigger finger, and volar plate injuries (volar aspect); gamekeeper's thumb (Stener lesions) and other collateral ligament tears (lateral aspect); and other lesions. This review provides a basis for understanding the ultrasonography of the finger and will therefore be useful for radiologists.
Collateral Ligaments ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fingers* ; Pathology ; Tears ; Tendons ; Thumb ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography* ; Upper Extremity ; Palmar Plate

Ligamentum flavum (LF) is yellowish ligament tissue connecting the lamina of adjacent vertebra. Degenerative changes in the spine cause the hypertrophy of LF and facet joint and disc bulging and herniation. These changes results in a narrowing of the spinal canal. Neural decompression surgery by removing the hypertrophied lamina, LF and disc pathologies has been considered as successful treatment method in lumbar spinal stenosis. This surgery has showed relatively satisfactory clinical results and has increased life-expectancy in elderly patients. However, issues about post spinal surgery syndrome and re-stenosis after the surgery also have been reported. Because LF is one of the main mechanisms of spinal stenosis, accurate understanding about pathologic mechanism on the LF hypertrophy may suggest alternative treatment methods such as medical treatment or less invasive treatment than surgical decompression can be considered. Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum is generated from increase of collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, and fibrosis caused by 1) the expression of growth factors (TGF-beta1 etc.) stimulated by the repeated mechanical tension, 2) inflammatory cytokines from spinal facet joint structure and LF 3) delayed cell death, and 4) inflammatory cytokine from hypertrophied and degenerated LF itself. After the middle ages, gradual and partial inhibition of LF hypertrophy can be expected by administration NSAIDs or selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors because these drugs may cause reduction of the increased cytokines. Also, relaxin can be another new treatment material for spinal stenosis by the mechanism of melting hypertrophied LF and reducing synthesis of collagen.
Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cell Death ; Collagen ; Cytokines ; Decompression ; Decompression, Surgical ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Freezing ; Humans ; Hypertrophy* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Ligaments ; Ligamentum Flavum* ; Pathology ; Relaxin ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Zygapophyseal Joint