Background and Objectives: Lumbar disk herniation with radiculopathy (LDHR) is a prevalent neuromusculoskeletal condition characterized by nociceptive and neuropathic pain components. Manual therapy (MT) is commonly used in its management, whereas Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) represents an emerging modality with limited evidence in radiculopathy. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term effects of combining MT with FMS compared with MT alone on pain intensity, neuropathic pain features, neural mechanosensitivity, and functional disability in individuals with chronic LDHR. Materials and Methods: Forty adults with MRI-confirmed unilateral LDHR were randomly allocated to an MT + FMS group or an MT-only group. Both groups received ten treatment sessions over three weeks. Outcomes included lumbar and leg pain intensity (NPRS), functional disability (RMDQ), neuropathic pain symptoms (S-LANSS), and straight leg raise (SLR) range of motion. Measurements were obtained at baseline and at week 3. Group and time effects were examined using a two-way mixed ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant group × time interactions were observed for all outcomes (p < 0.01), indicating greater improvements in the MT + FMS group. Reductions in lumbar and leg pain, disability, and S-LANSS scores exceeded established MCID thresholds, while SLR gains surpassed published MDC values, reflecting both statistical and clinical relevance. Only the MT + FMS group improved below the neuropathic pain diagnostic cutoff (S-LANSS < 12). Conclusions: The findings of this trial suggest that incorporating FMS into a manual therapy program may provide additional short-term clinical benefits for individuals with chronic LDHR. Further research with larger samples, longer follow-up periods, and mechanistic assessments is needed to confirm these preliminary results and to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

Fractures of the proximal extremity of the femur are some of the most common injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons, often associated with life-threatening polytrauma. Trochanteric fractures have an increased incidence, which is becoming more common due to the aging population. Femoral neck fractures are a particular type of intracapsular hip fracture, and the location of the junction makes the femoral neck prone to fracture. Fractures of the femoral shaft are found in approximately 6-9% of cases of femoral neck fractures. The management of these fractures is interdisciplinary, but in most cases, it requires surgical treatment to allow rapid elevation and recovery of autonomy. The present study is retrospective in which 140 cases of fracture of the upper femur extremity collected at the trauma department of Naousa and Kilkis Hospital over 4 years from December 2018 to December 2022 were analyzed, processed, and reviewed with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The purpose of this article is to analyze the frequency of various types of fractures of the proximal extremity of the femur and to identify the etiological factors that contribute to these injuries, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of these traumatic events to treat them. The study showed that there is a preponderance of trochanteric fractures, with an increased frequency in the 75-89 age group and a predominance of femoral neck fractures in women, mainly caused by falls. External surgical approaches, standard gamma nail, and bipolar treatment had "excellent/good" functional results reflecting the success of the surgical interventions. The high frequency of anatomical reductions underlines the attention paid to the quality of the procedures.

Study aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare inter-limb differences in isokinetic peak torque (PT), hop performance, and dynamic balance in soccer players 24 months post-ACLR, and secondarily to examine associations between PT and functional test performance. Methods: Twenty-four soccer players who had undergone ACLR 24 months prior were assessed. Isokinetic PT of the knee extensors and flexors was measured at 60, 180, and 300°/s. Functional performance was evaluated using the single hop for distance, the 30 s side hop (SH), and the Y-balance test (YBT). Paired-samples t -tests assessed inter-limb differences; Pearson correlation analysis SHD examined associations between PT and functional outcomes. Results: Significant inter-limb differences were found in knee extensor PT at all velocities and in flexor PT at 60°/s. Mean inter-limb differences ranged from 10.25 to 17.08 Nm for knee extensors and were 7.54 Nm for knee flexors at 60°/s (Cohen’s d = 0.45–0.65). No differences were found in hop or YBT scores. A substantial portion of participants did not meet the symmetry threshold for isokinetic strength or SH performance. SH performance was significantly associated with extensor and flexor PT at specific velocities, while extensor PT was also associated with selected YBT directions and the composite score. Conclusions: In this sample of male soccer players, strength asymmetries may persist 24 months post-ACLR, although group-level differences in hop and YBT performance were not observed. SH and selected YBT outcomes may complement, but not replace, isokinetic evaluation.

Background: Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion may be relevant to postural control and mobility, but its relationship with fall history in older adults remains insufficiently examined. This study compared weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion between older adults with and without a history of falls and examined associations with balance, functional mobility, concern about falling, and faller status. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 72.6 ± 5.4 years; 62.2% women), comprising 45 fallers and 45 non-fallers classified by self-reported fall history during the previous 12 months. Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT); balance, mobility, and concern about falling were assessed using Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques (FICSIT-4), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the Greek Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Results: Fallers had lower bilateral mean WBLT values than non-fallers (7.1 ± 2.0 vs. 9.4 ± 2.1 cm, p < 0.001). Greater bilateral mean WBLT distance was associated with higher FICSIT-4 scores (r = 0.47), shorter TUG times (r = −0.52), and lower FES-I scores (r = −0.44; all p < 0.001). Bilateral mean WBLT distance was associated with lower odds of faller status after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.42–0.73, p < 0.001), remaining significant after additional adjustment for medication count (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.40–0.72, p < 0.001). In an exploratory within-sample ROC analysis without independent validation, WBLT bilateral mean distance discriminated previous faller status (AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.88), but did not establish prediction of future falls. Conclusions: Older adults with a history of falls demonstrated reduced weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. The WBLT may provide complementary ankle-specific information associated with faller status and fall-related functional characteristics. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine its prognostic value for future falls.

Background: Tibial bone stress injury (TBSI) with associated bone marrow edema (BME) is a common and clinically challenging condition in athletes, often requiring prolonged load restriction and delayed return to sport. Evidence for adjunctive interventions that improve both symptoms and MRI-derived recovery remains limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adding Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) to standardized rehabilitation improves pain, function, and MRI-derived outcomes over 16 weeks in athletes with MRI-confirmed TBSI. Materials and Methods: Forty athletes with Fredericson grade 2–3 TBSI were randomized to FMS plus rehabilitation (n = 20) or rehabilitation alone (n = 20). Both groups completed a 4-week load-based rehabilitation program, while the FMS group additionally received eight 30 min FMS sessions at 40 Hz. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 16 weeks. The primary outcome was activity-related pain (NPRS), while secondary outcomes included lower-limb function (LEFS-GR), BME extent, and Fredericson grade. Continuous outcomes were analyzed using two-way mixed ANOVA, whereas Fredericson grade was analyzed using an ordinal generalized estimating equation model. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Groups were comparable at baseline. Significant group × time interactions favored FMS for NPRS, F(2, 76) = 12.46, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.247; LEFS-GR, F(1.08, 41.09) = 81.56, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.682; and BME extent, F(1.44, 54.85) = 49.33, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.565. At 16 weeks, the FMS group showed lower NPRS scores, higher LEFS-GR scores, and lower BME extent than controls. Fredericson grade also showed a significant group × time effect, Wald χ²(2) = 20.38, p < 0.001. The FMS group had significantly lower cumulative odds of classification in a higher Fredericson grade at 4 weeks (OR = 0.045, 95% CI: 0.012–0.163, p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding difference at 16 weeks remained directionally favorable but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.001–1.029, p = 0.052). Conclusions: The addition of FMS to load-based rehabilitation was associated with greater clinical and functional improvements, greater reductions in BME extent, and a more favorable longitudinal trajectory in MRI severity classification than rehabilitation alone in athletes with TBSI. However, because the study did not include a sham-FMS condition and participants could not be blinded, the self-reported pain and functional outcomes should be interpreted cautiously. FMS may represent a useful adjunct to structured rehabilitation, although sham-controlled and longer-term studies should determine its effects on return-to-sport progression and recurrence risk.