Water polo is a competitive team sport played in the water between two teams of seven players each. Water polo players must have swimming speed, strong abdominal and back muscles, and strong shoulder muscles to cope with this sport's special conditions. In this study, we investigate the possible association of shoulder and trunk muscle systems in adolescent water polo athletes of high demands. The research included 42 water polo players aged 14-16, who train regularly for at least five years, six times a week, and participate in national championships and national teams. The athletes were evaluated on the strength and torque of these muscular systems using the isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 4 Pro (Biodex Medical Systems, Inc, Shirley, NY). The correlation of the results was done using the statistical package SPSS 21. The correlations revealed statistically significant differences in trunk extension in combination with the shoulder external/internal rotation ratio. Also, most of the correlations occurred between the trunk and non-dominant limb of the athletes and, more often, in the female athletes. Furthermore, for the hand grip, the male athletes showed a greater difference in strength between the dominant and the non-dominant member than female athletes. Finally, the evaluation of the trunk extension/flexion ratio and external/internal rotation ratio for the shoulder joint showed that many athletes are outside the normal range and need targeted strengthening. The negative correlation coefficient between trunk extension/flexion and shoulder external/internal rotation indicates that the trunk extension mechanism helps for better internal rotation of the shoulder. Therefore, water polo players should focus on the training of the stretching mechanism of the trunk and also give weight to achieving a balance between the competing muscular systems of the trunk and the shoulder. Thus, athletes can maximize their skills and, at the same time, protect themselves from injuries.

Hip fractures are a major health concern, particularly for older adults, as they can reduce life quality, mobility loss, and even death. Current evidence reveals that early intervention is recommended for endurance in patients with hip fractures. To our knowledge, preoperative exercise intervention in patients with hip fractures remains poorly researched, and no study has yet applied aerobic exercise preoperatively. This study aims to investigate the short-term benefits of a supervised preoperative aerobic moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) program and the added effect of an 8-week postoperative MIIT aerobic exercise program with a portable upper extremity cycle ergometer. The work-to-recovery ratio will be 1-to-1, consisting of 120 s for each bout and four and eight rounds for the pre- and postoperative programs, respectively. The preoperative program will be delivered twice a day. A parallel group, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was planned to be conducted with 58 patients each in the intervention and control groups. This study has two primary purposes. First, to study the effect of a preoperative aerobic exercise program with a portable upper extremity cycle ergometer on immediate postoperative mobility. Second, to investigate the additional effect of an 8-week postoperative aerobic exercise program with a portable upper extremity cycle ergometer on the walking distance at eight weeks after surgery. This study also has several secondary objectives, such as ameliorating surgical and keeping hemostatic balance throughout exercise. This study may expand our knowledge of preoperative exercise effectiveness in hip fracture patients and enhance the current literature about early intervention benefits.

There is ongoing controversy regarding the best treatment of fingertip amputations, conservative treatment with secondary healing or surgical intervention. Healing by secondary intention has been proven to offer satisfactory recovery and function. More extensive wounds are treated surgically. However, even in Allen III and IV amputations, there is a lack of evidence to support enhanced healing and function of fingertips after surgical treatment compared to conservative management. Regarding fingertip amputations after animal bites, thorough debridement is the preferred treatment due to various micro-organisms, while there is no consensus about the primary closure of the wound. Inclusion criteria are complete amputations even with bone involvement at all levels. Exclusion criteria are skeletonized distal phalangeal bone, not surrounded by soft tissues, joint involvement and exposed tendon. It offers complete regeneration of the fingertip without signs of infection, even in animal bites wounds. There are few reports in the literature regarding the semi-occlusive dressing for treating fingertip amputations-only one report uses this technique after an animal bite in a two-year-old girl. In this case report, an Allen III fingertip amputation caused by a dog bite in a 64-year-old female was managed successfully using the semi-occlusive dressing technique. At the final follow up three months after the injury, the aesthetic results were satisfactory. The fingertip with the nail complex was almost normal with no nail hook deformity. The pad skin regenerated with no signs of infection. The functional results were excellent, with no joint stiffness or disability. The sensibility was satisfactory with two-point discrimination of 4 mm, and there was no tenderness, cold intolerance, or neuroma. The patient was satisfied and able to participate in all daily activities. The semi-occlusive dressing technique is an alternative treatment option for Allen III fingertip amputations after animal bites. It promotes regenerative healing, and despite bacterial colonization, no infection has been reported.

Background/Objectives: Distal femur tumor resection with limb salvage is a demanding procedure that offers hope for patients by preserving the limb rather than opting for amputation. While limb salvage can improve both physical function and psychological well-being, there’s limited knowledge on how active patients remain afterward and how their Quality of Life (QoL) is affected, especially regarding physical activities and sports. This study investigates the quality of life of the patients through the development of motor activity focusing on both physical and sporting activity of the above-mentioned individuals and their physical abilities to participate in activities of daily and sporting life after surgery. Methods: This study involved 16 patients aged 19-47 years who had undergone surgical resection and replacement of the distal femur for the treatment of sarcoma and were selected by random sampling from a total of 72 patients who had undergone a similar procedure. To explore the topic in depth, the researchers followed the triangulation method. From July 2023 to February 2024, we used surveys and interviews to explore their physical activity (PA) levels, sports participation, and QoL. The study included the International Physical Activity (PA) Questionnaire (IPAQ), the UCLA Activity Score, and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using the statistical software packages SPSS 25 and Excel. Results: Most participants reported moderate to high levels of PA, according to IPAQ, and continued engaging in sports, with swimming, walking, and stair climbing being the most common activities. No significant relationship was found between their PA levels and factors such as age, BMI, or the side of the affected limb. Interviews showed that patients’ motivation and their surgeon’s guidance played key roles in their return to regular activities, though many exercised less frequently or intensely than recommended. Conclusions: Patients who undergo limb salvage surgery following distal femur tumor removal generally maintain a good level of physical activity, which supports their QoL. Encouraging these patients to stay active and even engage in sports appears feasible, especially when guided by medical professionals. These findings highlight the potential benefits of tailored rehab programs to improve long-term health and QoL in sarcoma survivors, although larger studies are needed for more comprehensive insights.

Background/Objectives: Distal femur tumor resection with limb salvage is a demanding procedure that offers hope for patients by preserving the limb rather than opting for amputation. While limb salvage can improve both physical function and psychological well-being, there’s limited knowledge on how active patients remain afterward and how their Quality of Life (QoL) is affected, especially regarding physical activities and sports. This study investigates the quality of life of the patients through the development of motor activity, focusing on both physical and sporting activity of the above-mentioned individuals and their physical abilities to participate in activities of daily and sporting life after surgery. Methods: This study involved 16 patients aged 19–47 years who had undergone surgical resection and replacement of the distal femur for the treatment of sarcoma and were selected by random sampling from a total of 72 patients who had undergone a similar procedure. To explore the topic in depth, the researchers followed the triangulation method. From July 2023 to February 2024, we used surveys and interviews to explore their physical activity (PA) levels, sports participation, and QoL. This study included the International Physical Activity (PA) Questionnaire (IPAQ), the University of California and Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity Score, and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using the statistical software packages SPSS 25 and Excel. Results: Most participants reported moderate to high levels of PA, according to IPAQ, and continued engaging in sports, with swimming, walking, and stair climbing being the most common activities. No significant relationship was found between their PA levels and factors such as age, BMI, or the side of the affected limb. Interviews showed that patients’ motivation and their surgeon’s guidance played key roles in their return to regular activities, though many exercised less frequently or intensely than recommended. Conclusions: Patients who undergo limb salvage surgery following distal femur tumor removal generally maintain a good level of physical activity, which supports their QoL. Encouraging these patients to stay active and even engage in sports appears feasible, especially when guided by medical professionals. These findings highlight the potential benefits of tailored rehab programs to improve long-term health and QoL in sarcoma survivors, although larger studies are needed for more comprehensive insights.