Relationship between height and hand length.

A study of the correlationship between the height of the person and the length of the hand was carried out in 210 volunteers. There were 100 males, 110 females, whose ages ranged from 16-60 years old. The majority were in the 16-25 year age group. The height of each individual was measured by one person and the length of the hand was measured by another person. The length of the hand was measured from the tip of the index along its axis to the base of the thenar eminence of the hand. All information for both sexes was plotted for graphic presentation. It was found that the height of a person is about ten times the length of the hand. The result of the study was also analysed for multiple regression through which the following figures were established, multiple regression R 0.91708, R square 0.84104, adjusted R 0.84028, standard error 3.36687. An equation for determination of the height was also established once the length of the hand was determined. Predicting height from hand measurement is possible from this study.

Surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using Harrington distraction rod combined with segmental sublaminar wiring.

One hundred and twenty cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated surgically using Harrington distraction rod combined with sublaminar wires as an adjunction to spinal fusion. There were 94 female and 26 male patients. Ages ranged from 13-19 years old. There were 90 thoracic curves, 24 thoracolumbar curves and 6 double major curves. Curve severity ranged from 35-90 degrees. The most common one was between 51-75 degrees. Average follow-up period was 5 years ranging from 4-9 years. Average surgical time was two and half hours (range from 2-3 1/2 hrs.) Blood loss was about 600 ml (range from 400-1600 ml) since the operation was performed under hypotensive anaesthesia. Result of the surgical correction ranged from 53-76 per cent depending on the curve severity and the age of the patients, usually with less curve severity in younger patients with thoracic curve a higher percentage of correction would be obtained. We obtained good thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in all cases. There were no serious complications in our series. It is due to the contoured square and rod combined with sublaminar wiring that could correct and control both sagital plane and rotational deformities. This type of surgical approach is appropriate in patients with low economic status and required a period of external support.

Hand injuries in sports.

A five-year analysis of sports-related hand injuries that occurred at the Sports Science Center, Sports Authority of Thailand, was carried out. Out of a total of 6,477 injuries, 466 (7.2%) incurred hand injuries. Injuries of the wrist accounted for 53.43 percent of the numbers; of the palm 24.9 percents, and of the fingers 21.7 percnet. Gymnastics was the sport most commonly involved, 16.1 percent of the 25 types accounting for hand injuries. Over 60 percent of the wrist injuries involved badminton, tennis, gymnastics and football, and over 50 percent of the finger in volleyball players, whereas 70.2 percent of the wrist (48.1%), was the most common condition resulting from trauma; it was found among the gymnasts in 20.4 percent of the cases. Tendonitis was due to the over-use syndrome and commonly occurred at the wrist (86.9%) as a result of gymnastics (28.3%). This clinical research work could be used as guidelines for the prevention of possible injuries during sporting activities and would enhance rehabilitation programs aimed at strengthening hand functions, thus enabling athletes to further participate in sports activities, particularly competitive sports.

Painful index in osteoarthritis of the knee.

Clinical and roentgenographic assessments were carried out in 144 subjects, male and female equal in number. Thirty nine cases among both sexs were without symptom while thirty three cases among both sexs showed symptoms from osteoarthrosis. Ages ranged from 38-70 years. Body weight, the distance between the inner aspect of the knee, medial border of the patellae, the tibial tubercles, the angle formed by tibial axis and vertical line, AP view of roentgenogram of both knee joints were recorded and taken while subjects were standing. The tibiofemoral angle was then measured. It was found that this angle in symptomatic knee would exceed over 3 degrees, and this figure was used as a criterior or independent variables. The body weight, the age and the distance between the tibial tubercles were used as predictors or dependent variables. By means of multiple regression analysis two equations were formulated for each sex as pain index. If the yielded equation exceeded 3, it would indicate a high risk of developing painful knee or having pain. The advantage of this finding is that routine roentgenographic examination of the knee joints will then not be necessary in every patient with suspected osteoarthrosis, and can be a guide line for a preventive measure against its early symptomatic manifestation.

Primary osteoarthritis of the knee: Clinical and roentgenographic studies.

Clinical and roentgenographic evaluation of the knee joints in normal persons (30 cases) and patients (50 cases) suffering from primary osteoarthritis were carried out. In the control group, fourteen were males, 16 females. Aged 19-36 years. In patient group, eight were males, 42 females, aged 38-70 years. It was found that the body weight in the control group was less than that in the patient group. The distance between the inner aspect of the knee joints among the female cases were different from statistic studies significantly. Other studies, including the distance between the inner border of the patella, the tibial tubercle, the angle as formed by the axis of the tiboa and vertical line were found to be significantly different statistically. The plane of the articular surface of the femur and tibia was parallel in normal subjects, where as that of patient was found to be angulated medially beyond 3 degrees in every case.