ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine within-rater and between-rater reliability of the universal goniometer [UG] for measuring active cervical range of motion [ACROM] in asymptomatic healthy subjects
Methods: Nineteen healthy subjects were tested in an identical seated position. Two raters used UG to measure active cervical movements of flexion, extension, right side flexion, left side flexion, right rotation and left rotation. Each motion was measured twice by each of the two raters and was re-measured all over again after one week. Data analysis was performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]
Results: The results demonstrated excellent within-session [ICC2,1 = 0.83 to 0.98] and between-session [ICC2,2 = 0.79 to 0.97] intra-rater reliability and excellent inter-rater reliability [ICC2,2 = 0.79 to 0.92]
Conclusion: Considering above results it is concluded that UG is a reliable tool for assessing ACROM in a clinical setting for healthy subjects
ABSTRACT
To compare ender nails and unreamed interlocking nails in a randomized clinical trial study. From March 2001 to March 2003, 131 patients with tibial fractures of the central two thirds of the tibia were admitted to the emergency ward of Shohada Hospital, Tabriz, Iran and were randomized to either an ender tibial nail or an undreamed interlocking tibial nail as their primary treatment. Age, gender, types of fracture, and surgical outcomes were recorded at the time of surgery, during hospital stay, and during the course of 9 months follow-up. Sixty-seven patients underwent surgery with interlocking nails and 64 with ender nails. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups concerning mal-union, delayed union, and device failure. Durations of hospital stay, and time needed to achieve union was significantly higher in the unreamed interlocking group. Non-union and infection rate were higher in the ender group [p<0.05]. The results of our study support those of other studies that indicate the choice between the 2 methods of unreamed nailing is mainly controversial, depending on the priorities of the patient and surgeon