Infrared laser per se or with ultrasound in management of carpal tunnel syndrome

The aim of this study was to find out the role of laser therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS]. Thirty female patients suffered from CTS participated in this study, their age ranged between 20 and 40 years with a mean of 30.83 +/- 7.15 years. They were classified into two groups of an equal number: Group 1 received infrared [IR] laser only, while group 2 received both IR laser and pulsed 1:4 ultrasound [US]. IR laser in each group was applied for ten minutes on the skin of the palmar surface of the affected hand, started 3 cm proximal to flexor retinaculum, then passed distally across the retinaculum to pass laterally 2 cm over thenar eminence. Pulsed US was applied for 15 minutes on the area which extends from wrist crease to palmar region to cover an area of 3-5 cm length and 2-2.5 cm width. Both groups received three sessions per week for four weeks. The patients were assessed clinically [visual analogue scale and pinch dynamometer] and electrophysiologically [motor and sensory distal latencies and sensory conduction velocity] before and after treatment program

Surface electromyographic activities of knee extensor in stroke patients following specific exercise program

Eighteen stroke patients with mild spasticity participated in this study. The therapeutic program was applied six times/week for six weeks. The results of this study indicated the effectiveness of this therapeutic exercise program on the spasticity level in both right and left sided hemiplegic patients with more advantageous effect on the affected side in the right sided patients. Improved EMG activity might be due to improved spasticity and central organization effect

Could hip abduction splint improve paraplegic gait parameters?

Forty-two volunteer patients with a low level traumatic incomplete paraplegia and moderate spastic hip adductor muscles participated in this study and divided into two groups. Patients in both groups received therapeutic exercises. The exercise session was one and half hour. Group A consisted of 21 patients. During walking, they used hip abduction splint four times daily, each time one and half hour. Group B consisted of 21 patients. Treatment was given six times/week for eight weeks. Measurements were done for all patients before starting treatment and four hours after the last treatment session. Both step width and length were measured. The difference in step width and the step length between before and after treatment was recorded. The splint could be recommended in the treatment of such patients

Transient reversible acute drug-hepatitis and renal failure, in a peptic ulcer patient under cimetidine [Tagamet R]

Though some therapeutic drugs and alcohol are known to induce non-infectious hepatitis, yet the drug related hepatitis is not widely documented, while the role of alcohol is well known and established with many publications. In this study, an interesting case of acute drug- hepatitis and renal failure in a Saudi patient with peptic ulcer, who was under Cimetidine [Tagamet R] tablets for one year, was reported. A rapid and dramatic improvement followed the withdrawal of the drug. Clinical, laboratory findings and recommendations were discussed