Postural Control Measures of Patients with Lower Back Pain Using Balance Master(R) System

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate that lower back pain would influence postural control ability. METHOD: Thirty-eight adults (18 men, 20 women) participated and were divided into two groups; the study (patients with lower back pain) group and the control (healthy adults) group. Postural control ability of participants was evaluated through the Balance Master(R) system. A total of seven measurements were analyzed to determine the difference between the study and control group. RESULTS: Patients with lower back pain demonstrated weight bearing patterns on the non-tender side, wider area of sway (degrees) under conditions (unilateral stance on firm surface with eye closed) in modified clinical test sensory interaction on balance (p<0.05). Wider area of turn sway (degrees) and long turn time (sec) during step/quick turn were demonstrated in patients with lower back pain (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that patients with lower back pain was reduced in the postural control ability. Further studies about the effect of back exercise on postural control ability of patients with lower back pain should be carried out.

The Comparision of Effects between Stellate Ganglion Block and Oral Corticosteroid Therapy in Post-stroke Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects between stellate ganglion block and steroid therapy in post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome. METHOD: In this controlled study, thirty-eight patients with post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome were randomly divided into two groups. One group received a total of five repeated stellate ganglion block every three days and the other group received an oral corticosteroid therapy. Therapeutic effects were assessed before treatment, after fifteen days and thirty days in the each group and evaluated via volume of the involved hand, circumference of the middle finger, shoulder and hand pain score. RESULTS: In both groups, hand edema and circumference of middle finger were decreased after fifteen days and thirty days of treatment. However, the stellate ganglion block group showed more significant improvement in mean change of hand edema and circumference compared to the steroid therapy group. The hand and shoulder pain were also decreased significantly after fifteen days in both groups. In stellate ganglion block group, patients' pain kept decreased even after thirty days had passed since the treatment. However, in the other group who got the steroid therapy, there was no further decrease from the fifteenth day after the therapy. CONCLUSION: Although both treatment were effective in relieving symptoms of post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome, the stellate ganglion block was more effective. However, further controlled study is required.

Rehabilitation after Surgical Repair of the Achilles Tendon Rupture : Cases report

We had treated 3 athletes after surgical repair of Achilles tendon rupture according to a functional rehabilitation protocol. We measured the range of motion of ankle joint, pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the difference of calf circumference between normal and affected side, strength of dorsiflexor and plantarflexor of ankle before and after rehabilitation. The range of motion, VAS score, calf circumference, strength of dorsiflexor and plantarflexor of the affected ankle were improved after rehabilitation. There were no re-ruptures. All three patients returned to the sports activities after about 5 months. The comprehensive rehabilitation after surgical repair of Achilles tendon rupture was necessary for successful return to the sports activities.

The Findings of Physical Examination and Ultrasonography at the Shoulders in High School Baseball Players

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate physical and ultrasonographic (US) imaging findings in pain-free shoulders of high school baseball players. METHOD: Physical examination including range of motion (ROM) and several pain provocative tests and US examination on both shoulders in forty-one high school baseball players were performed. The findings of these examinations were classified according to the dominance of shoulders and position of the players and described. RESULTS: Neer, Jobe, Hawkins test, and acromioclavicular tenderness were positive in 33.3%, 4.8%, 28.6%, and 38.3% respectively. Dominant shoulders had larger ROM of external rotation and internal rotation than non-dominant shoulders (p <0.05). Dominant shoulders of pitchers group had larger ROM of external rotation and smaller ROM of internal rotation than those of non-pitchers group (p <0.05). Dominant supraspinatus tendons of pitchers group were thicker than those of non-pitchers group (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: About one third of pain-free shoulders of baseball players showed positive in pain provocative tests. There were several differences in shoulder ROM and ultrasonographic thickness of supraspinatus tendon according to the dominance of shoulders and position of players.

Comparison of Postural Control Measures between Older and Younger Adults Using Balance Master System

OBJECTIVE: Postural control ability is one of determinant factors of falls in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if age affected postural control measures in Balance Master system. METHOD: Forty-four healthy adults (22 men, 22 women) were divided into two groups; younger (20 to 29 years) and older (60 to 69 years) groups. All participants were tested by Balance Master system. A total 5 measurements were analyzed to determine the difference between older and younger group. RESULTS: Older adults demonstrated wider area of sway (o) under condition (eye closed on foam surface) in mCTSIB, low directional control (%) in slow front/back rhythmic weight shift, and low on-axis velocity (o/sec) in fast front/back rhythmic weight shift (p<0.05). Right/ Left weight symmetry (%) during sit to stand was significantly higher in older groups (p<0.05). Wider area of turn sway (o) and longer turn time (sec) during step/ quick turn were demonstrated in older groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the postural control ability measured by Balance Master system was reduced in the older adults. Further studies should be carried out to correlate this reduction with the falls in healthy elderly.