Is Balance Training Using Biofeedback Effective in the Prophylaxis of Falls in Women over the Age of 65?

The paper aims to investigate the usefulness of training in improving mobility and reducing the risk of falls of patients with osteoarthritis by using a force plate and virtual reality as rehabilitation tools. The study involved 72 women randomly divided into two equal groups: the force plate training group, which underwent virtual balance training with visual motor feedback, and the gym training group, which received conventional balance training only. The functional balance assessment was performed before and after the rehabilitation by computerized posturography in a relaxed upright position with open and closed eyes, with visual motor feedback. In the FPT group in the feedback measurement, the mean radius of sways was 30% smaller after rehabilitation (p < 0.00002); the feedback coordination coefficient was more than 10% bigger after rehabilitation (p < 0.001) and reached 92%, which is excellent for elderly people. Total stagnation and stumbling reported by patients decreased after rehabilitation compared to the first examination. Both tested forms of training can contribute to reducing the risk of falls. However, a more significant improvement was obtained in the force plate training group perhaps because the physical effort on a force plate trains the precise movements needed to reposition the centre of gravity without generating excessive inertia forces responsible for loss of balance and falls. Perhaps the most desirable method of intervention is to train a person's ability to perform slow but definite body movements.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in Poland. Update 2022.

Guidelines to provide an update of the previously published Polish recommendations for the management of women and men with osteoporosis have been developed in line with advances in medical knowledge, evidence-based data, and new concepts in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A Working Group of experts from the Multidisciplinary Osteoporosis Forum and from the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation in Warsaw performed a thorough comprehensive review of current relevant publications in the field (including all age groups of people and management of secondary osteoporosis), and they evaluated epidemiological data on osteoporosis in Poland and the existing standards of care and costs. A voting panel of all co-authors assessed and discussed the quality of evidence to formulate 29 specific recommendations and voted independently the strength of each recommendation. This updated practice guidance highlights a new algorithm of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for individuals at high and very high fracture risk and presents a spectrum of general management and the use of medication including anabolic therapy. Furthermore, the paper discusses the strategy of primary and secondary fracture prevention, detection of fragility fractures in the population, and points to vital elements for improving management of osteoporosis in Poland.

Improving the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis after rehabilitation irrespective of the level of disease activity.

Due to the exacerbation of the disease, the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is often limited. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of a comprehensive rehabilitation on a subjective perception of pain and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis depending on the level of disease activity. The study involved 58 women with rheumatoid arthritis aged 18-60, who underwent a 4-weeks comprehensive rehabilitation program. The assessment included the disease activity level on the DAS28 scale, pain intensity on the 10-point pain scale (VAS) and the value of the CRP protein. The HAQ-DI and KALU questionnaire were used to assess the quality of life. In both groups (group A-DAS28 < 4.2, group B-DAS28 ≥ 4.2) the statistically significant effects in decreasing the level of pain and improvement of quality of life were observed. This indicates the need and effectiveness of rehabilitation regardless of the level of activity of rheumatoid arthritis according to the DAS28 scale. There were no significant changes in the CRP protein level. In conclusion, the rehabilitation of patients with moderate to high disease activity is effective and the success of comprehensive rehabilitation is demonstrated by the decrease of the DAS28 score and the pain level reported by patients, as well as improving self-assessment of health and quality of life.

Effects of whole body cryotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis considering immune parameters.

OBJECTIVES: Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is widely used in inflammatory diseases of the joints, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the mechanism(s) of its action is not fully understood. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of WBC and conventional rehabilitation (CR) on the clinical and immune status of RA patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rheumatoid arthritis patients were classified into 2 groups according to the rehabilitation method used: the study group (CT, n = 25) and control group (CR, n = 25). To measure disease activity, the disease activity score (DAS28) was used, while to assess the morning stiffness and pain intensity, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied. Selected laboratory parameters, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, were also determined. The serum concentrations of pro- (interleukin 6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], macrophage migration inhibitory factor [MIF]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines were measured to assess the patient's immune status. RESULTS: After rehabilitation disease activity (DAS28), morning stiffness and pain intensity (VAS) decreased in both patient groups and no statistically significant differences were observed between them. However, statistically significant improvement in the CRP serum level was observed in the CT group only. No differences were observed in the serum concentrations of tested cytokines either before and after rehabilitation, or between patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: We report that regardless of the type of therapy, comprehensive rehabilitation improves the patient's clinical status, but has no effect on the levels of circulating cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and MIF, despite significant reduction of a systemic inflammatory marker (CRP), especially in the CT group.

Estimation of Posturographic Trajectory Using k-Nearest Neighbors Classifier in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are common rheumatic diseases and account for a significant percentage of disability. Posturography is a method that assesses postural stability and quantitatively evaluates postural sways. The objective of this study was to estimate posturographic trajectories applying pattern recognition algorithms. To this end, k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) classifier was used to differentiate between healthy subjects and patients with OA and RA. The following parameters of trajectories were computed: radius of sways, developed area, total length, and two directional components of sways: length of left-right and forward-backward motions. Posturographic tests were applied with eyes open and closed, and with biofeedback control. We found that in RA, the radius of sways, the trajectory area, and the biofeedback coordination were related to the patients' condition. The trajectory dynamics in OA patients were smaller compared to those in RA patients. The smallest misclassification errors were observed after feature selection in the biofeedback test compared with the eyes open and closed tests. We conclude that the estimation of posturographic trajectory with k-NN classifier could be helpful in monitoring the condition of RA patients.

Benefits of wrist splinting in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The goal was to present the use of a functional wrist splint and its impact on hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 104 women aged 18-65 and diagnosed with RA, who were treated in the Rheumatology Clinic and Outpatient Department of the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in Warsaw. The control group consisted of 40 healthy women in the same age group. Assessment of the hand function was the research method. RESULTS: Our results revealed substantially deteriorated function of the rheumatoid hand in relation to the healthy hand. The use of a wrist stabiliser is justified in patients with RA due to its beneficial impact, such as improved hand strength and dexterity and reduced pain. Based on the results obtained, it may be assumed that it is mainly patients with moderate and high disease activity who require stabilisation. The small number of patients in remission and with low disease activity was a limitation of the study. Hands with RA require an individual approach, and the most effective methods slowing down development of deformation should be sought. The results presented in this article may provide a starting point for further research on the most favourable wrist stabilisation in order to improve hand function in RA. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the hand function of women with RA is limited due to deteriorated grip quality and manual dexterity in comparison to healthy persons. Wrist stabilisation improves hand function in patients with RA.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in Poland : Update 2017.

In the rapidly ageing society in Poland, osteoporosis is a growing epidemiological problem, and osteoporosis-related fractures are a cause of chronic disability and considerable increase of death risk. It turns out that 80 to 90% of patients suffering from osteoporosis, including osteoporosis accompanied by fractures, do not receive adequate pharmacotherapy. In this paper, a Guideline Working Group of experts from the Multidisciplinary Osteoporosis Forum update the existing Polish guidelines concerning the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis (last revised in 2013), taking account of the latest literature, availability and reimbursement of drugs, and current health care organisation. In the revised guidelines, we still postulate that tasks are divided between primary care doctors (stage I) and specialists in osteoporosis management (stage II). We emphasise the necessity of early initiation of pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation in all patients with low-energy fractures. We recommend that the 10-year fracture risk should be estimated in all patients (including those without fractures) who are over 50 years of age, and that the Polish threshold for therapeutic intervention should be adopted: ≥ 10% for FRAX PL calculator. We add strategies of drug choice and therapy monitoring with imaging, and densitometric and biochemical diagnostics. We define basic guidelines concerning prevention of falls, rehabilitation, and dietary procedures, and elimination of environmental and other fracture risk factors. We point to two vital elements for improving osteoporosis management: 1) strategy of supervision over fractures management - Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), and, optimally, 2) strategies of short-term monitoring of the therapeutic efficacy with the use of biochemical markers.

Commitment of protein p53 and amyloid-beta peptide (Aß) in aging of human cerebellum.

Protein p53 is known to induce the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to a variety of cellular distress signals and DNA damage. A recent study has demonstrated that in blood cells of aging subjects, p53 may induce early pathological changes that precede the amyloidogenic cascade. However, it is not clear whether p53 participates in the local deposition of amyloid-beta peptide (Aß) in the nerve tissue of normal aging subjects. Therefore, in the present study, we analyse the distribution of both (Aß and p53) proteins in the cerebellum of individuals without any history of dementia or other neurological illness who died suddenly in traffic accidents. We found that in the subjects at the beginning of their aging process (60-65 years of age) Aß deposits were localized in subependymal areas of the cerebellar cortex and such deposits were not linked to the presence of p53 in the nerve tissue. In groups of subjects over 65 years of age, numerous Aß diffuse plaques were scattered throughout the cerebellar cortex. In these subjects, p53 protein was detected in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus of the cerebellar nerve cells. All the results lead to the conclusion that in nerve tissue p53 participates in the process of neurodegeneration and then it is involved in the deposition of A in the nerve tissue.

Risk of falls in the rheumatic patient at geriatric age.

Evaluating the risk of falling of a geriatric rheumatic patient plays an essential role not only in planning and carrying out the physiotherapeutic process. The consequences of falls may be different and, although they do not always result in serious repercussions such as fractures or injuries, it is sufficient that they generate the fear of falling and cause a significant reduction in physical activity. Assessing functional capacity to define the risk of falling is of utmost importance in the case of patients after joint arthroplasty surgeries. The specificity of rheumatic patient's falls is determined by numerous factors. It is not always possible to avoid them. However, it becomes vital to include fall prevention in the rehabilitation process as well as to prepare the house for the needs of an elderly person so that they are safe and as self-dependent as possible.

Distinct Secretory Activity and Clinical Impact of Subcutaneous Abdominal Adipose Tissue in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

In the general population, low-grade inflammation of adipose tissue accompanies obesity and contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, but the implication of this tissue in rheumatic disease pathology is unclear. Therefore, we characterized the secretory activity of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT) of females with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and searched for its relationship with intensity of systemic inflammation, body composition and comorbidity. The secretion of classical adipokines (leptin, adiponectin), pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, i.e. interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), from SAAT explants was measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Patients' body composition was evaluated by bioelectric impendence technique. Rheumatoid SAAT secreted more adiponectin, IL-6, IL-10, TNF and MIF but less leptin than respective osteoarthritis tissues. In RA patients, TNF secretion correlated with cachectic body composition, HGF release was linked to secondary amyloidosis and visceral fat rating was an independent risk factor for CVD. In OA, secretion of leptin and HGF positively, while adiponectin inversely, correlated with systemic inflammation markers, and the release of MIF was an independent risk factor for CVD. This study reveals differences between RA and OA patients in SAAT secretory activity and suggests its different clinical impact in these diseases, characterized by high- and low-grade systemic inflammation, respectively. In RA, SAAT may directly or via an effect on body composition contribute to amyloidosis, cachexia or CVD co-occurring, while in OA SAAT-derived adipocytokines may rather regulate intensity of systemic inflammation and redound to CVD emergence.

Secretory activity of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue in male patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis - association with clinical and laboratory data.

INTRODUCTION: Adipose tissue exerts widespread effects on the metabolism and immune system, but its activity differs between the genders. In the general population low-grade adipose tissue inflammation contributes to development of diseases of affluence. Little is known about the systemic impact of peripheral fat tissue in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by chronic, low- and high-grade systemic inflammation, respectively. To clarify this we evaluated the secretory activity of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT) obtained from male patients affected with RA (n = 21) and OA (n = 13), and assessed its association with body mass and composition, demographic, clinical and laboratory data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Basal and interleukin (IL)-1ß-triggered secretion of selected adipocytokines from SAAT explants was measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Patients' body composition was evaluated by bioelectric impendence technique. RESULTS: Rheumatoid SAAT secreted more adiponectin and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) than respective osteoarthritis tissue. In both RA and OA patient groups, stimulation of SAAT explants with IL-1ß (1 ng/ml/100 mg tissue) significantly up-regulated release of pro-(IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor - TNF) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines but had no effect on the secretion of adiponectin, leptin, MIF and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Compared with RA, patients with OA were more obese. In RA patients SAAT-released adiponectin and TNF inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat rating (FVSC). In addition, SAAT-secreted adiponectin and leptin positively correlated with DAS28 and disease duration, respectively. In the OA group tissue-released TNF positively correlated with patients' age. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in RA male patients adipocytokines originating from SAAT are of clinical importance because: (i) adiponectin and TNF may contribute to maintenance of normal body composition and mass, (ii) in addition adiponectin may play a pathogenic role. Moreover, in both RA and OA male patients secretory activity of SAAT may vary with time.

Physical activity in the elderly who underwent joint replacement surgery in the course of rheumatic diseases.

According to the forecasts of the Central Statistical Office of Poland, in 2030 people at the age of 65 and older will account for 23.8%, i.e. their number will amount to approx. 8.5 m people. Geriatric rheumatic patients more often decide to undergo surgical joint replacement. According to the National Health Fund, the number of joint replacement services provided in 2014 increased by 93%, as compared to 2005. Improving the physical performance of this constantly expanding group of patients requires taking into account many factors to raise their functional status, reduce the risk of falling, teach rules of proper functioning with an artificial joint and encourage unassisted physical activity. Restoring fitness and independence is a difficult but necessary task due to an increasing number of seniors with replaced joint.

The Effect of Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation on Clinical Status of Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of conventional and cryotherapy-based rehabilitation with respect to its impact on selected clinical parameters in AS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty working males aged 22-66 years were included in this study. Twenty-five of them underwent cryotherapy-based rehabilitation (cryogenic chamber, local cryotherapy; individual, instrumental, and nonweight-bearing exercises) for 3 weeks. The others received 3 weeks of conventional rehabilitation (magnetic field therapy; electrotherapy; individual and instrumental exercises). The patients were examined at three time points: before rehabilitation, immediately after its completion and at a three-month follow-up visit. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was used to assess disease severity, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) was used to assess musculoskeletal function and a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain. A global health index was also employed to assess patients' overall well-being. RESULTS: Cryotherapy-based rehabilitation improved the following parameters: BASDAI (P<0.001, P<0.001), BASFI (P<0.001, P=0.007), VAS (P<0.007, P=0.001) and global health index (P<0.001, P<0.001) at the second and third assessment, respectively. Conventional rehabilitation improved the BASDAI (P<0.001), VAS (P=0.029), and overall well-being (P<0.030) at the second assessment. Cryotherapy-based rehabilitation was more effective than conventional rehabilitation with respect to BASFI [F(2, 82)=6.571; P=0.004; eta2=0.120] and overall well-being [F(2, 96) =5.018; P=0.008; eta2=0.095)]. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Comprehensive rehabilitation in ankylosing spondylitis has a positive effect on patients' clinical status. 2. Rehabilitation involving cryotherapy is more effective in improving musculoskeletal function and overall well-being compared to conventional rehabilitation. 3. Cryotherapy-based rehabilitation significantly reduces the intensity of pain experienced by AS patients and decreases disease activity, with the positive effect maintained at 3 months post rehabilitation.

Complex rehabilitation and the clinical condition of working rheumatoid arthritis patients: does cryotherapy always overtop traditional rehabilitation?

AIM: Rehabilitation slows the progress of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and prevents progression of disability. This study aimed to compare the impact of two rehabilitation programmes on pain, disease activity, locomotor function, global health and work ability forecast in RA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four employed women aged 24-65 years participated in the study. All patients underwent individual and instrumental kinesiotherapy. Thirty-two patients underwent cryogenic chamber therapy and local cryotherapy as well as non-weight-bearing, instrumental and individual kinesiotherapy. The remaining 32 patients received traditional rehabilitation in the form of electromagnetic and instrumental therapy, individual and pool-based non-weight-bearing kinesiotherapy. Rehabilitation lasted 3 weeks. Patients were examined three times: prior to rehabilitation, after 3 weeks of therapy and 3 months after completion of rehabilitation. The following study instruments were used: to assess disease activity: DAS-28; functional impairment: HAQ-DI; pain severity: VAS; patients' overall well-being: a scale from 0 to 100 (Global Health Index); and patients' own prognosis of fitness for work: the 6th question from Work Ability Index (WAI). Statistical analysis of data was performed using the STATISTICA 8.0 package. Mixed-design two-way analysis of variance was used for hypothesis testing. RESULTS: All patients improved after rehabilitation. The group of patients those who underwent cryotherapy had improved DAS-28, HAQ-DI, VAS and global health scores immediately following the 3-week rehabilitation programme (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively), as well as at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively). Rehabilitation using cryotherapy resulted in greater improvement in disease activity DAS-28 [F(2,105) = 5.700; p = 0.007; η(2) = 0.084] and HAQ-DI locomotor function scores [F(2,109) = 6.771; p = 0.003; η(2) = 0.098] compared to traditional rehabilitation. The impact of both forms of rehabilitation on patients' own prognosis of work ability in the next 2 years was not significant. Results of patients who underwent traditional approach showed decreased disease activity following the initial 3-week period; however, this improvement did not sustain to the end of follow-up, 3 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Complex rehabilitation in RA has a positive effect on patients' clinical condition. The rehabilitation programme that includes cryotherapy overtops traditional rehabilitation, particularly as regards improvement in locomotor function, disease activity and sustaining willingness to continue working and exerts long-lasting effect. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Rehabilitation using cryotherapy is more effective in improving locomotor function, decreasing disease activity and sustaining willingness to continue working compared to traditional rehabilitation. Rehabilitation using cryotherapy significantly reduces the intensity of pain experienced by patients with RA, and this positive effect is maintained at 3 months post-rehabilitation. Complex rehabilitation, particularly treatment using cryotherapy, improves patients' subjective assessment of their overall well-being and perception of their disease. Complex rehabilitation in rheumatoid arthritis has a positive effect on patients' clinical condition.

The beneficial effects of rehabilitation on hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The hand is one of the main elements of the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to deformities, which occur in approximately 90% of patients. It is a serious problem, both in the psychological and functional aspect, connected with muscle strength reduction, a limited range of motion and non-acceptance of the changes in the shape of the limb. The study aimed to assess the effect of rehabilitation on the function of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 40 women with RA. The patients had been previously treated at the Rehabilitation Department of the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in Warsaw. The study group underwent 3 weeks of rehabilitation involving individual therapy, exercises with equipment, patient education and physical therapy. The control group included women without a diagnosis of RA, hands pain-free and fully mobile. In both groups the hand was assessed for grip value, grip quality and manipulative ability. In the study group the basis of pain intensity was noted. The measurements were performed twice - prior to the rehabilitation and after 3 weeks of rehabilitation in women with RA and once in women without hand problems. RESULTS: The results obtained revealed marked limitation of hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment resulted in an improvement of all assessed parameters except cylindrical grip, in which only a part of the findings was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the study material showed that appropriately adjusted and conducted hand physiotherapy in women with rheumatoid arthritis contributed to the improvement of its function by pain reduction, improved value and quality of grip, and also increased manipulative ability.

European Organizations of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) is a basic medical specialty officially recognized in Europe since 1962. This article briefly presents the significance, attainments and tasks recently undertaken by the leading structures responsible for international harmonization and management of the specialty within healthcare systems in Europe and for scientific development: the Section and Board of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS-PRM), European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (AEMR) and European Society of PRM (ESPRM). The concept of rehabilitation according to the biopsychosocial model of functioning recently promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) closely follows the assumptions of the Polish Model of Rehabilitation, formulated in the 1960's and approved by the WHO in 1970. Since its accession to the European Union in 2004, Poland has been gradually increasing active participation in the European structures of PRM.

Total ankle replacement - surgical treatment and rehabilitation.

Functions of the ankle joint are closely connected with the gait and ability to maintain an upright position. Degenerative lesions of the joint directly contribute to postural disorders and greatly restrict propulsion of the foot, thus leading to abnormal gait. Development of total ankle replacement is connected with the use of the method as an efficient treatment of joint injuries and continuation of achievements in hip and knee surgery. The total ankle replacement technique was introduced as an alternative to arthrodesis, i.e. surgical fixation, which made it possible to preserve joint mobility and to improve gait. Total ankle replacement is indicated in post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and joint destruction secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. In this paper, total ankle replacement and various types of currently used endoprostheses are discussed. The authors also describe principles of early postoperative rehabilitation as well as rehabilitation in the outpatient setting.

Patterns of compensation of functional deficits of the knee joint in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a group of pathological syndromes of unknown aetiology, observed at the developmental age. Their common feature is sustained chronic arthritis with flares and remissions. Clinical signs and symptoms include joint pain, periarticular tissue oedema or articular exudate, frequently associated with hypertrophy of the synovial membrane. The intra- and extra-articular structural damage impairs the motion range and smoothness. The disease process may involve any joint. The knee joint is the most frequently affected in oligo- and polyarthritis. The aim of the study was to determine a direct correlation between disorders of knee joint function and the change in the range of motion of the ankle and hip joints of both lower extremities, and the so-called indirect impact of these changes on patients' posture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 36 JIA patients and 56 healthy controls aged 8-16 years. The evaluation was based on physical examination. RESULTS: The results showed differences in the values of quality and range of motion between patients and controls. In the patient group pes planovalgus was more frequently associated with knee joint dysfunction along with the inherent restriction of dorsal flexion of the foot. Shortening of the iliotibial band, increased outward rotation of the right lower extremity with enlarged joint contour and augmented inward rotation of the contralateral healthy extremity all proved significant. Changes in motion range in the joints below and over the knee were associated with alterations of antero-posterior spine curvatures and vertebral rotation along the long spinal axis. Based on the results, the mechanism of the compensation is outlined. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences in the range and quality of motion in the ankle, hip and spinal joints between patients and healthy children provide evidence that dysfunction of the knee joint affects the function of the other above-mentioned levels of the motor system.

Physiotherapy in pauciarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Case study.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common arthropathy of childhood and adolescence. This term encompasses a group of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases of the connective tissue which cause arthritis in patients under 16 years of age lasting at least 6 weeks. The authors presented the characteristic features of physiotherapy based on functional examination results on the basis of two cases of girls with pauciarticular JIA treated according to an established pharmacological regimen. Physiotherapy should be introduced at an early stage of the disease. Kinesiotherapy preceded by history-taking and a functional examination of the patient, has to focus on both primary and secondary joint lesions.