The effect of ergonomics in dentistry on the occurrence of pain in the cervical neck region of the spine

Introduction: The problem of health risks resulting from the performance of the occupation of a dentist concerns, among other things, the cervical region of the spine. Due to the position assumed at work, this part of the spine is overloaded, and the degree of this overload depends, among other things, on the technique used by a dentist, the ergonomic conditions, patient adaptation skills, and cooperation with an assistant or assistants. Aim of the research : The objective of the study was to obtain an answer to the research questions posed: whether dentists possess knowledge concerning the principles of ergonomics; is there any relationship between the period of employment and cervical spine pain, age, technique of work, duration of performing work during the week, and pain in the neck region; and if dentists attach importance to the prophylaxis of musculoskeletal disorders. Material and methods : The study covered 52 dentists – 33 females (63.5%) and 19 males (36.5%), and was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire designed by the authors, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a modified pain assessment questionnaire according to Laitinen, and methods of descriptive statistics (Pearson’s χ 2 test for independence). Results : Physicians possess knowledge concerning the ergonomics of work. In addition, more than 60% of respondents possess modern, electrically adjustable equipment, and the technique of work depends on the age of the dentist. There is a relationship between cervical spine pain and the duration of performance of the occupation (p = 0.01122). According to dentists (48.1%), pain in the neck region of the spine is caused by long-lasting maintenance of a static position of the body, and kinesitherapeutic exercises alleviate these complaints in 23.1% of respondents. Conclusions : Despite the use the principles of ergonomics at work, dentists are exposed to the occurrence of pain in the neck region of the spine

Quality of life of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using LARS synthetic graft and autogenous ST/GR graft

Introduction : Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) causes disorders in the functional capabilities of the limb, both in daily life and during attempts to return to full physical activity, and in a later period it contributes to the development of degenerative disease. Aim of the research : Determination of the level of quality of life in patients after ACL reconstruction using the LARS synthetic ligament or autogenous ST/GR graft 4 years after surgery. Material and methods : Into the study were qualified 96 patients who had undergone reconstruction due to injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of material used for reconstruction. The study group included 44 (45.8%) patients who were operated on using the LARS synthetic ligament. The control group comprised 52 (54.2%) patients who were implanted with an autogenous graft from semitendinous or gracilis muscle. The study was conducted using the SF36v2 questionnaire for the assessment of quality of life. Results: The patients expressed the most negative evaluations of quality of life in the domain of General Health (GH) (x– = 62.5 scores) and Mental Health (MH) (x– = 70.4 scores), whereas most positive evaluations concerned the domain related with role limitations – caused both by physical health (Role Pysical – RP) and emotional problems (Role Emotional – RE) (x– > 95 scores). No statistically significant differences in the level of the quality of life were observed in the two selected groups; however, the evaluation of the quality of life in the area of social functioning and psychological health were slightly higher in the group of patients who had undergone surgery using the LARS method. Conclusions : The quality of life of patients within the period of 4 years after ACL reconstruction procedure using the LARS method and autogenous graft was on a similar, high level

Reliability, Validity and Responsiveness of the Polish Version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI-PL) in Patients after Arthroscopic Repair for Shoulder Instability

Apart from imaging and physical examination for shoulder instability (SI), medical history with patient feedback should be considered to assess the patient’s condition and recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the Polish version of Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI)—one of the most frequently used patient-reported outcome measures for SI. During examination 1, 74 patients after arthroscopic repair for SI (age x¯ = 30.01 ± 8.98) were tested. Examinations 2 and 3 involved 71 and 51 patients, respectively. They completed the Polish version of the WOSI, the shortened version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH), the Short Form-36 version 2.0 (SF-36 v. 2.0) and 7-point Global Rating Change scale (GRC). The WOSI-PL demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha for total = 0.94), and test–retest reliability (Total ICC2,1 = 0.99). High construct validity was found (89%) as the a priori hypotheses were confirmed. All domains and total scores of WOSI-PL showed a moderate to strong degree of responsiveness (ES = 0.37–0.44; SMR = 0.87–1.26). Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Total WOSI-PL was 126.43 points/6% (95%CI 67.83–185.03) by the anchor-based method and 174.05 points/8% (95%CI 138.61–233.98) by the distribution-based method. The Polish version of the WOSI can be considered a reliable, valid and responsive PROM. It is recommended for assessing the quality of life in patients after arthroscopic repair for SI and can be applied in research and in the clinical setting for monitoring treatment and facilitating patient-centred therapeutic decisions

Validation of the Polish version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index in patients following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Abstract Background The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) is a joint specific outcome tool that assesses the quality of life in patients with various rotator cuff problems. Our purpose was to evaluate selected psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, validity, reliability and agreement) of the Polish version of WORC in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. Methods Sixty-nine subjects took part in the study with a mean age 55.5 (range 40–65). All had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in 2015–2016. Data from 57 patients in whom symptoms in the shoulder joint had not changed within 10–14 days were analyzed in a WORC test-retest using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC). WORC was compared to the short version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDash) and the Short Form-36 v. 2.0 (SF-36). Results High internal consistency of 0.94 was found using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Reliability of the WORC resulted in ICC = 0.99, agreement assessed with SEM and MDC amounted to 1.62 and 4.48 respectively. The validity analysis of WORC showed strong correlations with QuickDash and SF-36 PCS (Physical Component Summary), while moderate with SF-36 MCS (Mental Component Summary). WORC had no floor or ceiling effect. Conclusions The Polish version of the WORC is a reliable and valid tool with high internal consistency for assessing the quality of life in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Comparison of results of ACL reconstruction using LARS method and autogenous ST/GR graft

The objective of the study was assessment of the function of the knee joint after ACL reconstruction using the LARS method and autogenous graft. The study was of a retrospective character and included 96 patients who had undergone reconstruction of the torn ACL. The study was conducted within 36–48 months after surgery. Methods: In order to compare the results of the ACL reconstruction performed with 2 types of grafts, the following instruments were used: Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, SF 36v2 questionnaire for assessment of health-related quality of life, and Biodex System 4 for isokinetic muscle testing. Results: No differences in the evaluation of the quality of life measured using SF 36v2 questionnaire were observed between the LARS and ST GR groups. Using the Lysholm Scale, the distribution of knee function scores was compared according to the type of surgery. There are no grounds to confirm the differences in the distribution of knee function scores considering the type of graft ( p = 0.756). Isokinetic test showed a significant weakening of muscle strength in the operated limb, compared to the strength of the healthy limb. Conclusions: The type of graft used for ACL reconstruction does not exert an effect on the quality of life of patients or the level of their knee joint function. Extensor and flexor muscles strength of the knee joint was lower in the operated limb, irrespective of the type of graft used. Weak relationships were observed between the level of knee joint function and extensor muscle strength of this joint