Importance of the functional examination in lower extremities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

This paper deals with evaluation the lower extremity efficiency and balance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Own authors test (LLFT-lower extremities functional test) and balance tests during normal standing and tandem positions with eyes opened or closed were used. Twelve patients with RA and fifteen controls for comparison were examined. Center feet of pressure dislocation on platform in normal standing with eyes open, normal standing with eyes closed, tandem left foot in front and tandem right foot in front positions and further dynamic balance tests on three different boards were analyzed. Visual Analogue Scale monitored level of pain after each LLFT task. There was found a relation between intensity of pain and overloading of joints in particular tasks, resulting in lower extremities dysfunction. Significant disbalance in medio-lateral direction during normal standing with eyes closed and tandem right foot in front positions and also in anterior-posterior direction in tandem right foot in front position during static balance tests was found. Correlations showed that patient’s age, disease’s duration and Steinbrocker Functional Classes have an influence on parameters of balance tests. Results indicate that complex dysfunction of lower extremities causes disbalance of posture in static conditions

Hip strategy alterations in patients with history of low disc herniation and non-specific low back pain measured by surface electromyography and balance platform

Purpose: The appearance of pathology in the lumbar spine, such as a previous episode of low disc herniation or non-specific low back pain contributes to improper activation of the hip muscles. The aim of the study was to detect alterations in hip strategy manifested by differences in balance parameters and rectus femoris and gluteus maximus activity in people with previous episode of pain radiation to one lower limb caused by low disc herniation or non-specific low back pain. Methods: We studied 11 patients with history of low-disc herniation, 9 patients with history of non-specific low back pain and 10 healthy subjects. Hip strategy alterations were detected by measuring rectus femoris and gluteus maximus activity in bilateral surface polyelectromyographic recordings and by stability measurements on a balance platform. Results: In the surface polyelectromyography study, in both patients' group the value of the average amplitude was higher and the amount of the fluctuations was lower than in healthy subjects. There were no significant differences in stability parameters. Conclusions: A changed pattern of hip muscles activity was detected in the patients without changes in stability parameters. Greater disorder occurs in people in with previous episode of pain radiation to one lower limb caused by low disc herniation than in people with non-specific low back pain

The Map of Vilnius Graffiti as an Indicator of Social Urban Change: the Case Study of Naujininkai Neighborhood

This article, theoretically based on socio-spatial concepts of Lefebvre, de Certeau and their further interpreta - tions at the New Urban Sociology school (by Gottdiener, Zukin and others), examines the spread of graffiti in the urban space of Vilnius, the change of the local graffiti map during the years 2010–2013 and the possible social implications of the spotted modification of urban landscape. The qualitative research of Vilnius graffiti – which is understood both as an urban practice and an illicit urban inscription – and the case of Naujininkai neighborhood in particular, is based on data obtained from 1) in-depth interviews with experienced graffiti artists, 2) observation of graffiti in public space and 3) visual urban ethnography. Naujininkai neighborhood was attributed by local graffiti writers to the urban periphery in Vilnius graffiti map in 2010. However in 2010–2013 the visual development of urban landscape in Naujininkai indicates the trend, bringing the neigh- borhood a little closer to the urban core