Cortisol, testosterone, and pain levels among patients undergoing McKenzie therapy and suboccipital relaxation

Sedentary lifestyle and the development of consumer electronics, often associated with a faulty posture, arewidespread factors contributing to cervical spine dysfunction (CSD). The purpose of our study is to comparetwo methods of physical therapy of CSD: suboccipital relaxation and the McKenzie method. Their effect onperceived pain level and life quality was assessed using VAS and NDI scores. Serum levels of biochemicalstress indicators like testosterone and cortisol were also evaluated. Eighty-six adult patients were dividedinto two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A included 42 patients treated using the McKenzie method.Group B consisted of 44 patients who underwent suboccipital relaxation. The therapy in both groups includedthree treatment sessions over a six-week period. Testosterone and cortisol levels were assessed usingthe ELISA technique. Pain evaluation was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The disabilitylevel was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). In both groups, a similar improvement in VASand NDI scores was observed. A distinct cortisol level decrease in patients subjected to the suboccipitalrelaxation was noticed, while the McKenzie method did not affect cortisolaemia significantly. We did notnotice any difference in testosterone levels between the two groups. Both treatment methods contributedtowards clinical improvement in our patients, represented by the drop in VAS and NDI scores. We alsoobserved a biochemical improvement: decreased cortisol level in the group treated with suboccipitalrelaxation. Due to the important role of testosterone and cortisol in the pathogenesis of chronic pain, ourstudy should be the pilot experience on their use as markers in CSD

Periprosthetic fractures after shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review

Purpose: The goal of this study was to review available literature on periprosthetic shoulder fractures to evaluate epidemiology, risk factors and support clinical decision-making regarding diagnostics, preoperative planning, and treatment options. Methods: Two authors cross-checked the PubMed and Web of Science medical databases. The inclusion criteria were as follows: original human studies published in English, with the timeframe not limited, and the following keywords were used: ‘periprosthetic shoulder fracture,’ ‘total shoulder arthroplasty periprosthetic fractures,’ ‘total shoulder arthroplasty fracture,’ and ‘total shoulder replacement periprosthetic fracture.’ Seventy articles were included in the review. All articles were retrieved using the aforementioned criteria. Results: The fracture rate associated with total shoulder arthroplasty varied between 0 and 47.6%. Risk factors for periprosthetic fractures were female gender, body mass index < 25 kg/m2, smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease. The most commonly used classification is the Wright and Coefield classification. Periprosthetic fractures can be treated both, conservatively and operatively. Conclusion: Periprosthetic fracture frequency after shoulder arthroplasty ranges from 0 to 47.6%. The most common location of the fracture is the humerus and most commonly occurs intraoperatively. The most important factor influencing treatment is stem stability. Fractures with stem instability require revision arthroplasty with stem replacement. Fractures with a stable stem depending on the location, displacement and bone stock quality can be treated both conservatively and operatively. For internal fixation plates with cables and screws are most commonly used

New technologies in health care — medical robotics and innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering Polish achievements

In March 2020, the WHO declared a state of a pandemic, which encompassed the whole world. During the pandemic, numerous new solutions have been introduced and some of the already existing ones have been improved to increase the safety, both of patients and healthcare professionals. The publication aims to present the achievements in the field of innovations with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, considering the activities of Polish scientists. The literature and current data were reviewed and useful in the topic of research were selected. The pandemic period showed the interdisciplinary nature of medical robots, both for surgical and diagnostic purposes. Robots are widely used in cleaning and disinfecting rooms. Patient psychological care systems also deserve attention - during the pandemic, the number of those in need suffering from mental diseases increased. Medical robotics should be developed and used more and more commonly

The most important factors influencing the levels of parents’ satisfaction with outpatient pediatric care in Silesian Voivodeship

Introduction: Our times are characterized by the development of information technologies and modern advertising methods. Representatives of each field of the service sector face social pressure, engaging in the process of creation of the image and building the brand. Thanks to professional activity in this area, they can gain an advantage over their competition. This also applies to doctors and managers of health care entities. A good image affects the patients' trust in relation to the subjects of the therapeutic activity. So what seems to be an extremely interesting issue is the identification of the decisive factor influencing the positive perception of pediatricians and outpatient pediatric care by parents in Silesian voivodeship. Material and methods: The diagnostic survey method, and the survey technique were applied in the course of research conducted in eleven educational institutions in Silesian Voivodeship in the period between May 2016 and January 2017. The sample group consisted of 123 people – parents of children up to eighteen years old. Results: A vast majority of the respondents consider politeness of the staff and the ease of the registration procedure to be the crucial factors affecting their positive assessment of their visit to the pediatric clinic. The doctors’ good reputation results mainly from factors such as their attitude to patients and provision of clear and extensive feedback. When asked about the factors influencing their decision to choose a particular doctor, the most respondents mentioned a personal recommendation by a family member or friend. Najważniejsze czynniki wpływające na pozytywną ocenę lekarza pediatry oraz poradni… 198 Conclusions: Despite their common access to the Internet and the development of technology, a recommendation by a family member or friend constitutes the most popular choice quoted by the respondents. Just like in the case of other areas of the service sector, the most important factors in a positive assessment of the facility are the courtesy of the staff and the ease of completing the formalitie

Robotics in interventional medicine – opportunities and challenges in doctors education

Chirurgia robotyczna jest wdrażana w coraz większej liczbie ośrodków ochrony zdrowia na całym świecie. Szczególnie chętnie z robotów korzystają urolodzy, ginekolodzy, chirurdzy ogólni, kardiochirurdzy, neurochirurdzy. Poszukuje się dowodów skuteczności zastosowania robotów w kolejnych dziedzinach. Na rynku pojawiają się nowe rodzaje robotów stosowanych w chirurgii: roboty toru wizyjnego, manipulatory chirurgiczne, roboty nawigacyjne czynne i bierne, roboty biochirurgiczne. Rosnąca popularność robotyki medycznej powinna powodować zmiany w kształceniu nowych kadr. W artykule omówiono na podstawie przeglądu literatury oraz własnych doświadczeń (warsztatów chirurgicznych) aktualny stan i kierunki rozwoju edukacji w zakresie chirurgii robotycznej.Robotic surgery is being implemented in an increasing number of health care centers around the world. Urologists, gynecologists, general surgeons, cardiac surgeons and neurosurgeons are particularly willing to use robots. Evidence of the effectiveness of using robots in other areas is sought. New types of robots used in surgery are appearing on the market: endoscopic vision robots, surgical manipulators, active and passive navigation robots, and biosurgical robots. The growing popularity of medical robotics should cause changes in the education of new staff. The current state and directions of development of education in robotic surgery are discussed in the article on the basis of literature review and own experience (surgical workshops)

Immunization coverage level regarding the seasonal influenza and attitude to vaccination among medical students in Poland

Wstęp. Każdego roku miliony Polaków zmagają się z grypą, zachorowaniami grypopodobnymi oraz ich powikłaniami. Powszechnie zalecane szczepionki o udowodnionej skuteczności nie cieszą się jednak dużą popularnością wśród społeczeństwa. W niniejszym badaniu podjęto próbę zebrania informacji od studentów kierunku lekarskiego z polskich uczelni na temat ich stosunku do szczepień przeciwko grypie oraz chęci zastosowania na sobie tego typu profilaktyki. Materiał i metody. Badanie przeprowadzono z udziałem 434 studentów kierunku lekarskiego z całej Polski. Głównym celem ankiety było zebranie informacji na temat opinii studentów wobec szczepień przeciwko grypie. Sondaż składał się z pytań zamkniętych, został przeprowadzony w marcu 2018 roku. Wyniki. Średni poziom wyszczepienia wśród studentów wynosi 18,9%. Objawy grypy lub choroby grypopodobnej częściej stwierdzono u osób, które nie poddały się szczepieniu. Choroba wystąpiła u 37% respondentów, którzy się zaszczepili. 43% ankietowanych, którzy nie poddali się szczepieniu, zachorowało. Wnioski. W świetle powyższych wyników można stwierdzić, że szczepionki przeciwko grypie są skuteczne. Studenci kierunku lekarskiego szczepią się rzadziej niż lekarze i inni przedstawiciele zawodów medycznych