Tag: elbow

Biomechanical aspects of elbow joint action in rheumatoid arthritis

Jolanta Rojczyk-Chmarek, Janusz Błaszczyk, Krzysztof Gieremek, Wojciech Cieśla, Jacek Polechoński

J. Rojczyk-Chmarek, J. Błaszczyk, K. Gieremek, W. Cieśla, J. Polechoński – Biomechanical aspects of elbow joint action in rheumatoid arthritis. FP 2014; 14(1); 6-16

Abstract

Functional limitations associated with RA-induce changes within the elbow joint and result in biomechanical disturbances. Objective data on the mobility of the affected articulation would facilitate the assessment of disease severity, selection of optimal physiotherapy interventions. Materials and Methods. Our study participants performed cyclic forearm extension and flexion elbow movements with different angular velocities. Biomechanical assessment comprised of spatiotemporal properties of cyclic movements. Spatial analysis of movement included the determination of movement direction (flexion, extension) and amplitude whereas the temporal analysis included the duration of particular movement phases as well as time-frequency analysis of a movement cycle. Results. The obtained results indicate that movement parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis differ significantly compared to normal ranges. Movement speed and amplitude as well as frequency and duration of movement are decreased. RA patients also exhibited considerable asymmetry of cyclic flexions and extensions of the elbow joint. Conclusion. It can be concluded that a biomechanical analysis using a manipulandum apparatus is a valuable diagnostic tool allowing objective evaluation of elbow function in rheumatoid arthritis. The measurements are highly sensitive, and hence, if performed in a larger patient population, they might help develop a classification of movement dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow joint. The analysis might also facilitate the assessment of hand dysfunction at various stages of RA development.

Key words:
rehabilitation, elbow, biomechanical, rheumatoid arthritis

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Assessment of the effects of rehabilitation interventions for patients with rhematoid arthritis using biomechanical analysis of elbow function

Jolanta Rojczyk-Chmarek, Joanna Cieślińska-Świder, Krzysztof Gieremek, Wojciech Cieśla, Jacek Polechoński

J. Rojczyk-Chmarek, J. Cieślińska-Świder, K. Gieremek, W. Cieśla, J. Polechoński – Assessment of the effects of rehabilitation interventions for patients with rhematoid arthritis using biomechanical analysis of elbow function. FP 2015; 15(1); 36-47

Abstract

Background. The aim of the investigations was to verify the effectiveness of a method of elbow function evaluation in patients with rhematoid arthritis. The method was expected to allow monitoring of disease progression and to help assess the effects of rehabilitation interventions.
Material and Methods. Cyclic flexion-extension movements in the elbow joint were examined in 82 individuals. The measurements were carried out with a computer-controlled unit for studying elbow movements (manipulandum). The study participants performed movements 1) of minimum speed, ie., the slowest possible movement, 2) of preferred speed consistent with patient preferences and habits, and 3) of maximum speed. The measurements were carried out before and after a 3-week rehabilitation program.
Results. The obtained results indicate that the rehabilitation intervention caused improvement in several parameters of the investigated movements. Movement amplitude (range of movement),  angular velocity (especially angular velocity of elbow extension) increased, the symmetry index decreased while no changes were observed in movement cycle duration for preferred and maximum speed.
Conclusions. The results indicate that this method of isokinetic movement evaluation allows objective assessment of articular pathologies and rehabilitation/pharmacotherapy outcomes. Our investigations suggest that, in order to obtain reliable information on the patient’s functional status, the measurements should be performed during preferred and maximum speed elbow movements. Information thereby obtained might be of considerable importance for selection of appropriate physiotherapy interventions.

Key words:
rehabilitation, elbow, biomechanical, rheumatoid arthritis

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