Tag: Marek Żak

Assessing the risk of accidental falls in the elderly: an analysis of a medium-sized population

Marek Żak, Tomasz Grodzicki

Marek Żak, Tomasz Grodzicki – Assessing the risk of accidental falls in the elderly: an analysis of a medium-sized population. Fizjoterapia Polska 2004; 4(4); 391-395

Abstract

Background. The incidence of falls among the elderly has not yet been the subject of a major, in-depth study. This significant social issue is still greatly underrated by clinicians and physiotherapists. As accidental falls are widely recognized to carry potentially grave consequences for frail elderly victims, the present study aimed to assess in some detail the attendant circumstances and identify the key risk factors, with a view to contributing to the establishment of a nationwide plan for multi-tiered, preventive action. Materials and methods. The study group was comprised of 178 female patients, 66-91 years of age, recruited from the Geriatric Department of the Municipal Medical and Nursing Facility in Cracow, treated for hypertension in the period 1999-2001. Each was reported to have sustained at least one fall within 3 months prior to hospitalization. We examined the patients’ nursing and medical records, as well as individual risk assessment profiles, in search of patterns. Comprehensive information was obtained on the attendant circumstances, i. e. specific location, timing, and prevailing circumstances. Results. The majority of accidental falls (68%) occurred within the patient’s own room, toilet, or hallway. The patients proved to be most at risk when attempting to change posture. As many as 46% of the falls occurred between 6 and 10 AM, which may have been due to environmental factors combined with individually impaired mobility.Conclusions. Paradoxically, the highest risk of fall was correlated with performing ostensibly simple tasks of daily living, particularly during night and early morning hours.

Key words:
Geriatrics, Hypertension, Activities of Daily Living
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Assessment of potential risk factors for falls in osteoporotic elderly versus individual mobility considerations

Marek Żak, Szymon Krupnik, Wojciech Kiebzak, Agnieszka Stopa, Joanna Czesak

M. Żak, S. Krupnik, W. Kiebzak, A. Stopa, J. Czesak – Assessment of potential risk factors for falls in osteoporotic elderly versus individual mobility considerations. FP 2014; 14(1); 36-40

Abstract

Background. Incidental falls are anxiously perceived by an increasing number of elderly persons as a clear symptom of ageing, potentially leading to permanent care-dependency.
Methods. The study population comprised 72 patients recruited from respective university clinic geriatric wards (aged 81- 95). A Timed UP & GO test (TUG) was applied (in line with Tinetti POMA protocol), to assess an individual risk of fall. Group I comprised the patients (48 women; x=84 years) who scored 14 seconds or more; Group II – the patients who scored 13.5 seconds or less (24 women; x=82 years).
Results.  When completing Tinetti (POMA) test, Group I women (TUG test scores of 14 seconds and more) ultimately scored below 19 points, i.e. their risk of fall was assessed as 5-fold greater than in their Group II peers (TUG test scores of 13.5 seconds and less).
Consequently, statistical significance of the correlation coefficients between the TUG and Tinetti (POMA) test scores was established as p < 0.05. In Group I (TUG > 14 s) this correlation coefficient was negative and equaled r = -0.74, whereas in Group II (TUG < 13.5 s) it was (r = -0.62).
Conclusions. The TUG test makes up an effective diagnostic instrument for assessing a potential risk of fall (i.e. identify potential fallers) and may therefore be applied as an effective screening test for this group of patients. Community dwellers of higher functional capabilities, despite the risks related to osteoporosis, are far less likely to sustain an accidental fall.

Key words:
geriatrics, falls, osteoporosis, functional capabilities, Timed UP & GO test

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Evaluation of the effectiveness of two rehabilitation programmes for the patients with the shoulder impingement syndrome

Katarzyna Ogrodzka, Karolina Leśniak, Aneta Bac, Tomasz Ridan, Marek Żak

K. Ogrodzka, K. Leśniak, A. Bac, T. Ridan, M. Żak: Evaluation of the effectiveness of two rehabilitation programmes for the patients with the shoulder impingement syndrome. FP 2015;15(4); 42-52

Abstract

Aim. The study aimed to compare two specific programmes of rehabilitation for patients with the shoulder impingement syndrome, as well as to assess to what extent the National Health Service refunded rehabilitation scheme was able to restore the possibility of recovering the function in a shoulder joint, in comparison to the programme of rehabilitation devised and developed by the Authors.
Material and method. The assessment embraced the two groups of patients, 7 in each, all diagnosed with shoulder impingement syndrome. The first group only used the refunded treatments, whereas the second group underwent the Authors’ programme of rehabilitation specifically tailored to address the patients’ individual needs.
Results. Having completed the course of respective rehabilitation programmes, the patients from both groups were found to have increased the range of motion in their shoulder joints, as well as experience an appreciably reduced level of pain when pursuing their daily activities, and also when at rest.
Conclusion. The Authors’ rehabilitation programme proved an appreciably more effective procedure for tackling the shoulder impingement syndrome.

Key words:
shoulder impingement syndrome, physical therapy, efficiency

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Evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment and physical rehabilitation in patients with meniscus tear

Katarzyna Ogrodzka, Aneta Bac, Joanna Bursztyn, Tomasz Ridan, Marek Żak

K. Ogrodzka, A. Bac, J. Bursztyn, T. Ridan, M. Żak – Evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment and physical rehabilitation in patients with meniscus tear. FP 2016;16(1);62-72

Abstract
Summary
The aim of this study has been to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and physical rehabilitation in patients after the traumatic meniscus tear.
The total of 14 persons have been examined. The qualifying procedure has been based on the surgery technique applied: meniscectomy – group A, and meniscus repair (by sewing) – group B. Each group consisted of 7 persons, aged 30-66.
The knee range of motion, the leg circumference and the knee stability have been assessed. The LEFS questionnaire and the VAS scale have been used in order to compare the intensity of pain.
It has been found, that the type of the arthroscopy performed has had an impact on both, the functional status and the pain sensation, and that the better results have been achieved in patients, who have had undergone the knee meniscectomy.

Key words:
meniscectomy, meniscus repair, meniscus tear

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