Introduction

With an ageing population comes an increased prevalence of osteoporosis and associated fracture. Whilst treatment of the condition following such a fracture is partially effective, primary prevention through screening and appropriate follow-up is the ideal. In order to assess a population's risk of fracture, paper questionnaires would traditionally have to be sent, however this is an wasteful and costly. A more efficient method may be to have patients assess their own FRAX score through a modified computer application.

Introduction

In the US over half a million people are prescribed crutches each year. More than 750,000 wheelchair users exist in the UK and wheelchair and crutch users commonly develop shoulder pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of complex topographies on heart rate (HR) and thus energy expenditure, using a wheelchair and differing crutch designs on the exertional body stress.

Introduction

Modern forearm crutches have evolved little since their invention last century. We evaluated comfort and user satisfaction of 2 spring-loaded crutches compared with existing crutch designs.

Background and objectives

The prevention of osteoporotic fractures is a global problem. Key to this strategy is efficient identification of ‘at risk’ patients in order to address the osteoporosis pandemic, including the identification of previously sustained fractures. GP practices are now integrating touch screens as a method of registering patients' attendance for an appointment, so all ages of patients are becoming familiar with this channel of communication. Our touch screen patient administered questionnaire system intends to provide an effective solution.

Arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for cuff and glenoid deficiency poses major problems due to the limitations in treatment options and debilitating symptoms. We hypothesized that computer aided deigned and manufactured (CADCAM) total shoulder arthroplasty, using a precisely fitted glenoid shell, can relieve the pain and poor function associated with irreparable rotator cuff pathology and severe glenoid deficiency in the shoulder.

Of the 127 cases so far performed, a prospective cohort study 79 consecutive subjects, with a mean 28.7 month follow-up, were evaluated by a single practitioner blinded to their group status. Outcome was assessed using a validated clinical shoulder scoring system and radiographic review.

The subjects had a mean age of 58 (41–82) and their indication (where recorded) was mainly revision total shoulder replacement (62%) with some cases for primary osteoarthritis (12%) and rheumatoid arthritis (9%) and a proportion for other reasons (19%) including 1 re-revision case for dislocation.

Clinical follow-up was limited in this population (n=58, 73%) The ‘CADCAM’ group’s mean Stanmore Percentage of Normal Shoulder Assessment scores (SPONSA) were relatively unchanged post surgery (47 to 42 p=0.3). The Oxford Shoulder scores improved significantly (15 to 33, p< 0.0001). Most significantly, and by way of explanation, post surgery subjects recorded a reduction in the Visual Analogue Scale (Pain) scores (6.6 to 2.9) p< 0.0001). Patient satisfaction was generally good.

Radiographic review of the 79 cases revealed glenoid component screw breakage (4%, n=5) which is a moderate correlate of glenoid loosening (r = 0.65, r2 = 0.42) and probably more accurate than radiographic lucent lines seen in 6% (n=7). Humeral lucency was seen in 10%, (n=8). These radiographic findings correlated well with the clinical findings.

Postoperative pain and function was significantly improved in subjects undergoing the ‘CADCAM’ technique of shoulder arthroplasty offering a consistent salvage option for situations where no alternative to glenoid reconstruction is feasible.

Patients admitted with spinal injuries following trauma require careful serial examinations to detect any neurological deficit that may develop. Thorough documentation of the findings is of paramount importance. Enforced working practice within the NHS means that these patients are often assessed by different members of staff with varying levels of experience, thus inconsistent documentation can be a cause for concern.

The project aim was to design a human computer interface to standardise the performance and documentation of serial neurological examinations in patients with spinal injury, allowing the user to accurately detect any neurological deterioration.

A prototype system was developed for ward based PC’s incorporating the essential requirements of the neurological examination. Usability testing was performed on the prototype by recruiting fifteen users who would be expected to routinely perform the neurological examination on spinal injury patients. Usability was defined by a number of well defined goals (impression, efficiency, learnability, memorability, safety and effectiveness) and methods used in the evaluation included direct observation during completion of tasks, a questionnaire and unstructured interview.

Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected. This data was subsequently analysed using descriptive and inferential methods. The results of the analysis showed that the users responded favourably to the prototype in respects to the all usability goals except efficiency. This lack of efficiency was expected due to the rigid nature of computer based systems compared to paper based methods of recording data but this disadvantage was more than compensated for by the increased patient safety that the system would provide.

It can be concluded from the usability testing that the prototype achieves the aims of the project but further work is required in developing the prototype into a final interface design before beta testing in a clinical environment can be considered.