Limited physical activity (PA) is one indication for orthopaedic intervention and restoration of PA a treatment goal. However, the objective assessment of PA is not routinely performed and in particular the effect of spinal pathology on PA is hardly known. It is the purpose of this study using wearable accelerometers to measure if, by how much and in what manner spinal stenosis affects PA compared to age-matched healthy controls. Nine patients (m/f= 5/4, avg. age: 67.4 ±7.7 years, avg. BMI: 29.2 ±3.5) diagnosed with spinal stenosis but without decompressive surgery or other musculoskeletal complaints were measured. These patients were compared to 28 age-matched healthy controls (m/f= 17/11, avg. age: 67.4 ±7.6 years, avg. BMI: 25.3±2.9). PA was measured using a wearable accelerometer (GCDC X8M-3) worn during waking hours on the lateral side of the right leg for 4 consecutive days. Data was analyzed using previously validated activity classification algorithms in MATLAB to identify the type, duration and event counts of postures or PA like standing, sitting, walking or cycling. In addition, VAS pain and OSWESTRY scores were taken. Groups were compared using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test where applicable. Correlations between PA and clinical scores were tested using Pearson”s r.Introduction
Patients & Methods
The ankle X-ray has moderate diagnostic power to identify syndesmotic instability, showing large sensitivity ranges between observers. Classification systems and radiographic measurements showed moderate to high interobserver agreement, with extended classifications performing worse. There is no consensus regarding the diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures with respect to syndesmotic injury. The diagnosis of syndesmotic injury is currently based on intraoperative findings. Surgical indication is mainly made by ankle X-ray assessment, by several classification systems and radiographic measurements. Misdiagnosis of the injury results in suboptimal treatment, which may lead to chronic complaints, like instability and osteoarthritis. This study investigates the diagnostic power and interobserver agreement of three classification methods and radiographic measures, currently used to assess X-ankles and to identify syndesmotic injury.Summary
Introduction
