When is a change a genuine change? A clinically meaningful interpretation of grip strength measurements in healthy and disabled women.

The aim of this study was twofold: 1) to use estimates of random and systematic error to ascertain the test-retest reliability of grip strength measurements obtained with the Jamar hand dynamometer in healthy and disabled women, and 2) to determine the size of the change required to detect a genuine change in grip strength for accurate and meaningful clinical interpretation. Previous research has shown grip strength measurements obtained with a Jamar hand dynamometer from healthy and disabled subjects on different occasions to be reliable. However, the test-retest reliability has been based on correlation coefficients rather than on the actual size of the test-retest differences required to detect a genuine change in grip.

Outcome of conservative and surgical management of navicular stress fracture in athletes. Eighty-six cases proven with computerized tomography.

Eighty-two athletes with 86 clinical navicular stress fractures, all imaged with computerized tomography, were followed for an average of 33 months (range, 6 to 108) after diagnosis. Initial treatment consisted of at least 6 weeks of nonweightbearing cast immobilization for 22 fractures, at least 6 weeks of limitation of activity with continued weightbearing for 34 fractures, and a period of less than 6 weeks of conservative treatment for another 19 fractures. Five patients attempted to continue playing sports.

Compensated back injury in New Zealand.

Back injury is one of the commonest claims for accident compensation. A survey carried out over three months in 1984 identified 420 claimants having details of their accidents. Labourers, freezing workers, coal miners and railway workers were at high risk.

Femoral neck fracture: a preventable phenomenon?

The purpose of this paper is to examine the problem of femoral neck fracture in the elderly New Zealand citizen, and to consider the prospects for prevention. Data are drawn chiefly from the Accident Compensation Corporation's claims data base, which has enabled identification of the mechanism of accident associated with such fractures. The data reveal a relative preponderance of femoral neck fracture in females of advanced age.

The relationship between Achilles tendon rupture and serum uric acid level.

The serum uric acid level of 30 patients with a rupture of the Achilles tendon was compared with that of 30 healthy control subjects matched for age and sex. In patients with a ruptured Achilles tendon the serum uric acid level was significantly higher than in the control subjects. This finding was not dependent on sex or race.

Nabumetone, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: a comparison with naproxen.

Nabumetone, 500 mg two nocte, was compared with naproxen, 250 mg two nocte and one mane, in the management of 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending an outpatients clinic. Both drugs were generally well tolerated and were of comparable efficacy in the dose employed. Similar numbers incurred side effects while taking either drug, but severe side effects, requiring withdrawal from the trial in two cases, were restricted to those patients taking naproxen.

The effects of hypoxia on human skin, lung and tendon cells in vitro.

Fibroblasts derived from human foetal tendon, skin and lung were cultured in media containing dissolved oxygen at concentrations of 20%, 10% and 2.7%. Total protein and collagen synthesis were reduced at 2.

Cervical injury in rugby football--a New Zealand survey.

In a study of cervical injury in New Zealand rugby football in the years 1973 to 1978 inclusive, 54 cases of injury were identified of which five were fatal. There is no evidence that the incidence of these injuries is increasing. Incomplete figures for the season of 1979/80 include two deaths and 14 cases of permanent cord compression or temporary quadriplegia.

A comparison of flurbiprofen with naproxen in ankylosing spondylitis.

In a four week double-blind crossover study, flurbiprofen 200mg daily was compared with naproxen 750mg daily in the management of 30 patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Both treatments were found to be very effective in alleviating pain and stiffness. No significant difference in efficacy was discernible between the two drugs.

Benign rheumatoid nodules.

Nine cases in which subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules were observed in the absence of any evidence of rheumatoid arthritis are recorded. In four of these cases, the nodules appeared during adolescence or adult life, a very rare phenomenon. Synovitis occurred in only one patient, after an interval of 15 years, but it did not persist and other features of rheumatoid arthritis were not present.

A comparison of sulindac with ibuprofen in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Sulindac 200mg b.i.d.

Lateral subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint in rheumatoid arthritis.

Involvement of the cervical spine by rheumatoid disease is common, but lateral subluxation at the atlanto-axial level has not been recorded previously. The condition is due to asymmetrical erosion of the lateral atlanto-axial facet joint, and may be complicated by collapse of the lateral mass of the axis. The condition should be suspected in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who present with occipital, auricular, and/or facial pain.