Prevalence of Hamstring Tightness Due to Prolonged Sitting Among Administrative Staff of Government College University, Faisal Hospital and Commissioner Ofce Faisalabad

Hamstring muscle (HMS) tightness is known as the impotence of full knee extension while the hip is flexed which creates discomfort or pain along hip to knee in posterior compartment of thigh. The aim of this study is to evaluate thep r e v a l e n c e o f H M S t i g h t n e s s a m o n g administrative staff due to prolonged sitting. Objective: To evaluate the HMS tightness due to prolonged sitting among administrative staff. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 274 participants from administrative staff of Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisal Hospital and Commissioner Office Faisalabad (Fsd). To measure the poplitealangle, Active Knee Extension Test (AKE) was performed. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 17. Results: This study showed that out of 274 participants 152 subjects showed hamstring tightness with prevalence of 55.5%. As the age advances, the HMS tightness also increases. Conclusions: The present study shows that almost more than half participants from administrative staff of GCUF, Faisal Hospital and Commissioner Office Fsd have HMS tightness.

Popliteal vein compression with the limb extended

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the haemodynamic significance of popliteal vein compression by full knee extension. Patients and methods: We examined patients without a history of previous deep vein thrombosis with the knee slightly flexed and then fully extended. The popliteal vein diameters and venous pressures in 61 subjects (116 limbs) were examined using duplex ultrasonography and photoplethysmography. The venous outflow in 50 patients was assessed using photoplethysmography. Results: The diameter of the popliteal vein in semiflexion was 7.7 (+ 1,5) mm, in extension it was reduced to 4.3 (+ 1,7) mm (p < 0.001). Venous pressure in the big toe rose from 12.3 (+ 6,1) mmHg to 15.5 (+ 7,4) (p < 0.001). We have demonstrated the reduction of maximum venous outflow in 50 patients from 65.8 (+ 24) %/min to 60.1 (+ 23) %/min (p < 0.01) immediately after loosening the 2-minute venous occlusion, as well as outflow reduction during subsequent seconds. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence of haemodynamically significant popliteal vein compression in full extension of the limb. Clinically, the compression may play a role as a risk factor for venous thrombosis in immobilized patients, particularly during operations.

The Reliability of a New Device Designed to Assess Gastrocnemius Contracture

Gastrocnemius contracture may be a significant cause of many foot disorders. Gastrocnemius tension can be estimated clinically by measuring maximum ankle dorsiflexion during full knee extension. Such measurements, when made with currently available goniometric devices, are subject to high levels of intra- and inter-observer variability. We have designed a device to more consistently measure ankle dorsiflexion, using three dimensional tracking sensors on the leg and foot. The applied dorsiflexion torque is kept constant by a computer, and the computer also monitors hindfoot position to maintain a neutrally aligned foot during testing. Repeated measurements on 26 feet were taken to determine the consistency of the device. The correlation coefficient for the measurements was 0.96, indicating very low intra- observer variability. The standard deviation of the repeated measures was 2°. Based on the 95% confidence interval, the device can be considered accurate to within 4°. Given this accuracy, this instrument could be used to assess gastrocnemius tension, its role in foot pathology, and the effectiveness of surgical lengthening. Compared to other currently available measuring devices, this instrument is the most reliable in estimating ankle dorsiflexion, since it is capable of controlling hindfoot position and applied dorsiflexion torque, and it can be easily constructed by other laboratories.

Spasticity and strength changes as a function of selective dorsal rhizotomy

This investigation quantified pre- and postsurgery (8 months) hamstring muscle spasticity and strength in children with cerebral palsy (CP) undergoing a selective dorsal rhizotomy. Nineteen children with CP (CP group) and six children with able bodies (AB group) underwent testing with a dynamometer. For the spasticity measure, the dynamometer measured the resistive torque of the hamstring muscles during passive knee extension at four different speeds. Torque angle data were processed to calculate the work done by the machine to extend the knee for each speed. Linear regression was used to calculate the slope of the line of best fit for the work velocity data. The slope simultaneously encompassed three key elements associated with spasticity (velocity, resistance, and stretch) and was considered the measure of spasticity. For the strength test, the dynamometer moved the leg from full knee extension to flexion while a maximum concentric contraction of the hamstring muscles was performed. Torque angle data were processed to calculate the work done on the machine by the child. Hamstring spasticity values for the CP group were significantly greater than similar values for AB group prior to surgery; however they were not significantly different after surgery. Hamstring strength values for the CP group remained significantly less than those for the AB group after surgery, but were significantly increased relative to their presurgery values. The results of spasticity testing in the present investigation agreed with previous studies indicating a reduction in spasticity for the CP group. The results of strength testing did not agree with those in the previous literature; a significant increase in strength was observed for the CP group.