Posttraumatic elbow agility and reduction of muscle force after intra-articular distal fractures of the humerus in adults

Decline in muscle strength and physical function after fracture in men - the prospective STRAMBO study

Studies on muscle strength and physical function after fracture are focused on short follow-ups and adjacent anatomical region. We compared loss of muscle strength and physical function in men after fracture with normal ageing-related decline. In 823 men aged 60-87, measurements of grip strength and clinical tests (chair stands, balance) were performed every 4 years for 12 years. In 155 men with incident fracture, we compared the status after vs. before the fracture. In men without fracture (controls), we compared the status on the first follow-up (4 years) vs. baseline. In men with fracture, grip strength decreased more than in the controls (41%, 0.28SD, P < .01). Men with fracture had higher risk of incident deterioration on the five chair-stand test vs. the controls (OR = 2.45, P < .001). They had higher risk of incident inability to stand for 10s with closed eyes vs. the controls (OR = 4.80, P < .01). They also had higher risk of deterioration on the tandem walk than the controls: forwards (OR = 2.04, P < .01), backwards (OR = 2.25, P < .005). The rapid physical decline was not limited to the region of the fracture site. In men who had incident non-upper limb fractures, grip strength decreased more (32%, P < .05) vs. the controls. In men who had incident non-lower limb fractures, the risk of decline in the tests of the lower limbs was higher vs. controls (chair stands, OR = 2.73, P < .001). The risk of decline was higher in men with clinical fractures which occurred >1 year before the next visit vs. controls (tandem walk forwards, OR = 2.98, P < .005). Overall, in older men, fractures were associated with greater loss of muscle strength and physical function vs. normal ageing. This accelerated decline was also found in the anatomical regions remote from the fracture site. Thus, programs to decrease or reverse the post-fracture decline could have beneficial effects on subsequent fracture risk.

Development of Joint Activity Angle Measurement and Cloud Data Storage System

In this study, we developed a range of motion sensing system (ROMSS) to simulate the function of the elbow joint, with errors less than 0.76 degrees and 0.87 degrees in static and dynamic verification by the swinging and angle recognition modules, respectively. In the simulation process, the ɣ correlation coefficient of the Pearson difference between the ROMSS and the universal goniometer was 0.90, the standard deviations of the general goniometer measurements were between ±2 degrees and ±2.6 degrees, and the standard deviations between the ROMSS measurements were between ±0.5 degrees and ±1.6 degrees. With the ROMSS, a cloud database was also established; the data measured by the sensor could be uploaded to the cloud database in real-time to provide timely patient information for healthcare professionals. We also developed a mobile app for smartphones to enable patients and healthcare providers to easily trace the data in real-time. Historical data sets with joint activity angles could be retrieved to observe the progress or effectiveness of disease recovery so the quality of care could be properly assessed and maintained.