Cervical traction is administered by various techniques ranging from supine mechanical motorized cervical traction to seated cervical traction using an over-the-door pulley support with attached weights. Duration of cervical traction can range from a few minutes to 20 to 30 min, once or twice weekly to several times per day. Anecdotal evidence suggests efficacy and safety, but there is no documentation of efficacy of cervical traction beyond short-term pain reduction. Because of a clinical impression that a simplified, inexpensive, over-the-door home cervical traction method of treatment requiring 5 min of cervical traction twice daily was efficacious for both cervical pain and radiculopathic syndromes, we undertook a retrospective study of 58 outpatients treated between 1994 and 1996. Age range was 29 to 84 (mean, 56) yr. Twenty-three males and 35 females were classified as Grade 1 to Grade 3 according to the Quebec Task Force of Whiplash-Associated Disorders Cohort Study. Outcomes were as follows: Grade 1 (mild)--4 of 4 (100%) patients improved; Grade 2 (moderate)--34 of 44 (77%) patients improved (P < 0.01), 5 were unchanged, and 5 felt their symptoms were aggravated by cervical traction; Grade 3 (patients with radiculopathy)--9 of 10 (90%) patients improved (P < 0.01). In a retrospective study, a brief (3-5 min), over-the-door home cervical traction modality provided symptomatic relief in 81% of the patients with mild to moderately severe (Grade 3) cervical spondylosis syndromes. Prospective, randomized assessment of cervical traction for this and other methods is needed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physical modalities for treating the foot affected by connective tissue diseases.

Physical therapy is often necessary in the optimum treatment of foot and ankle disorders associated with connective tissue diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Thermal modalities and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation use for pain control are described, as well as a therapeutic exercise, ambulatory assistive devices, below the knee bearing braces, and the prescription of appropriately supportive and corrective footwear and shoe modification are discussed in the context of increasing comfort and minimizing deformity and disability.

Ankle Joint↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of xerographic reproduction measurements of ulnar deviation.

The lack of a practical validated measure of ulnar deviation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has precluded serious consideration of conservative treatments to correct ulnar deviation. The xerographic photocopier provides an available, inexpensive, safe instrument for recording hand positions. Randomized xerographs detected differences in individual finger angles in both RA and normals (p less than .01) when using a standardized method for angle measurements. This method is simple, safe (no radiation), and offers a practical approach to assessing the treatment of ulnar deviation in RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗