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Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Services in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, at Technikon Natal, 2001. / This study aims to provide insight into the relative effectiveness of two different approaches in the treatment of sacro - iliac syndrome. Until recently, the sacro - iliac joints were not commonly considered to be mobile enough to suffer from detectable restriction of motion (Panzer and Gatterman 1995:453). Kirkaldy - Willis et al. (1992:126) however, states that sacro - iliac syndrome is a well defined and common type of dysfunction. Frymoyer et al. (1991 :2114) also reports sacro - iliac syndrome to be common, although it is frequently overlooked as a source of low back pain. This study will attempt to determine whether manipulation of the sacro - iliac joints together with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (P.N.F.) stretching of the piriformis muscles is a more effective treatment for sacro - iliac syndrome, than manipulation alone. This will be accomplished by determining which approach yields the best patient response in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. The study conducted was a randomised clinical trial consisting of two groups of 30 patients each. The patients were randomly allocated into the two groups. All patients received four treatments over a two - week period. Group one received manipulation of the sacro - iliac joints alone, while Group two received manipulation of the sacro - iliac joints together with P.N.F. stretching of the piriformis muscles. Only the sacro - iliac joint on the side of the sacro - iliac syndrome was manipulated, and only the piriformis muscle on the side of the sacro - iliac syndrome was stretched. If any patients became asymptomatic within the treatment period, then the treatment was terminated. The patients were however required to return for all the remaining consultations for observational purposes. The results of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Oswestry Low Back Disability Index questionnaire, inclinometer and algometer readings, as well as the sacro - iliac orthopaedic tests, were recorded before the first and second treatments, and immediately following the fourth (final) treatment. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic in the Faculty of Health at Technikon Natal, 2002. / Purpose . Rotator cuff tendinitis is a common problem, however, its diagnosis and management is not completely understood. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the efficacy of the chiropractic adjustment to determine whether or not it is an effective approach in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinitis. Methods This randomized controlled trial consisted of two groups. Each group consisted of thirty subjects, of any age, selected from the general population and randomly allocated to Group 1 or 2, participation in this trial was voluntary. Group 1 received chiropractic adjustment of the glenohumeral or acromioclavicular joint according to the fixations found on motion palpation and group 2 received placebo laser. Subjects in both groups had to comply with certain inclusion criteria before being allowed to participate in the study. Goniometer readings were taken to measure range of motion, algometer readings to measure pain threshold and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale was answered at the initial consultation, and on the third and sixth consultations. The Unpaired and Friedman's T- tests were used to assess the intra and intergroup information from the first, third and sixth consultations. Groups 1 and 2 were compared in terms of age, gender, race and clinical severity prior to onset. / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. / The aim of this point prevalence study was to compare the prevalence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction in recreational scuba divers and snorkiers, as opposed to non-divers, in terms of subjective findings. The Durban Metropolitan area diving population consisted of approximately 2500 divers and therefore the population size decided on was 200 divers and 200 non-divers. A total of 400 questionnaires were filled in with the participant's subjective data about their pain, limited mouth opening, and jaw joint noises. The divers were asked about their dive certification, and the number of dives done in order to establish whether they had dived within three months prior to participating in the study. The results were statistically analysed using chi-squared tests with the pvalue of a = 0.05. Tables and bar charts were constructed to visually represent the data and allow for descriptive analysis. The overall prevalence of TMJD in divers was 46.5% and in non-divers 54%. The chi-squared analysis shows no significant difference between the two groups. Among other findings, the relationship between the use of diving mouthpieces and TMJD was considered and it was established that 20% of divers, in this / M

The patellofemoral joint (PFJ) is a common source of problems in Orthopaedics and is the source of poorly defined pain and poor function in both normal and replaced knees. Before problems of the PFJ can be fully comprehended a better understanding of the basic form and function of the PFJ is required. The aim of this thesis therefore is to investigate the shape and kinematics of the PFJ and their inter-relations in both normal and replaced knees. The first part of this thesis was concerned with the shape (or form) of the PFJ. Species from the human ancestry over the previous 400 million years were assembled and measurements taken from three dimensional, CT reconstructions, allowing the descriptions of evolutionary changes in the shape, and orientation of the patellofemoral joint in relation to the tibiofemoral compartments. The study chronicled the dramatic changes that occurred in relation to the adoption of the erect bipedal hominin stance which has resulted in varied anatomy at the PFJ, predisposing it to a wide range of pathologies. The articular surface geometry of normal human patellofemoral joints (bone and cartilage) were compared with those of total knee replacements, and patellofemoral joint replacements. Mapping of the trajectory of the apex of the trochlea groove revealed significant differences between native and replaced knees, with the trajectory being orientated laterally in normal knees and either centrally or medially in replaced knees. The second part of this work was concerned with the kinematics (or function) of the PFJ. With current technology it is impossible to measure coronal plane PFJ kinematics with any accuracy in both native and replaced knees. A novel method was developed combining Motion Analysis and UltraSound (MAUS). Validation experiments were undertaken that demonstrated acceptable error (1.8 mm). The MAUS technique was used to show statistically significant differences between the coronal plane kinematics of the patella in normal and replaced knees. In particular in some arthroplasty patients, the patella tracked in the opposite direction to that in normal subjects. The abnormal kinematics were a manifestation of non-anatomical joint replacements. This demonstrates that form and function are closely related. The interaction between form and function in the knee was further investigated using patients with anterior knee pain. Assessment was made of the relationship between patellar subluxation and multiple bony, cartilaginous and soft-tissue factors potentially predisposing to subluxation. The percentage of engagement of the patella in the trochlear groove in knee extension showed the strongest relationship with subluxation, with subjects less than 30% engaged tending to subluxate. This suggests that the most important factor in preventing subluxation is patellar engagement. A clinical study is now required to assess the effect of surgery aimed at improving engagement. The detailed insights into the variability of form and function in the PFJ obtained throughout this thesis will help address pathology in the native knee and guide decisions for new designs of knee replacements. A novel technology has been developed here for measuring patella kinematics which has great potential for future research. The MAUS technique will provide a clinical investigative tool and allow investigation into kinematic abnormalities in other joints.