With an ageing population comes an increased prevalence of osteoporosis and associated fracture. Whilst treatment of the condition following such a fracture is partially effective, primary prevention through screening and appropriate follow-up is the ideal. In order to assess a population's risk of fracture, paper questionnaires would traditionally have to be sent, however this is an wasteful and costly. A more efficient method may be to have patients assess their own FRAX score through a modified computer application. To investigate the feasibility of patients self-reporting their FRAX score from the use of a touch screen application.Introduction
Aim
In the US over half a million people are prescribed crutches each year. More than 750,000 wheelchair users exist in the UK and wheelchair and crutch users commonly develop shoulder pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of complex topographies on heart rate (HR) and thus energy expenditure, using a wheelchair and differing crutch designs on the exertional body stress. Two Paralympics Athletes from the GB amputee football squad were assessed in a Lomax Active wheelchair and 5 different types of crutches in a randomly allocated order over a course representing everyday complex terrains at the Pedestrian Accessibility and Movement Environment Laboratory (PAMELA), University College London. In addition results were compared over the same course with the athletes using their own personal pair of crutches. The PAMELA course consisted of a mixture of 4% and 2.5% cross falls (transverse) and a simulated road crossing, sprint, slalom and a slow straight.Introduction
Method
Modern forearm crutches have evolved little since their invention last century. We evaluated comfort and user satisfaction of 2 spring-loaded crutches compared with existing crutch designs. 25 healthy subjects (11 male, average age 26.2 years; 14 female, average age 22.7 years) participated. Each used 5 different crutches in a randomly allocated order: standard forearm crutch (ergonomic grip); spring-loaded crutch (soft spring, ergonomic grip); spring-loaded crutch (firm spring, ergonomic grip); standard forearm crutch (normal grip); axillary crutch. Participants completed a purpose built course at the Pedestrian Accessibility and Movement LAboratory, UCL (PAMELA). The course consisted of a mixture of slopes (transverse and longitudinal), sprint, slalom, and a slow straight. All participants completed questionnaires relating to crutch user preference and design features.Introduction
Methods
The prevention of osteoporotic fractures is a global problem. Key to this strategy is efficient identification of ‘at risk’ patients in order to address the osteoporosis pandemic, including the identification of previously sustained fractures. GP practices are now integrating touch screens as a method of registering patients' attendance for an appointment, so all ages of patients are becoming familiar with this channel of communication. Our touch screen patient administered questionnaire system intends to provide an effective solution. The Virtual Research Integration Collaboration (VRIC) framework supports the integration of basic science and clinical research. It enables the management of research lifecycles by integrating scientific approaches with everyday work practice in a virtual research environment (VRE). ‘Catch Before a Fall’ (CBaF) is a clinical research project using VRIC, using a dedicated interface, co-designed by orthopaedic surgeons and basic scientists, adapted for sensory and IT impaired subjects to capture such information, since approximately 75% of registered over 65 year olds visit their GP each year.Background and objectives
Methods
