Objective
To evaluate whether 7 radiographic angles make a useful method for analysing foot deformities in children with cerebral palsy, and to assess with changes in angles after 2 years with orthoses or operations. Method: The talocalcaneal, talus-first metatarsal, and calcaneus-fifth metatarsal angles on the AP radiographs and the talocalcaneal, tibiotalar, talus-first metatarsal, and talohorizontal angles on the lateral radiographs were measured in 183 cerebral palsied. Seven angles were analyzed according to the clinical types, spasticity, ambulation, and age. One hundred three feet were followed up for 2 years with application of orthoses or operations. Results: The frequencies of higher range in AP talocalcanealangle were 24.4% in spastic diplegia. The increased frequencies for abnormal range increased as the grade of spasticity. Non-ambulator group had many frequencies of lower range in AP talocalcaneal angle. The age of 8∼9 years showed high peak in the frequency of abnormal range. After 2 years, the frequencies of normal range were increased in groups with orthoses or operations. Conclusion: The radiographic angles were a useful method for observing feet of the children with cerebral palsy. If the appropriate interventions for feet were applied, the normal frequencies of radiographic angles were increased after 2 years. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2004; 28: 549-558)

Objective
To compare the degree of improvement of conduction block in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) between the patients who received operation and those who received conservative treatment.

Method: Subjects included 33 hands of 27 CTS patients who received operation (operation group) and 20 hands of 17 patients who were managed conservatively (non-operation group). Median antidromic sensory responses were recorded with wrist and palm stimulation. The criterion for conduction block was more than 50% drop of baseline to negative peak amplitude of sensory nerve action potential with wrist stimulation compared to palm stimulation. The degree of conduction block was measured before and after treatment, and the improvement of conduction block was compared between the two groups.

Results: The degrees of conduction block were 59.9⁑14.3% in operation group and 60.5⁑14.5% in the non-operation group at initial evaluation. The improvements of conduction block were 32.1⁑15.1% (5∼58.9%) in operation group and 7.8⁑19.8% (⁣27.3∼36.7%) in non-operation group after treatment and the difference was statistically significant.

Conclusion: The results suggest that operative treatment may be useful even in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome with conduction block. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2003; 27: 369-373)