Persistent headache is a common symptom following a minor head injury or concussion, possibly related to simultaneous injury of structures of the cervical spine. This study measured aspects of cervical musculoskeletal function in a group of patients (12) with post-concussional headache (PCH) and in a normal control group. The PCH group was distinguished from the control group by the presence of painful upper cervical segmental joint dysfunction, less endurance in the neck flexor muscles and a higher incidence of moderately tight neck musculature. Active range of cervical motion and postural attitude were not significantly different between groups. As upper cervical joint dysfunction is a feature of cervicogenic causes of headache, the results of this study support the inclusion of a precise physical examination of the cervical region in differential diagnosis of patients suffering persistent headache following concussion.
The management requires the skills of a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians who have seldom faced the challenge. The team leader must draw together principles of a medical, social, cultural, religious and legal nature in reaching the best outcome. Often the basic question is whether one child should die or both? At times the question is raised whether it is justifiable to sacrifice one life to save the other. In these days of high technology, surgeons can be tempted to go a bridge too far. In reaching this decision there can be numerous hidden conflicts of interest. Increasingly the final decision needs to be made and approved by the courts so as to protect the rights of the twins and to ensure surgical intervention is not an unlawful act.
There is considerable interest in the problems of the elderly taking drugs correctly and appropriately. A recent survey (Parkin et al. 1976) showed that these problems that have long been known in geriatric practice have now been noted by general physicians. This review was undertaken when an occupational therapist in a geriatric unit team noted that, although patients and their relatives were taught methods of dressing, toileting, shaving, bathing, eating, walking, transferring to a chair, wheelchair mobility and communication by the occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech therapist, no advice or teaching was given concerning the accurate taking of the drugs prescribed. The results of a detailed investigation are reported elsewhere (Atkinson, Gibson & Andrews 1978). Repeatedly, patients ready for discharge were handed a batch of drugs by a nurse at the last possible moment, even while sitting by their luggage awaiting the ambulance. Following this, special attention was paid to problems such as intellectual impairment, loss of memory and confusion, poor sight, inability to handle containers, failure to take drugs and lack of patient-education. During ward rounds, particularly when a geriatric health visitor was present, attention was drawn to special topics such as the number of patients who inadvertently kill themselves and the numbers needing readmission due to failure to take drugs, overdosage or underdosage or mixing of drugs (Wade 1972). Ferguson Anderson's comment (1974) that 7.15% of hospital admissions are due to drug reactions was also noted.
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