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Acute limb ischaemia is a sudden deterioration or lack of blood flow to a limb, potentially causing the risk of losing it. The main symptom is pain and weakness or lack of active movement of the foot and toes, i.e. motor paralysis. The gold standard in the treatment of patients with acute limb ischaemia is surgical treatment. Revascularisation is followed by rehabilitation, which includes early verticalisation and mobilisation, including breathing and antithrombotic exercises. In case of a so-called foot drop complication, the rehabilitation plan includes the following: passive exercises, passive remedial exercises, self-assisted exercises, resistance exercises, kinesiotaping, gait training, as well as protecting the ankle with an orthosis to prevent the paralysed foot from dropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study is to assess changes in walking abilities measured on a treadmill and in a community outdoor setting after 12-week supervised treadmill training in patients with claudication due to peripheral arterial disease. Material and methods: The study included 36 patients aged 69.94 ± 6.9, randomised into training (n = 21) and control (n = 15) groups. Changes in pain-free walking distance (PFWDTT), maximal walking distance (MWDTT) during the graded treadmill test and the maximal walking distance (MWDGPS), total walking distance (TWDGPS), average walking distance (AWDGPS), walking speed (WSGPS), number of stops (NSGPS) and stop durations (SDGPS) obtained the during community setting outdoor walking were assessed before and after the programme. Results: Significant results were observed only in the training group. PFWDTT and MWDTT were prolonged by 92% and 97%, respectively (p < 0.05). AWDGPS and SDGPS increased significantly, which was accompanied by a reduction in NSGPS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The 12-week, supervised treadmill training improves walking abilities measured on a treadmill, and partially in a community setting outdoor among patients with claudication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim was to assess the test–retest reliability of an outdoor walking test with a global positioning system device in older women in a community setting. In addition, correlations between the suggested test and various tests recommended to evaluate muscle strength, walking speed, and self-perceived health status in older adults were studied. The study included 40 women aged 68 (SD = 5) years. The primary outcomes were total walked distance and mean walking speed. The secondary outcomes were lower-body strength, heart rate, speed in a 4-m walk test, and self-perceived health status. The intraclass correlation coefficients calculated for the total walked distance, mean walking speed, and mean heart rate were.94,.92, and.37, respectively. Thus, the suggested outdoor walking test with the application of a global positioning system device may be considered a reliable test tool, which can be recommended for the evaluation of walking ability among older women in a community setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal hernia (hernia abdominalis) is the displacement of organs outside the body cavity, where they should be. Patients with a large abdominal hernia undergo repair procedures. Before the procedure it is advisable to undertake preparatory physiotherapy, which reduces the risk of respiratory failure and improves the patient's general fitness. The physiotherapy includes, among others, spirometry, approximate assessment of respiratory efficiency, 6-minute walking test, respiratory physiotherapy, and general fitness exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory system caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Current clinical experience indicates the need for the earliest possible implementation of physiotherapy in hospital wards and intensive care units treating patients with COVID-19. The conducted rehabilitation includes the following: breathing exercises, antithrombotic exercises, general improvement exercises, walking training, cyclo-ergometer training, and selfcare ADL exercises. Professionally conducted physiotherapy improves exercise tolerance and lung ventilation. Hospital rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19 is as integral to the patient's treatment as nursing and medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Rehabilitation is a multidirectional and comprehensive process of action aimed at facilitating the course of recovery, and improving physical and mental fitness. Advances in recent years related to the development of invasive cardiology and cardiosurgery have contributed to the apparent recovery of cardiac patients, because vascular interventions cannot protect patients from progressive disease, i.e. atherosclerosis. In the case of people with cardiovascular disease, we are talking about comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation aimed at stopping the progression of the disease and preventing its tragic effects. Cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention are an integral strategy for the management of percutaneous coronary angioplasty based on the reduction of future morbidity and mortality, as well as further improvement in symptoms. The key role here is played by the modification of atherosclerosis risk factors and the introduction of permanent lifestyle changes related to the particular focus on increasing physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nordic walking is a simple, safe and effective form of physical activity that is becoming more and more popular in cardiac rehabilitation. It’s an attractive complement to physical exercise and an effective means of promoting health and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The increasingly young age of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases requires the use of appropriate treatment techniques that often save the patient’s life. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty is one of the main methods of cardiac revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease and is widely used in the world. The key role after the revascularization procedure is the strategy related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in order to modify risk factors and introduce permanent lifestyle changes related to the particular focus on increase of physical activity. Coordinated behavioural programs and cardiac rehabilitation of patients after percutaneous coronary angioplasty significantly reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) is a technique of invasive treatment of coronary artery disease by expanding and restoring normal circulation in the narrowed coronary artery, caused by the ongoing disease process. The most common reason for coronary artery disease, called stable angina pectoris due to clinical symptoms, is coronary atherosclerosis. The treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris after percutaneous coronary angioplasty is based primarily on the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. The key message of the authors is the important role associated with the strategy of cardiovascular disease prevention in order to modify risk factors, and the introduction of permanent lifestyle changes based, among other things, on increased physical activity. The combination of knowledge and skills of caregivers such as doctors, nurses, nutrition experts, and experts in cardiological rehabilitation and conscious participation of the patient in the treatment process is a guarantee of therapeutic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) narrows and closes the main vessels supplying blood to the lower limbs. A typical symptom of PAD is intermittent claudication. Physical activity- induced muscle pain is associated with transient ischaemia and leads to decreased physical activity of the patient. Current guidelines for the treatment of atherosclerotic ischaemia are based primarily on the TASC II guidelines (Inter Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease). Treatment of patients with intermittent claudication is mainly a conservative therapy aimed at reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications and improving the quality of life by easing and thereby lengthening the claudication distance. Rehabilitation includes: supervised walk training on the treadmill and cycle ergometer training, lower limb muscle resistance exercises, upper limb exercises, and physical therapy. Education of patients with PAD should be conducted not only by angiologists or vascular surgeons but also by physiotherapists and nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate selected temporal and spatial gait parameters in patients with intermittent claudication after completion of 12-week supervised treadmill walking training. The study included 36 patients (26 males and 10 females) aged: mean 64 (SD 7.7) with intermittent claudication. All patients were tested on treadmill (Gait Trainer, Biodex). Before the programme and after its completion, the following gait biomechanical parameters were tested: step length (cm), step cycle (cycle/s), leg support time (%), coefficient of step variation (%) as well as pain-free walking time (PFWT) and maximal walking time (MWT) were measured. Training was conducted in accordance with the current TASC II guidelines. After 12 weeks of training, patients showed significant change in gait biomechanics consisting in decreased frequency of step cycle (p < 0.05) and extended step length (p < 0.05). PFWT increased by 96% (p < 0.05). MWT increased by 100% (p < 0.05). After completing the training, patients’ gait was more regular, which was expressed via statistically significant decrease of coefficient of variation (p < 0.05) for both legs. No statistically significant relation between the post-training improvement of PFWT and MWT and step length increase and decreased frequency of step cycle was observed (p > 0.05).Implications for RehabilitationTwelve-week treadmill walking training programme may lead to significant improvement of temporal and spatial gait parameters in patients with intermittent claudication.Twelve-week treadmill walking training programme may lead to significant improvement of pain-free walking time and maximum walking time in patients with intermittent claudication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a condition cauPeripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a condition caused by narrowing or occlusion of the arterial lumen, which results in claudication. Patients with advanced stages of disease, that is short claudication distance, rest pain or ischaemic ulcerations are often qualified for surgical procedures of vascular prosthesis in order to bypass the damaged artery. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease is accelerated by unhealthy lifestyle. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the lifestyle of the patients with PAOD in terms of diet, physical activity and smoking and whether it needs modification. Material and methods: One hundred and four patients with PAOD IIB, III and IV according to Fontaine's scale who underwent the bypass procedure were included in the study. Results: 80.7% of patients were smoking prior to the operation for more than 5 years. 100% of patients were informed by their family doctor or vascular surgeon about necessity to modify the risk factor such as smoking, diet and lack of physical activity. Only 9.6% of patients gave up smoking after the operation. 75% of patients who exercise claim to do it for 15 minutes daily. The same percentage of patients remain either obese or overweight. 38.4% of respondents state that physical activity has no influence on health. Conclusion: Majority of patients with advanced PAOD ignore the recommendations of healthy lifestyle concerning smoking, diet and physical activity. Apart from family doctors and vascular surgeons, lifestyle education should be provided primarily by nurses and physiotherapists. Key words: peripheral arterial occlusive disease, physical activity, education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheological studies concerning aggregation and elongation of erythrocytes were carried out in 21 patients (mean age 56 years) with chronic venous disease (CVD) and 10 (mean age 45 years) healthy control subjects, with the use of a LORCA device. Higher values of parameters characterizing both erythrocyte elongation (EI) and aggregation (γthr) in non-control patients than in the control group were found. These values differed significantly ranging from 1.13 to 8.23 Pa for the shear stress and γthr in patients – 432.14, in relation to the control group – 166.5. It was proposed, that the increase in deformability may constitute a compensatory mechanism in subjects with chronic venous disease, due to increased resistance in their microcirculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The main aim of the study was to assess the time after which significant changes in walking time appear from the start of training and whether the training model has a differentiating effect on the analysed change. An additional goal was to investigate the differential effect of the training model on the persistence of the training outcome at a time long after its completion. Material and methods: The study included 59 patients with diagnosed peripheral arterial disease, aged 65 ±7.6 years. The patients participated in supervised walking training on a treadmill for 3 months. The patients were randomized into 2 study groups. Their walking ability was assessed during a walking test on a treadmill. The time of claudication (CPC) and maximum walking time (MCM) were assessed. Results: After 8 and 12 weeks, a significant increase in CPC was observed in both study groups (p < 0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks, a significant increase in MCM was observed only in group A (p < 0.05). In group B, significant MCM prolongation was noted after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). The training model did not have a differentiating effect on the maintenance of post-training CPC and MCM improvement after one year. Conclusions: In patients with intermittent claudication, walking training based on interrupted efforts at the onset of pain is as effective as training based on interrupted walking at moderate pain, which is recommended in the TASC II guidelines. However, the latter leads to a faster improvement in MCM (after just 4 weeks). Both models of walking training are similarly effective in maintaining a significant improvement in walking ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute ischemia is a sudden worsening of blood supply to the limb or lack of blood supply to the limb causing potential danger of its loss. The cause of acute ischemia is a blockage (embolism), which may occur as a result of, among others, atrial fibrillation, iatrogenic trauma, communication trauma or dehydration. The predominant symptom is severe limb pain and its pallor and coldness. The main symptom is paralysis of extremity, or weakness or lack of active movement, especially of the fingers, and no pulse on the periphery. The consequence of acute ischemia after revascularization em-bolectomy may be intensifying oxidative stress leading to renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias, acute respiratory failure and even death, so in extreme situations, amputation is the treatment of choice. A common complication after embolectomy is interfascial compartment syndrome. Decompression treatment (fasciotomy), reduces interfascial pressure ranges. Depending on the patient's dysfunction and loss of mobility a number of physiotherapeutical actions are used. They are aimed at the restoration of the affected limb or minimizing mobility impairments in patient after amputation of ische-mic limbs and, if need occurs, stump rehabilitation. To achieve maximum possible efficiency redressive and self-redressive exercises, assisted and with resistance exercises, exercise on the cycle ergometer and special techniques like PNF are used. Rehabilitation is integrally related to nursing and medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: The goal of the study was to determine daily step count and its association with claudication walking time measured on a treadmill in patients with claudication. Material and methods: The study included 46 patients (32 males) aged 69.9 ±5.84 years with intermittent claudication, body mass index 26.85 ±3.67. Daily step count was assessed with a Garmin Vivofit activity monitor, worn on the non-dominant wrist for 7 consecutive days. Pain-free walking time (PFWT) and maximal walking distance (MWT) were measured using the Gardner protocol. The test was carried out on a treadmill at a constant speed of 3.2 km/h and an initial inclination angle of 0%. Every 2 minutes, the inclination of the treadmill was increased by 2%. The patient reported when pain was experienced (PFWT). The test was interrupted when maximal pain symptoms appeared (MWT). Results: Mean daily step count was 7251 ±3126. Significant correlation was observed between daily step count and MWT (rho = 0.31, p < 0.05). 59% of patients reached less than 7500 steps/day and presented significantly shorter MWT compared to the participants covering ≥ 7500 steps (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily step count reflects claudication time. The minimal daily step count that should be recommended for patients with claudication, allowing them to achieve significantly better results with regard to walking abilities, is at least 7500 steps per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nurses active professionally, because of the nature of their work, are exposed to recurring static and dynamic overload of the motion system. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of pain in the lumbar spine among the professional group of clinical and district nurses. Material and methods: The study included a group of 90 professionally active nurses employed in the health care institutions of Limanowa districts, divided into about 30-person groups: I - district nurses, II - nurses working in a traumatic-surgical ward, III - nurses working in a palliative-pulmonary ward. The age of the respondents ranged between 20-65 years, and seniority - from 1 year to 49 years of professional work. The basis of the research was the author's survey, McKen-zie MDT protocol, Pain Drawings diagram and RMI questionnaire. The results were calculated with the use of Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica 10.0 (p = 0.05). Results: The occurrence of pain in the lumbar spine was found in 90% of the respondents, including 70% (63 patients) with the symptoms occurring at least once a year. Analysis of the results showed a significant correlation between the nature of work and the occurrence of back pain (p = 0.0066) - district nurses were significantly more vulnerable to the occurrence of the symptoms. There was no significant correlation between the occurrence of pain in the lumbar spine and the level of disability on RMI scale for particular groups of district (p = 0.2929), traumatic (p = 0.9637) and palliative (p = 0.4137) nurses. Conclusions: 1. Pain in the lumbar spine is a common problem among professionally active nurses, particularly in the group of district nurses. 2. Nurses working in the traumatic ward more ra rely have a low level of disability due to the occurring ailments than other groups of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of pain in the cervical spine in patients after the surgery of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Material and methods: The study included a group of 150 patients after the surgery of coronary artery bypass grafting. The mean age was 69 years. An average time after CABG surgery was 5.28 years (SD = 3.95). Finally, 64 people aged 58-86 years (% = 68.75, SD = 7.44) were qualified for the research, based on the pain in the cervical spine. The study was conducted at Car-diosurgery Outpatient Clinic in John Paul II Hospital in Krakow. The basis of the research was the author's survey, NDI questionnaire, VAS scale and Pain Drawings diagram. The calculations were performed with the use of Excel 2010, and the statistical package Statistica v.10.0 PL. Results: The emergence or intensification of pain in the vicinity of the cervical spine after the surgery was reported in 64 patients (43%). The average value obtained from the VAS scale was 5.22 points (SD = 2.21), the average value from the NDI questionnaire - 19.00 points (SD = 7.68 points). There was no statistical correlation between the gender of the respondents and the degree of disability (p = 0.8224), between the level of disability and the interval after the surgery (p = 0.587871). There was no statistically significant differentiation in the degree of disability depending on the age of patients after CABG surgery (p = 0.355914), and the severity of pain in the cervical spine depending on the length of time after the surgery (p = 0.689469). Conclusions: 1. Occurrence of pain in the cervical spine in pa tients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is not a common phenomenon, and the treatment itself and time after the operation do not influence signifi cantly the severity of already existing ailments. 2. Gender is not a differentiating factor for the oc currence of pain in the cervical spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]