A 53-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis had been suffering from right thumb deformity for a couple of months. Due to this, she was unable to perform the pinch movement. There were surgical options to treat the deformity, but the patient declined surgery. We therefore surmised whether we could correct the deformity with a splint. In 2012, we then proposed the use of a finger splint. The patient's finger function improved, and as of 2021, she was still using the finger splint without any problems. Thus, it is recommended to use a finger splint for thumb deformity because it is easier and less invasive than surgery.

A 53-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis had been suffering from right thumb deformity for a couple of months. Due to this, she was unable to perform the pinch movement. There were surgical options to treat the deformity, but the patient declined surgery. We therefore surmised whether we could correct the deformity with a splint. In 2012, we then proposed the use of a finger splint. The patient's finger function improved, and as of 2021, she was still using the finger splint without any problems. Thus, it is recommended to use a finger splint for thumb deformity because it is easier and less invasive than surgery.

This study examines the effect on junior high school students’ understanding and usage frequency of medicines gained from education about medicines during elementary school. This education which we provided is tailored to the developmental stage of the child. We conducted a questionnaire directed at the first year students of a junior high school in Tokyo. We compared the responses to questions regarding the understanding and correct usage frequency of medicines between groups of students who had graduated from the elementary school (Group A : students who graduated from the elementary school where we provided the education about medicines, Group B : all students except those in Group A). In order to compare these, we calculated the scores about questions regarding the understanding and correct usage frequency of medicines using principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA score for understanding of medicine by group A was higher than that of group B ; a significant difference was found (P<0.001). Therefore, this suggests that receiving education about medicines may be a factor that enhances students’ understanding of medicines. The PCA score for correct usage frequency of medicine by group A was higher than that of group B; a significant difference was found (P＝0.043). Therefore, this suggests that receiving education about medicines may be a factor that increases students’ correct usage frequency of medicines.

Here we present a case of hemorrhagic lumbar facet cyst presenting with progressive radiculopathy only on the contralateral side. If a patient has previous back pain or neuropathy for several months and then suddenly deteriorates, hemorrhagic facet cyst of the lumbar spine should be part of the differential diagnosis. However, as in the present case, we should be aware that there is a possibility of a contralateral lesion.
Back Pain ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Leg ; Radiculopathy ; Spine ; Zygapophyseal Joint