Efficacy of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy for checkrein deformity: A case report

BACKGROUND In clinical practice, checkrein deformity is usually found in patients with calf injuries after ankle fracture or distal tibial fracture. The patients with checkrein deformity mainly report distending pain in toe tips, pain when walking or wearing shoes, and gait instability. Previous studies have mainly reported surgical treatments for checkrein deformity, while few studies have reported using comprehensive rehabilitation alone to improve the checkrein deformity.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to unstable gait caused by pain in the right hallux, for which she was unable to stretch for over three months. The patient had undergone "resection of ameloblastoma at the right mandible, mandibulectomy, and autogenous right fibula grafting". The patient’s hallux toe, as well as the second and third toes of the right foot could not be stretched, with pain in all the toes during walking. Based on the medical records of the patient, as well as the results of physical and auxiliary examinations, the main diagnosis was checkrein deformity in the right foot. Since the patient refused surgical treatment, rehabilitation was the only treatment option. At discharge, the patient reported evident improvement in the pain in the toes, gait stability, as well as increased ability to climb up and downstairs.CONCLUSION Comprehensive rehabilitation therapy could effectively alleviate the manifestations of checkrein deformity and improve the walking ability of the patients.     

The brief sense of community scale: Testing dimensionality and measurement invariance by gender among Hispanic/Latinx youth

Psychological sense of community is defined as feelings of belongingness and a shared belief that community members will meet one another's needs. Psychological sense of community has four dimensions: membership, influence, needs fulfillment, and emotional connection. In this study, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the first and second-order factor structure of the brief sense of community scale (BSCS) between male and female Hispanic/Latinx adolescents from an urban community (N = 947). To help validate the BSCS model, the second-order factor model was tested with regression to predict the measures of intrapersonal psychological empowerment and ethnic identity, as constructs conceptually related to psychological sense of community. Findings support that: (1) psychological sense of community can be measured through the BSCS and as a four-factor model among Hispanic/Latinx youth, supporting McMillan and Chavis's (1986) original theoretical discussions; (2) while no differences between genders were present at the model-level, there was path-specific variation; and (3) intrapersonal psychological empowerment and ethnic identity were associated with psychological sense of community.     

Quality of life after hemifacial spasm surgery: French versions of the HFS-8 and HFS-30 questionnaires

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess quality of life before and after surgery for hemifacial spasm, in order to validate two specific quality of life scales translated in French. Surgical results and complications were reported.Material and methodsTwenty-three patients with hemifacial spasm treated by microvascular decompression were retrospectively included. The HFS-8 and HFS-30 quality of life scales were translated from English into French using a forward-backward method and implemented on patients at least one year after surgery.ResultsMedian HFS-8 and HFS-30 values were respectively 16 ± 12.5 (range: 8–20.5) and 38 ± 38.5 (range: 23–61.5) before surgery and 0.5 ± 4.5 (range: 0–4.5) and 5 ± 17.5 (range: 1–18.5) after surgery, showing significant improvement in quality of life (P < 0.001). The internal consistency of both scales was excellent (Cronbach's alpha > 0.9), and they were significantly correlated (Pearson coefficient = 0.95; 95% CI [0.91; 0.98]; P < 0.0001). Success rates were 83% and 91%, respectively, after primary and revision surgeries. Complications were transient with minor consequences in 80% of cases, but could impact quality of life when lasting.ConclusionsThese results support the validity of the French versions of HFS-8 and HFS-30. Microvascular decompression is a safe and effective treatment for hemifacial spasm, and these scales are reliable tools to assess postoperative quality of life.     

Families’ control preference for participation in patient care in adult intensive care

ObjectiveUnderstand families’ preferences and observed participation in patient care in an adult ICU.Research methodologyThe mixed-methods design used survey and naturalistic observation to collect data from a convenience sample of 30 family members of critically ill patients.SettingTwo public hospital intensive care units in Australia.Main outcome measures1) Families’ preferences for participation in decision-making and physical patient care activities in the adult intensive care unit, measured using a modified Control Preference Scale; 2) the type and frequency of family participation in patient care activities in the intensive care unit.ResultsAlmost half (47%) reported a preference to share in decision-making about care for their relative with healthcare professionals; 17% reported a preference for active participation in decision-making. Alternatively, most families preferred a passive (60%) role in the physical care of their relative ; 33% preferred shared participation with staff and very few (3%) preferred active participation with little involvement of staff. Of the 193 activities observed, family participation in physical care was the least frequent (24%).ConclusionDifferences emerged in family preferences for participation in physical care compared to their involvement in decision-making about care for their relative. The findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support family participation aligned with their preferences.     

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Appendicular Skeleton Chondroblastoma—an Experience from a Tertiary Care Cancer Center

PurposeTo evaluate safety and long-term efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation in treatment of chondroblastoma.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective analysis comprised 27 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven chondroblastoma treated by RF ablation. The tumors were located in the proximal humerus (n = 6), proximal tibia (n = 8), proximal femur (n = 6), distal femur (n = 5), acromion process (n = 1), and lunate (n = 1). In 19 patients (70.3%), the tumor was in the weight-bearing area of the bone. Clinical response was assessed by comparing pain scores and functional assessment by Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score before and after ablation. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year to rule out complications and recurrence.ResultsTechnical success rate was 100%. Mean pain score before the procedure was 7.34 (range, 7–9); all patients experienced a reduction in pain, with 25 (92.6%) patients reporting complete pain relief at 6 weeks. Mean MSTS score before the procedure was 15.4, whereas mean MSTS score at 6 weeks after the procedure was 28.6, suggesting significant functional improvement (P < .0001). Two patients developed osteonecrosis and collapse of the treated bone. There were no recurrences.ConclusionsPercutaneous RF ablation is a safe and effective option for treating chondroblastoma of the appendicular skeleton.     

Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin A in Treatment of Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain.Data SourcesPubMed, EMBASE, Elsevier, Springer, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, CNKI, and VIP were researched from the earliest records to September 1, 2020.Study SelectionRandomized controlled trials that compared shoulder BTX-A injections vs a control intervention in patients with a history of hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke were selected. Among the 620 records screened, 9 trials with 301 eligible patients were included.Data ExtractionOutcome data were pooled according to follow-up intervals (1, 2, 4, and 12 wk). The primary evaluation indices were pain reduction (visual analog scale [VAS] score) and range of motion (ROM) improvement. The second evaluation indices were upper limb functional improvement, spasticity improvement, and incidence of adverse events. Cochrane risk-of-bias was used to assess the methodological quality of studies independently by 2 evaluators.Data SynthesisMeta-analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in the VAS score in the BTX group vs the control group at 1, 4, and 12 weeks postinjection (wk 1: standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 1.54; wk 4: SMD, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.76 to 2.51; wk 12: SMD, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.47). Furthermore, the meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in abduction at 1, 4, and 12 weeks postinjection (wk 1: SMD, 3.71; 95% CI, 0 to 7.41; wk 4: SMD, 8.8; 95% CI, 2.22 to 15.37; wk 12: SMD, 19.59; 95% CI, 9.05 to 30.13) and external rotation at 1, 2, 4 weeks postinjection (wk 1: SMD, 5.67; 95% CI, 0.88 to 10.47; wk 2: SMD, 9.62; 95% CI, 5.57 to 13; wk 4: SMD, 6.89; 95% CI, 2.45 to 11.33) in the BTX group.ConclusionsBTX-A injection provided greater analgesic effects and increased shoulder abduction and external rotation ROM compared with steroid or placebo injection for the treatment of HSP.     

Subthalamic dynamic neural states correlate with motor symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease

ObjectiveThis study aims to discriminate the dynamic synchronization states from the subthalamic local field potentials and investigate their correlations with the motor symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease (PD).MethodsThe resting-state local field potentials of 10 patients with PD were recorded from the subthalamic nucleus. The dynamic neural states of multiple oscillations were discriminated and analyzed. The Spearman correlation was used to investigate the correlations between occurrence rate or duration of dynamic neural states and the severity of motor symptoms.ResultsThe proportion of long low-beta and theta synchronized state was significantly correlated with the general motor symptom and tremor, respectively. The duration of combined low/high-beta state was significantly correlated with rigidity, and the duration of combined alpha/high-beta state was significantly correlated with bradykinesia.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that motor symptoms are associated with the neural states coded with multiple oscillations in PD.SignificanceThis study may advance the understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms of the motor symptoms and provide potential biomarkers for closed-loop deep brain stimulation in PD.     

Risks and benefits of timely screw removal after thoracolumbar spine fractures treated with non-fusion technique

BackgroundPercutaneous-short segment screw fixation (SSSF) without bone fusion has proven to be a safe and effective modality for thoracolumbar spine fractures (TLSFs). When fracture consolidation is confirmed, pedicle screws are no longer essential, but clear indications for screw removal following fracture consolidation have not been established.MethodsIn total, we enrolled 31 patients with TLSFs who underwent screw removal following treatment using percutaneous-SSSF without fusion. Plain radiographs, taken at different intervals, measured local kyphosis using Cobb’ angle (CA), vertebra body height (VBH), and the segmental motion angle (SMA). A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were applied pre-screw removal and at the last follow-up.ResultsThe overall mean CA deteriorated by 1.58° (p < 0.05) and the overall mean VBH decreased by 0.52 mm (p = 0.001). SMA preservation was achieved in 18 patients (58.1%) and kyphotic recurrence occurred in 4 patients (12.9%). SMA preservation was statistically significant in patients who underwent screw removal within 12 months following the primary operation (p = 0.002). Kyphotic recurrence occurred in patients with a CA ≥ 20° at injury (p < 0.001) with a median interval of 16.5 months after screw removal. No patients reported worsening pain or an increased ODI score after screw removal.ConclusionScrew removal within 12 months can be recommended for restoration of SMA with improvement in clinical outcomes. Although, TLSFs with CA ≥ 20° at the time of injury can help to predict kyphotic recurrence after screw removal, the clinical outcomes are less relevant.     

胸神经联合前锯肌平面阻滞对保留胸肌乳腺癌根治术后患者早期康复质量的影响

目的 探索胸神经联合前锯肌平面阻滞对保留胸肌乳腺癌根治术后患者早期恢复质量的影响。方法 选取2020年9月～2021年3月在邯郸市中心医院诊断乳腺癌并拟行保留胸肌式乳腺癌根治术的117例患者。根据是否术前行胸神经联合阻滞，分为全麻组和全麻复合神经阻滞组。于术毕24、48 h记录患者恶心呕吐发生率，上肢感觉异常，腋窝疼痛评分以及镇痛补救药物的用量。术毕48 h，行40项恢复质量评分量表（QoR 40）评分。比较术前血常规与术后一天血常规中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞的比值。结果 全麻复合神经阻滞组在24、48 h的恶心呕吐发生率及镇痛补救药物用量均显著低于全麻组（P＜0.05），术毕24 h的上肢感觉异常，腋窝疼痛评分全麻复合神经阻滞组均显著低于全麻组（P＜0.05），术后QoR-40评分全麻复合神经阻滞组显著高于全麻组（P＜0.05）。术后中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞的比值全麻复合神经阻滞组较全麻组明显降低（P＜0.05）。结论 全麻复合胸神经阻滞可提高保留胸肌式乳腺癌根治术后患者的舒适度和满意度，有助于提高早期康复的质量。