The clinical utility of a decision-aid to facilitate the use of the hand in real-life activities of patients with distal radius fractures: A case study

BackgroundOccupation-based intervention (OBI) in hand therapy has shown superior benefits in patient-reported performance and physical measures; however, only a few studies have used OBI. We developed a decision-aid to promote the use of an injured hand in the real world (Aid for Decision-making in Occupation Choice for hand; ADOC-H)PurposeTo investigate the clinical utility of the ADOC-H (paper version) in patients with distal radius fractures.Study DesignA prospective case series and a clinical survey for occupational therapists.MethodsThis study comprised a prospective patient case series of 8 patients with distal radius fractures, treated using Volar locking plates, and a clinical survey of 4 experienced occupational therapists.ResultsNo patient or therapist complaints or drop-outs were reported. Active range of motion (wrist), Grip strength, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores improved for all patients. The ADOC-H induced 158 activities using the injured hand, with activities of daily living (69.8%) selected earlier in the treatment period, and instrumental activities of daily living (63.3%) selected later. The feedback and case studies suggested that the ADOC-H was useful for patients who were afraid of using the hand and, interestingly, patients who were able to use their hand without pain or other problems. The clinical survey showed that most therapists found the ADOC-H effective in facilitating real-life use of an injured hand.ConclusionsThe ADOC-H paper version is an useful tool that can be applied to facilitate patients with distal radius fractures to use their injured hands in real-life settings.     

Comparison of the outcomes of adipofascial and two–staged fasciocutaneous reverse sural flap in patients with lower leg trauma

BackgroundDistal one – third trauma of the lower limb is a complex condition to treat. The reverse sural flap is a time tested procedure for reconstruction of such defects especially in patients where free flaps are ruled out due to comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to compare the two modifications of the classical technique of reverse sural flap (adipofascial and fasciocutaneous) which is lacking in the literature.Material & methodsIn this study, the authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 67 patients with lower one-third leg defects reconstructed with either adipofascial reverse sural flap (Group A, n = 37) or two-staged fasciocutaneous reverse sural flap (Group B, n = 30) in a tertiary care hospital in North India between 2015 and 2019. An evaluation of the different flap characteristics of the two variants of the reverse sural flap was done and compared. Mean follow up period was 12 months.ResultsThe adipofascial group showed shorter operative time, was a single-stage and with better reach and aesthetic outcome. The complications did not differ except that for the adipofascial group was associated with unstable skin graft over the flap initially which did not require any treatment.DiscussionLower one-third defect of the lower limb has been a challenge for reconstructive surgeons all over the world. The goal of reconstruction is a functional lower limb. Although free tissue transfer is the preferred modality of treatment of such cases but it may not be possible in all cases due to various reasons. Reverse sural flap is a very lucrative local option for such reconstructions as it is easy to perform, reliable, low profile and bulk, require minimal facilities with less operative time. Adipofascial flaps represent an extremely useful modification of the reverse sural flap which is quick to perform with minimal donor site morbidity.ConclusionAdipofascial reverse sural artery flap is a good option for patients with lower limb trauma with the added advantage of being single-stage and with better donor site cosmesis as compared to the fasciocutaneous reverse sural artery flap.     

Impacto del nivel socioeconómico sobre el perfil del paciente amputado de miembro inferior por causa no traumática

IntroductionTo analyse the influence of socioeconomic status on the clinical profile of patients undergoing non-traumatic lower-limb amputation.MethodsRetrospective study of 697 lower-limb amputee patients in an Angiology and Vascular Surgery Department during a 5-year period. Patients were classified according to their socioeconomic status (low, medium and high). We analysed demographic (age and gender) and clinical variables (cause of amputation, comorbidity, cardiovascular risk factors and amputation level).ResultsMean age was 70.5 ± 11.9 years, and the median was 72 years. The low socioeconomic status group presented a higher frequency of amputations in men. Cardiovascular risks factors were more frequent in this socioeconomic group, and the difference was statistically significant for diabetes (85.8% low, 69.3% medium, 65% high; P<.01) and obesity (31.4% low, 22.6% medium, 12.5% high, P<.01). Diabetic retinopathy was the only comorbidity with a significant association with low socioeconomic status (21.1% low, 15.3% medium, 12.5% high, P<.03). Regarding the cause for amputation, there was no difference in terms of socioeconomic status. The low socioeconomic level showed a higher frequency of major amputation, which was a significant difference (63.6% low, 41.2% medium, 55% high, P<.04) and a higher predisposition for this amputation level.ConclusionsThe low socioeconomic status has been shown to determine an unfavourable vascular risk profile in lower-limb non-traumatic amputees and a higher predisposition of a major amputation. This socioeconomic level demonstrates a negative influence on these patients’ diabetes, obesity and diabetic retinopathy.     

可调节式内膜剥离器用于亚急性下肢动脉栓塞治疗32例分析

正多数下肢动脉栓塞病人在急性期内(发病6～8 h以内)行手术治疗可取得较好的治疗效果,但部分病人可能因医疗条件或个人原因而选择保守治疗(如仅使用抗凝药物等),下肢动脉部分开放或仅侧支开放,将疾病由急性期拖入了亚急性期,此时的血栓机化,并且与血管内膜粘连紧密不易分开。笔者团队自制可调节式内膜剥离器用于取出亚急性下肢动脉栓塞病人的陈旧性机化血栓。现报告如下。     

银黄洗剂治疗下肢血栓性浅静脉炎的临床疗效观察

目的:观察银黄洗剂治疗下肢血栓性浅静脉炎的临床疗效。方法:将62例诊断为下肢血栓性浅静脉炎的患者随机分为对照组和观察组,各31例。对照组在常规治疗的基础上应用硫酸镁湿敷,观察组在常规治疗的基础上应用银黄洗剂湿敷,疗程均为10 d。比较两组患者临床症状评分(皮肤颜色、患肢肿胀、硬索结节及疼痛的评分)、相关实验室指标(超敏C反应蛋白及纤维蛋白原)的变化情况以及总有效率。结果:观察组总有效率90.32%,高于对照组的64.52%(P<0.05)。与治疗前比较,两组症状体征评分明显改善,超敏C反应蛋白及纤维蛋白原明显降低(P<0.05)。观察组在改善症状体征及降低炎性反应方面较对照组更明显(P<0.05),两组治疗后纤维蛋白原数值比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:银黄洗剂治疗下肢血栓性浅静脉炎,可有效改善患者临床症状及降低炎性反应,明显提高临床疗效。     

Upper Extremity Overuse Injuries and Obesity After Spinal Cord Injury

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at high risk for developing neurogenic obesity due to muscle paralysis and obligatory sarcopenia, sympathetic blunting, anabolic deficiency, and blunted satiety. Persons with SCI are also at high risk for shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries, including neuromusculoskeletal pathologies and nociceptive pain, as human upper extremities are poorly designed to facilitate chronic weight-bearing activities, including manual wheelchair propulsion, transfers, self-care, and day-to-day activities. This article reviews current literature on the relationship between obesity and increased body weight with upper extremity overuse injuries, detailing pathology at the shoulders, elbows, and wrists that elicit pain and functional decline and stressing the importance of weight management to preserve function.     

The PROMIS Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test Correlates With Previously Validated Metrics in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS UE) computer adaptive test was developed to improve precision and reduce question burden. We hypothesized that in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): (1) PROMIS UE would correlate with established patient-reported outcome measures (PROs); (2) the time and number of questions required would be lower than current metrics; (3) there would be no floor or ceiling effects; and (4) PROMIS UE would not correlate with disease severity. Methods: Patients undergoing electrodiagnostic evaluation found to have a primary diagnosis of unilateral CTS prospectively completed PROMIS UE, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (qDASH), and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). Electrophysiologic and clinical severity was recorded. The relationships among PROs were described with Spearman coefficients. A floor or ceiling effect was confirmed if >15% of patients achieved the lowest or highest possible score, respectively. Results: Fifty-one patients (average, 53.9 years) were enrolled. An excellent correlation was identified between PROMIS UE and qDASH (R = −0.76, P < .001). There was a good correlation between PROMIS UE and BCTQ (R = −0.58, P < 0.001). The PROMIS UE required less time and fewer questions than qDASH and BCTQ (P = .02 and P < .001). There were no floor or ceiling effects. Neither neurophysiologic nor clinical severity correlated with PROMIS UE (R = 0.24, P > .05 and R = −0.18, P > .05). Conclusions: The PROMIS UE has an excellent correlation with qDASH and a good correlation with BCTQ in patients with CTS. Furthermore, PROMIS UE required less time and fewer questions than established PROs. Used as a single PRO, PROMIS UE represents a practical alternative to current metrics in patients with CTS.