Correction of camptodactyly with an external fixator

Camptodactyly is a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Because of unsatisfactory results, treatment is not recommended for mild deformities, and in severe deformities surgery has been disappointing. A specially designed external fixator providing gradual distraction was used in a severe case. With this mildly aggressive method, an acceptable result was obtained. Received: 5 June 1997/Accepted: 2 February 1998     

Grasp synthesis for upper-extremity FNS

Functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) has been used in upper extremity neuroprostheses to provide grasp and release for quadriplegic individuals. The goal of this project was to determine the electrode/muscle input/output characteristics with the greatest influence on the grasp output. This was evaluated by simulating the grasp synthesis procedure, using a model of the electrode/muscle output as a function of stimulus level and joint angle. The parameters of this model were determined from experimental data from 112 electrodes. The grasp output for 500 different modelled pairs of electrodes were analysed, with each pair consisting of a thumb flexor and a thumb extensor. The simulation results indicate that the most influential electrode input/output characteristics are the output stiffness, defined as the change in force output for a unit change in joint angle at a constant level of stimulation, and the length dependency mean-squared error. Recruitment gain was found to be of secondary influence on the grasp output, and the threshold, force direction and non-linearity of the stimulus level to force relationship were found to have little influence on the grasp output. These results establish criteria for electrode selection and implantation for use in upper extremity FNS.     

Efficacy of myofascial therapy and kinesitherapy in improving function in shoulder pathology with prolonged immobilization: A randomized,single-blind,controlled trial

BackgroundThe best physiotherapeutic approach in shoulder pathology that generates prolonged immobilization is still uncertain. Kinesitherapy remains the most widely used option. Myofascial therapy is a therapeutic approach in which the aim is to release fascial tension and regain mobility although its efficacy in shoulder pathology has not been sufficiently studied. This Prospective, single-blind randomized controlled trial in a university hospital setting aimed to compare the efficacy of myofascial therapy and kinesitherapy in improving function in shoulder pathology with prolonged immobilization.MethodsPatients were randomly assigned to a control group or to the intervention group.Both groups completed a therapeutic exercise program. Main Outcome Measures: The QuickDash questionnaire was the primary outcome, Pain Visual Analog Scale and the Range Of Motion of the shoulder were the secondary outcomes. The outcomes were evaluated at baseline (T0), at 4 (T2), 8 (T2), and 12 weeks (T3)Results44 participants were included. In the analysis of evolution over time, a significant improvement in functionality and range of motion measurements was observed in both groups (p < 0.05), although at 12 weeks only Myofasical Group achieved a clinically and statistically significant reduction in pain. Comparative analysis at 12 weeks revealed no statistically significant differences between the two therapies in the variables explored.ConclusionsBoth, myofascial therapy and kinesitherapy can improve function, mobility, and pain in patients with painful shoulder associated with prolonged immobilization, with no significant differences between therapies, although in the medium term only myofascial therapy achieves a clinically and statistically significant improvement in pain.Trial registrationTrial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04944446.     

石膏撑开器在膝关节屈曲挛缩中的应用

目的:探讨用Ilizarov技术缓慢牵伸原理来矫正膝关节屈曲挛缩畸形。方法:用借鉴Ilizarov技术缓慢牵伸原理研制的石膏撑开器,将分次石膏夹楔变成近似连续的缓慢撑开,来矫正膝关节重度屈曲挛缩畸形。结果:36例40个膝关节,伴有条索状挛缩或股骨下端骨性畸形者,需通过膝后软组织松解或股骨髁上截骨,膝关节伸直皆达到矫形需要的要求,未发生影响疗效的并发症。结论:借鉴Ilizarov技术缓慢牵伸原理研制的石膏撑开器,是实现了无痛、微创、简便、安全治疗膝关节屈曲挛缩的有效方法。     

Mode of administration bias

Abstract

Limitation in cervical spine range of motion (ROM) is one criterion for diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches (CHs). The flexion–rotation test, when performed passively (FRT-P), has been shown to be a useful test in diagnosis of CH. Few investigations have examined the flexion-rotation test when performed actively (FRT-A) by the individual, and no studies have examined the FRT-A in a symptomatic population. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM during the FRT-A and FRT-P in patients with CH and asymptomatic individuals and to compare ROM between sides for these two versions of the test. Twelve patients with CH and 10 asymptomatic participants were included in the study. An eight-camera Motion Analysis system was used to measure head motion relative to the trunk during the FRT-P and the FRT-A. Cervical rotation ROM was measured in a position of full cervical flexion for both tests. No significant difference was observed between right and left sides for cervical rotation ROM during the FRT-P nor the FRT-A when performed by asymptomatic participants. In patients with CH, a significant difference was observed between sides for the FRT-P (P?=?0·014); however, the FRT-A failed to reveal bilateral descrepancy in rotation ROM.     

A comparative investigation of flexion relaxation phenomenon in healthy and chronic neck pain subjects

Purpose

The cervical flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is a neck extensor myoelectric “silence” that occurs during complete cervical and lumbar flexion. In contrast to low back pain, the changes that occur during FRP in chronic neck pain (CNP) patients are still not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of this phenomenon in the cervical region in CNP patients and controls.

Methods

Twenty-two women (23 ± 2.62 years) with chronic non-specific neck pain and 21 healthy women (23.4 ± 1.68 years) participated in this study. They accomplished a cervical flexion and extension from neutral position. Neck angle and surface electromyographic activity of cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius muscles were recorded. Appearance, onset and offset angle of the FRP were analysed and compared between the two groups.

Results

There were significant differences in the appearance of FRP between the two groups (P ≤ 0.001). The FRP in the CES muscles was observed in 85.7 % of healthy subjects and in 36.3 % of CNP patients, and no FRP was observed in the upper trapezius. Results of this study show that the onset and offset of FRP parameters were significantly different between the two groups (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate that FRP in CNP patients was seen less than the healthy subjects, and moreover the FRP period was reduced in CNP patients. Our results also suggest that the changes in FRP of CNP patients may be due to the increased CES activity in these patients.     

Flexion and extension radiographic evaluation for the clearance of potential cervical spine injures in trauma patients

Background

Flexion and extension radiographs are often used in the setting of trauma to clear a cervical spine injury. The utility of such tests, however, remains to be determined. We hypothesized that in patients who underwent a negative computed tomography (CT) cervical spine scan, flexion and extension radiographs did not yield useful additional information.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted to a Level I trauma center who had a negative CT scan of the cervical spine and a subsequent cervical flexion–extension study for evaluation of potential cervical spine injury. All flexion–extension films were independently reviewed to determine adequacy as defined by C7/T1 visualization and 30° of change in the angle from flexion to extension. The independent reviews were compared to formal radiology readings and the influence of the flexion–extension studies on clinical decision making was also reviewed.

Results

One thousand patients met inclusion criteria for the study. Review of the flexion–extension radiographs revealed that 80 % of the films either did not adequately demonstrate the C7/T1 junction or had less than 30° range of motion. There was one missed injury that was also missed on magnetic resonance imaging. Results of the flexion–extension views had minimal effects on clinical decision making.

Conclusion

Adequate flexion extension films are difficult to obtain and are minimally helpful for clearance of the cervical spine in awake and alert trauma patients.     

全膝关节置换术对膝关节重度屈曲畸形的疗效系统评价

目的探讨全膝关节置换术对重度屈曲畸形的临床治疗效果。方法跟踪随访于2010年12月至2013年12月在本组进行TKA手术的38例重度屈曲畸形患者,以主动关节活动度、徒手肌力检查、Muller膝关节稳定性评分和美国特种外科医院评价系统为临床指标,比较手术前及随访终末时的变化来衡量手术的疗效。结果术后主动关节活动度、徒手肌力检测、稳定性指标上明显大于术前,与术前比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。38例均得到随访,随访时间4个月~2.5年,平均1年。术前HSS评分-5~34分,平均22.6分;术后61~89分,平均77.4分,差别有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。术后优良率达到63.16%。结论 TKA手术对膝关节重度屈曲畸形获得满意效果,是临床治疗的有效方法。     

下颈椎屈伸运动节律的实验研究

目的：观察和测量下颈椎节段屈伸运动节律。方法：采用５具新鲜成人男性尸体的颈椎标本,动态Ｘ线摄片,测量各屈伸状态各节段的屈伸角度。结果：Ｃ４～５,Ｃ５～６活动范围最大,屈伸运动节律也最大,而且在半屈—中立—半伸范围内的活动度较半屈—全屈和半伸—全伸的活动度大。结论：颈椎病变动态Ｘ线摄片中,可根据各节段尤其是Ｃ４～５、Ｃ５～６节段的屈伸运动节律是否正常作为一诊断参考依据     

屈曲挛缩畸形膝关节置换的软组织平衡

目的：探讨屈曲挛缩畸形的膝关节行关节置换的方法,重点关注术中膝关节周围软组织平衡的方法。技巧及术后疗效。方法：自2010年6月～2012年6月共收治晚期膝关节疾病合并屈曲挛缩畸形患者156例,213膝,采取人工膝关节置换进行治疗,分别记录术前术后膝关节畸形程度,HSS评分,活动范围。并进行比较。本组病例平均年龄60．2岁（44～81岁）,女92例136膝,男64例77膝。膝骨性关节炎85例,类风湿性关节炎58例,创伤性关节炎13例。膝关节活动范围平均52．6°（33．5°～94．1°）。本组病例轻度屈曲畸形：83例117膝,中度屈曲畸形：58例76膝,重度屈曲畸形：15例20膝。平均屈曲畸形程度：45．8°。每例患者均进行术前及术后1年HSS评分进行疗效评价。结果：所有病例获得随访,屈曲挛缩畸形均得到改善,膝关节HSS评分由术前20．7分提高到术后平均73．6分。膝关节活动范围术前平均52．6°提高到术后平均92．7°。结论：晚期膝关节病所致的屈曲挛缩畸形的膝关节行膝关节置换术,除了在术中注意准确截骨外,应着重注意软组织松解,调整力线。