Ventilatory Strategies in the Six-Minute Walk Test in Older Patients Receiving a Three-Week Rehabilitation Programme After Cardiac Surgery Through Median Sternotomy.
Ventilatory strategies in the six-minute walk test in older patients receiving a three-week rehabilitation programme after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy.
J Rehabil Med. 2013 Mar 6;
Molino-Lova R, Pasquini G, Vannetti F, Zipoli R, Razzolini L, Fabbri V, Frandi R, Cecchi F, Gigliotti F, Macchi C
Background: Although the six-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used in cardiac rehabilitation, little is known about the ventilatory strategies adopted by older patients who have recently undergone median sternotomy, in order to meet the increased metabolic demand in the 6MWT. Methods: Using a portable gas-analyser we assessed the breathing patterns in the 6MWT before and after a 3-week rehabilitation programme in 84 older patients, 58 men and 26 women, mean age 71 years (standard deviation (SD) 6 years), who had undergone median sternotomy. Results: After rehabilitation, patients increased end-test ventilation (33.1 l (SD 9.8) vs 30.9 l (SD 8.4), p?HubMed – rehab
Risk factors for infection and amputation following open, combat-related calcaneal fractures.
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Mar 6; 95(5): e241-8
Dickens CP, Kilcoyne CK, Kluk CM, Gordon LC, Shawen LS, Potter MB
High-energy open calcaneal fractures are severe injuries complicated by high rates of infection, uncertain functional outcomes, and frequent need for later amputation.We conducted a retrospective review of 102 consecutive combat-related open calcaneal fractures. Patient demographics, injury mechanisms, fracture and wound characteristics, associated fractures, and methods of fracture fixation were reviewed to determine risk factors for eventual amputation or infection.Eighty-nine patients, with a mean age of twenty-six years, sustained 102 open calcaneal fractures (thirteen bilateral). After a mean follow-up of four years (range, five to ninety-two months), 42% (forty-three limbs) underwent amputation. A delayed amputation (more than twelve weeks from the time of injury) was performed in 15% (fifteen) of 102 open calcaneal fractures. In a multivariate Cox proportional-hazards survival model with time to amputation as the end point, the blast mechanism of injury, plantar wound location, larger size of open wound (in square centimeters), and escalating Gustilo and Anderson classification types (p < 0.05 for all) were predictive of eventual amputation. At the time of the final follow-up, patients who had undergone amputation had lower visual analogue scale scores for pain (2.1 compared with 4.0; p < 0.0001) and higher Tegner activity levels (5.4 compared with 3.5; p < 0.0001) than limb salvage patients.Lower-extremity amputation following open calcaneal fractures is predicted by the injury mechanism, wound location and size, and open fracture type and severity. After short-term follow-up, patients with open calcaneal fractures eventually requiring amputation exhibit improved pain and activity levels compared with patients with continued, ostensibly successful limb salvage.Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. HubMed – rehab
Flexor Origin Slide for Contracture of Spastic Finger Flexor Muscles: A Retrospective Study.
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Mar 6; 95(5): 446-453
Thevenin-Lemoine C, Denormandie P, Schnitzler A, Lautridou C, Allieu Y, Genêt F
BACKGROUND: Contracture of the wrist and extrinsic finger flexor and pronator muscles is a common consequence of central nervous system disorders. The proximal release of the extrinsic flexor and pronator muscles was first described by Page and Scaglietti for a Volkmann contracture. The aim of the present study was to assess the amount of increase in extension and the improvements in global hand function that can be expected following this lengthening procedure in patients with central nervous system disorders. METHOD: A single-center retrospective review of patients with central nervous system lesions and contractures of the wrist and extrinsic finger flexor and forearm pronator muscles, causing aesthetic, hygienic, or functional impairment, was carried out. The Page-Scaglietti technique was used for all interventions. Before the operation, motor nerve blocks were used to distinguish between spasticity and contractures with surgical intervention only for contractures. The Zancolli and House classifications were used to evaluate improvements. RESULTS: Data from fifty-four hands and fifty patients (thirty-five men and fifteen women) were evaluated. The mean duration of follow-up (and standard deviation) was 26 ± 21 months (range, three to 124 months). The mean gain (and standard deviation) in wrist extension with fingers extended was 67° ± 25° (range, -10° to 110°). Preoperatively, no hands were classified as Zancolli Group 1, whereas twenty-five hands were classified as Zancolli Group 1 at the latest follow-up review. Ten nonfunctional hands (rated as House Group 0 or Group 1) became functional as a supporting hand postoperatively. Zancolli and House classifications increased significantly (p < 0.01) postoperatively. In twelve cases, a partial recurrence of the deformity occurred. In seven of these cases, surgery unmasked spasticity or contracture of the intrinsic muscles, which required further intervention. CONCLUSION: The Page-Scaglietti technique appears to improve range of motion and function in people with wrist and finger contractures due to central nervous system disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. HubMed – rehab