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Biomedical subjects

R G Eaton

Publications and source records attributed to R G Eaton.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Primary care of the injured hand, part 1.

Because the hand is the most frequently injured part of the body, primary recognition of injured structures, careful assessment of damage, and appropriate treatment or referral by the primary care physician are critical. Most fingertip injuries heal with conservative care. Ideally, the healed wound should be covered with well-padded skin, be free of scar tissue, and not adhere to underlying bone. Crushing fingertip injuries associated with underlying fractures are often overlooked initially, with resultant infection, nonunion, and nail deformity. In the evaluation of flexor tendon injuries, recognition of the location of severed tendon is critical. Improved surgical techniques, when performed by an experienced hand surgeon, have yielded gratifying results, especially in the primary repair of tendon severance in the distal portion of the digit and palm. Mallet deformities at the distal interphalangeal joint are treated with extension splinting for minimum of six weeks without immobilization of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Open reduction is often required when an associated fracture involves more than 30% of the articular surface.

Amputation, Traumatic↗

Primary care of the injured hand, part 2.

Nerve injuries in the forearm and hand are common, especially with concomitant tendon lacerations. The optimal time for repair of a clean sharp laceration is within the first 24 to 48 hours using magnification to achieve precise surgical reapproximation. Transfer to a facility equipped to perform replantation is indicated for multiple digit amputations, any thumb amputation, transmetacarpal amputation, wrist and arm amputation, and major amputations in children. Acute paronychial infections are treated with warm soaks, antibiotics, elevation, and immobilization. Surgical drainage is often indicated for a felon and should be done through a high midaxial incision. fractures of the hand are extremely common and require accurate diagnosis and precise anatomic reduction. Ensheathment syndromes--carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, de Quervain's disease--are the most common nontraumatic disorders of the hand. If recognized and treated early they may resolve without need for surgery.

Abscess↗

Replacement of the trapezium for arthritis of the basal articulations: a new technique with stabilization by tenodesis.

Forty-six patients (fifty hands) had replacement of the trapezium by a silicone implant that incorporated a local tendon strip to stabilize the device. The patients had intractable pain due to degenerative changes of multiple facets of the trapezium. The over-all rate of subluxation and dislocation was 10 per cent. In all hands, pain-free improved movement resulted. The pinch strength approximated the normal, averaging six kilograms for women and eight kilograms for men.

Adult↗

Post-traumatic radio-ulnar synostosis.

Five years after an untreated ulnar fracture, a young man seen with no active or passive forearm rotation was found to have a radio-ulnar synostosis, which was surgically excised with interposition of a silicone membrane and soft tissue to decrease any tendency for new formation of the synostosis.

Adult↗

Ununited fracture of the hook of the hamate.

Of nine ununited fractures of the hook of the hamate, eight were treated by surgical excision of the fragment. All eight patients had relief from persistent pain and regained the preinjury level of function. This fracture occurs frequently in athletes and is often not diagnosed because it can be demonstrated only by special roentgenographic views. It is concluded that this fracture may be less rare than is commonly believed and that surgical excision permits early return of function, especially in athletes and laborers who must be able to grip hard objects strongly.

Adult↗

Management of painful neuromas in the hand.

A new treatment for painful neuromas in the hand was used on thirtty-three patients. Fifteen of them were partial amputees and the others had unrepairable lesions. The treatment was transfer of the stumps to an unscarred site where the neuroma would not be under pressure when the hand was used. Excellent results were achieved in 82 per cent of patients.

Adolescent↗