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At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Upper extremity interaction with a deploying side airbag: a characterization of elbow joint loading.

Computer simulations, dummy experiments with a new enhanced upper extremity and small female cadaver experiments were used to analyze the small female upper extremity response under side airbag loading. After establishing a worst case initial position, three tests were performed with the fifth percentile female hybrid III anthropometric test dummy and six experiments with small female cadaver subjects. A new fifth percentile female enhanced upper extremity was developed for the dummy experiments that included a two-axis wrist load cell in addition to the existing six-axis load cells in both the forearm and humerus. Forearm pronation was also included in the new dummy upper extremity to increase the biofidelity of the interaction with the handgrip. Instrumentation for both the cadaver and dummy tests included accelerometers and MHD angular rate sensors on the forearm, humerus, upper and lower spine. In order to quantify the applied loads to the cadaver hand and wrist from the door mounted handgrip, the handgrip was mounted to the door through a five-axis load cell and instrumented with accelerometers for inertial compensation. All six of the cadaver tests resulted in upper extremity injuries including comminuted mid-shaft humerus fractures, osteochondral fractures of the elbow joint surfaces, a transverse fracture of the distal radius and an osteochondral fracture of the lunate carpal bone. The results from the 6 cadaver tests presented in this study were combined with the results from 12 previous cadaver tests. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between observed injuries and measured occupant response. Using inertially compensated force measurements from the dummy mid-shaft forearm load cell, the linear combination of elbow axial force and shear force was significantly (P=0.05) correlated to the observed elbow injuries.

Air Bags↗
PubMed1985

Noninvasive vascular studies in management of rattlesnake envenomations to extremities.

Twenty-five consecutive patients suffering rattlesnake envenomation to an extremity underwent noninvasive vascular arterial studies using contralateral extremities as controls. All but one received antivenin, and none underwent early surgical decompression. Pulse volume amplitudes in the envenomated extremities, reflecting pulsatile arterial blood flow, were increased in 24 of 25 patients (P less than .02) in spite of edema and discoloration. Ischemia requiring surgical procedures developed in three of seven patients with decreased skin temperatures, as compared to none of 18 with increased or mixed skin temperatures on the envenomated extremity (P less than .02). One of 24 survivors suffered a functional deficit. Most victims of rattlesnake bites have increased arterial pulsatile blood flow in an envenomated extremity and do well with medical therapy. Noninvasive arterial studies help select those who are more likely to require special surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Dosimetric considerations of water-based bolus for irradiation of extremities.

The dosimetry of high-energy photon beams in the treatment of superficial lesions occurring in extremities was examined. Large parallel-opposed fields with different photon beam energies were used. The extremity was immersed in water contained in a commercially available plastic wastebasket. The water bolus serves to even out the surface irregularities of the extremities and to remove the skin sparing effect. A polystyrene block was placed at the floor of the wastebasket to ensure that the extremity was encompassed in the radiation fields. The photon beam energies considered were 4 MV, 6 MV, 10 MV, and 24 MV. The results show that the dose distributions are more homogeneous with higher photon beam energies. The isodose lines are more constricted at mid-plane for low energy photon beams. Higher energy photon beams, 10 MV and up would be preferable for the treatment of superficial lesions of the extremities immersed in water bolus contained in a typical wastebasket size.

Extremities↗
PubMed2003

Changes in movement characteristics of the spastic upper extremity after botulinum toxin injection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the longitudinal effects of botulinum toxin injection on movement characteristics of the spastic upper extremity in children by using motor control testing (MCT) techniques and standard clinical measures. DESIGN: Open-label clinical trial. SETTING: Motor control laboratory at an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 9 subjects (5 boys, 4 girls; age range, 7-16 y) with cerebral injury (stroke or cerebral palsy) and asymmetric upper-extremity function because of spasticity. Eight subjects had right-sided involvement. INTERVENTIONS: Botulinum toxin injection to the involved upper extremity, involving elbow, wrist, and finger flexors, depending on clinical presentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical measures included range of motion (ROM), the Ashworth Scale, FIM trade mark instrument, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, portions of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, and the Purdue pegboard. MCT consisted of visually guided reaching, bilateral finger-to-nose movements, hand tapping, and isometric pinch force tasks. Kinematic assessments were made before and at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks after botulinum toxin injection. RESULTS: All subjects had increased ROM and decreased Ashworth values throughout the testing period. In motor control tasks, improvement typically occurred earlier in the least complex movements, such as hand tapping, with 6 of 9 subjects showing a maximum, although transient, unilateral tapping speed by 6 weeks. A similar time course was observed for pinch force tasks. Improvement in more complex, forward-reaching tasks occurred much later (week 12 or later) or did not occur at all. As with the hand tasks, improved reach performance declined toward the end of the testing period. All subject showed minimal or no improvement in bilateral finger-to-nose movements. Neither maximum changes in ROM or Ashworth values correlated with improvements in functional elbow extension during sit and reach tasks, with 3 subjects with normal active ROM showing late onset or no change in reach. CONCLUSIONS: Although botulinum toxin reduced tone and increased ROM of the spastic upper extremity, the time course and degree of motor improvement appears to depend on the complexity of the task. Future research should focus on the value of adjunct therapy, such as task-specific training, in addition to botulinum toxin treatments to facilitate functional improvement of the spastic upper extremity.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristic trends of lower-extremity complex regional pain syndrome.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a multifaceted, progressive, and potentially devastating disorder generally affecting the extremities. In addition, scant information is available regarding the types of patients who develop lower-extremity CRPS. This is a retrospective chart review study of 64 patients who presented to a pain clinic with CRPS of the lower extremity. The study examined 23 variables broadly classified under demographic characteristics, CRPS characteristics, and healthcare utilization. The sample was found to consist of predominantly white, middle-aged women with CRPS I. Subjective complaints consisted of burning, sharp, throbbing, or aching pain with shooting symptoms. Initial presenting clinical findings included allodynia, edema, erythema, and hyperesthesia. The most common precipitating injuries were blunt trauma of the foot with or without fracture or ankle sprain. The most common inciting surgical events were bunionectomy, tarsal tunnel release, and heel-spur surgery. Referral to the pain clinic was delayed more commonly in trauma patients than in postsurgical patients, with a corresponding increase in pain clinic visits for treatment. This study may act as a guide for physicians treating the lower extremity to aid in the recognition of lower extremity complex regional pain syndrome and its characteristics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Noninvasive evaluation of the lymphatic system with lymphoscintigraphy: a prospective, semiquantitative analysis in 386 extremities.

PURPOSE: Lymphoscintigraphy has emerged as the diagnostic test of choice in patients with suspected lymphedema. To assess the lymphatic circulation of 386 extremities in 188 patients, we prospectively recorded a semiquantitative index of lymphatic transport in addition to visual evaluation of lymphoscintigraphy image patterns. METHODS: Sixty-one male and 127 female patients were studied (mean age 48 years, range 13 to 87 years). Twenty had upper extremity swelling, and 168 had lower extremity swelling. The disease was bilateral in 60 patients. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed by injecting a mean of 503 microCi of technetium 99m-antimony trisulfide colloid subcutaneously into the second interdigital space of the extremity. Time for transport to regional lymph nodes, appearance of lymph vessels and nodes and distribution pattern were scored. These scores were compiled into a modified Kleinhans transport index (TI). To assess the venous circulation, 155 patients underwent evaluation of the venous system by impedance plethysmography, ultrasonography, or contrast venography. RESULTS: The mean TI (+/- SEM) in 79 asymptomatic extremities was 2.6 +/- 0.5, with 66 (83.5%) demonstrating normal lymphoscintigraphy pattern (TI < 5). Patients with clinical diagnosis of lymphedema (n = 124) had a mean TI of 23.8 +/- 1.5; 81.5% of these were greater than 5. Fifty-six patients (30%) had primary and 68 (36%) had secondary lymphedema. (TI of 26 +/- 3.5 and 22.1 +/- 1.9, respectively, p = NS). Patients without any lymphatic transport (TI of 45) were more likely to have cellulitis in their history (p < 0.05). Contrast lymphangiography in six patients correlated with lymphoscintigraphy. Sixty-four patients (34%) had swelling without lymphedema (venous edema, cardiac edema, lipedema, etc.; TI of 1.9 +/- 0.4, p < 0.001). Of the 41 patients with abnormal venous studies, 18 (44%) had an elevated TI. CONCLUSIONS: Semiquantitative evaluation of the lymphatic transport with lymphoscintigraphy reliably depicts abnormalities in the lymphatic circulation. Lymphoscintigraphy excluded lymphedema as a cause of leg swelling in one third of our patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of amputation with limb-sparing operations for adult soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity.

The use of amputation in extremity soft tissue sarcoma has been decreasing at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) over the last 15 years. In an attempt to define the efficacy and future role of amputation in extremity soft tissue sarcoma, a prospective sarcoma database compiled at MSKCC from July 1982 to January 1990, consisting of 649 patients, was analyzed in a retrospective fashion. Ninety-two patients underwent amputation, and 557 had a limb-sparing procedure. Patients selected for amputation were those who had large (T greater than or equal to 5 cm) high-grade tumors that invaded major vascular or nervous structures. The amputation group achieved significantly better local control than the limb-sparing group (p = 0.007). No survival benefit could be demonstrated, however, in the groups selected for amputation (i.e., large, high-grade tumors) when compared with patients undergoing a limb-sparing procedure with similar tumors. Prevention of local recurrence by amputation also did not improve survival in this group compared with similar patients undergoing limb-sparing surgery who did develop a local recurrence. The group of patients with high-grade tumors 10 cm or larger who received chemotherapy did have a significant improvement in survival (p = 0.01) compared with a similar group of patients who did not receive chemotherapy, regardless of the type of operation. The prognosis of patients most likely to undergo an amputation for extremity soft tissue sarcoma (those with high-grade, large tumors) is not related to their local disease, but rather to the risk of distant metastases. Therefore, amputation in this cohort of patients can be recommended only when a limb-sparing procedure cannot achieve gross resection of tumor while still preserving a useful extremity, because amputation improves only local control and does not address distant disease. Further improvement in survival in this group of patients will be dependent on better systemic treatment for extremity soft tissue sarcoma, and not on more radical surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Flow-through anterior thigh flaps for one-stage reconstruction of soft-tissue defects and revascularization of ischemic extremities.

"Flow-through" anterior thigh flaps are used to reconstruct defects accompanied by major vessel damage in the extremities. These flaps have long flow-through pedicle vessels (which are the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral system) that can be interposed into the vascular gaps in the extremities and are composed anatomically of the rectus femoris muscle. The defects of eight patients were repaired successfully with flow-through anterior thigh flaps, which were from 10 to 30 cm in length and 7 to 15 cm in width. The advantages of these flaps are (1) the damaged main vessels (< 20 cm in length) can be reconstructed simultaneously with large skin defects (up to 30 cm in length and 15 cm in width), (2) double arterial inflow by means of both ends of the pedicle artery ensures safe blood circulation of the flap, (3) the lateral circumflex femoral system, the pedicle of the anterior thigh flaps, can be used for chimeric composite flaps for the reconstruction of composite defects with major vessel loss in the extremities, (4) two concomitant veins can be used as a drainage system in extremities with severe edema, and (5) multistage flap transfers are possible to repair recurring defects in the extremities with a single major vessel using additional transection and pedicle interposition.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Regional isolated perfusion of extremities for melanoma: a 20-year experience with drugs other than L-phenylalanine mustard.

Recurrent melanoma of the extremities can lead to bulky symptomatic lesions that become difficult management problems. Treatment of these tumors with isolated limb perfusion with high dose chemotherapy may offer palliation in a number of patients. Unfortunately, the most commonly used drug, L-phenylalanine mustard, has been known to have significant associated tissue toxicity. Therefore, during the years 1976-1995, we perfused 67 limbs in 60 patients with various other drugs: 36 with dimethyltriazeno imidazole carboxamide, 6 with cisplatin, 20 with carboplatin, and 5 with thiotepa). Perfusion was performed for 16 upper extremities and 51 lower extremities using the pump oxygenator for 1 hour. Among the 60 patients, 17 were treated prophylactically for high-risk melanoma, whereas 43 were treated for local and in-transit recurrences. The technique of perfusion successfully isolated the limbs from the systemic circulation: the median leaks over time were 0.5-1.6 percent for the upper extremities, and 0.2-7.5 percent for the lower extremities. Among the 43 patients treated with therapeutic isolated limb perfusion, 11 patients (26 percent) are alive with no evidence of disease for a median of 58 months (range: 8 months to 17 years 9 months), and another 5 patients (12 percent) are alive with recurrence for a median of 45 months (range: 27 months to 10 years 7 months). Four patients required two perfusions, and two patients required three perfusions (one patient has no evidence of disease 6 years after her third perfusion for recurring in-transit disease). There were 19 complications noted after 14 of the 67 perfusions (21%): postoperative edema, 5; seroma, 4; wound separation/infection, 9; and nonfatal pulmonary embolus, 1. In our experience, aggressive treatment in selected patients with regional isolated perfusion of limbs for melanoma has provided meaningful palliation and salvage of the limbs with adequate disease-free control, and occasional survival benefit. This regional treatment modality is associated with meaningful control and with few serious complications, especially when compared with studies using L-phenylalanine mustard. This series illustrates the safety of controlling limb recurrence with this technique, even with repeat perfusions in the same patient.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fourth-degree burns to the lower extremity with exposed tendon and bone: a ten-year experience.

Fourth-degree extremity burns involve muscle, tendon, and bone, often leading to amputation or significant functional impairment. We report our 10-year experience (1995-2004) at an urban burn center with fourth-degree burns to the lower extremity to characterize treatments and outcomes. Twenty-one patients (40 limbs), mean age of 45 years, were treated for fourth-degree lower-extremity burns with the average extremity burn size of 24% TBSA (range, 2-36%) and a mean fourth-degree burn size of 9% TBSA (range, 2-18%). A mean of eight operations were required for limb salvage. Six free-tissue transfers, 2 fillet flaps, 14 local flaps, and multiple skin grafts were performed. Five patients underwent tibial burring for granulation tissue stimulation, and the subatmospheric pressure device was used in eight patients. Seven limb amputations (18%) were required in four patients, and 76% of patients were ambulatory on follow-up. The mean hospital stay was 76 days with high rates of cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis, and bacteremia. Patients treated with flap closure had a significant decrease in the number of operations required for limb salvage. Fourth-degree lower-extremity burns require multistage reconstructive procedures using multiple levels of the reconstructive ladder but limb salvage is possible in a majority of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The health-related quality of life of children with an extremity fracture: a one-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: To document the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with an extremity fracture at 3 and 12 months postinjury and to determine whether it varies significantly by fracture region and site. METHODS: Children hospitalized for an extremity fracture at 4 pediatric trauma centers were studied. A baseline, 3-month, and 12-month telephone interview were completed by a primary caregiver to measure the child's HRQOL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). HRQOL was modeled as a function of injury, patient, and family characteristics using a longitudinal regression model. RESULT: Of the 100 children enrolled, 52 sustained a lower extremity fracture (LEF) and 48 an upper extremity fracture (UEF). Postinjury HRQOL scores were significantly poorer than preinjury scores for all subjects (P = 0.05). In addition, a significant proportion of subjects reported impaired physical and psychosocial HRQOL at 3 (44% and 46%, respectively) and 12 months (23% and 33%, respectively) postinjury. At 3 months postinjury, children with an LEF had significantly poorer HRQOL outcomes compared to children with a UEF. By 12 months postinjury, the physical function of children with a tibia and/or fibula fracture remained significantly lower than children with a UEF (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children hospitalized for an extremity fracture suffered dramatic declines in physical and psychosocial well-being during the first 3 months postinjury. By 1 year postinjury, most children recovered; however, children with a tibia and/or fibula fracture still reported significantly poorer physical functioning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

High-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas: factors predictive of local recurrence and its effect on morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patient characteristics associated with the development of local recurrence and the effect of local recurrence on subsequent morbidity and mortality in patients with intermediate- to high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous studies on extremity soft tissue sarcomas have consistently shown that presentation with locally recurrent disease is associated with the development of subsequent local recurrences and that large tumor size and high histologic grade are significant factors associated with decreased survival. However, the effect of local recurrence on patient survival remains unclear. METHODS: From 1975 to 1997, 753 patients with intermediate- to high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas were treated at UCLA. Treatment outcomes and patient characteristics were analyzed to identify factors associated with both local recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Patients with locally recurrent disease were at a significantly increased risk of developing a subsequent local recurrence. Local recurrence was a morbid event requiring amputation in 38% of the cases. The development of a local recurrence was the most significant factor associated with decreased survival. Once a patient developed a local recurrence, he or she was about three times more likely to die of disease compared to similar patients who had not developed a local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Local recurrence in patients with intermediate- to high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas is associated with the development of subsequent local recurrences, a morbid event decreasing functional outcomes and the most significant factor associated with decreased survival. Although 85% to 90% of patients with high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas are treatable with a limb salvage approach, patients who develop a local recurrence need aggressive treatment and should be considered for trials of adjuvant systemic therapy.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMed2004

The impact of chemotherapy on the survival of patients with high-grade primary extremity liposarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if chemotherapy offers a survival benefit to patients with large, high-grade, primary extremity liposarcoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The impact of chemotherapy on the survival of patients with primary extremity soft tissue sarcoma is controversial and its effect on individual histologic subtypes is not defined. PATIENT AND METHODS: Two prospectively collected sarcoma databases were used to identify all patients with >5 cm, high-grade, primary extremity liposarcoma that underwent surgical treatment of cure from 1975 to 2003 (n = 245). Clinical, pathologic and treatment variables were analyzed for disease-specific survival (DSS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS). RESULTS: Sixty-three (26%) patients were treated with ifosfamide based chemotherapy (IF), 83 (34%) with doxorubicin based chemotherapy (DOX) and 99 (40%) received no chemotherapy (NoC). To assess the impact of DOX, a contemporary cohort analysis of patients treated from 1975 to 1990 was performed. The 5 year DSS of the DOX treated patients was 64% (53%-74%) compared with 56% (51%-79%) for the NoC patients (log-rank P value = 0.28). To assess the impact of IF, a contemporary cohort analysis of patients treated from 1990 to 2003 was performed. The 5 year DSS of the IF treated patients was 92% (84%-100%) compared with 65% (51%-79%) for the NoC patients (log-rank P value = 0.0003). Independent prognostic factors for improved DSS were smaller size (HR = 0.7, P = 0.01), myxoid/round cell histologic subtype (HR = 0.3, P = 0.03) and treatment with IF (HR = 0.3, P = 0.01). The five-year DRFS of the IF treated patients was 81% (70%-92%) compared with 63% (50%-76%) for the NoC patients (log-rank P value = 0.02). The 5 year LRFS of the IF treated patients was 86% (76%-96%) compared with 87% (77%-97%) for the NoC patients (log-rank P value = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with large, high-grade, primary extremity liposarcoma; DOX is not associated with improved DSS and IF is associated with an improved DSS. Treatment with IF should be considered in patients with high-risk primary extremity liposarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Measurement of central venous pressure from a peripheral intravenous catheter in the lower extremity.

OBJECTIVES: The measurement of central venous pressure (CVP) is used to assess intravascular status. Although this is usually accomplished by placement of a central venous catheter (CVC), there are circumstances when placement of a CVC may be technically difficult or impossible. The current study investigates the feasibility of measuring CVP from a peripheral intravenous catheter. METHODS: CVP was simultaneously measured from a CVC and from a peripheral intravenous site. The continuity of the peripheral intravenous catheter with the central venous system was evaluated by noting the change in the pressure measured from the peripheral catheter during a sustained inspiratory effort and during occlusion of the extremity (arm or leg) above the catheter. RESULTS: The cohort for the study included 37 adult patients. In 8 of the 37 patients (22%), there was no increase in the peripheral venous pressure (PVP) in response to a Valsalva maneuver or occlusion of the extremity above the intravenous site. For the upper extremity intravenous sites without a PVP increase, the PVP-CVP difference was 11.2 +/- 6.2 mm Hg versus 2.7 +/- 2.2 mm Hg in the patients in whom the PVP increased with these maneuvers (P < 0.0001). For the lower extremity intravenous sites without a PVP increase, the PVP-CVP difference was 7.6 +/- 4.0 mm Hg versus 2.6 +/- 1.9 mm Hg in the patients in whom the PVP increased (P < 0.0001). No variation in the accuracy of the technique was noted, depending on the size of the intravenous cannula, its location (upper versus lower extremity), CVP value, or patient positioning (supine, prone, lateral). CONCLUSIONS: Provided that the PVP increases to a sustained inspiratory breath and occlusion above the intravenous site, there is a clinically useful correlation between the PVP and the CVP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Incidence and prevalence of complaints of the neck and upper extremity in general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and prevalence of neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints in Dutch general practice. METHODS: Data were obtained from the second Dutch national survey of general practice. In all, 195 general practitioners (GPs) from 104 practices across the Netherlands recorded all contacts with patients during 12 consecutive months. Incidence densities and consultation rates were calculated. RESULTS: The total number of contacts during the registration period of one year was 1 524 470. The most commonly reported complaint was neck symptoms (incidence 23.1 per 1000 person-years), followed by shoulder symptoms (incidence 19.0 per 1000 person-years). Sixty six GP consultations per 1000 person-years were attributable to a new complaint or new episode of complaint of the neck or upper extremity (incidence density). In all, the GPs were consulted 147 times per 1000 registered persons for complaints of the neck or upper extremity. For most complaints the incidence densities and consultation rates were higher for women than for men. CONCLUSIONS: Neck and upper extremity symptoms are common in Dutch general practice. The GP is consulted approximately seven times each week for a complaint relating to the neck or upper extremity; of these, three are new complaints or new episodes. Attention should be paid to training GPs to deal with neck and upper limb complaints, and to research on the prognosis and treatment of these common complaints in primary care.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of intermittent pneumatic compression for treatment of upper extremity vascular ulcers.

Ischemic vascular ulcerations of the upper extremities are an uncommon and frequently painful condition most often associated with scleroderma and small vessel inflammatory diseases. Digital amputation has been advocated as primary therapy because of the poor outcome with medical care. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) pump therapy can improve ulcer healing in lower extremity ischemic ulcerations; however, the value of this treatment in upper extremity ischemic ulcerations is not known. This observational pilot study consisted of a consecutive series of 26 patients with 27 upper extremity ischemic vascular ulcers seen at the Mayo Gonda Vascular Center from 1996 to 2003. Inclusion criteria were documented index of ulcer size and follow-up ulcer size and use of the IPC pump as adjunctive wound treatment. Twenty-six of 27 ulcers (96%) healed with the use of the IPC pump. Mean baseline ulcer size was 1.0 cm2 (SD=0.3 cm2) and scleroderma was the underlying disease in 65% (17/26) of cases. Laser Doppler blood flow in the affected digit was 7 flux units (normal greater than 100). The mean ulcer duration before IPC treatment was 31 weeks. The average pump use was 5 hours per day. The mean time to wound healing was 25 weeks. Twenty-five of 26 patients reported an improvement in wound pain with pump use. Intensive IPC pump use is feasible and associated with a high rate of healing in upper extremity ischemic ulcers. A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled study of IPC is needed to determine whether IPC treatment improves wound healing compared to standard medical care.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Parry-Romberg syndrome with contralateral and ipsilateral extremity involvement.

BACKGROUND: The Parry-Romberg syndrome is an acquired progressive hemifacial atrophy involving the subcutaneous tissues of the scalp and face. Involvement of the extremities is uncommon in this syndrome. OBJECTIVE: A case of contralateral and ipsilateral extremity involvement in the Parry-Romberg syndrome is reported, and the difficulties in distinguishing this syndrome from linear scleroderma en coup de sabre are reviewed. METHODS: A MEDLINE search for cases of Parry-Romberg syndrome with contralateral extremity involvement was performed and the cases reviewed. RESULTS: Contralateral extremity involvement in the Parry-Romberg syndrome is rare. CONCLUSION: This may be the first case reported in the English literature of Parry-Romberg syndrome with contralateral and ipsilateral extremity involvement.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1985

Psychological outcome of extremity sarcoma survivors undergoing amputation or limb salvage.

When compared to amputation, limb salvage procedures for extremity sarcomas have been advocated because of potential functional benefits and presumed psychological-outcome advantages. The purpose of this study was to compare psychological outcomes between survivors who underwent either amputation or limb salvage procedures for extremity sarcomas. Fifteen amputees and 20 patients with salvaged limbs (mean age, 37.9 years; range, 15 to 71 years) were evaluated 1 to 5 years after surgery for extremity sarcomas. Demographic and medical information was obtained and cognitive functioning, affect, mood, body image, physical functioning, global psychological adjustment to illness and surgery, and lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders before and after surgery were assessed. Two patients were excluded because of the presence of an incapacitating organic mental syndrome. The remaining patients, 14 amputees and 19 patients with salvaged limbs, had a variety of soft-tissue and bone sarcomas. No significant differences were found between the groups in age, sex, marital status, surgically involved extremity, chemotherapy status, and social class at the time of surgery and interviews. There were no significant differences between the groups in scores of cognitive capacity, symptoms, mood, body image changes, global physical functioning, global adjustment to illness and surgery, and lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders before or after surgery. Most patients revealed only mild psychological symptoms and 55% demonstrated good to excellent adjustment to their surgeries and diseases. There were no significant differences in measures of psychological outcome for patients with extremity sarcomas who underwent limb salvage procedures compared to those who underwent amputation. A psychological-outcome advantage of limb-salvage surgery compared to amputation has yet to be demonstrated.

Adaptation, Psychological↗