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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Medical pathology in patients with leg ulcers: a study carried out in a leg ulcer clinic in a day hospital for the elderly.

This study was undertaken to see if the multiple pathology previously found in elderly patients with leg ulcers (other than the ulcer) differed in older and younger patients. A retrospective survey of the case notes of 42 consecutive patients (19 males, 23 females) admitted to a medically staffed leg ulcer clinic based in a geriatric day hospital was carried out. Twenty one patients were aged < or = 74 years (including seven aged < or = 59 years) and 21 aged > or = 75 years. Medical conditions known on referral and illnesses diagnosed during attendance were identified. The high incidence of disease in both age groups was identical, with 57% of patients with four or more diagnoses. No patient had no medical illness in addition to their ulcer. The commonest was cardiovascular disease followed by arthritis, obesity and endocrine disease. Nineteen per cent of all diagnoses were made at the clinic. Medical treatment, including drug reviews, in addition to compression bandaging and other local treatment, was found to be helpful for healing the ulcer. Medical input to leg ulcer clinics is therefore important.

Aged↗

Development of restless legs syndrome after dopaminergic treatment in a patient with periodic leg movements in sleep.

Periodic leg movements in sleep (PLMS) unrelated to restless legs syndrome (RLS) are a polysomnographic finding with a controversial clinical value. We describe a patient with isolated periodic leg movements in sleep (without any awake or sleep complaints), who developed severe diurnal RLS symptoms a few months after starting dopaminergic treatment, a phenomenon mimicking augmentation. The diurnal RLS symptoms disappeared after withdrawal of the dopaminergic drugs. Serum ferritin levels were relatively low (31-61 mcg/l; normal: 30-400 mcg/l). Since low levels of ferritin have been implicated in the genesis of RLS, and augmentation is a phenomenon associated with RLS, our findings here suggest that asymptomatic PLMS may have pathogenic mechanisms similar to RLS. Isolated PLMS and RLS could be, at least in some cases, different clinical forms of the same disorder. The conjunction of dopaminergic treatment with low ferritin levels may expose a patient with isolated PLMS to the development of RLS. Discontinuation of dopaminergic drugs in patients with isolated PLMS who develop RLS during the course of the treatment would be a reasonable recommendation.

Dopamine Agents↗

Treatment of periodic leg movement disorder and restless leg syndrome with talipexole.

In order to investigate the bedtime dose of talipexole, a D2 and alpha2 stimulant, on patients with periodic leg movement disorder (PLMD) and restless leg syndrome (RLS), we made a comparison of polysomnographic findings and subjective symptom ratings before and during 4 weeks of the treatment on five cases with RLS and PLMD. A significant decrease in both the frequencies of periodic leg movements and subjective symptom ratings and significant improvement of sleep composition were recognized during the treatment. We speculate that the combination of the agonistic action of D2 and alpha2 receptor with the drug might not only suppress PLMD and RLS but also improve sleep quality.

Azepines↗

Large transverse fasciocutaneous leg flap: whole leg flap.

Large defects of leg and sole often need massive tissue transfer. As an alternative to microvascular transfer, we have developed a fasciocutaneous flap in which almost the whole of the skin of the opposite leg is transferred based just on the septocutaneous perforators of the posterior tibial artery. The flap has been used as a cross-leg fasciocutaneous flap with potential for use as a free flap by taking a segment of the posterior tibial artery. Our experience with 11 cases is presented. Two patients suffered marginal necrosis while donor site problems were seen in another two patients. We have found this flap to be safe, technically easy and with minimal donor-site morbidity.

Adolescent↗

A kinematic analysis of a judo leg sweep: major outer leg reap--osoto-gari.

Twenty male judo players (10 black belt; 10 novice) executed the major outer leg reap, osoto-gari, with maximal effort. Each throw was recorded within the two-dimensional sagittal plane using a 60 Hz video camera. Kinematic data that best described the power of the 'tori's' (thrower's) sweeping leg and the velocity of the 'uke's' (recipient's) falling body were analysed using a Peak Performance Technologies Inc. Motus system. Data from black belt and novice groups were statistically analysed using a one-way MANOVA (p = .05). Statistical analysis found only two variables for the 'tori' (peak angular velocity of the trunk; TTRK, and peak angular velocity of the ankle; TANK) to be significantly different. Large TTRK values for the black belt group indicated a proficient ability to create large momentum on the upper body of the 'uke'. Significantly larger differences in trunk rotation velocities of the 'uke' by the black belt group reinforced this notion. These differences were attributed to good upper body to upper body contact or impact, which is considered an important aspect of the 'osoto-gari'. Significant differences in TANK values stressed the importance of executing plantar flexion near sweep contact. The results emphasised the importance of using the sweeping leg in a sequential kinetic link motion rather than as a single rigid segment.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Pergolide and carbidopa/levodopa treatment of the restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movements in sleep in a consecutive series of patients.

Carbidopa/levodopa has become accepted as a primary treatment for both the restless legs (RL) syndrome and periodic leg movements in sleep (PLMS). It, however, usually significantly augments the RL symptoms in the day as well as night, requiring medication change for about 70% of the patients. The dopaminergic agonist pergolide provides a potentially useful treatment; doses given at dinner and before bed could suffice to treat the symptoms for most of the 24-hour day. A series of consecutive patients with RL syndrome or PLMS was studied using a standard medication protocol starting with carbidopa/levodopa, switching if needed to pergolide and, finally, to an opiate or other treatment. For 51 patients entered into the study, 21 (39%) continued on carbidopa/levodopa and 26 (50%) switched to pergolide. For those tried on pergolide, 19 (73%) responded well. Restless legs augmentation occurred for only four (15%) and was severe enough to require medication change for only one (4%) of these patients. The patients with PLMS responded best to carbidopa/levodopa, whereas severe RL patients responded best to pergolide. Pergolide provided a good treatment for the RL syndrome, particularly for the more severe RL cases without significant problems with RL augmentation.

Antiparkinson Agents↗

Restless legs symptoms in a patient with above knee amputations: a case of phantom restless legs.

We describe a 78-year-old gentleman who, following bilateral above-knee amputations, developed symptoms of restless legs syndrome in the absent portions of his lower extremities. These symptoms improved with dopamine agonist therapy. In addition, he later developed parkinsonism with prominent rest tremor on metoclopramide. This suggests that this individual had a dopamine-deficient state which predisposed him to both restless legs syndrome and drug-induced or drug-exacerbated parkinsonism. We propose expanding the spectrum of phantom limb phenomena to include phantom restless legs.

Aged↗

The effect of hypoxia on pulmonary O2 uptake, leg blood flow and muscle deoxygenation during single-leg knee-extension exercise.

The effect of hypoxic breathing on pulmonary O(2) uptake (VO(2p)), leg blood flow (LBF) and O(2) delivery and deoxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle was examined during constant-load single-leg knee-extension exercise. Seven subjects (24 +/- 4 years; mean +/-s.d.) performed two transitions from unloaded to moderate-intensity exercise (21 W) under normoxic and hypoxic (P(ET)O(2)= 60 mmHg) conditions. Breath-by-breath VO(2p) and beat-by-beat femoral artery mean blood velocity (MBV) were measured by mass spectrometer and volume turbine and Doppler ultrasound (VingMed, CFM 750), respectively. Deoxy-(HHb), oxy-, and total haemoglobin/myoglobin were measured continuously by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; Hamamatsu NIRO-300). VO(2p) data were filtered and averaged to 5 s bins at 20, 40, 60, 120, 180 and 300 s. MBV data were filtered and averaged to 2 s bins (1 contraction cycle). LBF was calculated for each contraction cycle and averaged to 5 s bins at 20, 40, 60, 120, 180 and 300 s. VO(2p) was significantly lower in hypoxia throughout the period of 20, 40, 60 and 120 s of the exercise on-transient. LBF (l min(-1)) was approximately 35% higher (P > 0.05) in hypoxia during the on-transient and steady-state of KE exercise, resulting in a similar leg O(2) delivery in hypoxia and normoxia. Local muscle deoxygenation (HHb) was similar in hypoxia and normoxia. These results suggest that factors other than O(2) delivery, possibly the diffusion of O(2,) were responsible for the lower O(2) uptake during the exercise on-transient in hypoxia.

Adult↗

Thermal responses during arm and leg and combined arm-leg exercise in water.

Thermal and metabolic responses were examined during exposures in stirred water at approximately 20, 26, and 33 degrees C while subjects were performing 45 min of either arm (A), leg (L), or combined arm-leg (AL) exercise. Eight males immersed to the neck completed a low exercise intensity for A exercise and both a low and high exercise intensity for L and AL exercise. During low-intensity exercise, final metabolic rate (M) for A, L, and AL exercise was not different (P greater than 0.05) between exercise type for each water temperature (Tw). In contrast final rectal temperatures (Tre) for A and AL exercise were significantly lower than L values for each Tw during low-intensity exercise. These findings were supported by both mean weighted skin temperature (Tsk) and mean weighted heat flow (Hc) values, which were greater during A than L for each Tw. During high-intensity exercise, final Tre values were lower (P less than 0.05) during AL compared with L exercise across all Tw. Final Tsk and Hc values were not different between each type of exercise, although M was significantly lower during L exercise in 20 degrees C water. These data suggest a greater conductive and convective heat loss during exercise utilizing the arms when compared with leg-only exercise.

Adult↗

The ankle brachial index is associated with leg function and physical activity: the Walking and Leg Circulation Study.

BACKGROUND: The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive, reliable measure of lower-extremity ischemia. However, the relationship between ABI and lower-extremity function has not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between the ABI and lower-extremity function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 3 academic medical centers in the Chicago area. PARTICIPANTS: 740 men and women (460 with peripheral arterial disease). MEASUREMENTS: Accelerometer-measured physical activity over 7 days, 6-minute walk, 4-m walking velocity, standing balance, and ABI. RESULTS: 33% of participants with peripheral arterial disease had intermittent claudication. Fewer than 40% of participants with an ABI less than 0.40 walked continuously for 6 minutes compared with more than 95% of participants with an ABI between 1.00 and 1.50. Compared with an ABI of 1.10 to 1.50, an ABI less than 0.50 was associated with shorter distance walked in 6 minutes (beta-regression coefficient = -523 ft [95% CI, -592 to -454 ft]; P < 0.001), less physical activity (beta = -514.8 activity units [CI, -657 to -373 activity units]; P < 0.001), slower 4-m walking velocity (beta = -0.21 m/s [CI, -0.27 to -0.15 m/s]; P < 0.001), and less likelihood of maintaining a tandem stand for 10 seconds (odds ratio, 0.37 [CI, 0.18 to 0.76]; P = 0.007), after adjustment for typical confounders. Associations between ABI and function were stronger than associations between leg symptoms and function. CONCLUSIONS: The ABI, a noninvasive test that can be performed in a medical office, is more closely associated with leg function in persons with peripheral arterial disease than is intermittent claudication or other leg symptoms. These data support the use of the ABI to identify abnormal lower-extremity function.

Aged↗

Leg ulcers: a practical approach to the leg ulcer patient.

Wound care has become a complicated science and specialty field of its own; however, all patients are initially seen by the primary care provider, and it is here that the greatest impact on wound healing and limb salvage can be made. Clinicians frequently treat chronic leg ulcers with a variety of products at various costs to the patients and third party payors based on experience not scientific literature, making the interpretation of outcomes difficult. With the problem of leg ulcers being so common, this paper sets out to review the basics of wound healing common to all wounds and to describe the current concepts of management of the three most common leg ulcers seen in a typical outpatient wound clinic setting: venous stasis ulcers, ischemic ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers.

Humans↗

[Restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movements during sleep in patients with sleep apnea--a therapeutic problem?].

Restless-legs syndrome and periodic movements during sleep are associated with sleep apnoea syndrome. Similar to sleep apnoea syndrome, restless-legs syndrome and periodic movements during sleep may cause severe hyposomnia and hypersomnia. Exact diagnosis may partly fail in severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome if only cardiorespiratory polygraphy is performed. Simultaneous videorecordings and EMG of mm. tibialis ant. ensure diagnosis. Therapeutic regime may be difficult due to failure or side effects, however. We report on our experience in an one-year follow-up of 12 patients with sleep apnoea syndrome and restless-legs syndrome and/or periodic movements during sleep. Despite adequate interdisciplinary initiation of therapy and monitoring, these patients are often subject to therapy changes, failures or side effects. There was no correlation between jerks and the complaints of the patients.

Aged↗

Temperature and sweating responses in one-legged and two-legged exercise.

In looking at the thermoregulatory responses resulting from symmetrical or asymmetrical exercise, this paper has focused on the effect of local skin temperature (Tsk,local) on local sweat rates (msw,local) during one-legged (W1) and two-legged (W2) exercise on an ergocycle. Five subjects underwent four 3-h tests at 36 degrees C, each consisting of six 25-min exercise periods alternating with 5-min rest periods. The subjects performed W1 and W2 at 45 and 90 W, respectively, either dehydrated or rehydrated. Body temperatures and total sweat rate were measured as well as four msw,local (on chest and thighs), assessed from sweat capsules under which Tsk,local was maintained at predetermined levels (37.0 degrees C and 35.5 degrees C). The combinations of Tsk,local levels, capsule locations, exercise intensity and hydration level chosen in our protocol led to the following results. The hydration level affected rectal temperature but not total or msw,local. No specific effect of muscle activity was found; msw,local on thighs of resting and working legs were similar. The msw,local were only influenced by exercise intensity, msw,local being more elevated during the higher intensity. No significant effect of Tsk,local on msw,local was found, whatever the experimental condition and/or the location. It was concluded that local thermal effects on msw,local could have been masked by the strong central drive for sweating which has been found to exist in subjects exercising in a warm environment.

Adult↗

Risk factors for delayed healing and recurrence of chronic venous leg ulcers--an analysis of 1324 legs.

OBJECTIVE: Despite similar disease patterns and treatment, there is great variation in clinical outcome between venous ulcer patients. The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for venous ulcer healing and recurrence. METHODS: Consecutive patients assessed by a specialist nurse-led leg ulcer service between January 1998 and July 2003 with an ABPI>0.85 were included in this study. Independent risk factors for healing and recurrence were identified from routinely assessed variables using a Cox regression proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 1324 legs in 1186 patients were studied. The 24-week healing rate was 76% and 1 year recurrence rate was 17% (Kaplan-Meier life table analysis). Patient age (p <0.001, HR per year 0.989, 95% CI 0.984-0.995) and ulcer chronicity (p =0.019, HR per month 0.996, 95% CI 0.993-0.999) were independent risk factors for delayed ulcer healing. Ulcer healing time (p <0.001, HR per week 1.016, 95% CI 1.007-1.026) and superficial venous reflux not treated with surgery (p =0.015, HR 2.218, 95% CI 1.166-4.218) were independent risk factors for ulcer recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with longstanding ulcers should be targeted for further research and may benefit from adjunctive treatments to improve clinical outcomes. Patients not treated with superficial venous surgery were at increased risk of leg ulcer recurrence.

Age Factors↗

Locomotion via paralyzed leg muscles: feasibility study for a leg-propelled vehicle.

Functional electrical stimulation has been used to restore some degree of controllable movement to paralyzed muscle. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using electrically stimulated paralyzed leg muscles to propel a wheelchair-type vehicle. For this, a conventional manual wheelchair was modified by the addition of a drive system which permits forward propulsion by reciprocating movements of the legs. A battery-powered electrical stimulator using surface electrodes over the quadriceps muscles controls locomotive characteristics. This vehicle has been successfully operated by paraplegic and quadriplegic test subjects. Advantages of using paralyzed leg muscles for locomotion may include improvement in locomotive capability, circulation in the lower extremities, cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, strength and size of the exercised muscles and bones, and self-image.

Electric Stimulation↗

Evaluation of periodic leg movements and associated transcranial magnetic stimulation parameters in restless legs syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a sensorimotor disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations commonly localized in the legs, is frequently associated with periodic limb movements (PLMs) during sleep. We investigated the role of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cortical silent period (CSP) duration as diagnostic and monitoring tools in 20 patients with primary RLS before and after 1 month of treatment and also studied 15 normal age- and gender-matched subjects. Polysomnographic assessment was undertaken and the PLM index determined in 17 of the 20 patients. We also studied the correlation between sleep efficiency index and CSP duration because of the increasing severity of the sleep disturbance and PLMs in patients with RLS. Our results demonstrate that the duration of the CSP was reduced in patients with RLS, and that dopaminergic treatment normalized this duration. There was no correlation between the PLM index and CSP duration. It may be speculated that PLMs and the CSP are due to different inhibitory mechanisms and they may be used separately as diagnostic and monitoring tools in patients with primary RLS.

Adult↗

Long-term review of five leg replantations: emergency strategy and examples of lengthening of the leg on nerve regeneration.

The success rate for leg replantation has improved with the development of shortening-lengthening protocols. We checked whether this success was maintained long term in five cases of emergency reimplantation. The significant initial shortening of 93 mm, on average, enabled direct internal osteosynthesis, secondary lengthening was initiated swiftly, in the proximal metaphyseal area, and average lengthening was 85 mm. Consolidation was achieved in all cases within normal time periods, with an average inequality in residual length of 8mm. The speed of nerve regeneration was on average 1.926 mm/day, twice faster than usual after simple nerve suturing. At average follow-up of more than 11 years, all patients were walking. We conclude that nerve lengthening stimulates nerve regeneration, and that the results of this protocol, involving extensive initial debridement compensated by secondary lengthening, have enabled the limitations on unilateral leg replantation to be reduced.

Adult↗

Incidence of periodic leg movements and of the restless legs syndrome during sleep following acute physical activity in spinal cord injury subjects.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate sleep patterns and complaints, and Periodic Limb Movement (PLM) and the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in subjects with complete spinal cord injury. Volunteers were submitted to two polysomnograms (Oxford Medilog SAC system--EEG, EMG, EOC): (1) basal night, when the volunteer arrived at the Sleep Center, and (2) after a maximal physical test (Cybex Met 300/increase of 12.5 watts/2 min until exhaustion). Eleven volunteers with complete spinal cord injury between T7-T12 were evaluated. Data were analyzed by the paired Student's test (total sleeping time) and by the Wilcoxon matched paired test (change of sleep states, number of awakenings during sleep, latency to REM sleep and leg movements--PLM + RLS). Comparison of sleep recordings from the night before with that from the night after (12 h) practice of physical activity, showed a significant reduction in all of the sleep parameters. The results indicate that physical activity improves the sleep patterns of spinal cord injured volunteers. In particular, we noticed that PLM and RLS after physical activity were inhibited during sleep.

Adult↗