Cast Removal Research Articles

Treatment of club foot with serial casting by ponsetti technique.

Objective: To determine efficacy of serial casting of ponseti technique for treating club foot. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Independent Medical College & University Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: 1st July, 2019 to 30th June, 2020. Material & Methods: All clubfoot patients who presented to the Orthopedics department were included in the study. Patients were first classified using the Pirani scoring system, followed by manipulation and weekly above-knee casts. Equinus was assessed after 4th to 6th cast and percutaneous cast was re-applied if required. Follow-up of patients were kept for 5 months after final cast removal. All the data was entered and analyzed in SPSS Version 25. Results: Mean age of the patients was 37 weeks. From total 41 patients, 27 children presented between age of 0-6 months, 5 between 6 to 12 months and 9 between 1-2 years. Among the 41 children, 25 had unilateral while 16 had bilateral involvement. Among 41 children, 26 were male and 15 were females. Mean casts needed in our study was 6.29±0.93. By using, the 10- point Pirani scoring system, the mean Pirani score was 3.46±0.515 at baseline while mean Pirani score after treatment was 0.0317±0.130. The results were excellent in 82%, good in 12% and fair in 4%. Conclusion: Ponseti is reliable and effective method. Results of our study are good and satisfying and all clubfeet in our institution can be treated with this procedure.

Hand function 6 weeks following non-surgically treated proximal phalangeal fractures and factors associated to upper extremity disability

Purpose To describe hand function, and investigate adherence to a rehabilitation protocol and factors associated with upper extremity disability in non-surgically treated proximal phalangeal fractures. Material and methods In a prospective cohort study, 86 patients (58 women, mean age of 49 years) were assessed at cast removal and 6 weeks follow-up. Adherence was registered in a diary. Factors potentially associated with disability were assessed in a logistic regression model. Results At 6 weeks, the mean total active range of motion in the injured finger was 84% of the uninjured finger and median pain intensity levels were low (VAS <20). Mean grip strength was 66% of the uninjured hand and 28% perceived high upper extremity disability (QuickDASH score ≥30). Most patients adhered to exercise and night splint regime. The strongest associated factors with high upper extremity disability were more days in cast (Odds ratio 1.429, 95% CI 1.110–1.840) and fear of movement (Odds ratio 1.119, 95% CI 0.990–1.256) in the final regression model (Nagelkerke R Square 0.46). Conclusion Most patients regain early satisfactory hand function, but a quarter still perceives high upper extremity disability. Longer immobilisation time in particular and fear of movement are important factors that may negatively affect the early outcome.

Having Patience With Our Patients: A Key Technique in Cast Saw Burn Prevention.

Although regarded as conservative treatment, casting is not without risk. Injuries may be sustained during application, during cast valving, through the immobilization process, or during cast removal. We developed an experimental model to investigate safe parameters for the appropriate length of time between fiberglass cast application and bivalving for cast saw use. A hospital sheet was rolled into a mock "arm" on which short-arm fiberglass casts were formed. An appropriate cast saw technique was used with complete withdrawal of the saw blade from the cast material between cuts. A total of 10 casts were made for control/no vacuum (N = 5) and study/vacuum (N = 5) groups. The temperature of the saw blade was measured at 1-minute increments beginning at 3 minutes after fiberglass submersion in water. A mixed factor analysis of variance assessed differences in temperature change over time between groups with a statistical threshold of P < 0.05. Casts that set for 7 minutes were associated with lower blade temperatures compared with casts that set for 3, 4, 5, and 6 minutes. The average temperature increases for the 3- to 7-minute set times without the use of vacuum were 10.08 (± 1.42), 9.38 (±1.31), 9.32 (±1.85), 8.54 (±2.10), and 5.62°F (±2.42), respectively, and with the use of vacuum, they were 9.40 (±1.14), 8.36 (±1.64), 7.84 (±2.05), 7.30 (±3.14), and 4.82°F (±2.59), respectively. Independent of vacuum use, the change in temperature was significantly different from the maximum temperature (3 minutes) beginning at 7 minutes (all P < 0.043). A minimum of 7 minutes of set time for a fiberglass cast before attempting to bivalve using segmented cuts is associated with the smallest increase in temperature of the saw blade. Blade temperature was not affected with the vacuum enabled. Clinicians can demonstrate best practices to minimize the risk of cast saw injuries.

Pain, hand function, activity performance and apprehensiveness, in patients with surgically treated distal radius fractures

Distal radius fracture (DRF) is a common injury, affecting both function and activity performance. Postoperative rehabilitation is an essential part of the treatment of a surgically treated DRF. The study aims were to assess pain, hand function, activity performance and apprehensiveness and their association, during the first three months after a surgically treated DRF. Eighty-eight patients with a DRF were assessed for pain, hand function, activity performance and apprehensiveness three days and two, six and 12 weeks after surgery. The results indicated that pain, range of motion (ROM), grip strength, apprehensiveness, and activity performance (PRWE) improved significantly between follow-ups (p < .001–.01). Apprehensiveness correlated moderately with activity performance on all visits (0.40–0.47, p < .01), which implies a correlation between the variables, but the regression model showed that the differences in the PRWE at twelve weeks cannot be explained by the differences in apprehensiveness or range of motion at cast removal. At 12 weeks, the study participants had regained almost 70% of their grip strength and 74–96% of the ROM of the uninjured hand. The study shows that, during the study period, the participants improved in both pain, hand function and activity performance, and indicates that a simple question on apprehensiveness in terms of using the injured hand in daily life could be an important factor in distal radius fracture rehabilitation.

Integrated manual therapy program along with exercise training for the rehabilitation of lateral ankle sprain: A case report

Lateral ankle sprain is most common injury occurred during sports after forceful inversion. A comprehensive rehabilitation protocol is needed for faster recovery and avoiding recurrence. A case of 23-year-old male, amateur football player, had an injury to his left ankle. He developed sudden onset of pain, swelling and was not able to bear weight on his left ankle. Orthopaedic doctor suggested him 6 weeks of immobilization in plaster cast after confirmation of anterior talo-fibular ligament grade III and Posterior talo-fibular ligament and Deltoid ligament grade I sprain on MRI. After cast removal, he was referred to physiotherapy. The patient presented with pain, swelling, decrease muscle strength, kinesiophobia and incomplete ROM of the left ankle joint. A customized physiotherapy protocol was followed for 12 weeks after immobilization period. Phase wise integrated manual therapy program along with exercise training showed significant improvement in ankle joint function after lateral ankle sprain.

Weight gain and gastrostomy tube safety during serial body casting for early onset scoliosis.

Serial casting has been shown to improve curve deformity for patients with early-onset scoliosis (EOS). However, despite prior literature demonstrating the importance of weight and nutrition in EOS patients, there is limited information regarding complications and weight gain ability for children undergoing serial casting. Additionally, parents of patients undergoing serial casting often have concerns regarding weight gain and patient comfort, which tend to be amplified in patients with gastrostomy tubes (g-tubes). We aim to understand changes in weight, g-tube complications, and cast-related complications in patients being treated with serial casting. A single center retrospective review of all EOS patients less than 6years old treated with serial casting was performed. Patient weight out of cast throughout their treatment was converted to a percentile based on CDC growth charts. Patients with documented calls regarding cast concerns, complications requiring cast removal, or g-tube procedures were recorded. A total of 32 patients treated with serial casting were included with four having g tubes. Overall, the average weight percentile increased from pre-casting to post-casting (27-38%, p < 0.001) with 21 patients showing an increase. Of the 22 patients with a starting weight below the 25th percentile, 14 (64%) demonstrated an increase. Patients with g tubes increased an average of 4.2kg during casting compared to 3.0kg in patients without g tubes (p = 0.588). 18 parents registered a cast concern during the treatment and 5 patients required at least one early cast removal. No difference in cast concerns (p = 0.597) or cast removals (p = 0.488) was observed when comparing patients with g tubes to those without. There were no instances of g-tube dysfunction during casting. While the average weight percentile for patients initiating serial casting is below average, the majority increased their weight percentile during treatment. Patients with and patients without g tubes were able to maintain or gain weight during casting treatment. While it was common for parents to contact providers with cast concerns, patients with g tubes did not appear to have a greater risk of cast or g tube-related complications. Level IV.

Underwater image restoration via backscatter pixel prior and color compensation

The use of underwater cameras instead of divers to enter complex underwater areas for real-time monitoring of fish, shrimp, and algae is significant to the aquaculture industry. However, underwater images are severely degraded due to light absorption and scattering, limiting the development of underwater computer vision and robot vision perception. To solve blurriness and color degradation issues, this paper developed a restoration method based on backscatter pixel prior and color cast removal from the physical point of view of underwater image degradation. The proposed method used only a single underwater image as an input to estimate various parameters accurately, such as depth map, backscatter map, and illuminant map. Specifically, a backscatter estimation algorithm based on a depth map was proposed to improve the contrast of underwater images. Then, an algorithm was designed to remove color deviation based on the illuminant map. In particular, a color compensation strategy was created that could completely eliminate red artifacts in underwater images that were generated by the strong attenuation of the red channel. We designed comparative experiments from multiple angles on different real underwater image datasets. Experiments showed that the proposed method improved the contrast and removed the color deviation of light absorption compared to several reported methods. Even on underwater images with severe attenuation, the proposed method showed a significant positive effectiveness and stability on color cast removal.

Clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis in children: a retrospective analysis of 43 cases

BackgroundWith an increase in the diagnosis of plastic bronchitis (PB) cases, to enhance paediatricians’ knowledge and add to the few existing studies, we explored the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of PB in children.MethodsThe clinicopathological data of 43 children admitted to the Xiamen Children’s Hospital and the Women and Children’s Hospital, affiliated to the Xiamen University from December 2016 to December 2019, were retrospectively analysed.ResultsAll the children had cough, with 41 of them having associated fever. A peak temperature > 40 ℃ was observed in 25 children. Twenty-six children had shortness of breath, 27 had reduced respiratory sounds on the affected side, and 35 had audible moist rales on the affected side. Lactate dehydrogenase in all children increased to different degrees, and 29 had elevated D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products. Lung imaging showed pulmonary consolidation and atelectasis, mainly in the bilateral lower lung lobes, in all the children. However, 31 had pleural effusion, mainly a small parapneumonic effusion. The infections were mainly caused by adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The casts in all 43 children were sucked or clamped out under bronchoscopy, and 10 were found to have type I PB on pathological examination. All children were treated with anti-infective therapy in addition to bronchoscopic cast removal. Thirty-one children were treated with methylprednisolone, and 16 with gamma globulin. Except for one child who was non-adherent to treatment, all other children showed improvement, or were cured and discharged from the hospital. Follow-up lung imaging at 3 months revealed that the lungs were fully re-expanded in 40 children. At the 6-month follow-up, six children had small airway lesions, four had obliterative bronchiolitis, and one had bronchiectasis.ConclusionsPaediatric PB often occurs secondary to respiratory tract infections and progresses rapidly, with hyperpyrexia, cough, and shortness of breath as the main clinical manifestations. Pulmonary consolidation, atelectasis, and pleural effusion are seen on lung imaging, and early bronchoscopy and removal of casts in the trachea and bronchi are effective treatment options.

Hand laterality recognition in distal radius and/or ulna fracture

Hand laterality, an important ability to determine the orientation of a limb is common to get affected after short term immobilization. Distal radius and/or ulna fracture is a commonly encountered fracture resulting from upper-limb trauma. Conservative treatment using closed reduction and plaster cast application to immobilize the joint remains choice of treatment over surgery in the treatment of these fractures. There is a paucity of literature reporting impairment in hand laterality after long term immobilization as commonly performed in patients with distal radius and/or ulna fractures. Understanding effect of immobilization on hand laterality in distal-end radius/ulna fractures warranted present investigation. To evaluate hand laterality based on the accuracy and response time for hand determination after plaster cast removal in distal radius and/or ulna fracture. Prospective cross sectional study. Subjects (n=60, age range=40-59 years, females (n)=28 and males (n)=32) were shown 24 real-hand images with various degrees of angular rotation and instructed to identify the hand as left and/or right. Accuracy (% correctly identified) and Response time (milliseconds to identify left or right hand in the image) of motor imagery during hand laterality task were recorded. Pain intensity before and after the hand laterality task were noted using Visual Analogue Scale. Repeated measures of ANOVA and t tests were used to analyze the accuracy and response times among two groups. The experimental group showed significantly (P < .05) lower accuracy and longer response time as compared to the control group. No significant difference in the accuracy and response time were noted in the immobilization of the dominant and the non-dominant hand within the experimental group (P > .05). Also, there was no change in pain pre- to post-hand laterality task. Findings of this study could aid in enhancing the understanding of post-immobilization effect on hand laterality and open new arenas for assessment and rehabilitation of distal-end radius and/or ulna fractures where immobilization is the principal treatment.

Observation Versus Cast Treatment of Toddler's Fractures.

Nondisplaced metaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia, or toddler's fractures, are one of the most common pediatric injuries. Healing typically occurs quickly without sequelae. Treatment ranges from long leg cast immobilization to observation. This study compares short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of toddler's fractures treated with long leg casting versus observation. Patients with toddler's fractures were offered enrollment and randomization at diagnosis. Because many families opposed randomization, a preference arm was added after one year. All subjects were analyzed as a prospective cohort. Radiographs were obtained at diagnosis and 4 weeks. A modified Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OAFQ-C) and family satisfaction survey were collected at diagnosis, 4 and 8 weeks. Scores were analyzed using mixed effect models. Family satisfaction surveys were compared using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. Forty-four subjects participated in the study, 34 (77%) in the preference arm and 10 (23%) in the randomized cohort. The median patient age was comparable between the cast and the observation groups, 2.0 versus 1.8 years, respectively. Significant improvement in OAFQ-C scores was observed in both groups over 8 weeks (P<0.01). Patients in the observation group had a higher initial play score than the cast group (P=0.03). The observation group trended toward higher physical scores at all time points (P=0.11). There was no significant difference in emotional scores between groups (P=0.77). No displacement was observed in any patient. Casted patients had significantly more minor complications with 4 patients requiring cast change or removal compared with 0 in the observed group (P=0.01). At 8 weeks, 80% of parents in the cast group were likely or very likely to choose the same treatment compared with 95.6% in the observation group. Family satisfaction scores did not differ between groups (P=0.18). They demonstrated differences in perceived normal walking at 4 weeks, with 50% of casted patients walking normally compared with 92% of observed patients. Over 90% of patients in both groups were reportedly walking normally at week 8. Observation of toddler's fractures results in equivalent clinical and radiographic outcomes, high family satisfaction and fewer complications compared with treatment with a long leg cast. Level II.

Novel Cast-saw Alarm System Reduces Blade-to-Skin Contact in a Pediatric Upper Extremity Model.

To determine the effectiveness of a novel cast-saw alarm system in minimizing the number and duration of cast-saw blade-to-skin contacts. Twenty orthopaedic residents removed a pair of long-arm casts applied to instrumented pediatric upper extremity models. The model and cast-saw were instrumented to detect blade to "skin" contact at a rate of 600 Hz. Each resident performed cast removal with and without the use of a cast-saw alarm, the order of which was randomized. Eleven additional "new" cast-saw users then removed pairs of casts, without and then with the cast alarm, to evaluate what effect the alarm would have on preventing blade-to-skin contact in users with no previous cast-saw experience. The number and duration of cast-saw touches were then evaluated. Statistical significance was determined paired 1-sided students t tests (number of touches). For the residents (n=20), the total number of blade-to-skin contacts was 233. One hundred eighty-one blade-to-skin contacts without the alarm and 52 with the alarm (71% reduction) (t(19)=-3.42, P=0.001), averaging 6.45 more blade-to-skin contacts per cast without the alarm. The median blade-to-skin contact duration was 0.166 seconds without the alarm and 0.087 seconds with the alarm. This was a 48% reduction in contact time (P=0.073). For the inexperienced users (n=11), the total number of blade-to-skin contacts was 356, 324 blade-to-skin contacts without the alarm and 32 with the alarm (90% reduction) (t(10)=-2.78, P=0.009), averaging 26.5 more blade-to-skin contacts without the alarm. The median blade-to-skin contact duration for the novice was 0.313 seconds without the alarm and 0.1 seconds with the alarm (68% reduction). Contact time was reduced in both groups but failed to reach statistical significance. However, alarm use significantly reduced the number of touches of >0.5 seconds duration (62 vs. 3) in the novice group, P=0.0176. Blade-to-skin contact of >0.5 seconds were felt to represent touches that were more likely to result in thermal injury to a living patient. Blade-to-skin contact can be reduced with the use of a cast-saw alarm. These effects appear most amplified in users with little prior cast-saw experience. Not applicable.

Conservative treatment of an incomplete calcaneal fracture in a pony using a tarsal sleeve cast

SummaryA 9‐year‐old 390 kg games pony presented with acute onset of grade 5/5 (AAEP) right hindlimb (RH) lameness. During clinical examination, the source of lameness was localised to the tarsal region. Radiographic examination identified a closed, simple, nondisplaced, incomplete fracture of the calcaneal shaft. The pony was initially treated with box rest; however, despite an initial good response, the horse re‐presented with a grade 5/5 (AAEP) RH lameness, 2 weeks after initial presentation. The decision was made to treat the fracture using a tarsal sleeve cast extending from mid‐third of the tibia/crus to the level of distal metatarsus. The cast was replaced every 2 weeks and maintained for a total of 8 weeks. After cast removal, the horse was kept on strict box rest for 3 weeks. After discharge from the hospital, in‐hand walking exercise from the stable was commenced and gradually increased over a 4‐week period. The horse was then gradually reintroduced to small paddock turnout exercise for eight further weeks. The horse was able to return to full athletic function. Conservative treatment using a tarsal sleeve cast should be considered only in horses presenting an incomplete nondisplaced fracture of the calcaneal shaft.

Abbreviated Outpatient Upper Extremity Fracture Care to Avoid Clinic and Hospital Environmental Encounters During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A New Approach to Fracture Care?

To minimize in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new fracture care protocol for children with complete and stable, nondisplaced or minimally displaced upper extremity (UE) fractures has been implemented. This protocol involves immobilization with a bivalved cast, which allows for home cast removal during a telemedicine visit, and no follow-up radiographs, thus eliminating the requirement for a return to clinic. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes and parent satisfaction of this new abbreviated fracture care protocol. Between May 2020 and April 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, children with complete and stable, nondisplaced or minimally displaced UE fractures were treated with a bivalved cast and 1 follow-up telemedicine visit for home cast removal. A prospective longitudinal study of these patients was performed. The PROMIS Upper Extremity questionnaire was administered at enrollment and 3 months follow-up. Parents completed a satisfaction survey after home cast removal. Demographic data and information regarding complications were collected. A historical cohort of controls treated with standard cast in 2019 was used for comparison. A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 8±3 years (range 2 to 15) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Parent-reported PROMIS Upper Extremity scores showed a significant increase from 24.9 (95% confidence interval=20.8-29.1) at enrollment to 51.6 (95% confidence interval=50.8-52.5) at 3 months follow-up (P<0.001). Results of the satisfaction survey (n=39) showed all parents were either very satisfied (85%) or satisfied (15%). In addition, 10% of parents would have initially preferred to come into clinic for cast removal and 90% of parents would prefer this new treatment plan in the future. Patients in the abbreviated care cohort returned to clinic for a median 1 in-person visits, compared with 2 for historical controls (n=183, P<0.001). Abbreviated care patients received fewer (1.0) radiographs than controls (2.0, P<0.001). Complication rate did not differ between the groups (P=0.77). Complete and stable, nonminimally or minimally displaced UE fractures can be cared for safely and effectively in a single in-person visit, with a telemedicine cast removal visit. Parents are satisfied with this abbreviated protocol and prefer it to additional in-person visits. Level III.

Effectiveness of Ponseti Technique in Treatment of Idiopathic Clubfoot in age of 2 to 5 Years

Objective To evaluate effectiveness of Ponseti technique in treatment of clubfoot in children from 2 years to 5 years of age Material and methods: Our study is Descriptive case series done at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, SMBBMU, Larkana, from April 15, 2019 to October 14, 2019. Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria attending Ponseti clinic of SMBBMU, Larkana were incorporated in our study. After getting consent, procedure was explained in detail with merits and demerits. Treatment was labeled effective if Pirani score after treatment ≤1/6. Bracing phase with Dennis Brown shoes was started for maintenance of the corrected foot after post tenotomy cast removal. Data was collected and entered into the performa attached. Results: Mean and standard deviation for age was 4.08±2.17 years. Among 71 patients, 48 (67.6%) patients were male and 23 (32.4%) were female. Positive family history was found to be in 8 (11.26%) patients. Modes of delivery shows that 46 (64.8%) patients had gone through C-Section while 25 (35.2%) had normal vaginal delivery. Efficacy of Ponseti technique was noted in 52 (73.2%) patients. Conclusion: From the studies it was shown that Ponseti technique for club foot in both presenting earlier or late is safe and effective. Keywords: Clubfeet, Congenital Talipes Equinovarus, Ponseti Technique, Pirani Score

WITHDRAWN: Revisiting cast removal complications via a prospective controlled study: improved safety with a novel method.

WITHDRAWN: Revisiting cast removal complications via a prospective controlled study: improved safety with a novel method.

Neuromuscular Patients Are 40% More Likely to Get a Cast Injury.

Cast injuries can occur during application, throughout immobilization, and during removal, with common morbidities being pressure ulcers and cast saw burns. The incidence rate of cast injuries in generalized and diagnosis specific pediatric populations is not known. The goal of this study is to accurately quantify the rate of incidence of cast injuries at a large pediatric orthopaedic practice and identify potentially modifiable risk factors to guide quality of care improvement. A retrospective review was performed at our institution between July 2019 and October 2020. Inclusion criteria was all pediatric patients (below 21 y old) with an orthopaedic diagnosis that was treated with casting. The child's diagnosis, specific type of cast, and training level of the person applying the cast was recorded. Patient injuries were identified through cast technicians' documentation regarding cast removal. The primary outcome was the incidence of casting injuries from July 2019 through October 2020. Additional outcomes included the association between diagnosis of neuromuscular disease and training level of individual applying the cast with casting injuries. χ2 tests were used to compare categorical variables and post hoc comparisons using Bonferroni correction. Injury incidence rates were calculated as number of injuries per 1000 casts. There were 2239 casts placed on children at this institution between July 2019 and October 2020 and a total of 28 injuries for an incidence rate of 12.5 per 1000. Of the 28 total injuries reported, there were 5 cast saw burns (2.2 per 1000) and 23 pressure ulcers (10.3 per 1000). Incidence of cast injury was not significantly correlated with timing of application during the academic year or training level of the individual applying the cast (P=0.21 and 0.86). Notably, there was a significantly higher incidence of cast injuries in individuals with a diagnosis of a neuromuscular disorder (37.4 per 1000) than those without (7.5 per 1000) (P<0.01). The incidence of cast injuries is 12.5 per 1000 children at our level I trauma tertiary referral pediatric clinic. Training level of the individual applying the cast or timing during the academic year did not correlate with cast injuries. Patients with neuromuscular disorders are at significantly higher risk for experiencing cast injuries. Level III.

Pain and Disability of Conservatively Treated Distal Radius Fracture: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Photobiomodulation Therapy.

Objective: Many patients with distal radius fracture (DRF) experience pain and disability after removal of the cast. The aim of this study was to investigate if photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) applied after cast removal provides an add-on effect to a home-based exercise program in rehabilitation after DRF. Methods: In this triple-blinded placebo-controlled trial, 50 patients with conservatively treated DRF were randomized to receive either active PBMT or placebo PBMT after cast removal in addition to a home-based exercise therapy program. The outcome measures were the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) questionnaire, night pain (NP), and consumption of analgesic medication (AM) and were evaluated after cast removal at 4 (baseline), 8, 12, and 26 weeks after injury. NP and AM were also evaluated 7 weeks after injury (end of active/placebo PBMT). Results: There was a significant between-group difference in PRWHE scores in favor of active PBMT 8, 12, and 26 weeks after DRF. NP and consumption of AM were significantly lower in the active PBMT group from 7 to 26 weeks. There was a minimum clinically important improvement between the groups in favor of active PBMT in total score at 12 weeks, in pain subscore at 8, 12, and 26 weeks, and in disability subscore at 8 and 12 weeks. Conclusions: PBMT is safe and has long-term positive effect on pain and disability in DRF patients, when applied in combination with a home-based rehabilitation exercise program. Clinical Trial registration number: NCT03014024.

A pre and post radiological image of Supracondylar fracture managed with open reduction and internal fixation.

A 46 years old female was dashed by a car from behind while crossing the road. The mechanism of injury followed a direct fall on the right elbow. She experienced sudden onset of severe pain followed by an inability to move the entire arm. As soon as she arrived in the hospital, she underwent a radiological diagnostic procedure which demonstrated Type-IV fracture (A) according to the Gartland classification of supracondylar fracture. The patient was showing complete restriction in elbow movement with pronation and supination of the forearm extremely painful. Hence, the patient then underwent open reduction and internal fixation with plates, screws, nails, and wire via lateral approach and was immobilized for six weeks. By the end of the immobilization period, she again went for the radiological diagnostic procedure to check the status of healing. As per the appearance of soft callus (B), she was prescribed physiotherapy treatment which mainly concentrated on pain, stiffness, restricted range of motion and reduced strength. The intervention involved passive mobility of each joint according to the indication of grades of mobilization, stretching of the agonist muscles and strengthening of the antagonist muscles followed by the progressive strengthening exercises. The physiotherapy was for six sessions, performed over a 5-week period beginning the week after cast removal. The functional independence was assessed using Functional Independence Measure (FIM) pre and post physiotherapy treatment suggesting modified independence by the end of the 12th week of supracondylar fracture.

Critical Illness Cholangiopathy in COVID-19 Long-haulers

Critical Illness Cholangiopathy in COVID-19 Long-haulers

Influence of biofeedback training time on muscle torque and knee excursion following semitendinosus release in spastic quadriplegic children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Background. Medial hamstring shortening represents a serious common complication in children suffering from spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Objective. The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of biofeedback training timing following tendon release in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsied children. Design. a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting: several hospitals across Giza and Cairo, where children were operated. Methods. Thirty spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsied children of both genders, with their ages ranged from 7 to 9 years (x ̅ = 8.2 ± 0.86 yr.) were randomly assigned into two equal groups (A and B). The control group (A) was trained using electromyographic biofeedback daily for two weeks after removal of plaster cast, in addition to an hour/ day of a designed physical therapy program, while the study group (B) was trained by electromyographic biofeedback during the immobilization period and for two weeks after removal of the cast along with the same physical therapy program as the group (A). The knee extensors’ peak torque and knee excursion angle were measured immediately and two weeks following cast removal by MERAC isokinetic system and electro-goniometer, respectively. Results. The findings exhibited a significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in the peak torque of knee extensors and an increase in knee excursion in the group (B) immediately and after two weeks of the cast removal when compared with the results of the group (A) after the same period. Conclusion. Applying electromyographic biofeedback training at the two-week immobilization period resulted in a strengthening of the quadriceps and maintaining the obtained range of knee extension following semitendinosus muscle release in spastic quadriplegic children with cerebral palsy.