Lower Extremity Research Articles

Investigating the fluctuating nature of post-COVID pain symptoms in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: the LONG-COVID-EXP multicenter study.

This cohort study used Sankey plots and exponential bar plots for visualizing the fluctuating nature and trajectory of post-COVID pain in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. A cohort of 1266 subjects hospitalised because of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic were scheduled for a telephone interview at 8.4 (T1), 13.2 (T2), and 18.3 (T3) months in average after hospitalization for collecting data about post-COVID pain. Patients were asked for about pain symptomatology that was attributed to the infection. Hospitalization and clinical data were collected from medical records. The prevalence of myalgia as COVID-19-associated symptom was 29.82% (n = 389) at hospitalization (T0). The prevalence of post-COVID pain was 41.07% (n = 520) at T1, 34.29% (n = 434) at T2, and 28.47% (n = 360) at T3. The recovery exponential curve revealed a decrease trend visualizing that post-COVID pain improved over the time span investigated. Pain in the lower extremity and widespread pain were the most prevalent locations. Female sex (OR 1.507, 95% CI 1.047-2.169), pre-existing pain symptoms (OR 1.724, 95% CI 1.237-2.403), headache as onset-symptom (OR 2.374, 95% CI 1.550-3.639), days at hospital (OR 1.012, 95% CI 1.000-1.025), and presence of post-COVID pain at T1 (OR 13.243, 95% CI 9.428-18.601) were associated with post-COVID pain at T2. Only the presence of post-COVID pain at T1 (OR 5.383, 95% CI 3.896-7.439) was associated with post-COVID pain at T3. Current results show a fluctuating evolution with a decreasing tendency of post-COVID pain during the first years after hospitalization. The development of post-COVID pain soon after SARS-CoV-2 infection predispose for long-lasting chronic pain.

Electromyographic Analysis of Upper- and Lower-extremity Muscles in Adults during Agro-healing Activities

This study investigated the activity of upper- and lower-extremity muscles for 15 agricultural tasks of agro-healing. For the development of an agro-healing program using farm resource types, 15 selected agro-healing activities (namely, digging, raking, fertilizing, planting transplants, tying plants to stakes, watering, harvesting, washing, cutting, cooking, collecting natural objects, decorating natural objects, interacting with dogs, walking dogs, and feeding fish) were extracted and performed in a total of 21 adults (average age: 42.29 ± 14.76 years) at D Care Farm in Cheongju, Korea, from June to July 2022. Before these activities, informed consent was obtained from participants and muscle activity of the upper and lower extremities was measured. Muscle activation during activity performance was measured using electromyography (EMG), and the rating of perceived exertion for each activity was investigated. Bipolar surface EMG electrodes were attached at 16 locations on the left and right upper-extremity muscles (anterior deltoid, biceps brachialis, brachioradialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris) and lower-extremity muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius). The results indicated that the activity of the lower-extremity muscles was higher than that of the upper-extremity muscles during 15 agricultural activities. During plant-mediated activity and animal-assisted activities, the rate of right muscle use was higher than that of left muscle use among the upper-extremity muscles, whereas the rate of right and left muscle use showed a similar tendency among the lower-extremity muscles. During plant-mediated activities, agricultural activities involving the use of heavy tools highly activated the right forearm muscle (flexor carpi ulnaris), whereas holding and interacting with animals highly activated the left forearm muscles (biceps brachialis, brachioradialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris). It is expected that the EMG data obtained in this study can be used as basic biomechanical data when designing an agro-healing program to improve physical function.

Clinico-Epidemiological Profile, Trends, and Health-Related Outcomes of Snakebite Victims: A One-Year Prospective Study from Eastern India.

Snakebite envenomation is a significant life-threatening public health problem in Southeast Asia (SEA). In this region, India reported the largest number of snakebite deaths from 2000 to 2019 (1.2 million), with an average of 58,000 deaths yearly. This prospective observational study was carried out among snakebite victims at the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care public sector hospital in eastern India. A total of 145 cases of venomous snakebite were investigated. More than half (n = 81, 56%) of the snakebite victims were between 17 to 45 years. Most of the snakebite victims were male (68%) and were farmers (53%) by occupation. The majority of snakebites occurred during the daytime (76%) and while outdoors (67%). Most victims sustained a bite on the lower extremity (71%). The peak incidence of snakebites occurred from June to September (69%). Three-quarters of all patients were unaware of the required first aid measures following a snakebite. Among the 145 venomous snakebites, 48 were presumptively identified as the Indian cobra, 32 by the Indian krait, 56 by the Russel's viper, and 9 by saw-scaled viper. The mean duration from the snakebite to the onset of systemic effects in the Indian cobra was 52 ± 14.28 min, 66 ± 18.35 min in the Indian krait, 42 ± 13.47 min in Russel's viper, and 48 ± 16.38 min in saw-scaled viper. Respiratory failure was the commonly observed complication following an elapid envenomation. The mortality rate was 2.1% among the patients treated with antivenom. Snakebite is considered an occupational hazard in India, commonly affecting the young population in their productive period. The peak incidence was during monsoon season, and the majority had neurotoxic envenomation following an elapid bite (55%) that contributed to the increased mortality and morbidity among young adults. Of the 145 patients, the majority (84%) recovered fully with treatment; 16% of the victims developed morbidity viz cellulitis, respiratory failure, acute renal failure, compartment syndrome, local tissue necrosis, intracerebral hemorrhage, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Appropriate first aid measures and timely medical intervention can significantly improve the treatment outcome following snakebites.

Standardized Approach to Aggressive Lower Extremity Stent Surveillance and Reintervention Saves Limbs

Standardized Approach to Aggressive Lower Extremity Stent Surveillance and Reintervention Saves Limbs

Effectiveness of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Surgical Site Infection after Lower Extremity Bypass for Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia

Effectiveness of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Surgical Site Infection after Lower Extremity Bypass for Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia

Racial Disparity in Perioperative Aspirin Utilization Impacts Survival of Black Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery

Racial Disparity in Perioperative Aspirin Utilization Impacts Survival of Black Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery

Commentaries on "Associations of Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, Area, and Specific Force With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Men: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging".

Commentaries on "Associations of Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, Area, and Specific Force With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Men: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging".

Evaluation of Clot-inducing Fibrinogen Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Revascularization

Evaluation of Clot-inducing Fibrinogen Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Revascularization

VISTA: Targeting Diabetes-Related Lower Extremity Amputations Among Underrepresented Communities Through a Patient-Centered Multidisciplinary Approach

VISTA: Targeting Diabetes-Related Lower Extremity Amputations Among Underrepresented Communities Through a Patient-Centered Multidisciplinary Approach

African American Race and Medicaid Insurance are Associated With Increased Frequency of Unplanned Return to Operating Room After Lower Extremity Bypass for Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia

African American Race and Medicaid Insurance are Associated With Increased Frequency of Unplanned Return to Operating Room After Lower Extremity Bypass for Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia

Identifying Obstacles Patients Faced Before a Lower Extremity Amputation

Identifying Obstacles Patients Faced Before a Lower Extremity Amputation

Incidence and Natural History of Mesenteric Ischemia in Patients Already Hospitalized for Lower Extremity Bypass

Incidence and Natural History of Mesenteric Ischemia in Patients Already Hospitalized for Lower Extremity Bypass

History of Preoperative Use of Gabapentin Before Lower Extremity Bypass Predisposes Patients to a High Risk of Opioid Use and Dependence in a Dose-Dependent Manner

History of Preoperative Use of Gabapentin Before Lower Extremity Bypass Predisposes Patients to a High Risk of Opioid Use and Dependence in a Dose-Dependent Manner

Temporal trend analysis of Lower Extremity Amputations, Surgical Bypasses, and Endovascular Therapies in the United States

Temporal trend analysis of Lower Extremity Amputations, Surgical Bypasses, and Endovascular Therapies in the United States

Impact of Wound Closure Technique on Surgical Site Infection after Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery

Impact of Wound Closure Technique on Surgical Site Infection after Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery

Long-term Outcomes of Endovascular Femoropopliteal Therapy With and Without Atherectomy for Lower Extremity Arterial Ulcers

Long-term Outcomes of Endovascular Femoropopliteal Therapy With and Without Atherectomy for Lower Extremity Arterial Ulcers

Endoscopic Vein Harvest and its Effect on Lower Extremity Arterial Bypass Patency

Endoscopic Vein Harvest and its Effect on Lower Extremity Arterial Bypass Patency

The Impact of Social Connectedness on Emergency Lower Extremity Amputations

The Impact of Social Connectedness on Emergency Lower Extremity Amputations

Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Lower Extremity Oncovascular Reconstructions

Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Lower Extremity Oncovascular Reconstructions

Antiplatelet Therapy, Not Anticoagulation, is Associated With Improved Outcomes After Lower Extremity Cryopreserved Vein Bypasses

Antiplatelet Therapy, Not Anticoagulation, is Associated With Improved Outcomes After Lower Extremity Cryopreserved Vein Bypasses