1/54. Uncommon causes of anterior knee pain: a case report of infrapatellar contracture syndrome.The uncommon causes of anterior knee pain should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of a painful knee when treatment of common origins become ineffective. A case is presented in which the revised diagnosis of infrapatellar contracture syndrome was made after noting delayed progress in the rehabilitation of an active female patient with a presumed anterior horn medial meniscus tear and a contracted patellar tendon. The patient improved after the treatment program was augmented with closed manipulation under arthroscopy and infrapatellar injection of both corticosteroids and a local anesthetic. Infrapatellar contraction syndrome and other uncommon sources of anterior knee pain, including arthrofibrosis, Hoffa's syndrome, tibial collateral ligament bursitis, saphenous nerve palsy, isolated ganglions of the anterior cruciate ligament, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and knee tumors, are subsequently discussed. Delayed functional advancement in a rehabilitation program requires full reassessment of the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan. Alternative diagnoses of knee pain are not always of common origins. Ample knowledge of uncommon causes of anterior knee pain is necessary to form a full differential diagnosis in patients with challenging presentations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/54. Severe, non X-linked congenital microcephaly with absence of the pyramidal tracts in two siblings.In two siblings (a female and a male neonate), severe microcephaly, bilateral absence of the pyramids, severe hypoplasia of the cerebral peduncles, and dysplasia of the inferior olives was found together with microphthalmia, facial malformations and multiple contractures of the extremities. In both cases, the cerebral hemispheres otherwise showed a more or less normal gyral pattern with the insula incompletely covered by the opercula, and a tom but otherwise intact corpus callosum. In case 2, congenital cataract was also observed. The present cases can be characterized as a rapidly fatal, familial syndrome, probably transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait, and have several features in common with the Neu-Laxova syndrome. They differ in having a less severe form of microcephaly, a rather normal cytoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex, an apparently normal corpus callosum, no gross cerebellar abnormalities, and no other organ malformations. The present cases belong to a group of heterogeneous syndromes which have microcephaly, ocular and facial malformations, multiple contractures, and ichthyosis-like skin in common.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.0087426210356828keywords = organ (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/54. Limb contractures in levodopa-responsive parkinsonism: a clinical and investigational study of seven new cases.We describe six patients with classical levodopa-responsive Parkinson's disease (PD) and one case of levodopa-responsive familial juvenile dystonia-parkinsonism with fixed contractures of the hands, feet or legs. In most patients contractures became established over a short period (2 months-2 years) but a considerable time after onset of parkinsonism (mean 13 years). Mean disease duration was 17 years, and all patients had severe levodopa-induced dyskinesias, either biphasic or peak dose, in the affected limb prior to onset of the contracture. Nerve conduction studies excluded peripheral ulnar nerve lesions in all patients with one exception, who was found to have a mild bilateral ulnar entrapment neuropathy. transcranial magnetic stimulation performed in five of the seven patients showed shorter mean central motor conduction time in the affected than in the unaffected limb. Results of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed in a subgroup of patients were normal, with no evidence to suggest multiple system atrophy, cerebral infarction or focal abnormalities of the basal ganglia. We conclude that hand and feet contractures are not necessarily restricted to parkinson plus syndromes and may complicate otherwise typical PD in the absence of a structural or peripheral nervous cause. Striatal dopaminergic deficiency, particularly long-standing, may have a role in the pathogenesis of limb contractures in PD.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/54. Reversed neurofasciocutaneous flaps based on the superficial branches of the radial nerve.Soft-tissue reconstruction of the hand needs to cover the vital structures with flaps. It is usually difficult to maintain function and form with minimal morbidity. Local tissue is preferable but it is also very valuable. Especially in the distal part of the upper extremity, flap coverage is a challenging problem because of limited reconstructive alternatives. On the dorsum of the hand, flaps can be designed based on the paraneural vascular network of the cutaneous sensory nerves. These paraneural vascular networks send branches to the surrounding tissues. The branches to the skin are known as neurocutaneous perforators. The authors used eight reversed neurofasciocutaneous flaps based on the superficial branches of the radial nerve. Six flaps were based on the branch to the index finger and two flaps were based on the branch to the thumb. All flaps survived completely, and successful flap coverage was achieved in all patients with minimal morbidity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/54. Complete transection of the median and radial nerves during arthroscopic release of post-traumatic elbow contracture.Arthroscopic debridement and capsular release was performed in a 57-year-old woman because of post-traumatic stiffness in the dominant right elbow joint. During this procedure, the median and radial nerves were completely transected. A few recent reports of small series have described encouraging results after arthroscopic capsular release of post-traumatic elbow contracture, but the present case demonstrates the inherent risk of damage to neurovascular structures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/54. Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap reconstruction of neck and axillary burn contractures.neck and axillary burn contractures are both a devastating functional and cosmetic deformity for patients and a challenging problem for reconstructive surgeons. Severe contractures are more commonly seen in the developing world, a result of both the widespread use of open fires and the inadequacy of primary and secondary burn care in these vicinities. When deep burns are allowed to heal spontaneously, patients develop hypertrophic scarring of the neck and axillary areas. The back is typically spared, however, remaining a suitable donor site. We have used nine latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps in a total of six patients, finding the flaps effective in resurfacing both the neck and the axillary regions after wide release of burn contractures. Before flap mobilization, surgical neck release is often necessary to ensure safe, effective control of the airway in patients with significant neck contractures. Flap bulkiness in the anterior neck region can eventually be reduced by dividing the thoracodorsal nerve. Anchoring the skin paddle to its recipient site through the placement of tacking sutures will also help achieve a more normal anterior neck contour.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/54. Arthroscopic capsular release for contracture of the wrist: a new technique.SUMMARY: Stiffness of the wrist can occur following trauma or surgery. In some patients, loss of motion may be refractory to conservative treatment and operative treatment may thus be indicated. The authors report the results and technique of arthroscopic capsular release of the wrist. A cadaveric study was performed to assess the safety of arthroscopic capsular release. Arthroscopic capsular release was performed on 2 patients with limited wrist mobility. The average distance from the radiocarpal joint capsule to the neurovascular structures were 6.9 mm to the median nerve, 6.7 mm to the ulnar nerve and 5.2 mm to the radial artery. At 6 months follow-up, the average range of motion had improved from 17 degrees flexion and 10 degrees extension to 47 degrees flexion and 50 degrees extension. The average grip strength had improved from 13 to 31 kg. pain measured on a visual analogue score (0-10) had improved from 1.5 to 1.0. There were no complications. Arthroscopic capsular release of the wrist is a safe and minimally invasive technique that provides good improvement to range of motion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/54. A reverse ulnar hypothenar flap for finger reconstruction.A reverse-flow island flap from the hypothenar eminence of the hand was applied in 11 patients to treat palmar skin defects, amputation injuries, or flexion contractures of the little finger. There were three female and eight male patients, and their ages at the time of surgery averaged 46 years. A 3 x 1.5 to 5 X 2 cm fasciocutaneous flap from the ulnar aspect of the hypothenar eminence, which was located over the abductor digiti minimi muscle, was designed and transferred in a retrograde fashion to cover the skin and soft-tissue defects of the little finger. The flap was based on the ulnar palmar digital artery of the little finger and in three patients was sensated by the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve or by branches of the ulnar palmar digital nerve of the little finger. Follow-up periods averaged 42 months. The postoperative course was uneventful for all patients, and all of the flaps survived without complications. The donor site was closed primarily in all cases, and no patient complained of significant donor-site problems. Satisfactory sensory reinnervation was achieved in patients who underwent sensory flap transfer, as indicated by 5 mm of moving two-point discrimination. A reverse island flap from the hypothenar eminence is easily elevated, contains durable fasciocutaneous structures, and has a good color and texture match to the finger pulp. This flap is a good alternative for reconstruction of palmar skin and soft-tissue defects of the little finger.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/54. Secondary ulnar nerve palsy in adults after elbow trauma: a report of two cases.Secondary ulnar nerve palsy, an unusual condition in which the onset of ulnar nerve dysfunction occurs 1 to 3 months after elbow trauma, can be the cause of sudden deterioration of elbow function. Initially recognized in 1899, this condition has not been reported often. We describe 2 patients who had no subjective or objective evidence of ulnar nerve dysfunction after elbow trauma but had a sudden loss of motion, pain, and clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow 4 to 5 weeks after trauma. Marked improvement occurred after ulnar nerve subcutaneous transposition and contracture release.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 9keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/54. Use of a static adjustable ankle-foot orthosis following tibial nerve block to reduce plantar-flexion contracture in an individual with brain injury.BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: ankle plantar-flexion contractures are a common complication of brain injuries and can lead to secondary limitations in mobility. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 44-year-old woman with left hemiplegia following a right frontal arteriovenous malformation resection. She had a left ankle plantar-flexion contracture of -31 degrees from neutral. After a tibial nerve block, an adjustable ankle-foot orthosis was applied 23 hours a day for 27 days. Adjustments of the orthosis were made as the contracture was reduced. The patient received physical therapy during the 27-day period for functional mobility activities and stretching the plantar flexors outside of the orthosis. OUTCOMES: The patient's dorsiflexion passive range of motion increased from -31 degrees to 10 degrees. DISCUSSION: The application of an adjustable ankle-foot orthosis following a tibial nerve block, as an addition to a physical therapy regimen of stretching and mobility training, may reduce plantar-flexion contractures in patients with brain injury.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = nerve (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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