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Biomedical subjects

R W Beasley

Publications and source records attributed to R W Beasley.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Prosthetic replacements for the thumb.

Optimal management of thumb loss necessitates individual consideration of all options, including prosthetic fitting, in relation to the needs and circumstances of each patient. Increased availability and substantial technical improvements in hand prostheses are resulting in their more frequent utilization, alone or in conjunction with surgical reconstruction. It has been found, contrary to general recommendations, that digital prostheses do in fact follow the basic rule of upper limb prostheses: the more distal the amputation, the more benefit a prosthetic fitting will be as there is a corresponding increase in automatic control. The benefit of digital prosthetic fitting is most striking in activities such as playing the piano or typing. The success of prosthetic fitting depends greatly on the defining of realistic goals and on the prosthesis being developed to very high standards with efficient follow-up service arrangements.

Amputation Stumps↗
PubMed1991

A comparative electrophysiological study on neurotisation in rats.

A comparative experimental study has been carried out in rats with denervated gastrocnemius muscles. Three groups of five rats were treated by three different types of implantation of nerve directly into muscle (neurotisation). In the fourth group, the common peroneal nerve was sutured to the transected tibial nerve. The fifth group was left denervated as a control. The muscles were studied by serial electrodiagnostic studies and later histologically. The results showed little difference between nerve suture and implantation of nerve directly into muscle. Extension of the common peroneal nerve with a pair of sural nerve grafts did not produce a detrimental effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Prosthetic substitution for fingernails.

The loss of a fingernail is remarkably disturbing to many patients. Despite all efforts, surgical methods of replacement have not proven to be very satisfactory. Like artificial eyes, techniques for making an artificial fingernail of good likeness have been available for many years. The problem has been a satisfactory method of attaching the artificial fingernail to the digit and eventually that of making the artificial nail sufficiently thin. While no perfect solution exists, the development of a "submini" digital prosthesis that covers only the distal phalanx offers the best available solution. Only if the prosthesis is custom developed and fabricated to the very highest standards will the potential be realized. Repair will be required occasionally, so assured availability of prompt and reliable maintenance services is most important. When there has been loss of tissues from the distal phalanx, the prosthesis can also help with that problem. Finally, the prosthesis has the advantage of inflicting no scars or other irreversible measures.

Amputation, Traumatic↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of dysesthesia of the sensory branch of the radial nerve by distal posterior interosseous neurectomy.

Complete injuries to the sensory branch of the radial nerve may lead to the development of an area of dysesthesia in the dorsoradial aspect of the hand. However, lesions of the radial nerve proximal to the elbow level, affecting both the sensory branch and the posterior interosseous nerve, will never develop an area of distal dysesthesia. Therefore, it seems likely that the dysesthesia observed in isolated injuries of the sensory branch of the radial nerve is transmitted to the cortical receptors through the intact posterior interosseous nerve. On the basis of the above clinical observations, we have successfully treated 43 patients with radial dysesthesia by division of the distal posterior interosseous nerve. There have been no complications or functional deficits related to this procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Upper limb amputations and prostheses.

The management of amputations is an important area of surgery of the hand and demands the same measured judgment, global perspective, and technical skill of any other reconstructive procedure. The needs of each patient are different, even when physical losses are similar. In terms of physical impairment, the bilateral hand amputee is a totally different problem than the unilateral. Logical choice requires knowledge of and consideration of all the alternatives, including prosthetic fitting potentials. As surgical procedures often are irreversible, it is important that the best master plan be devised as early as possible. Major reconstructions for the partially amputated hand and prosthetic fitting usually have a remarkably common physical goal--restoration of a simple vise mechanism. Today, this goal must include restoration of a socially acceptable presentation of the constantly exposed hands. To many patients in our mobile and competitive society, the latter will be their greater need. Both active and passive prosthetic devices are functional; they simply meet different needs and each has advantages and disadvantages. The usefulness of motorized units for unilateral amputees remains severely limited as all such devices are "second-thought" mechanisms having no sensory feedback, an indispensable requirement for automatic control. Hand prostheses are playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of amputees. The surgeon charged with primary responsibility of care must be knowledgeable about them. With the rapid changes in our work force and the ever-increasing mobility of our society, it is unrealistic to ignore or deny that a grotesque or badly deformed hand is a serious socioeconomic liability. The needs of each patient are different, but the prosthetic needs of most patients in the future will include mechanically simple devices of socially acceptable appearance.

Amputation, Traumatic↗
PubMed1985

Fingertip reconstruction.

Fingertips are functionally important contact surfaces. Pain-free and stable tissue coverage with good sensibility is needed. The method of repair depends on many factors, as herein discussed, including careful donor site consideration if tissue is transferred for repair. A small injury to a finger can result in prolonged disability and morbidity so that such injuries deserve the same thoughtful consideration, planning, and technical adroitness as do all hand problems.

Amputation, Traumatic↗