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S Ehrler

Publications and source records attributed to S Ehrler.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

[Rhizarthrosis and orthotic treatment. Review of literature].

OBJECTIVES: Trapeziometacarpal arthritis or rhizarthrosis is extremely frequent. Numerous treatments are available including drugs, physiotherapy, use of orthotic devices, surgery, etc. Few of these methods have been really evaluated. We propose a critical review of the literature on orthotic treatment in rhizarthrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the results of hand splint used in rhizarthrosis from eight studies published over the last ten years. RESULTS: Resting hand splints offer lasting and significant pain relief with a satisfactory compliance. They should be applied early in treatment and evaluated with regular follow-up. The drop-out rate is about 10%. Working hand splints, either alone or associated with a resting splint are also efficient. These is no modification in either the force or the ranges of motion. The functional benefit is satisfactory if the follow-up allows some tolerance and thus an optimal compliance. CONCLUSION: The major interest of the use of splinting is analgesia. The pain releif obtained with splint is similar when used alone or with a working hand splint. Working hand splint can improve hand function during vocational and avocational activities.

Analgesia↗

Restoration of sensation over the contact surfaces of the thumb-index pinch grip using the terminal branches of the superficial branch of the radial nerve.

In huge median nerve losses and in some brachial plexus lesions, absence of sensation over the pulps of the index finger and the thumb preclude their use without visual control. Currently, end-to-side anastomosis is a new option available (when the ulnar nerve is intact) but we have reviewed the results of 7 cases of nerve anastomosis between the sensory branches of the radial nerve and the collateral nerves of the thumb (ulnar) and index finger (radial). Palmar translocation of the donor nerve, as classically performed, was used in two cases and the technique was subsequently modified to provide a better nerve suture by dorsal transfer of the collateral nerves of the thumb and index. Two sequellae of brachial plexus lesions and 5 cases of extensive defects of the median nerve were reviewed at a mean follow up of 5 years. With the classical technique the two point discrimination was 15 mm in one case and more in the other; with the modified technique, 4 patients achieved a thumb discriminaTion of 9 mm, 12 mm (2 cases) and 13 mm.

Adult↗

[Results of orthopedic and surgical treatment of mallet finger by subcutaneous rupture of the extensor tendon. Apropos of a series of 216 cases].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the late results of orthopaedic and surgical treatment for mallet finger, two groups of patients were reviewed in a retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 156 fingers (Group I) had conservative treatment and 60 fingers (Group II) some form of surgical treatment. RESULTS: In Group I, a dorsal custom-made perforated splint maintained the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) in extension for an average of 54 days (st13). The mean delay of presentation was 22 days (st36). Initial lack of extension was 35 degrees (st13). After an average follow-up of 154 days (st240), the lack of extension was only 7 degrees with an active range of flexion of 61 degrees (st11). 68 of these patients were reviewed for a long-term assessment (61 months). At this time, lack of extension and range of flexion were not different (respectively 5 degrees- st10 and 61 degrees- st16). In Group II, 45 per cent of patients had initially some form of orthopaedic treatment. Delay between injury and consultation was 118 days (st250). Review with a mean follow-up of 5.6 years demonstrated a lack of extension and a DIP joint flexion of 12 degrees and 53 degrees for tenodermodesis (14 cases), 2 degrees and 59 degrees for the Thompson and Littler procedures (14 cases), 1 degree and 55 degrees for the Fowler tenotomy (10 cases). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic treatment gave good functional results even in cases with delay of presentation. Surgery is only indicated in failure of conservative treatment. In absence of swan-neck deformity, tenodermodesis is a simple and effective technique. When a swan-neck is present, if the DIP deformity is corrected by PIP stabilization, the Fowler tenotomy is used. Otherwise, the Thompson and Littler operation allows to fully correct the deformity.

Adult↗

The results of conservative management of trigger finger. A series of 169 patients.

The authors present the preliminary results of a series of 230 trigger fingers in 169 patients managed conservatively by injection of 1 ml of hydrocortisone into the flexor sheath as described by Curtis. 'Good' results were obtained after a single infiltration in 73% cases, after two infiltrations in 81.6% cases and in 83% cases after three infiltrations. Factors have been studied in order to identify variables with prognostic significance. The outcome was not influenced by the severity of symptoms, by the association with other disease, by sex or by the site of pathology. Outcome was affected by the duration of symptoms. Duration exceeding one year indicates surgical release as does failure of conservative treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Indications and results of skin flaps in painful digital neuroma.

Of the many procedures for treating painful neuromas, resection and proximal translocation are the most usual techniques, but these can decrease distal sensibility increasing deafferentation pain. In cases of intricate pain (nociception plus deafferentation), certain types of flaps allow the treatment of both components of the pain. We have used 30 such flaps in 28 patients: local flaps (exchange, advancement or lasso island flaps) and distant flaps (free "custom-made" toe flaps). The results of the different techniques provides 86.6% excellent or good results.

Adult↗

[Local intravenous treatment of algodystrophy of the hand: buflomedil versus guanethidine, long term follow-up].

This report compares the results obtained after treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophies (algodystrophies) of the hand by pharmacological segmental blocks with buflomedil (51 cases) versus guanethidine (30 cases). The results were similar for all the different stages of algodystrophies treated: 65% satisfactory to excellent results with buflomedil, versus 63% with guanethidine. The sooner the algodystrophy is treated after its onset, the better the results. On TPBS, when the technique is effective, both hemovelocity and blood pool return to normal, along with the improvement in the patient's condition. Early and delayed bone fixations evolve independently of the treatment. These techniques should always be associated with active, mild physiotherapy, and in some cases with dynamic splints in order to prevent the development of functional sequelae in the form or capsulo-aponeurotic retraction.

Adult↗

[Role of orthosis in the treatment of stiffness of the hand].

The statistical analysis of results obtained with splinting treatment of finger and hand stiffness, and derived from a series of 635 motion range measurements taken on 249 hand joints, provided us with sufficient data to identify the various factors likely to have an impact on the therapeutic outcome. A mean increase of 25.8% in the range of movements is enough to justify the use of orthosis, although this figure actually varies substantially with the patient's age, the duration of the stiffness, the latter's degree and origin, the joint involved, and the duration of the orthotic treatment. An analysis of the time factor enabled us to establish the date beyond which changes for recovery are quite limited, whereby allowing to schedule surgical mobilization.

Hand Deformities↗

[A multidisciplinary approach to algodystrophy of the hand].

A multidisciplinary approach for the management of reflex sympathetic dystrophy at SOS Main of Strasbourg has been progressively adopted due to the severe functional sequelae of this disease. The TC99 bone scan in three phases has allowed us after a one week duration of the symptoms to make an early diagnosis and to start dynamic splinting in flexion. Our study compares two groups of patients, one with an early treatment and the other with delayed treatment. It shows a correlation between the stiffness of the affected hand and the isotopic findings. The benefit from an early dynamic splinting in flexion as evidenced by a clinical improvement is corroborated by the bone scan.

Combined Modality Therapy↗