Biomedical subjects

W E Staas

Publications and source records attributed to W E Staas.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1985

Posttraumatic syringomyelia.

Posttraumatic syringomyelia can be a subtle entity initially. Awareness of the early clinical manifestations is a necessary adjunct in preventing the disabling sequela. Four case reports are examined with emphasis on temporal progression of symptoms and the resultant functional loss. The salient clinical features and a description of their pathogenesis are summarized. The presenting symptoms and signs were upper extremity reflex loss, musculoskeletal-type pain, and arm numbness. The functional impairments which resulted included the following: increased assistance with wheelchair mobility, significantly reduced performance of ADL, and loss of walking skill in a previously independent ambulator. Each patient underwent myelography (insufficient alone) as well as contrast CT scanning. Each patient underwent shunting with only one patient benefiting significantly. Syrinx formation must be included in the differential diagnosis of neuromuscular complaints by the spinal cord injured (SCI) population and treated appropriately.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Examination table for physically disabled patients.

An inexpensive, elevating, examination table for physically disabled patients is described that can be fabricated from a used, electrically powered, hydraulically lifting dental chair and the top of an examination table. It affords easier patient transfer and facilitates patient examination and treatments.

Persons with Disabilities↗

PubMed1982

Decubitus ulcers and rehabilitation medicine.

The approach to management of decubitus ulcers is challenging and complex. Management should be targeted to prevention. Many factors will influence the development of ulcers and their healing. These factors include physiologic as well as sociologic elements. The physician's approach must be to consider all potential contributing factors and to translate these into an appropriate program of prevention and education and treatment where necessary. The treatment program should be based on physiologic principles, but should also take into account the full patient and his psycho-social emotional needs. Patient cooperation is very important. With good medical care and full cooperation of the patient, management can achieve a healed wound and a restored patient. If either of these elements are not present, the complications may include chronic local infection with abscess formation, osteomyelitis, sepsis, amyloidosis, and death.

Anemia↗

PubMed1981

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a quadriplegic patient.

This paper presents an unusual case of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding which followed a period of nausea and vomiting in a quadriplegic patient in whom endoscopy revealed a tear in the distal esophagus. Similar lesions have been described as the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. The physiology of vomiting is presented, wherein abdominal muscle contraction plays a partial role. The pathophysiology in the patient who lacks functional abdominal muscles is considered in relation to etiology. It is suggested that mucosal tears similar to those associated with a Mallory-Weiss syndrome be added to the differential diagnosis of upper GI bleeding in quadriplegic patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975

A rehabilitation evaluation system which complements the problem-oriented medical record.

The traditional medical history and physical examination format is disease rather than disability oriented. It has been shown to be incomplete for the total evaluation of rehabilitation patients. Direct applications of Weed's Problem-Oriented Medical Record have proven to be formidable and cumbersome due to the complexity and diversity of rehabilitation. Therefore, we have developed the Rehabilitation Evaluation System (RES) to document functional rehabilitation management and progress during inpatient hospitalization and outpatient follow-up. The system identifies 18 key rehabilitation areas, each with an individual and objective four-point scale. Utilization of this system in our department has been invaluable in formulating goals and continually evaluating the on-going rehabilitation process. We used the RES with equal facility on 46 rehabilitation inpatients including stroke, amputation, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, orthopedic-trauma, rheumatoid arthritis and poliomyelitis. The mechanics of the RES are presented in detail with a specific patient-example of hemiplegia. Its complimentary use with the Problem-Oriented Medical Record is discussed. Practical advantages are seen in patient care, medical student and resident education, record keeping and research.

Disability Evaluation↗

PubMed1975

Electromyocgraphic findings in myopathy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Abdominal problems in patients with spinal cord lesions.

The physiatrist faces two major difficulties when dealing with abdominal problems in spinal cord-injured patients: (1) realizing when there is a serious problem; and (2) determining the etiology of the problem. Patients are presented which demonstrate these difficulties. One patient with a ruptured appendix and the periappendicial abscess had only mild symptoms whereas another patient with severe abdominal pain, rigidity and rebound tenderness had a viral enteritis. The neurologic innervations of the abdomen and the various signs and symptoms appearing in cord-injured patients with abdominal problems are described. A methodical evaluation procedure for acute problems in paraplegic patients is presented.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1973