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PubMed2000

[Vascular trauma of the upper extremities].

The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and long-term results of the treatment of upper extremities vascular trauma considering aetiology of the lesions, percentage of limb salvage and residual functional disability. The Authors retrospectively evaluated 17 patients accounting for 21 vascular lesions of the upper extremities (16 arterial and 5 venous injuries). Age, sex, modality of trauma, site of the vascular lesions and of the associated injuries, diagnostic procedures at the admission, ischemic time, arterial and venous repair performed were analyzed. The over all peri-operative mortality was 5.8%. Of the 16 arterial injuries long-term reconstruction viability was obtained in 15 patients (93.7%). In all cases limb salvage was obtained. In 3 patients invalidating functional defects due to associated injuries of the major brachial plexus were observed. The Authors believe that associated nervous lesions are the main factor determining invalidating residual disability. In this series ischemic time, technique of vascular repair performed, associated skeletal injuries didn't influence the functional outcome of the reconstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Therapeutic electrical stimulation to improve motor control and functional abilities of the upper extremity after stroke: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES) is a therapeutic strategy aimed at improving impairments of the upper extremity in stroke. OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the available evidence on the effect of TES of the affected upper extremity in improving motor control and functional abilities after stroke. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have studied the effect of TES on motor control and functional abilities. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed systematically by two raters. The reported outcomes were examined to evaluate the effect of TES and to identify a possible relationship with patient characteristics, method of stimulation and methodological quality. When possible, effect sizes were calculated (Hedges' g). RESULTS: Six RCTs were included. The methodological scores ranged from 7 to 16 (maximum 19). All studies assessed the effect on motor control, and four reported a positive effect. Effect sizes calculated in three studies ranged from 0.55 to 1.46. Only two studies assessed the effect on functional ability, one reported a positive effect. Subgroup analyses in two studies suggest a better response to stimulation in less severely affected patients. Apart from this, no relationship between effect and patient characteristics, method of stimulation or methodological quality could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: The present review suggests a positive effect of electrical stimulation on motor control. No conclusions can be drawn with regard to the effect on functional abilities.

Arm↗

PubMed2006

[Neuropathy in the upper extremity after anesthesia].

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the frequency of neuropathy in the upper extremity after anesthesia. METHODS: We reviewed the postoperative courses of 5454 patients who had received surgical procedures at the Jichi Medical School Hospital from 2004 January to 2004 December. RESULTS: Neuropathy developed in 33 patients (0.7%). In 28 of 33 patients (0.6%), symptoms were minor and resolved within a few days. The remaining 5 patients (0.1%) who had complained the symptoms immediately after emergence from anesthesia had residual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In our hospital, the frequency of neuropathy in the upper extremities was 0.7%. The majority of the neuropathies, however, were minor. Neuropathies persisting for a long time were infrequent complications (0.1%).

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Training novice clinicians improves observation accuracy of the upper extremity after stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether training influenced the accuracy of observational kinematic assessment (OKA) of hemiplegic upper extremity impairment and to elucidate the contribution of knowledge of results to learning. DESIGN: Intervention study; before-after testing of OKA accuracy after training, using 2 trained groups (with knowledge of results, KR group; without, NKR group) and 1 control group with a 1-week retention test. SETTING: Tertiary teaching. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one first-year physical therapy student volunteers acted as observers. They were ranked on pretest accuracy and then randomized into groups. A consecutive sample of 11 stroke patients and 4 nondisabled subjects acted as performers. INTERVENTIONS: Performers were videotaped with 3 cameras and upper extremity kinematics derived using computer-assisted motion analysis. Training and test videotapes were generated. Training groups received video-based training of path indirectness accuracy on 4 occasions. The OKA accuracy of all observers' judgments of speed, jerkiness, and path indirectness were examined pretest and posttest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Accuracy reported as mean absolute error, which was calculated as difference between observers' judgments and criterion kinematic values. RESULTS: The KR and NKR groups showed reduction in mean absolute error after training of 34.8% and 6.2%, respectively. Improvements were retained after a 1-week no intervention period. Transfer to trained, but not untrained kinematic parameters occurred. The control group did not change. CONCLUSIONS: OKA accuracy is susceptible to training and knowledge of results aids learning. However, training is task specific.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

The upper extremity and psychiatric illness.

Thirty-three patients who had various conversion reactions manifested by signs and symptoms involving the upper extremities were seen over a 13-year period. Factitious lymphedema, factitious ulcers, clenched fists, as well as other dysfunctional postures of the hand and upper extremity, were the most frequently recognized patterns of illness. Denial of knowledge of the cause of the physical problem and a lack of insight into the illness are major parts of the disease process. Twenty-nine of the 33 patients in this study had work-related and therefore compensable injuries. The physical signs and symptoms resolved in four of the patients when compensation was withdrawn. The average follow-up in this study was 4 1/2 years. Unfortunately, the long-term follow-up of these patients revealed that this disease process was chronic and most frequently failed to resolve. Various efforts at treatment have been unsuccessful, including extensive psychotherapy. Confrontation with the patient is contraindicated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Surgical treatment of upper extremities of cases arthrogryposis multiplex congenita].

Between 1990-1999 at the Polish-American Pediatric Institute 36 children with arthrogryposis were treated. In 10 cases 21 corrective surgical procedures of the upper extremities were performed. Corrective procedures of the upper extremities were performed. Corrective procedures aimed at contractures of the hand, wrist and forearm, consisting of capsulotomies, lengthening of the finger flexor tendons and transposition of wrist flexor on to the wrist extensors were performed 8 times. Correction of extension contracture of elbow joint, consisting of posterior capsulotomy and lengthening of the triceps tendon was performed 9 times. In 4 cases transposition of the pectoralis major onto the biceps tendon according to Clark or Zancolli in Carrol's modification was performed. The average age of the children was 4.7 years (age ranging from 1.5 to 9 years), the follow-up period was 4.25 years (ranging from 0.5 to 10 years). Palmer contracture of the wrist was an average 80 degrees (70-90 degrees) before surgery. Passive flexion in the elbow joint was on average 15 degrees (0-35 degrees). Active flexion of the elbow was absent in all cases. After corrective procedures in the wrist, in 5 cases physiological positioning of the was achieved. After lengthening of the triceps tendon passive flexion of elbow was 80-90 degrees, in one extremity 70 degrees. After the Clark or Zancolli procedures active flexion of the elbow was 80 degrees in one case, 70 degrees in another and 50 degrees six months post-op. The author's own experiences indicate that and multi-stage interdisciplinary approach in necessary from the beginning in these cases.

Arm↗

PubMed1992

Cardiorespiratory responses to upper extremity aerobic training by postpolio subjects.

The cardiorespiratory responses of ten postpolio subjects participating in a 16-week upper extremity aerobic exercise program were compared to ten non-exercised controls. The subjects trained three times a week for 20 minutes per session. Exercise intensity was prescribed at 70% to 75% of heart rate reserve plus resting heart rate. Dependent variables were resting heart rate, maximal heart rate, resting and immediate-post-exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressures, maximal oxygen consumption, maximal carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, power, and exercise time. After training, the exercise group was superior to the control group in oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, power, and exercise time. There was no reported loss of muscle strength. It was concluded that postpolio subjects can safely achieve an increase in aerobic capacity with a properly modified upper extremity exercise program. This improvement is comparable to that demonstrated by able-bodied adults.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Chronic arterial insufficiency of the upper extremity.

When claudication or distal ischemia is significant, the treatment of choice for intrinsic arterial insufficiency of the upper extremity caused by atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the subclavian, axillary, or brachial artery with patent distal circulation is direct arterial surgery. Both endarterectomy and bypass procedures are utilized. In the 20 years from 1947 to 1967, 15 patients were operated on for such lesions and adequate circulation was restored in 12 patients treated by the direct method. Nine patients available for 1-year follow-up were cured of their symptoms; of the remaining three patients, one had amputation of an arm and two had sympathectomy with improvement. No hospital death occurred and morbidity was minimal. Although the diagnosis can be established on clinical grounds, arteriography is essential to ascertain the surgical procedure needed. Peripheral diseases involving the small arteries are clinically a more common cause of arterial insufficiency in the upper extremity; progress is slow and complications are infrequent. When ischemic complications exist, direct arterial surgery is not feasible and cervicodorsal sympathectomy is the usual form of treatment. Of 76 patients operated on for such disease, 74 underwent sympathetic neurectomy. The results were excellent, good, or satisfactory in 50 (78%) of the 64 traced patients. The remaining 14 patients had persistent or recurrent symptoms after operation. Removal of the stellate ganglion in addition to the second ganglion yielded better results and is indicated in recurrent or more cases.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Upper extremity movement pattern of a common drinking task in well elderly women: A pilot study.

Retraining of the upper limb during neurological rehabilitation often involves preparatory therapeutic exercises of concentric and eccentric nature embedded in purposeful activity. However, empirical baseline studies are lacking to justify efficacy of such training. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of concentric and eccentric exercises on upper extremity movement pattern in healthy elderly persons during a common daily functional task. Nine young women aged between 22 and 23 years and nine elderly women between 70 and 78 years participated in the musculoskeletal study of lifting a cup of water to sip and then lowering the cup back to a table. Two-dimensional forearm movement kinematics and associated electromyography from biceps and triceps were analysed. Forearm motor performance in the elderly participants were slower and needed more corrections compared to the younger participants. The electromyography revealed that lifting and lowering movements were accomplished by concentric and eccentric muscle firing in the biceps. However, in the elderly the muscle responses were varied suggesting a possible decline in object-related visuomotor co-ordination with age. The results indicate that movement patterns and muscular response decline in elderly people during preparatory therapeutic exercises embedded in purposeful activity. The effect of therapeutic exercises on upper limb functional performance needs to be further investigated in patient populations to explore the effectiveness of embedded therapeutic exercises in movement retraining. Small sample number limits the results of the study to be generalized. In addition, future studies should measure movement of more limb and hand segments to gain understanding of the total upper extremity performance during the task.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Clinical criteria and treatment of segmental versus upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The effectiveness of a multimodal treatment protocol in the long-term management of upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), as well as of isolated finger involvement, was analyzed. In the present series, 62 patients diagnosed with RSD were treated and followed for a mean of 22.2 +/- 1.5 months. The findings in the present study indicate that: 1) RSD occurs predominantly in females (female:male, 3:1); 2) regional dystrophy is twice as common as segmental dystrophy; 3) segmental dystrophy is most often associated with minor traumatic dystrophy, whereas regional dystrophy is more evenly distributed among the various clinical types; 4) patients with regional dystrophy score their pain significantly higher; and 5) segmental and regional dystrophy respond with equal satisfaction to the multimodal treatment regimen. In conclusion, the weight of the available evidence strongly suggests that RSD is a complex multifaceted disease entity which responds well when managed with a multimodal treatment program aimed at the various interacting components of the disorder. Furthermore, the finding that segmental dystrophy did not behave differently from the treatment protocol compared to extensive upper extremity RSD, suggests that the anatomic location of the syndrome may not significantly alter the course of the disease during treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

Assessment of upper extremity muscle function in persons with tetraplegia.

The objective was to investigate the actual level of muscle function impairment in tetraplegic persons and, inextricably related to this, the possibilities to compensate function loss using new muscle coalitions. In this cross-sectional group study, 20 persons with a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) at segmental levels C5C6 or C7C8 and 10 control persons participated. Activity from 21 upper extremity and trunk muscles was recorded during standardised gross upper extremity task performance. No substantial differences in main activation patterns were found between C7C8 and control subjects. In contrast, main activation patterns in C5C6 persons showed an absence of selectivity, which may be explained by the participants activating every controllable muscle in an attempt to perform maximally. In order to identify more intricate differences in muscle activation between control and C7C8 persons a fine motor function task may be necessary. Muscle activation patterns during arm task performance were stable in all three groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Upper extremity radionuclide bone imaging: shoulder, arm, elbow, and forearm.

Along with resurgence of physical activity during these fitness conscious times, there is increasing participation by people of all ages in sporting activities. Enrollment in organized and recreational sports among young adults and children has increased with as many as 30% of adolescents participating in competitive high school athletics. Despite improvements in equipment, the number of sports-related injuries presenting for medical attention has increased. Injuries to the upper extremities account for more than 25% of all sports-related injuries, but receive disproportionately less attention compared to lower extremity injuries. If neglected, upper extremity injuries can end the career of a professional athlete and cause sufficient damage to hinder daily activities in a recreational participant. Overuse syndromes, brought on by repetitive microtrauma are sports-specific, and often challenging to diagnose. Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough understanding about mechanism of injury, site of pain, and knowledge of the sport. After a thorough physical exam, a variety of radiographic testing is often necessary to promptly diagnose and manage the injury so athletes can return to competition as soon as possible.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Mycobacterium marinum infections of the distal upper extremities: clinical course and imaging findings in two cases with delayed diagnosis.

Mycobacterium marinum infections cause tenosynovitis of the distal upper extremities and develop as a consequence of skin abrasions acquired in contaminated water. We report on two patients whose MR imaging studies showed tenosynovitis of the distal upper extremity secondary to M. marinum. In one patient sequential MR imaging showed development of bony erosions. Appropriate treatment was delayed in both patients because the diagnosis was not considered. We report on and discuss the clinical course and MR imaging findings in two patients with M. marinum infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Brown recluse spider bites of the upper extremity.

Brown recluse spider bites may cause painful, necrotic, slow-healing wounds. When these bites involve the hand and upper extremity, they can also create severe functional deficits and long-term disability. We reviewed an 11-year experience with brown recluse bites to the hand and upper extremity. Data from patients (n = 31) indicated a 20% incidence of functional complications (n = 6) unless conservative wound management, dapsone, and antibiotics were used. Delayed surgical excision was preferable until wounds were free from active inflammation. Painful, recurrent wound breakdown and hand dysfunction were more common with early surgical excision. These complications were successfully treated with steroids, sympathetic blockade, and early aggressive physical therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

The development, validation and application of a finite element upper extremity model subjected to air bag loading.

Both frontal and side air bags can inflict injuries to the upper extremities in cases where the limb is close to the air bag module at the time of impact. Current dummy limbs show qualitatively correct kinematics under air bag loading, but they lack biofidelity in long bone bending and fracture. Thus, an effective research tool is needed to investigate the injury mechanisms involved in air bag loading and to judge the improvements of new air bag designs. The objective of this study is to create an efficient numerical model that exhibits both correct global kinematics as well as localized tissue deformation and initiation of fracture under various impact conditions. The development of the model includes the creation of a sufficiently accurate finite element mesh, the adaptation of material properties from literature into constitutive models and the definition of kinematic constraints at articular joint locations. In order to make the model applicable for full-scale simulations, it was coupled with a computationally efficient human model. The model was validated against available cadaver experiments, including static and dynamic three-point-bending tests to the arm and forearm, as well as frontal air bag to forearm impact tests. The sensitivity of the model to changes in air bag properties and upper limb orientation are demonstrated by performing parametric studies. It is shown that the risk of forearm fracture increases substantially with proximity to the deploying frontal air bag and air bag aggressiveness, which corresponds to experimental findings. However, it is shown that increasing the forearm supination angle is protective for the occurrence of forearm fracture. In conclusion, the developed model proves to be a useful research tool to investigate trends in injury severity as a result of a changing frontal air bag to upper extremity loading environment.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1993

The efficacy of upper extremity inhibitive casting: a single-subject pilot study.

This pilot study was designed to examine the effects of short-term (48-hr) upper extremity inhibitive casting, with an encased thermoplastic splint, on problems related to upper motor neuron damage. The subject was an 8 1/2-year-old girl with left upper extremity spasticity. Three different measures were used: (a) rating of videotaped active movements of the child; (b) the Modified Ashworth Scale, a clinical measure of spasticity; and (c) The Biodex System, a measure of torque during passive elbow flexion and extension. After cast removal, subjective improvements were noted in the quality of active movement (through videotapes) and increased awareness and use of the casted hand by the child (through parents' reports). A trend toward decreased spasticity was demonstrated by the Modified Ashworth Scale and a statistically significant decrease in resistance to passive movement was shown by the Biodex recordings. However, this reduction in symptoms was temporary, lasting less than 3 days. The results of this study suggest that short-term inhibitory casting may prove efficacious in the treatment of the child with cerebral palsy, although further research is needed.

Casts, Surgical↗

PubMed1997

A technique for using strain gauges to evaluate airbag interaction with cadaveric upper extremities.

Radius and ulna fractures from airbag deployment onto the forearm have been reported in the literature. Based on laboratory experiments with eight cadaveric upper extremities, this paper presents a method for using strain gages to evaluate upper extremity loading during airbag deployment. The technique provides strain rates, bending moments, and time of fracture for the radius and ulna. Planar rosettes (350 omega, 5% strain) were selected as the best choice given the application to bone with a rosette being placed mid-shaft on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the radius and ulna. Forearm incisions were intended to be minimally invasive and to limit damage to the interosseous membrane. The bone surface was prepared with Ether, and the gauges were bonded to the surface with methyl-2-cyanoacrylate. A thin latex cover was installed over the surface of the rosettes to isolate the gauges from the surrounding tissue. Strain relief of the gauges was provided by securing the wire leads to the bone with tie-wraps, as well as suturing the wires to the skin. With this technique all gauges reported accurate data throughout the duration of the impact.

Air Bags↗

PubMed1995

Relief of recurrent upper extremity sympathetically-maintained pain with contralateral sympathetic blocks: evidence for crossover sympathetic innervation?

A case of recurrent right upper extremity sympathetically maintained pain was completely relieved with contralateral sympathetic blocks. Yet Ipsilateral blocks produced no change in pain. Surgical sympathectomy of the contralateral thoracic sympathetic chain produced significant and persistent pain relief. This case, to our knowledge the first such reported, raises questions regarding the accepted sympathetic innervation of the upper extremity.

Adult↗