Increase of Independence in a Hemipelvectomy Patient with a Custom-Molded Supportive Seating and a Cosmetic Prosthesis : A case report

We report a case of hemipelvectomy, which was successfully treated with custom-molded supportive seating and a cosmetic prosthesis. A 32-year-old woman with a history of right traumatic hemipelvectomy, 24 years ago, visited our outpatient clinic for proper prosthetic rehabilitation. After injury, she was not able to use functional prostheses because of persistent skin problems of the hemipelvectomy site. She was able to perform all activities of daily living independently, but had to rely on crutch walking and was not able to sit on an even surface for longer periods of time. With the molded supportive seating the patient was able to perform outdoor activities for up to 10 hours. This case shows an approach in amputee rehabilitation, in which the ultimate goal of prosthetic fitting is not independent walking, but the improvement of independence and hence the improvement of quality of life.

Difference of Organism and Their Antibiotics Sensitivity from Urine Culture in Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection of Spinal Cord Injury Patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the necessity of extra rounds of urine culture when symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI) is developed from asymptomatic bacteriuria in spinal cord injury patients. METHOD: A total of 226 patients who took a urine culture at least twice during their stay and did not show symptoms of UTI at the admission were chosen. We then divided them into two groups: the one with patients who showed symptoms of UTI, and the other with ones who did not. Follow-up urine culture was performed when patients had symptoms of UTI or after one month from admission. RESULTS: 1) Of the 226 patients, 60 patients showed symptoms of UTI, while 166 patients did not. 2) From the UTI group, there were 38 (63.3%) patients whose organism from their urine culture changed. From the non-UTI group, 79 (47.6%) patients saw their organism from their urine culture changed. 3) From the UTI group, there were 31 (56.4%) patients whose organism was more resistant to the antibiotics. From the non-UTI group, there were 80 (68.4%) patients whose organism was more resistant to the antibiotics. CONCLUSION: If UTI occurs in spinal cord injury patients, new organism might be detected in urine culture. Therefore, we should choose the proper antibiotics based on results of follow-up urine culture performed when the patients had symptoms of UTI.

Application of New Combined Ortho-prosthesis to Severe Leg Length Inequality: A case report

We presented a case which showed clinical improvements after fabricating new ortho-prosthesis to a patient with severe leg length inequality. He was 51 years old and had developed the leg length inequality on the right due to osteomyelitis that he experienced when he was seven. He had been using the orthosis fabricated by a private orthotic shop for more than twenty years from his twenties. We prescribed a new ortho-prosthesis composed of patellar tendon bearing ankle foot orthosis combined with endoskeletal shank and dynamic SACH foot. With this new ortho-prosthesis, there were significant improvements in initial abnormal gait patterns of excessive knee flexion at mid-stance and decreased maximal knee flexion peak at swing phase in the kinematic parameters on transverse plane. And step width, step length and step time were also improved. He got pain relief and improvement of gait endurance