Effects of a Modified Hand Compression Bandage for Treatment of Post-Burn Hand Edemas

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a modified hand compression bandage in patients with a post-burn hand edema. METHODS: Patients were recruited from burn centers. We classified the patients into two groups: the modified hand compression bandage group comprising of 22 patients who had a modified hand compression bandage and received conventional physical therapy and the conventionally treated group, comprising of 20 patients who received only conventional physical therapy during the 4-week period post-burn. Hand circumference, hand skin thickness, and hand function were evaluated by grip strength, active range of motion (ROM), Jebsen hand function test, and visual analogue scale (VAS). These assessments were used to evaluate treatment effectiveness prior to the first treatment, 2 weeks after the first treatment, 4 weeks after the first treatment, and 4 months after the first treatment. RESULTS: As a result of repeated-measures analysis of variance on hand circumference, skin thickness, VAS, and each metacarpophalangeal joint ROM, we found significant differences that corresponded to time effect (p0.05). CONCLUSION: The modified hand compression bandage will be clinically useful for the treatment of patients with post-burn hand edemas.

Outcomes of Ultrasound-Guided Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Painful Stump Neuroma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on painful stump neuroma. METHODS: Thirty patients with stump neuroma at the distal end of an amputation site were assigned randomly to the ESWT group (n=15) and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)+desensitization+pharmacological treatment group (n=15). For 3 weeks, the ESWT group received a weekly session involving 1,500 pulses at 0.10 mJ/mm2, while the control group was treated 10 times each, 40 minutes per day with TENS and desensitization treatment, and daily medication for 3 weeks. ESWT stimulation was given by focusing on the area at the neuroma site clearly identified by ultrasound. RESULTS: The changes in the McGill pain questionnaire were 38.8+/-9.0 prior to treatment and 11.8+/-3.1 following the treatment. The corresponding values for the control group were 37.2+/-7.7 and 28.5+/-10.3. The changes between groups were significantly different (p=0.035). The change in visual analog scale prior to and after treatment was 7.0+/-1.5 and 2.8+/-0.8 in the ESWT group, respectively, and 7.2+/-1.4 and 5.8+/-2.0 in the control group. These changes between the groups were also significantly different (p=0.010). The outcome in the pain rating scale also showed significant differences between groups (p0.05). CONCLUSION: The study findings imply that ESWT for stump neuroma is superior to conventional therapy.

The Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Myofascial Pain Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). METHOD: Thirty patients with MPS in trapezius muscle were randomly divided into two groups, ESWT group (n=15), and trigger point injections (TPI)+transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) group (n=15). For a total of 3 weeks, ESWT was undertaken with 1,500 pulse each time at one week interval totaling 4,500 pulse, TPI for once a week totaling three times and TENS for five times a week totaling three weeks. RESULTS: The changes in pain threshold (lb/cm2) showed the values of 6.86+/-1.35 before first therapy, 11.43+/-0.27 after first therapy, and 12.57+/-0.72 after third therapy, while TPI+TENS group showed the values of 6.20+/-1.92 before first therapy, 8.80+/-0.48 after first therapy, and 9.60+/-2.19 after third therapy, and the changes between the groups were significantly different (p=0.045). The changes in visual analog scale were estimated to be 6.86+/-0.90 before first therapy, 2.86+/-0.90 after first therapy, and 1.86+/-0.69 after third therapy in case of ESWT group, whereas the figures were estimated to be 7.20+/-1.30 before first therapy, 4.60+/-0.55 after first therapy, and 2.80+/-0.84 after third therapy in case of TPI+TENS group, and the changes between the groups were significantly different (p=0.010). The changes in McGill pain questionnaire (p=0.816) and pain rating scale (p=0.644) between the groups were not significantly different. The changes in neck ROM were also not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The ESWT in patients with MPS in trapezius muscle are as effective as TPI and TENS for the purpose of pain relief and improving cervical range of motion.

Myoelectric Hand Rehabilitation in the Bilateral Upper Extremity Amputee of Burn Patients: Two Cases Report

Bilateral upper extremity amputee is rare and also complex, difficult process to apply the prosthesis to daily life. In Korea, there is no case report of bilateral myoelectric hand training, which is installed to bilateral upper extremity amputee due to electrical burn. We present usual 2 cases, who underwent bilateral transradial amputee, were fitted with a bilateral myoelectric prosthetic hand with an adaptive grip. It's not just long-term issues like the prosthesis prescription, but it is important functional problem whether or not to use actually. Especially the unique features of hand grasp function and writing can be the scale that measure recovery of the patient. The development of modern science and technology applications in clinical medicine cause the innovation of a prosthetic hand. In our two cases, good acceptance and functional improvement were noted. The information obtained in this case would be expected to be helpful in the bilateral amputee prosthetic prescription and training for their welfare.

The Effect of Collagen Coating in Crystallized Hydroxyapatite Scaffold

PURPOSE: Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely used due to its chemical similarity to bone and good biocompatibility. HA is composed of macropores and micropores. Too much irregularities of the micropores are ineffective against the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast. Many efforts have been tried to overcome these drawbacks. HA crystal coating on the irregular surface of HA scaffold, crystallized HA, is one of the method to improve cell adhesion. Meanwhile, the collagen has been incorporated with HA to create composite scaffold that chemically resembles the natural extracellular matrix components of bone. The authors proposed to examine the effect of collagen-coated crystallized HA on the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast. METHODS: HA powder containing 10 microM pore size was manufactured as 1 cm pellet size. In order to make crystallized HA, 0.1 M EDTA solution was used to dissolve HA powder and heated 100degreesC for 48 hours. Next, the crystallized HA pellets were coated with collagen (0.1, 0.5, and 1%). The osteoblasts were seeded into HA pellets and incubated for the various times (1, 5, and 9 days). After the indicating days, methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed for cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured for bone formation. RESULTS: In SEM study, the surface of crystallized HA pellet was more regular than HA pellet. MTT assay showed that the proliferation of osteoblasts increased in a collagen dose-dependent and time-dependent manner and had a maximum effect at 1% collagen concentration. ALP activity also increased in a collagen dose-dependent manner and had a highest effect at 1% collagen concentration. CONCLUSION: These data showed that crystallization and collagen coating of HA was effective for osteoblast proliferation and ALP activity. Therefore, our results suggest that crystallized-HA scaffold with collagen coating is may be a good strategy for tissue engineering application for bone formation

Correction of Persistent Enophthalmos after Surgical Repair of Blow Out Fracture Using Orbital Decompression Technique of Contralateral Eye

PURPOSE: Diplopia and cosmetically unacceptable enophthalmos are the major complications of blow out fracture. Prolapse of orbital tissue into the sinuses, enlarged orbital volume, atrophy of orbital fat and loss of support of orbital walls play a role in the pathogenesis of enophthalmos. To correct post-traumatic enophthalmos, freeing of incarcerated orbital contents combined with reduction of bony orbital volume and reconstruction of suspensory support of globe is necessary. But remained enophthalmos after surgical treatment is difficult to correct completely. In this case, the authors performed implant insertion for affected orbit and endoscopic orbital decompression for unaffected orbit for correction of late enophthalmos. METHOD: We reviewed a girl patient with right inferomedial orbital wall blow out fracture, right zygoma fracture treated at our hospital for correction of enophthalmos. An 18-year-old female had sustained posttraumatic enopthalmos. Two surgical management was performed for correction blow out fracture at the other hospital. But residual diplopia, enophthalmos, cheek drooping were found. And then she transferred to our hospital. She had severe enophthalmos(5mm) also had diplopia and extraocular muscle limitation. We performed operation for correction of enophthalmos. After operation, she showed minimal improvement of diplopia and enophthalmos(3mm). The authors make plan for operation for correction enophthalmos due to cosmetical improvement. Implant insertion was performed for affected orbit. For unaffected orbit, nasoendoscopic medial orbital wall decompression was proceeded. RESULT: Correction of enophthalmos was found after operation and was maintained for nine years follow-up. Patient expressed satisfaction for the result. CONCLUSION: To correct persistant enophthalmos, we could have satisfactory result with orbital wall reconstruction on affected eye and decompression on unaffected eye.

A Clinical Study of The Nasal Bone Fracture According to Stranc Classification

PURPOSE: The nasal bone fracture is known as the most common facial fracture. Several authors reported the classification of nasal bone fracture. Stranc classified the type of nasal fractures based on a pattern of impaction and level of injuries. Stranc classification proposed here is based on careful clinical observation and relates to both treatment and prognosis. The aim of this study is to determine any predictive value to the preoperative classification of nasal fracture, using the description by Stranc and Robertson. METHODS: We reviewed 310 patients with nasal bone fracture treated at our hospital for last two years. RESULTS: Lateral impact type of nasal bone fracture predominated more than frontal impact in the ratio of 2.3:1. The most common type of Stranc classification was lateral impact plane I(48.4%). Male predominated more than female in the ratio of 3:1. The most frequent age group was first decade(27.1%), second decade in frontal impact(30.5%), first decade in lateral impact (30.7%). The most common etiology was violence (31.3%) followed by slip down(21.3%), and traffic accident(18.1 %).The most common associated fracture was orbital(22.9%) followed by zygoma(10%), and maxilla (6.1%). The most common complication was septal deviation(20.0%) in frontal impact, and nasal deformity (26.0%) in lateral impact. The incidence of nasal deformity in lateral impact(26.0%) was more higher than frontal impact(15.8%) CONCLUSION: By assessing the pathomechanics and resultant degree of injury to the nasal skeleton, a better understanding of the treatment plan and prognosis was obtained. Using this information, satisfactory informed patient consent can be obtained.

Complications of the Nasal Bone Fractures according to the Stranc Classification

PURPOSE: Although nasal fractures are often discussed as minor injuries but the incidence of post-traumatic nasal deformity remains high. For decrease the incidence of post-traumatic nasal deformity which require the guideline to optimize the management of acute nasal bone fracture. The aim of this study is analysis of post-traumatic nasal deformity according to Stranc classification. METHOD: We reviewed 310 patients with nasal bone fracture treated at our hospital from January of 2005 to December of 2006. RESULT: Post-traumatic complication were divided septal deviation, nasal bone deformity, temporary hyposmia and synechia. Nasal bone deformity include nasal bone deviation, hump, flat nose and minimal nasal bone irregularity. The incidence of total complication rate was 36.4%. The most common complication was nasal deformity(22.9%) followed by septal deviation(19.7%). The most common complication was septal deviation(20%) in frontal impact. The most common complication was nasal deformity(19.5%) in lateral impact. In frontal impact, the incidence of complication rate was plane II(68.8%) followed by plane I(29.9%) and plane III(16.7%). In lateral impact, the incidence of complication rate was plane II (78.8%) followed by plane III(61.5%) and plane I(42.7%). CONCLUSION: This result can be used to improve long- term results and to reduce the incidence of post-traumatic nasal deformity by predict complication of nasal bone fracture according to Stranc classification.