Subject(s)
Anesthetics/administration & dosage , Infusion Pumps, Implantable , Pain/drug therapy , Adult , Arm , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Assessment and psychological concerns in caring for the child and parents contemplating pediatric microsurgery to repair hand defects are issues nurses will face. Assessing the patient's perception of self, assessing the perception of expected postoperative results, and assessing the parents' adjustment to the disability will be discussed in this article.
Subject(s)
Hand Deformities, Congenital/surgery , Microsurgery , Nursing Assessment , Preoperative Care , Child , Hand Deformities, Congenital/nursing , Hand Deformities, Congenital/psychology , Humans , Parents/psychologyABSTRACT
This study evaluates the course of carpal tunnel syndrome in a group of manual laborers who declined surgery for personal or social reasons. Thirty-five patients and 67 extremities with carpal tunnel syndrome were evaluated in a group of manual laborers. The carpal tunnel syndrome was classified as mild, moderate, or severe on the basis of initial evaluation data. Sensory batteries, motor and sensory conduction velocities, and electrical studies were performed on a scheduled basis. Follow-up ranged between 14 and 58 months, with an average of 34.3 months. Three patients became worse and one improved during the study period. All others remained unchanged. Six patients returned to work, but only three returned to their original jobs. Although carpal tunnel syndrome does not appear to be a progressive condition once the triggering cause is removed, nonsurgical treatment does not seem to be the treatment of choice for patients who must continue in a manual labor position.
Subject(s)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Adult , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/etiology , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/therapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Occupations , Prospective Studies , Time Factors , Treatment RefusalABSTRACT
1. Cumulative trauma disorders comprise more than half of all occupational injuries reported in the U.S. 2. Lack of clear definition about cumulative trauma disorders causes confusion for clients in the workers' compensation system. 3. A teaching poster about cumulative trauma disorders was developed (describing prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation) to assist clients in understanding this disorder. Emphasis was placed on clients' choice in decision making about treatment. 4. Evaluation was carried out using a survey questionnaire. The majority of clients thought the poster was "helpful" or "very helpful." Actual behavioral change was most noticeable in the categories of "took steps to reduce risk factors" and "asked more questions about care."
