ABSTRACT
The Allen test was performed by four physician examiners on 200 hands of healthy volunteers. Positive results were found in 5.5% of hands. There was not a single case in which all four observers agreed. Considerable inter-observer disagreement is associated with the Allen test.
Subject(s)
Hand/blood supply , Orthopedics/methods , Adult , Chi-Square Distribution , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Observer Variation , Reference Values , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Vascular PatencyABSTRACT
We investigated 14 patients with pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis for increased tissue pressures in involved digits. All showed raised pressures, in eight to 30 mmHg or more. These levels are consistent with a compartment syndrome. We describe the results of a modified operative technique which includes irrigation of the sheath and the leaving open of a lateral incision. This also allows early active mobilisation of the finger and has given satisfactory early results.
Subject(s)
Compartment Syndromes/diagnosis , Compartment Syndromes/surgery , Fingers , Tenosynovitis/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Compartment Syndromes/microbiology , Drainage , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Manometry , Middle Aged , Pressure , Range of Motion, Articular , Suppuration , Therapeutic Irrigation , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to review 15 years of experience with ankle fusions, specifically addressing the underlying etiology of ankle pathology, incidence of nonunion, and associated predisposing conditions that can lead to nonunion. Seventy-eight ankle fusions, performed between 1975 and 1990, were reviewed for this study. The average follow-up was 4 years. Patients with nonunion were evaluated separately to look at the predisposing factors that may have lead to nonunion. Factors associated with nonunion included fracture type, evidence of avascular necrosis, infection, major medical problems, and open injuries. Factors that were not associated with nonunion included age, past history of subtalar or triple arthrodesis, and technique.
