Aging clinical and experimental research
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Osteoporosis is a skeleton disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in an increased risk of fragility fracture. Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are recognized as a significant health problem particularly in older people with an impact on the quality of life, mobility and mortality. ⋯ The exercise protocols, designed specifically for individuals with vertebral fracture, should include postural correction, trunk and lower extremity muscle strengthening, balance exercises and falls prevention program. The aim of this short communication is to examine the rationale of a rehabilitation protocol after a vertebral fracture.
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Improving rehabilitation strategies after lower limb fractures among elderly patients is an urgent public health challenge due to the increasing proportion of older population and therefore the raised number of falls and fractures. Due to their strategic positioning, physiatrists should aim not only to improve functional outcomes after acute fracture treatment but also to address the underlying osteoporotic condition in order to prevent the devastating socioeconomic consequences of osteoporotic fractures.
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Proximal femur fractures are common in elderly osteoporotic patients. The consequences of hip fractures in elderly individuals are significant in terms of years of life lost and reduction of the quality of life. ⋯ The proximal femur fractures are classified into medial and lateral fractures; usually the former fractures are treated with hip replacement and the latter are treated with osteosynthesis. The best way to treat this type of injury is mandatory and requires an accurate pre-operative classification of the lesion, considering also the comorbidity associated with the hip fractures.
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The impact of age on functional recovery after spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) is still unclear. Given this, we sought to examine the potential influence of patient's age on functional recovery following SCI/D. ⋯ Our results indicate that age is not associated with functional recovery after rehabilitation for SCI/D. Clinicians and allied health professionals should have a greater awareness of the potential of adult patients with SCI/D to achieve functional recovery regardless of age.
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Case Reports
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adult patients following intravenous administration of desmopressin.
Desmopressin is a synthetic replacement for vasopressin, which is used to reduce perioperative blood loss. However, seizure attacks were observed in patients after administration of desmopressin. ⋯ The patients' neurological conditions returned to baseline quickly and completely following discontinuation of desmopressin, control of the seizures, and fluid intake restriction. These cases illustrate the importance of periodic monitoring of electrolyte concentrations and fluid intake during use of desmopressin.