Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 1996
Clinical TrialIntrathecal baclofen administration for control of severe spinal spasticity: functional improvement and long-term follow-up.
To assess long-term efficacy and functional benefits of intrathecal baclofen for severe spinal spasticity. ⋯ Efficacy remained stable after 6 to 9 months. Marked improvement of functional independence was observed in paraplegic patients. Improvement was less spectacular in patients with severe upper limb dysfunction, but nevertheless appreciable in terms of life comfort and use of attendants.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 1996
Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury: relation between somatosensory evoked potentials, neurological deficit, and hand function.
Median and ulnar somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in the assessment of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in relation to the outcome of hand function. ⋯ Median and ulnar SEP are valuable to indicate the level of injury, the degree of sensory impairment and to predict the outcome of hand function even in unconscious patients. They can improve the diagnostic assessment of cervical SCI.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 1996
Physical medicine and rehabilitation workforce study: the supply of and demand for physiatrists.
Analysis, results, and implications of a supply and demand workforce model for physical medicine and rehabilitation. Explicit issues addressed include: (1) the supply implications of maintaining current (1994-1995) output of physiatrists from residency programs; (2) the implications of continued growth in managed care on the demand for the services of physiatrists; (3) likely future supply and demand conditions; and (4) strategies to adapt to future conditions. ⋯ Based on an overall assessment of supply and demand conditions, and under the assumption that the supply of new entrants each year remains in the range of 1994-1995 levels, demand for physiatrists will continue to exceed supply, on average, through the year 2000. Excess supply has, and will, emerge in selected geographic areas. If the profession is successful in informing the market regarding the advantages of physiatry, the profession can continue to grow without experiencing excess supply, in the aggregate, for the foreseeable future.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Dec 1995
Swallow management in patients on an acute stroke pathway: quality is cost effective.
To assess the effects of swallowing management in patients with acute nonhemorrhagic stroke placed on a clinical pathway, and to evaluate whether swallow function on admission can be used as a predictor of length of stay (LOS) and outcome disposition. ⋯ This study demonstrates that early swallow screening and dysphagia management in patients with acute stroke reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia, is cost effective, and assures quality care with optimal outcome.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 1995
Case ReportsLumbar-sacral radiculopathy secondary to intraspinal synovial cyst.
The presentation of a patient with acute low back pain and distal radiation to the lower extremities is often attributed to a herniated nucleus pulposus (NHP). The purpose of this report is to illustrate how an intraspinal lumbar synovial cyst can have a similar presentation. ⋯ An intraspinal lumbar synovial cyst can present with symptoms of nerve root compression. Given the presentation of lumbar-sacral radicular symptoms such as radiating pain, muscle weakness, and numbness, surgical excision of the lumbar synovial cyst remains the definitive treatment of choice.