The American journal of orthopedics
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Peripheral neuropathy in the hands of diabetic patients with lower extremity amputations.
One hundred unilateral ambulatory lower extremity amputees underwent sensibility testing of their remaining foot and right hands to determine if the magnitude of peripheral neuropathy present in the feet of patients with diabetes was of greater magnitude than that in their hands. Testing was performed with a series of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Ninety-one of the subjects were male, and 9 were female. ⋯ There was no statistically significant difference when comparing hand and foot sensibility in any of the comparison groupings. The quantitative amount of peripheral neuropathy appears to affect the hands and feet of diabetics in a similar "stocking-glove" fashion. The results of this screening gives further support to the concept of prophylactic foot care programs in diabetics with peripheral neuropathy to decrease the risk for the development of foot ulcers, which are often the precursor of eventual lower extremity amputation.
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Burst fractures are less common in children than in adults because of the greater mobility and elasticity of the pediatric spine. Because of these spine characteristics, these fractures may behave differently in childhood than in adulthood. To try to address these differences, we reviewed our experience with 11 children (5 boys, 6 girls) treated for burst fractures. ⋯ Anterior vertebral compression improved an average of 15% (range, 24%-39%). In the children treated nonoperatively, kyphosis progressed an average of 9 degrees (range, 15 degrees - 24 degrees), and anterior vertebral compression increased a further 8% (range, 36%-44%). Our results showed that (a) the children who sustained burst fractures tended to develop mild progressive angular deformity at the site of the fracture, (b) operative stabilization prevented further kyphotic deformity as well as decreased the length of hospitalization without contributing to further cord compromise, and (c) nonoperative treatment of burst fracture was a viable option in neurologically intact children, but progressive angular deformity occurred during the first year after the fracture.