Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Treatment of acute ankle sprain. Comparison of a semi-rigid ankle brace and compression bandage in 73 patients.
We randomized 73 patients with grades II and III ankle sprain to treatment with an Air-Stirrup ankle brace or a compression bandage. All patients were instructed to attempt early motion and weight bearing when comfortable. ⋯ The group treated with the Air-Stirrup ankle brace was more mobile in the initial phase of rehabilitation and had a shorter sick leave. Ankle brace treatment resulted in socioeconomic savings.
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This retrospective study examines prognostic factors for post-metastasectomy survival in soft tissue sarcoma patients. Between 1976 and 1992, 274 consecutive patients (median age 49 [7-96] years) with pulmonary metastatic soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity or trunk wall (31 at presentation) were managed at the Mayo Clinic. 214 underwent pulmonary metastasectomy and 163 of these also received adjuvant chemotherapy. There were 195 local excisions, 14 lobectomies, and 5 pneumonectomies. 90 patients had solitary metastases, 184 patients had 2 or more metastases. 31% of patients had MFH tumors and 88% of all tumors were high grade. ⋯ Age > 50, MFH tumors, > or = 2 metastases, metastasis size > 2 cm, metastasis-free period < or = 18 months, and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy were univariately unfavorable factors. Size of metastasis > 2 cm, number of metastases > or = 2, and metastasis-free interval < or = 18 months were independently unfavorable for survival. In a prognostic system, patients with 0 risk factors had a 60% 5-year survival, those with 1, 2, or 3 of these factors had 30%, 20% and 0% survival, respectively.