Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 1988
Case ReportsThe prevention of injuries of the brachial plexus secondary to malposition of the patient during surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries that occur secondary to malposition of the patient during general anesthesia have been described in the medical literature for nearly a century. However, little can be found in the orthopedic literature. ⋯ Pertinent anatomy, etiology, and pathogenesis of injury to the brachial plexus reveal that injury can occur from stretch or compression of nerves and is usually caused by a combination of the two. With awareness of risk factors and the positions which are likely to cause injury to the brachial plexus, careful positioning of the upper extremity can prevent injury and potential disability to the patient.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 1988
A retrospective analysis of the efficacy of epidural steroid injections.
Forty patients were studied retrospectively to evaluate the effect of epidural steroid injections on low back pain and sciatica characteristic of spinal stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc. All but one of these patients had radicular symptoms. The average age was 55 years, and the average follow-up time was eight months. ⋯ Of those who had complete relief, there was no correlation between relief of pain, age, or number of injections. From this study, it appears that approximately 50% of patients with radicular symptoms may receive temporary relief with steroid injection. However, long-term relief occurs in less than 25% of patients.