BACKGROUND High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a promising tool to assess the fracture-healing process at the microscale in vivo. Since casts are often used during fracture treatment, they might affect the assessment of bone density, microarchitectural, and biomechanical parameters and the short-term reproducibility of those parameters, e.g., as a result of ...

Sustained muscle wasting due to immobilization leads to weakening and severe metabolic consequences. The mechanisms responsible for muscle recovery after immobilization are poorly defined. Muscle atrophy induced by immobilization worsened in the lengthened tibialis anterior (TA) muscle but not in the shortened gastrocnemius muscle. Here, we investigated some mechanisms responsible for this diff...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether endurance and strength hand grip exercises during 3-week upper limb immobilization preserve muscle oxidative capacity, endurance performance and strength. METHODS Ten healthy adult men underwent non-dominant forearm immobilization by plaster cast for 21 days. Five healthy adult subjects were designated as the immobilization (IMM) grou...

BACKGROUND There is considerable variation in the treatment of distal forearm torus fractures (DFTF), from soft bandaging to cast immobilization. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to show the result of removable wrist splint (RWS) in the treatment of these fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred forty two children aged less than 17 years old with DFTF were studied prospectively. These...

Editorial to accompany the article: „The treatment of displaced intraarticular distal radius fractures in elderly patients—a randomized multicenter study (ORCHID) of open reduction and volar locking plate fixation versus closed reduction and cast immobilization“ by Christoph Bartl, Dirk Stengel et al. in this issue of Deutsches Ärzte blatt International in stage 5 do randomized studies compare ...

PURPOSE Recent literature comparing the effectiveness of above-elbow and below-elbow plaster casts appears to suggest that either cast type offers adequate immobilization for distal radius and ulna fractures. The idea that an appropriate mold placed on the cast is the most significant determinant of successful immobilization and, thereby, patient outcome has also been elucidated. The purpose of...

BACKGROUND: The scaphoid is the most prominent of the carpal bones in the first row and the most frequently fractured of all the carpal bones. Bilateral simultaneous scaphoid fractures are uncommon. OBJECTIVE: To report bilateral simultaneous fractures of the carpal scaphoid bones and their successful treatment with bilateral thumb spacia casts METHODS: A 28-year-old medical practitioner presen...

Short term immobilization of the lower limb is associated with increased corticospinal excitability at 24 hours post cast removal. We wondered whether daily stimulation of the motor cortex might decrease brain reorganization during casting. We tested the feasibility of this approach. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), resting motor threshold and recruitment curves were obtained at b...