Cast immobilization of limbs causes hyperalgesia, which is a decline of the threshold of mechanical and thermal mechanical stimuli. The immobilization-induced hyperalgesia (IIH) can disturb rehabilitation and activities of daily living in patients with orthopedic disorders. However, it is unclear what therapeutic and preventive approaches can be used to alleviate IIH. Exercise that activates th...

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects locking plate fixation used for bridging tibial segmental ostectomy and cast immobilization on gait biomechanics in goats. We hypothesized that stable a bone defect, using construct, would result minimal changes biomechanical variables goats, but full-limb lasting alterations immobilized limb’s kinetics. A pressure-sensing walkway measure cha...

OBJECTIVE Wrist buckle fractures are a frequent reason for emergency department visits. Although textbooks recommend 2 to 4 weeks of immobilization in a short arm cast, management varies. Treatment with both casts and splints is common, and length of immobilization varies. The objective was to determine if children with distal radius and/or ulna buckle fractures treated with a removable splint ...

Enforced limb disuse strongly disrupts the cortical networks that are involved in sensorimotor activities. This disruption causes a cortical reorganization that may be functionally maladaptive. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether it is possible to prevent this reorganization by compensating for the lack of actual kinesthetic perception with...

Rats with unilateral depletion of striatal dopamine (DA) show marked preferential use of the ipsilateral forelimb. Previous studies have shown that implementation of motor therapy after stroke improves functional outcome (Taub et al., 1999). Thus, we have examined the impact of forced use of the impaired forelimb during or soon after unilateral exposure to the DA neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6...

A prospective study was undertaken of fifty-one patients who were randomly assigned to treatment with either a long or a short thumb-spica cast for a non-displaced fracture of the carpal scaphoid. The duration of follow-up was at least until union; the average follow-up was twelve months. Twenty-eight fractures were treated with a long thumb-spica cast and twenty-three, with a short thumb-spica...

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of pediatric fractures. It approximates the physiological healing process of bone, without opening the fracture site. Also, the operative stress is minimal because of the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, and the volume of implants is small, offering a very good stability without plast...

The purpose of this article is to discuss physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy who undergo orthopedic surgery. Children with spasticity (increased tone) often undergo surgical procedures to increase the length of the hip, knee, and ankle musculature in an attempt to improve musculoskeletal alignment and functional abilities. Presurgical assessment of posture and movement to determi...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether mental practice of wrist movements during forearm immobilization maintains range of motion. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS Eighteen healthy young men aged between 20 and 30 years were assigned to either a control or a mental practice group. Both groups were immobilized with a circular forearm cast for 3 weeks to simulate a distal radial fract...

Fractures of the carpal scaphoid in children show some quite remarkable differences with respect to fractures of the carpal scaphoid in adults. A review of the literature shows that fractures in children are more often located in the distal third, are more often incomplete and are usually not displaced. Our experience with 23 fresh fractures of the carpal scaphoid in children confirms these fin...