K Uehara1, M Akai, T Kubo, N Yamasaki, Y Okuma, Y Tobimatsu, T Iwaya. 1. Department of Rehabilitation for Movement Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Saitama, Japan. uehara-ko@room.ocn.ne.jp
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study at a rehabilitation center. OBJECTIVES: Patients with spinal cord injury, even if they are wheelchair users, sometimes suffer from fractures of the lower limb bones. As their bones are too weak to have surgery, and because a precise reduction is not required for restoration, such patients are often indicated for conservative treatment. This case series study investigated the use of a hinged, soft-plastic brace as a conservative approach to treating fractures of the lower extremities of patients with spinal cord injury. SETTING: National Rehabilitation Center, Japan. METHODS: Fifteen patients (male, n=10; female, n=5; average age, 52.7 years) with 19 fractures of the femur or the tibia who were treated with a newly-developed hinged, soft-plastic brace were studied. All of them used wheelchairs. We analyzed the time taken for fracture union and for wearing orthotics, degree of malalignment, femorotibial angle and side effects. RESULTS: The fractures in this series were caused by relatively low-energy impact. The average time taken for fracture union was 80.1 (37-189) days, and the average amount of time spent wearing orthotics was 77.9 (42-197) days. On final X-ray imaging, the average femorotibial angle was 176.9° (s.d. ±8.90), and 15° of misalignment in the sagittal plane occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: A hinged, soft-plastic brace is a useful option as a conservative approach for treating fractures of the lower extremities in patients with spinal cord injury.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study at a rehabilitation center. OBJECTIVES:Patients with spinal cord injury, even if they are wheelchair users, sometimes suffer from fractures of the lower limb bones. As their bones are too weak to have surgery, and because a precise reduction is not required for restoration, such patients are often indicated for conservative treatment. This case series study investigated the use of a hinged, soft-plastic brace as a conservative approach to treating fractures of the lower extremities of patients with spinal cord injury. SETTING: National Rehabilitation Center, Japan. METHODS: Fifteen patients (male, n=10; female, n=5; average age, 52.7 years) with 19 fractures of the femur or the tibia who were treated with a newly-developed hinged, soft-plastic brace were studied. All of them used wheelchairs. We analyzed the time taken for fracture union and for wearing orthotics, degree of malalignment, femorotibial angle and side effects. RESULTS: The fractures in this series were caused by relatively low-energy impact. The average time taken for fracture union was 80.1 (37-189) days, and the average amount of time spent wearing orthotics was 77.9 (42-197) days. On final X-ray imaging, the average femorotibial angle was 176.9° (s.d. ±8.90), and 15° of misalignment in the sagittal plane occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: A hinged, soft-plastic brace is a useful option as a conservative approach for treating fractures of the lower extremities in patients with spinal cord injury.
Authors: M Bethel; L Bailey; F Weaver; B Le; S P Burns; J N Svircev; M H Heggeness; L D Carbone Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2015-01-27 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Alban Fouasson-Chailloux; Raphael Gross; Marc Dauty; Guillaume Gadbled; Sophie Touchais; Marc Le Fort; Brigitte Perrouin-Verbe Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2017-05-10 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Nour Zleik; Frances Weaver; Robert L Harmon; Brian Le; Reshmitha Radhakrishnan; Wanda D Jirau-Rosaly; B Catharine Craven; Mattie Raiford; Jennifer N Hill; Bella Etingen; Marylou Guihan; Michael H Heggeness; Cara Ray; Laura Carbone Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2018-05-10 Impact factor: 1.985