scholarly journals Return to Play after Cervical Spine Injuries: A Consensus of Opinion

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 792-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. France ◽  
Michael Karsy ◽  
James S. Harrop ◽  
Andrew T. Dailey
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Cord Injury

Study Design Survey. Objective Sports-related spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a growing proportion of total SCIs but lacks evidence or guidelines to guide clinical decision-making on return to play (RTP). Our objective is to offer the treating physician a consensus analysis of expert opinion regarding RTP that can be incorporated with the unique factors of a case for clinical decision-making. Methods Ten common clinical scenarios involving neurapraxia and stenosis, atlantoaxial injury, subaxial injury, and general cervical spine injury were presented to 25 spine surgeons from level 1 trauma centers for whom spine trauma is a significant component of their practice. We evaluated responses to questions about patient RTP, level of contact, imaging required for a clinical decision, and time to return for each scenario. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results Evaluation of the surgeons’ responses to these cases showed significant consensus regarding return to high-contact sports in cases of cervical cord neurapraxia without symptoms or stenosis, surgically repaired herniated disks, and nonoperatively healed C1 ring or C2 hangman's fractures. Greater variability was found in recommendations for patients showing persistent clinical symptomatology. Conclusion This survey suggests a consensus among surgeons for allowing patients with relatively normal imaging and resolution of symptoms to return to high-contact activities; however, patients with cervical stenosis or clinical symptoms continue to be a challenge for management. This survey may serve as a basis for future clinical trials and consensus guidelines.

scholarly journals A day in the life: a qualitative study of clinical decision-making and uptake of neurorehabilitation technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Celian ◽  
Veronica Swanson ◽  
Maahi Shah ◽  
Caitlin Newman ◽  
Bridget Fowler-King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Personal Attributes ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Background Neurorehabilitation engineering faces numerous challenges to translating new technologies, but it is unclear which of these challenges are most limiting. Our aim is to improve understanding of rehabilitation therapists’ real-time decision-making processes on the use of rehabilitation technology (RT) in clinical treatment. Methods We used a phenomenological qualitative approach, in which three OTs and two PTs employed at a major, technology-encouraging rehabilitation hospital wrote vignettes from a written prompt describing their RT use decisions during treatment sessions with nine patients (4 with stroke, 2 traumatic brain injury, 1 spinal cord injury, 1 with multiple sclerosis). We then coded the vignettes using deductive qualitative analysis from 17 constructs derived from the RT literature and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Data were synthesized using summative content analysis. Results Of the constructs recorded, the five most prominent are from CFIR determinants of: (i) relative advantage, (ii) personal attributes of the patients, (iii) clinician knowledge and beliefs of the device/intervention, (iv) complexity of the devices including time and setup, and (v) organizational readiness to implement. Therapists characterized candidate RT as having a relative disadvantage compared to conventional treatment due to lack of relevance to functional training. RT design also often failed to consider the multi-faceted personal attributes of the patients, including diagnoses, goals, and physical and cognitive limitations. Clinicians’ comfort with RT was increased by their previous training but was decreased by the perceived complexity of RT. Finally, therapists have limited time to gather, setup, and use RT. Conclusions Despite decades of design work aimed at creating clinically useful RT, many lack compatibility with clinical translation needs in inpatient neurologic rehabilitation. New RT continue to impede the immediacy, versatility, and functionality of hands-on therapy mediated treatment with simple everyday objects.

Effects of sleepiness on clinical decision making among paramedic students: a simulated night shift study

2021 ◽  
pp. emermed-2019-209211
Author(s):  
Danielle Bartlett ◽  
Sara Hansen ◽  
Travis Cruickshank ◽  
Timothy Rankin ◽  
Pauline Zaenker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Shift Work ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Night Shift Work ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Perceived Workload

ObjectiveParamedics are at the forefront of emergency healthcare. Quick and careful decision making is required to effectively care for their patients; however, excessive sleepiness has the potential to impact on clinical decision making. Studies investigating the effects of night shift work on sleepiness, cognitive function and clinical performance in the prehospital setting are limited. Here, we aimed to determine the extent to which sleepiness is experienced over the course of a simulation-based 13-hour night shift and how this impacts on clinical performance and reaction time.MethodsTwenty-four second year paramedic students undertook a 13-hour night shift simulation study in August 2017. The study consisted of 10 real-to-life clinical scenarios. Sleepiness, perceived workload and motivation were self-reported, and clinical performance graded for each scenario. Reaction time, visual attention and task switching were also evaluated following each block of two scenarios.ResultsThe accuracy of participants’ clinical decision making declined significantly over the 13-hour night shift simulation. This was accompanied by an increase in sleepiness and a steady decline in motivation. Participants performed significantly better on the cognitive flexibility task across the duration of the simulated night shift and no changes were observed on the reaction time task. Perceived workload varied across the course of the night.ConclusionOverall, increased sleepiness and decreased clinical decision making were noted towards the end of the 13-hour simulated night shift. It is unclear the extent to which these results are reflective of practising paramedics who have endured several years of night shift work, however, this could have serious implications for patient outcomes and warrants further investigation.

Complete resolution of a hamstring intramuscular tendon injury on MRI is not necessary for a clinically successful return to play

2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2019-101808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Vermeulen ◽  
Emad Almusa ◽  
Stan Buckens ◽  
Willem Six ◽  
Rod Whiteley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Complete Resolution ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Tendon Injury ◽  
Tendon Injuries ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Partial Thickness ◽  
Mri Characteristics

BackgroundClinical decision-making around intramuscular tendon injuries of the hamstrings is a controversial topic in sports medicine. For this injury, MRI at return to play (RTP) might improve RTP decision-making; however, no studies have investigated this.ObjectiveOur objectives were to describe MRI characteristics at RTP, to evaluate healing and to examine the association of MRI characteristics at RTP with reinjury for clinically recovered hamstring intramuscular tendon injuries.MethodsWe included 41 athletes with hamstring intramuscular tendon injuries and an MRI at baseline and RTP. For both MRIs, we used a standardised scoring form that included intramuscular tendon injury characteristics. We recorded reinjuries during 1-year follow-up.ResultsAt RTP, 56% of the intramuscular tendons showed a partial or complete thickness tendon discontinuity. Regarding healing from injury to RTP, 18 of 34 (44% overall) partial-thickness tendon discontinuities became continuous and 6 out of 7 (15% overall) complete thickness tendon discontinuities became partial-thickness tendon discontinuities. Waviness decreased from 61% to 12%, and 88% of tendons became thickened. We recorded eight (20%) reinjuries within 1 year. Intramuscular tendon characteristics at RTP between participants with or without a reinjury were similar.ConclusionComplete resolution of an intramuscular tendon injury on MRI is not necessary for clinically successful RTP. From injury to RTP, the intramuscular tendon displayed signs of healing. Intramuscular tendon characteristics of those with or without a reinjury were similar.

scholarly journals Optimizing Clinical Decision Making in Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (20) ◽  
pp. 2841-2842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Fehlings ◽  
Vanessa K. Noonan ◽  
Derek Atkins ◽  
Anthony S. Burns ◽  
Christiana L. Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cord Injury

Halo-thoracic brace immobilization in 188 patients with acute cervical spine injuries

1983 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 508-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Chan ◽  
Joseph F. Schweigel ◽  
Gordon B. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Early Mobilization ◽  
Fusion Rate ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cervical Spine Injuries ◽  
Cervical Fractures ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Skull Traction

✓ The authors report 188 patients with acute cervical spine injury with fracture who underwent Halothoracic brace immobilization. The majority of the fractures were considered unstable. Early neurological assessment revealed 24 patients without neurological deficit. There were 164 patients with associated cervical cord injury; 84 patients with incomplete, and 80 patients with complete tetraplegia. Management consisted of skull traction and application of the Halo-thoracic brace about 1.3 weeks after admission. The average radiological union time was 11.5 weeks following a mean of 10.2 weeks of immobilization in a Halo apparatus. Satisfactory restoration of bone and ligament stability, with no significant posttreatment neck pain, was obtained in 168 cases (89%). This is comparable to the fusion rate achieved for cervical fractures in the literature. The follow-up periods range from 1 month to 6 years, with a mean of 10.8 months. The management and results in 73 patients with unilaterally and bilaterally locked facets with or without fractures are discussed. Complete tetraplegia is not considered a contraindication to Halo apparatus immobilization. The multiple factors responsible for overcoming the barrier of anesthetic skin are elucidated. Use of the Halo apparatus offers early mobilization and rehabilitation without neurological deterioration. Complications are few and insignificant.

scholarly journals A Nearly Lethal Screw: An Unusual Cause of Recurrent Bradycardia and Asystole Episodes after Fixation of the Cervical Spine

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Amit Frenkel ◽  
Yair Binyamin ◽  
Evgeni Brotfain ◽  
Leonid Koyfman ◽  
Aviel Roy-Shapira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Unstable Fracture ◽  
Cervical Spine Injuries ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Fixation Screw ◽  
Direct Pressure ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Cervical

We present a case of a 51-year-old man who was injured in a bicycle accident. His main injury was an unstable fracture of the cervical and thoracic vertebral column. Several hours after his arrival to the hospital the patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the cervical and thoracic spine. The patient was hospitalized in our critical care unit for 99 days. During this time patient had several episodes of severe bradycardia and asystole; some were short with spontaneous return to sinus and some required pharmacological treatment and even Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Initially, these episodes were attributed to the high cervical spine injury, but, later on, CT scan suggested that a fixation screw abutted on the esophagus and activated the vagus nerve by direct pressure. After repositioning of the cervical fixation, the bradycardia and asystole episodes were no longer observed and the patient was released to a rehabilitation ward. This case is presented in order to alert practitioners to the possibility that, after operative fixation of cervical spine injuries, recurrent episodes of bradyarrhythmia can be caused by incorrect placement of the fixation screws and might be confused with the natural history of the high cervical cord injury.

scholarly journals Updates on the Latest Surgical Approach of the Aortic Stenosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 5140
Author(s):  
Lucian Geicu ◽  
Olivier Busuttil ◽  
Nicolas D’Ostrevy ◽  
Mathieu Pernot ◽  
Walid Benali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Heart Team ◽  
Surgical Indications ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Technical Advances

Over the last twenty years, we marked significant progresses in the field of tissue engineering and the development of new aortic valve structural and delivery systems. These continuous iterations on the field, have completely changed the surgical indications and approaches for AVR. Nowadays, therapeutic decisions are endorsed by international guidelines; however, new technical advances need a new integrated approach. The clinical scenarios issued from the interaction between the Guidelines and the newest approaches and technologies are regularly on debate by the Heart Team. We will present some of our most encountered situations and the pattern of our therapeutic decisions. To easily navigate through Guidelines and clinical scenarios, we reported in this review a simplified and easy to use Clinical decision-making algorithm that may be a valuable tool in our daily practice.

scholarly journals Physician Decision-making in Return to Play After Cervical Spine Injury

2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Chierika Ukogu ◽  
Dennis Bienstock ◽  
Christopher Ferrer ◽  
Nicole Zubizarreta ◽  
Steven McAnany ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Cervical Spine Injury ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Physician Decision Making

scholarly journals Evaluation of a clinical decision-making aid for nutrition advice in age-related macular degeneration

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Stevens ◽  
Hannah Bartlett ◽  
Richard Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Clinical Scenarios

Age-related macular disease (AMD) is a multifactorial degenerative condition affecting the central area of the retina. Patients with AMD report that eye care practitioners are not giving consistent advice regarding nutrition and reported confusion as to what advice, if any, to follow. The aim of this study was to design and conduct a preliminary evaluation of a flowchart to support eye care practitioners in providing accurate, evidence-based nutritional advice to their patients. A flowchart was designed to take practitioners through a decision-making process that would determine whether a patient matched the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) 2 eligibility criteria for supplementation. The flowchart was evaluated using a qualified and student optometrist cohort, with both cohorts completing confidence scales and students completing clinical scenarios. Qualified participants showed a significant increase in confidence scores from the initial survey ( M = 69.7%, standard deviation [ SD] = 16.2%) to the second survey after use of the flowchart for 2 weeks ( M = 82.1%, SD = 11.6%; t(45) = 7.33, p < .001; rs = .61, p < .001). The student participants also increased confidence scored after receiving the flowchart ( M of first survey = 41.7, SD = 14.6; M of second survey = 69.1, SD = 1.7; t(25) = 7.92, d = .81, p < .001) and increased the number of correct answers on five clinical scenarios. Overall, the flowchart has proved to be useful in boosting the self-efficacy of both qualified practitioners and student practitioners, as well as improving clinical decisions made by student practitioners.

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