Transducer-based comparisons of the prosthetic feet used by transtibial amputees for different walking activities: a pilot study

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Schreiber Neumann ◽  
Kartheek Yalamanchili ◽  
Justin Brink ◽  
Joon S Lee

Background: Knowledge of transtibial residual limb force and moment loading during gait can be clinically useful. The research question was whether a transducer attached between the socket and pylon can be used to detect differences in loading patterns created by prosthetic feet of different design and different walking activities in real-world environments outside the gait lab. Objectives: To develop methods for obtaining, processing, analyzing and interpreting transducer measurements and examining their clinical usefulness. Study Design: Case series design. Methods: A convenience sample of four K3-K4 transtibial amputees and a wireless tri-axial transducer mounted distal to the socket. Activities included self-selected comfortable speed walking, and ascending and descending ramps and steps. Measurements taken about three orthogonal axes were processed to produce plots of normalized resultant force versus normalized resultant moment. Within-subject differences in peak resultant forces and moments were tested. Results: Loading patterns between feet and subjects and among the activities were distinctly different. Optimal loading of peak resultant forces tentatively might occur around 25% and 69% to73% of stance during self-selected comfortable walking. Ascending and descending ramps is useful for examining heel and forefoot response. Conclusions: Force-moment plots obtained from transducer data may assist clinical decision making. Clinical relevance A pylon-mounted transducer distal to the socket reveals the moments and forces transmitted to the residual limb and can be used to evaluate the loading patterns on the residual limb associated with different foot designs and different everyday activities outside the gait lab.

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Mamédio da Costa Santos ◽  
Cibele Andrucioli de Mattos Pimenta ◽  
Moacyr Roberto Cuce Nobre

Evidence based practice is the use of the best scientific evidence to support the clinical decision making. The identification of the best evidence requires the construction of an appropriate research question and review of the literature. This article describes the use of the PICO strategy for the construction of the research question and bibliographical search.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton J Daniels ◽  
Zachary A. Cupler ◽  
Jordan A Gliedt ◽  
Sheryl Walters ◽  
Alec L Schielke ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose was to identify, summarize, and rate scholarly literature that describes manipulative and manual therapy following lumbar surgery.MethodsThe review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and was registered with PROSPERO. PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ICL, CINAHL, and PEDro were searched through July 2019. Articles were screened independently by at least two reviewers for inclusion. Articles included described the practice, utilization, and/or clinical decision making to post surgical intervention with manipulative and/or manual therapies. Data extraction consisted of principal findings, pain and function/disability, patient satisfaction, opioid/medication consumption, and adverse events. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network critical appraisal checklists were utilized to assess study quality.ResultsLiterature search yielded 1916 articles, 348 duplicates were removed, 109 full-text articles were screened and 50 citations met inclusion criteria. There were 37 case reports/case series, 3 randomized controlled trials, 3 pilot studies, 5 systematic/scoping/narrative reviews, and 2 commentaries. ConclusionThe findings of this review may help inform practitioners who utilize manipulative and/or manual therapies regarding levels of evidence for patients with prior lumbar surgery. Following lumbar surgery, the evidence indicated inpatient neural mobilization does not improve outcomes. There is inconclusive evidence to recommend for or against most manual therapies after most surgical interventions.Trial registrationProspectively registered with PROSPERO (#CRD42020137314). Registered 24 January 2020.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Michelle L Angus ◽  
Victoria Dickens ◽  
Naveed Yasin ◽  
James Greenwood ◽  
Irfan Siddique

Background/aims The national low back pain pathway in the UK suggests practitioners managing patients with spinal pathology should be specifically trained to do so and have the ability to link with tertiary spinal services when required. The aim of this study was to ensure referrals through to a tertiary spinal surgical centre are appropriate and patients get the correct advice early in their management pathway. Methods A retrospective review of 700 cases were discussed at a spinal case-based discussion meeting in a primary care interface service, compared to services without this model. A convenience sample of cases were analysed with the consultant physiotherapist and those referred from other allied health professionals into the tertiary spinal surgical centre. Case-based team discussion took place before every referral into the tertiary spinal service, with spinal surgical discussion where required. Results Patients referred from other interface services were more likely to require further work-up such as investigations, or be discharged from clinic on their first attendance than those who had been through the case-based discussion. Conclusions A consultant physiotherapist working as part of the spinal team of a tertiary referral centre can help advanced practitioners with their clinical decision making to help prevent unnecessary referrals to spinal surgical services.


Author(s):  
Hoda Moghimi ◽  
Jonathan L. Schaffer ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Employing collaborative systems in healthcare contexts is an important approach towards designing and developing intelligent computer solutions. The objective of this study is to develop a real-time collaborative system using the Intelligent Risk Detection Model (IRD) to improve decision efficiency for the care of patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA). Expected benefits include increasing awareness, supporting communication, improving decision making processes and also improving information sharing between surgeons, patients, families and consultants as key collaborative parties. The research question under investigation is: How can key information technologies be designed, developed and adopted to support clinical decision making in the context of THA and TKA? This research in progress has identified the value and benefit of developing a systematic and technology supported tool to facilitate the identification of various risks associated with THA and TKA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 230 (06) ◽  
pp. 305-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Bächli ◽  
Jonas Ecker ◽  
Cornelis van Tilburg ◽  
Dominik Sturm ◽  
Florian Selt ◽  
...  

AbstractCentral nervous system (CNS) tumors account for the highest mortality among pediatric malignancies. Accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal clinical management. The increasing use of molecular diagnostics has opened up novel possibilities for more precise classification of CNS tumors. We here report a single-institutional collection of pediatric CNS tumor cases that underwent a refinement or a change of diagnosis after completion of molecular analysis that affected clinical decision-making including the application of molecularly informed targeted therapies. 13 pediatric CNS tumors were analyzed by conventional histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular diagnostics including DNA methylation profiling in 12 cases, DNA sequencing in 8 cases and RNA sequencing in 3 cases. 3 tumors had a refinement of diagnosis upon molecular testing, and 6 tumors underwent a change of diagnosis. Targeted therapy was initiated in 5 cases. An underlying cancer predisposition syndrome was detected in 5 cases. Although this case series, retrospective and not population based, has its limitations, insight can be gained regarding precision of diagnosis and clinical management of the patients in selected cases. Accuracy of diagnosis was improved in the cases presented here by the addition of molecular diagnostics, impacting clinical management of affected patients, both in the first-line as well as in the follow-up setting. This additional information may support the clinical decision making in the treatment of challenging pediatric CNS tumors. Prospective testing of the clinical value of molecular diagnostics is currently underway.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klane White ◽  
Michael B Bober ◽  
Tae-Joon Cho ◽  
Michael J Goldberg ◽  
Julie Hoover-Fong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Disorders of the spine present a common and difficult management concern in patients with skeletal dysplasia. Due to the rarity of these conditions however, the literature, largely consisting of small, single institution case series, is sparse in regard to well-designed studies to support clinical decision making in these situations. Methods: Using the Delphi method, an international, multi-disciplinary group of individuals, with significant experience in the care of patients with skeletal dysplasia, convened to develop multi-disciplinary, “best practice” guidelines in the care of spinal disorders in patients with skeletal dysplasia. Results: Starting with 33 statements, the group a developed a list of 31 “best practice” guidelines. Conclusions: The guidelines are presented and discussed to provide context for clinicians in their decision making in this often-challenging realm of care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mossad AbdelHak Shaban Mohamed ◽  
Taher Halawa ◽  
Taufiq Hidayat ◽  
Asrar Abu Bakar ◽  
Azamin Anuar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Productivity in medical field has inherent value in terms of improving our lives, which can expand our economies. Productivity in medicine has many aspects including improving clinical diagnostic skills, safety, and quality and quantity care. This study will assess whether early exposure to structured clinical reasoning coaching tools would improve their clinical decision making and productivity. Research question: Does clinical reasoning coaching tools Increase neonatal healthcare productivity? Materials and method: Medical practitioners recently joined neonatal units will participate over 2 years in an innovative series of clinical reasoning coaching sessions blended with virtual patients. Practitioners will be exposed to many teaching methods during the neonatal training that includes lectures, bedside teaching sessions and small group discussions beside website continuous contact for learning and chairing skills. Teaching series scope should cover resuscitating sick neonates, handling ventilators either conventional or high frequency, practicing common neonatal procedures, dealing with common neonatal scenarios, infection control policy and, effective communication skills The evaluation sessions will be introduced at the beginning of their training, during the course and at the end of the clerkship to assess their improving productivity, using diagnostic thinking inventory(DTI). Selection of the medical practitioners will be based on either on stratified random sampling or cohort control depending on the funding and logistic. All items will be analysed advanced statistical analysis methods. Results: The coaching tool may yield dramatic impact, allowing the innovators to be more productive. Suggesting widely utilize it for nurses, undergraduate and postgraduate medical Subspecialty. Conclusion: The research hypothesis is assuming that DTI scores and productivity will be higher after the coaching sessions as rated by the candidate’s performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rosanna Carmela De Rosa ◽  
Antonio Romanelli ◽  
Roberto Colonna ◽  
Annunziata Minale ◽  
Antonio Corcione

(1) Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with the development of Acute COVID-19 Cardiovascular Syndrome (ACovCS) in critically ill patients. In this case series, we evaluated the incidence of ACovCS by ultrasound in critically COVID-19 ill patients. (2) Methods: This case series included all patients with confirmed COVID-19 requiring admission to the ICU at Monaldi Hospital (AORN Ospedale dei Colli, Naples), between March 14th, 2020, and May 1st, 2020. On admission, in stable clinical conditions, an experienced and certified intensivist performed Point-Of-Care Cardiac Ultrasound (POC-CU). The exam was performed daily in every patient and repeated according to clinical evolution and intensivist’s judgment during the length of stay. Ex-Novo ACovCS echocardiographic patterns were noted. (3) Results: POC-CU evaluation performed on 19 patients revealed that, on admission, five patients (26.3%) presented an echocardiographic pattern like cor pulmonale. During the length of stay, seven patients (36.8%) presented ex-Novo echocardiographic alterations, suggesting ACovCS. Pericardial effusion (26.3%), acute right impairment due to pulmonary embolism (5.3%) and acute left impairment by wall motion alteration (5.3%) were the most common findings. (4) Conclusions: Ex-Novo cardiac abnormalities shown by POC-CU were common in patients with severe COVID-19. Competence in POC-CU is essential in identifying ACovCS in COVID-ICU and clinical decision-making.


2020 ◽  
pp. 014556132094761
Author(s):  
Michela M. Paradiso ◽  
Benjamin H. Kaffenberger ◽  
Alexander N. Rock ◽  
Edward E. Dodson

Otophyma is a rare condition that can result in conductive hearing loss. Current otophyma literature does not examine validated treatment outcomes for patients. Utilizing a medical and surgical approach to maintain a patent canal can lead to significant objective improvements. The aim of this case series is to describe a combined successful approach in 3 cases from an academic, multidisciplinary center. The main outcomes analyzed were pre and post air-bone gap audiogram analysis and disimpaction frequency. The results showed that post-management, patient 1 had substantial improvement in hearing, recovering 49 dB in his right ear and 25 dB in his left ear, demonstrating near complete air-bone gap closure. Patient 2 showed a similar dermatologic and functional improvement, although objective audiometric assessment related to otophyma could not be performed due to coexisting chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma. Patient 3, in the 12 months prior to comanagement, had 8 bilateral disimpactions, and following comanagement had 2 disimpactions in 23 months. All 3 patients were pleased with the resultant functional and physical appearance following comanagement. By presenting this approach and objective measures of treatment, we hope to improve future clinical decision-making in a rare condition.


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