Articles tagged with Amputation
Research published in BMJ Open found that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) cause more severe injuries than landmines, particularly among children. IED victims are more likely to suffer multiple amputations, genital/gluteal injuries, and pelvic fractures.
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers examines the direct medical costs of falls in adults with a transfemoral amputation, finding that high-functioning patients are often denied more expensive prosthetic knee technologies. The study aims to provide evidence for policymakers to evaluate the value of these advanced technologies.
Researchers found evidence of neurochemical changes associated with lower neuronal health in brain regions formerly controlled by the missing hand. Despite recovered hand function, some changes may persist in individuals who receive hand transplants.
A new online survey of over 28,000 participants found that 59% prefer to start eating their chocolate bunnies with the ears. Chocolate rabbit ear amputations were also a significant concern, peaking in late March through mid-April every year from 2012 to 2017.
Researchers report a high success rate for a regional chemotherapy technique that preserves limbs in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The study found that nearly 80 percent of patients were able to avoid amputation using the technique, known as isolated limb perfusion.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects millions, particularly those with poor health outcomes, with poverty and black race being independent risk factors for amputations. The study highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities in PAD treatment and management.
A study by researchers at Osaka University and the University of Cambridge found that a 'reorganisation' of the brain's wiring causes phantom limb pain in amputees. They developed an AI-based treatment using brain-machine interfaces to decrease pain levels.
Research at Oxford University reveals that amputees' brains maintain an accurate picture of their missing hands decades after amputation. This finding has significant implications for the control of advanced prosthetics, as it suggests that the brain's representation of the hand remains intact despite the loss of sensory input.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that osseointegrated implants have a minimal risk of severe infection in patients with above knee amputations. The implants, which grow directly into the bone, provide greater comfort and mobility compared to traditional prosthetic systems.
Researchers found that PAD patients taking high-dose statins had a 33% lower risk of amputation and 29% lower risk of death compared to those taking no statins. Low-to-moderate dose statin users also showed significant reductions in these risks, with benefits evident across different statin doses.
A pioneering technique using cold blasts has shown promise in improving the quality of life for patients suffering from phantom limb pain. After treating 20 patients with cryoablation therapy, researchers found a significant reduction in pain scores, from an average of 6.4 to 2.4 points.
A recent study published in Journal of Experimental Biology found that Paralympic sprinters with left leg prostheses are impaired when running on the inside lanes of curved tracks, resulting in slower times. This could impact their performance and potentially affect gold medal chances.
A University of Colorado Boulder study shows that left-leg amputee sprinters are slowed by curves on indoor tracks, losing valuable time in competition. Researchers estimate a 0.2 second difference in outdoor 200-meter races, suggesting that allowing left-leg amputees to run in outside lanes could level the playing field.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have developed a potential new therapy for critical limb ischemia, a condition that causes extremely poor circulation in the limbs. The therapy, an injectable gel derived from skeletal muscle tissue, promotes muscle remodeling and improves blood flow in a rat model.
A recent study found that 53% of lawn mower injuries to children require amputation. The most common injury sites were the lower extremity and collisions with mower blades. To mitigate these risks, researchers recommend increased education campaigns for parents on how to keep their children safe from lawn-mower injuries.
A significant reduction in diabetes-related amputations has been observed since the mid-1990s, primarily due to advancements in diabetes care. The study found a 10-15% annual decrease in below-ankle and below-knee amputations among diabetic patients.
Researchers developed two new risk prediction tools to identify patients with diabetes at high risk of blindness and amputation, using existing patient data. The tools aim to personalize care and advice for those in greatest need.
Two new risk prediction tools can identify patients with diabetes who are at high risk of serious complications, such as blindness and amputation. The tools use variables that patients are likely to know or that are routinely recorded in general practice computer systems.
A new study predicts that British military amputees will require medical care and rehabilitation for more than 25 years, with estimated costs of up to £288 million over 40 years. The study suggests that long-term financial commitment is necessary to provide sustained support and resources.
Three Austrian men have undergone a new technique called 'bionic reconstruction', enabling them to use a robotic prosthetic hand controlled by their mind. The technique restored a high level of function, aiding in activities of daily living and improving quality of life.
A new clinical trial led by Northwestern Medicine aims to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) in treating chronic pain caused by limb amputation. The procedure involves transferring a damaged nerve into a functioning muscle, allowing it to grow and prevent neuroma formation.
A century on, researchers found WWI surgeons couldn't effectively treat amputation-related pain, despite advancements in prosthetic technology. Phantom limb pain, common among survivors, remains poorly understood and difficult to manage.
A new UCLA study reveals that California diabetics living in low-income neighborhoods are 10 times more likely to lose a toe, foot or leg than those in affluent areas. The research highlights the need for earlier medical care and expanded access to treatment to prevent amputations.
Studies show that multiple limb salvage procedures have a good success rate and no increase in complications compared to single-flap techniques. The study analyzed limb salvage procedures in military personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, with a focus on maintaining residual limb length and joint function.
Researchers are working on bionic arms with full motor and sensory function to treat veterans with upper extremity amputations. While advancements have been made, challenges remain in creating prostheses that meet the abilities of a human arm and hand.
Researchers discovered that octopuses' suckers temporarily lose grip on their own skin due to a chemical produced by the skin, preventing them from getting tangled. This mechanism allows for flexible manipulation and may inspire bioinspired robot design.
A team of scientists identified a key regulator called FoxA that drives pharynx regeneration in planarian worms. The study reveals how stem cells sense loss of a structure and rebuild it, shedding light on the mechanisms behind regeneration in these animals.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have shed light on compensatory mechanisms used by amputees who lose their dominant hand, suggesting new rehabilitation techniques to improve quality of life. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed that brain areas formerly devoted to motor and sensory functions of the amputated...
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new treatment method for phantom limb pain, using muscle signals from the amputated arm stump to drive an augmented reality system. The patient experienced drastically reduced pain and was no longer awakened by intense periods of pain at night.
Researchers have developed a new method to treat phantom limb pain, using muscle signals from the arm stump to drive an augmented reality system. The patient's pain was drastically reduced, and he now experiences periods of complete relief.
Researchers have developed advanced prosthetic and orthotic devices that allow users to participate in a wider range of daily activities, exercise, and sports. The new technologies include adjustable ankle units for sub-freezing temperatures and multifunction prostheses for adventure-type activities.
A new study published in Foot & Ankle International found a 28.8% decline in lower extremity amputations over the past decade, with advances in diabetic foot ulcer treatments contributing to this decrease. The number of orthopaedic claims for diabetic foot ulcers rose 143.3% during the same period.
A novel clinical trial is evaluating the use of patient-derived stem cells to improve blood flow and prevent major amputations in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease. The trial aims to reduce mortality rates associated with limb loss, which affects over 160,000 people annually.
Revascularization procedures have reduced the need for amputations in peripheral arterial disease patients by 40% over two decades, according to Mayo Clinic research. The study analyzed patients with leg pain and found that as use of revascularization rose, the amputation rate dropped.
In a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers found that drug-coated stents can effectively treat critical limb ischemia by keeping clogged leg arteries open. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in amputations and improved quality of life for patients.
A study of returning veterans with major limb injuries found that while pain improved significantly within the first year, mental health problems such as depression and PTSD persisted. The research highlighted the need for ongoing biobehavioral pain and psychological care to help severely injured veterans cope with their pain and trauma.
A new report from Michigan State University reveals nearly two-and-a-half times more actual cases of work-related amputations than the federal government's official estimate. The study emphasizes the importance of using multiple data sources to track workplace injuries and illnesses.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have made a groundbreaking discovery linking brain activity to phantom pain in amputees. The study found that arm amputees with stronger phantom limb pain maintained a stronger representation of the missing hand in their brains, which was indistinguishable from those with intact limbs.
A large study found that two-thirds of eligible patients experience significant and lasting benefits from deep brain stimulation (DBS) for neuropathic pain. Benefits vary by cause, with improved outcomes seen in patients with amputation and stroke. Continued improvement is observed with longer follow-up.
New IDSA guidelines provide a framework for diagnosing and treating prosthetic joint infections, which affect up to 20,000 people each year. The guidelines recommend multidisciplinary teams and evidence-based treatment, including debridement, prosthesis replacement, and amputation as last resort.
Researchers have developed a new index to assess patients' progress with prosthetic arms, grading performance on 18 everyday tasks. The Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputees (AM-ULA) considers movement quality and body compensation, providing clinicians with a reliable tool to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
The XCELL trial confirms nitinol stenting is safe and effective in improving wound healing, providing pain relief, and promoting amputation-free survival for patients with critical limb ischemia. The procedure reduces major adverse events and offers improved limb preservation rates compared to open surgery.
A Northwestern University study reveals that farmers and ranchers with major limb amputations struggle with durable, affordable, and adaptable prosthetics. These limitations hinder their ability to perform farm tasks, making traditional prosthetic solutions unsuitable for their unique needs.
Proper treatment of diabetic foot infections can prevent lower extremity amputations, and about half of these amputations can be prevented. A multidisciplinary team, including infectious diseases specialists, podiatrists, surgeons, and orthopedists, is recommended for best care.
Research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock investigates the use of stem cells to treat lower-limb peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting 9 million US patients. The study shows significant improvement in blood flow and reduced risk of amputation among patients who received stem cell therapy.
A Tulane research team found that applying high levels of oxygen to a severed bone facilitates bone regrowth, particularly when applied at the right time. This discovery may one day benefit injured soldiers, diabetics, and other accident victims with partial limb regeneration.
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have released an updated guideline for diagnosing and managing peripheral artery disease (PAD). The guidelines emphasize expanded criteria for using the ankle-brachial index (ABI) for earlier diagnosis and increased efforts to ensure patients ...
A new article in Diabetes Care highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for Charcot foot, a condition that causes bones to soften and break due to diabetes. The article recommends offloading as the most important initial treatment recommendation, with surgery possible in later stages.
A woman with diabetic neuropathy lost her leg after her Jack Russell terrier chewed off part of her infected big toe while she slept. The case study emphasizes the need for patients to protect their feet from pets and infections.
Researchers have successfully performed a new surgical procedure that uses a patient's own stem cells to line man-made bypass grafts, aiming to improve the long-term results of peripheral artery disease treatment. The first three patients enrolled in the clinical trial are doing well and report relief from symptoms almost immediately.
A study of 191 diabetic patients found that dual isotope SPECT/CT accurately diagnosed osteomyelitis and soft tissue infections, leading to conservative treatment planning and limb salvage in 72% of cases. This imaging method has the potential to reduce unnecessary amputations and improve patient outcomes.
A phase 3 trial of a novel gene therapy failed to reduce amputations or deaths in patients with critical limb ischemia. The study highlights the need for effective treatments for this condition, which affects millions worldwide and results in significant healthcare costs.
Researchers found that anaesthetizing an arm impairs the ability to distinguish between right and left hands, leading to false sensations and altered body perception. The study aimed to understand how neuronal circuits are reorganized during anesthesia, which could lead to new therapeutic tools for treating phantom limb pain.
Two papers review cases of vascular trauma in battle-injured service personnel, highlighting high lethality of torso injuries and the importance of limb salvage. Additionally, a study on primary blast injury to the abdomen finds that abdominal PBI has significant potential for death and illness, with key findings on incidence rates and...
Operation Unified Response deployed USNS Comfort as a floating hospital treating critically injured patients, with children requiring orthopedic care and complex wound management. The three-phase response includes triage, continuing care, and humanitarian aid, providing a framework for future disaster responses
A new study shows that bone-anchored leg prostheses significantly improve function and quality of life for younger amputees. The treatment, developed over 20 years, involves attaching prostheses directly to the bone using a titanium implant.
Scientists studied 3-legged dog movement techniques to develop robots that can adjust to injuries. Dogs with fore-limb amputations used 'compensation strategies' to walk and run, while those with hind-limb amputations showed little adjustment. This research aims to improve robot efficiency and usability.
New studies reveal a 140% increase in ATV-related spine injuries among US children between 1997 and 2006. Additionally, multi-rider ATVs are associated with higher incidence of open fractures and primary limb amputations compared to single-rider vehicles.
A study in Psychological Science reveals that hand amputation distorts visuospatial perception of the action space. Participants with amputations underestimated distances relative to their intact limbs. The research suggests losing a hand may 'shrink' the action space, leading to permanent spatial perception distortions.
Researchers investigated over 300 proteins in axolotl limbs, discovering key proteins involved in cell reprogramming and avoiding cell death. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of limb regeneration and potentially lead to new treatments for human amputations.