Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

—MC inherited neurological disorder
—1886 described together
—Professor Jean Martin Charcot and his student Pierre Marie – Peroneal Muscular Atrophy
—Howard Henry Tooth – Peroneal Progressive Muscular Atrophy. Attributed it correctly to neuropathy.
—1912 Hoffman described peroneal muscular atrophy with thickened nerve; Hoffman’s disease.

—Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy type I, II and III (Dejerine-Sotta’s disease)

Classification
—Type 1
—Demyelinating;
—further subdivided A (MC, 70%), B & C.
—Autosomal dominant
—Type 2
—Axonal degeneration;
—Autosomal dominant or recessive
—Type C
—Intermediate between axonal degeneration and demyelinating
—Autosomal dominant



—Clinical Features

—Incidence of all types of CMT varies from 1 in 5000 to 1 in 2500
—Presents with
—Progressive weakness and atrophy of distal muscles
—Depressed DTRs
—Slowed nerve conduction velocities
—Family h/o similar disease
—Varied age of onset
—Most commonly onset at the 2nd decade of life
—CMT Type 2 onset 3rd decade of life
—Normal motor milestone
—Incidence equal in both sexes, severity more in boys with CMTX
—

—Physical signs

•Diminished to absent DTRs
—Ankle jerk lost before knee jerk
—Sensory loss
—2/3rd of the patients
—More common in CMT 1 than CMT 2
—Muscular weakness
—Varied involvement of muscle
—MC muscles involved are tibialis anterior and peroneus brevis. May involve all the muscles of the calf
—Most severe form – generalized muscle weakness → inability to walk
—Atrophy of calf muscles → stork leg appearance
—
—Gait changes
—Early stages – slight foot drop seen only in swing phase
—Progressively develop complete plantigrade foot with hyperflexion of knee then hip and elevation of hemipelvis
—Steppage gait
—Foot deformity
—Pes cavus, pes cavovarus or claw toe
—Hands show atrophy of intrinsic muscles
—Progressive scoliosis of spine seen in adolescent and teens
—Sensorineural deafness maybe seen in CMTX.

—Investigations

—Blood tests – known mutations
—EMG-NCV
—Demyelinating: decrease in velocity with amplitude same as normal
—Axonal degeneration: same velocity with decrease amplitude
—EMG shows fibrillation due to denervation
—Nerve Biopsy
—Sural nerve is used
—Demyelinating – Onion Bulb appearance
—Type 2 – Axonal degeneration
—Muscle biopsy – atrophic muscles
—MRI Spine
—Diffuse enlargement of cauda equina, nerve roots and ganglia
—Sonography
—Enlargement of median nerve
—Medical management
—No medical treatment to slow or stop the disease
—71% of the patients present with severe neuropathic pain requiring medications

—Orthopaedic manifestations

—Foot
—MC manifestation is pes cavovarus
—Atrophy due to denervation of the intrinsic muscles → contractures → elevation of the medial longitudinal arch because of the contracture of plantar fascia
—Plantar flexion of the first ray and forefoot equinus → varus of the hind foot
—Claw toes – absent intrinsic muscles
—

—Radiographs

—Meary’s angle
—Angle between the longitudinal axis of talus and the 1st metatarsal
—Normal 0-5°
—Coleman’s block test
—Patient made to stand on a block of wood with the 1st metatarsal head falling off the block
—Supple hind foot varus – corrects
—Fixed varus – does not correct
—Surgical management
—Olney divided surgical management into two components
—Deformity correction
—Soft tissue release
—Plantar fascia release
—Capsulotomies
—Bony fusions or osteotomies
—1st metatarsal osteotomy
—Calcaneal osteotomy
—Triple arthrodesis
—
—Rebalancing of muscle forces
—Tendon transfers
—Dorsiflexion weakness – EDL or posterior tibial transfer
—Overpowering peroneus longus – transfer to peroneus brevis
—Hindfoot equinus – tendoachilles lengthening
—
—Claw toes
—Paralyses and contracture of intrinsic muscles
—Toe extensors recruited to dorsiflex ankle
—Jones transfer of the long extensors to the metatarsal to help ankle dorsiflexion
—Fusion of IP joint of great toe and PIP joint of the other toes
—Hip
—Dysplasia of hip
—Subtle weakness of the proximal musculature → progressive dysplasia of hip
—Asymptomatic till adolescent
—Treatment similar to idiopathic adolescent dysplasia of hip

—Spine
—Scoliosis seen in 37%
—Similar to idiopathic scoliosis with increased kyphosis
—Highest risk in girls & CMT 1
—May present with hyperkyphosis without scoliosis

—Treatment

—Orthosis
—Posterior spinal fusion – failure of orthotic management and with progressive curves
—Hand
—Onset of hand symptoms occur in 1st to 3rd decade of life; 8 years after the appearance of lower limb symptoms
—Present with intrinsic muscle weakness with clawing of ring and small digits occur.
—Involvement of ulnar and median nerve innervated forearm and intrinsic muscles
—Sparing of radial nerve innervated muscles
—Functional problems:
—Loss of opposition
—Loss of side to side pinch
—Clawing of fingers

—Management

—Electrodiagnostic studies done to determine the best muscle for tendon transfer
—Transfers without pulley or if required with static pulley preferred to tendon or tendon loop pulley
—Opponensplasty – extensor carpi ulnaris or extensor indicisproprius
—Side to side pinch – extensor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicislongus or extensor indicis to 1st dorsal interosseous or adductor pollicis
—Muscle transfer done in flexion of MCP joints to compensate extrinsic extensors
—
—Delayed till age when patient can understand the limitations and aftercare
—The disease and deformity can be progressive
—Transfer requires protection from excessive abuse
—Dejerine-Sottas Disease
(Hypertrophic Interstitial Neuritis)
—Severe, infantile-onset demyelinating polyneuropathy
—Related to same gene as CMT 1A
—Enlarged peripheral nerves – proliferation of perineural and endoneural tissues
—Classical onion bulb appearance
—Presenting complaint
—Disability of gait under 3 years of age
—Floppy muscles, thickened nerves.
—Severe cases present with respiratory failure at birth.
—Similar findings as CMT with increased severity and earlier age of onset.
—No treatment
—Steroids can be given in severe cases.
—
—

Friday, 26 July 2013

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medical treatment

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

It is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease of young or middle aged adult
chatact by – destructive & proliferative changes in the synovial membrane
periarticular structure, skeletak muscle& perineural sheath.
Eventually joints are deformed and ankylosed

Etilogy –

Exact cause unknown
Theories
(1) Infection – haemolytic /nonhaemolytic streptococci have been isolated from
joint & regional lymph node
(2) Endocinal - suggested by response to adrenocortical steroid
(3) Allergies – exhibit various allergic manifestations. Eosinophilia +
(4) Metabolic
(5) Immune overactivity –
- +nt of antibody immunoglobulin – RA factor
- Infilteration of synivial tissue by immunologically competent cells eg
plasma cell , lymphocytes
- +nt of Ag-Ab complexes with leucocytesbin synivialfluid & blood
- Lowered complement level in synovial fluid
(6) Genetic factors – tendancy for aggregating in family
(7) Vascular changes – alteration of peripheral vascular bed , perhaps by
autonomic influxes
Age – young & middle age ( mean age of onset – 40 years)
Sex – Women > Men (3 :1)



Pathogenesis –

Most widely accepted theory – immunological response in synovial tissue
Exogenous antigen (Ag)
↓ entry
Defender cell (WBC – T lymphocyte) + Ag
Transform in to ↓
Plasma cell
↓
Ab + Ag → Ag-Ab complexes ← phagocytes engulf
↓
Lysosomal enzyme releases (proteases)
↓
Inflammation → destruction of tissues (synovium & cartilages)
↓
Pannus – is a granulomatous mass that grows over & destroys cartilage, tendon,
ligament
Under electron microscope,the lining consist of thee types of synovial cells
Type A – phagocytic .Take up Ag-Ab complexes & particulate matter from
synovial fluids
Type B – resembles fibroblast & are belived to synthesis protein & hyaluronic acid
which are +nt in synivial effusion
Type C – Undifferentiated . can become type A or B
In response to human immunoglobulin IgG autoantibodies are synthesized in
rheumatoid synovial tissue (RA factor - RF). It not only reacts with human IgG but
also with IgG of no.of other anomal species making it feasible to test for RF with
sheep cells coated with rabbit IgG. Patient with high titer of Rf have a poor
prognosis.
Standard test for RF determines - only IgM RF (most rapidly measured)
Elevated RF seen in
- RA
- SLE
- Scleroderma
- Polymyositis & dermatomyositis
- Sarcoidosis
- Chronic bacterial endocarditis
- TB
- Chronic hepatitis
- S’jogren syndrome
- Haemochromatosis
- Haemophilic arthritis



Medical management –

• Disease suppressing drugs
• Disease midifying drugs
• Immunosuppressant
(A) Disease suppressing drugs
1. Salicyclates –
Eg – acetylsalicyclate (Aspirin) ,Mg salicayclate, Mg choline
Antiinflammatory ,antipyretic & analgesics
Serum salicyclates level should be monitored. Non therapeutics anti-inflammatory
level are 20-30 mg/dl
Metabolized in Liver & excreted by kidney
C/I – Asthama (Bronchoconstriction)
Bleeding tendencies (platelet inhibition)
Hyperurecemia (Urate retention)
Acute renal/hepatic failure
Side effect – GIT – dyspepsia, nausea,vomiting,occult bleed
CNS – titnitus ,deafness, convulsion
Hy50-75 mg bid/tdspersensitivity reaction
2. NSAID’s –
Reversible PG synthetase inhibitor - Antiinflammatory ,antipyretic & analgesics
Side effect – GI irritation, platelet inhibition, headache,dizziness, ARF,nephritic
syndrome, GN, Steven –Johnson syn,aplastic anaemia
Indomethacine – most potent NSAID Dose – 25 mg bid/tds , Max-150 mg/day
Diclofenac Na - 50-75 mg bid/tds ,Max – 200 mg/day
Ibuprofen – 400 mg tds/qid ,Max 3200 mg/day
Phenylbutazone – 100 mg tds
(B)Disease modifying agents
1.Gold salts –
More effective than NSAID’s
Retards progession of bony erosions & cartilage loss – alter natural course of RA
Reuires close clinical & lab monitoring
Used in Juvenile RA, Psoriatic arthritis, Felty’s syndrome
Indication – patient with acute synovitis who does not respond to conservative
management with NSAID, Sylicyclates
- patient with rapidly progressive erosive arthritis
Metabolism -

Friday, 19 July 2013

Back, Bladder and Bowel Care

Back, Bladder and Bowel Care


BACK CARE

Patients in Orthopedics are usually bed ridden so they have problems in proper bladder and bowel care. These makes them prone to development of pressure sores and poor function of bladder and bowel.
BACK CARE
Spinal injury patients especially with neurological deficit are more prone to develop various bladder and bowel dysfunctions, which affects their physical and mental wellbeing leading to poor recovery of functions.
Why back care???

  

PROLONGED BED RIDDEN
1Multiple fractures.
2Spinal injury with neurological involvement.
3Poor general condition.
4Secondary complication like muscle weakness, deformity and muscle contractures etc.
 Back care 
AIMS-
1.Avoid pressure sores.
2.To prevent secondary complication.
3.Maximize functional recovery.


The EPUAP Guide to Pressure Ulcer Grading

Pressure sore
     Found during autopsies on Egyptian mummies, pressure sores are an ancient medical problem.
The sites of occurrence include the
1.ischium (28%),
2.sacrum (17-27%),
3.trochanter (12-19%), and
4.heel (9-18%).
Pressure sore
HIGH RISK GROUP
1.Patients with fractures treated by conventional method like prolonged traction.
2.Elderly patients.
3.Patients with spinal cord injury.
Pressure sore - Management
Remove all clothing.
Use pressure relieving mattress ( Water bed, Air mattress)
Lift or log roll the body hourly
Examine skin for marking or damage
Posturing
Support injured spine in alignment
Maintains limbs and joints in functional position to avoid contractures.
In paraplegic patients sleeping in prone position with pillows bridging the bony prominences
Relieve pressure
Avoid wetting
Choice of bed
Stryker bed
Profiling bed with multiple layers of varying density foam
Dry
Wrinkle free
Skin Care
Examine and relieve pressure regularly
Keep clean
Avoid damage
Frequent posture change
Treat minor abrasions
Log Rolling
Needed for nursing care of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients.
Avoids further damage to spinal cord & detioriation of neurology.
Log rolling
Log rolling

BLADDER MANAGEMENNT

AIMS –
1.Preservation of renal function
2.Continence
3.Prevention of infection
4.Achieve fluid balance

Catheterization

TYPES
1.Indwelling catheterization.
2.Intermittent catheterization.
3.Condom catheterization.
4.Suprapubic catheterization.
Indwelling catheterization
Catheter is left in place
urethra / SPC
no touch technique under strict aseptic precaution.

Intermittent catheterization
Prereqisites:
1.Strict aseptic techniques.
2.Catheterize 6 hourly initially
3.Restrict fluids to 1500 ml/24 hrs
4.Culture regular urine samples and treat significant UTI

Disadvantages

Calculi
Weekly or biweekly bladder wash
Frequent blockages
Infection
periurethral abscess, urethral diverticulum, fistula formation and epididymoorchitis
Self Intermittent Catheterization
Optimum requirements
1.Absent or minimal detrusor activity
2.Large bladder capacity
3.Sufficient manual dextrity
4.Pain free cathterisation
5.Patient motivation
●
Condom Catheterisation
Used in spastic bladder which empties on its own leading to soiling of clothes.
Allergic reaction.
Negates disadvantage  of urethral catheterization.
Suprapubic Catheterization
Avoids urethral instrumentation and attendant problems.
Permits high fluid intake
No fluid restriction

Disadvantages :-
1.Catheter blockage.
2.Surgical site infection
3.Technical demanding
Long term prevention of UTI
High fluid intake
effective bladder training
urinary antiseptics
Biweekly catheter change
Regular bladder wash
Bowel Care
Stretching >>>signals to spinal cord>>
Reflexive emptying
OR
Stretching>>spinal cord>>brain>>
Voluntary emptying or holding


Why Bowel Care ?????

To prevent:-
Constipation
Hemorhoids
Malnutrition
Fluid imbalance
Bowel Care Program
1.Avoiding constipation.
2.Maintaining a good consistency in stool.
When feces becomes too dry and firm, more difficulty in emptying , allowing bacteria to remain in body for a longer period ,cause of infections and other problems.
Firm stool  irritates the colon and cause hemorrhoids
.

Bowels Management

Diet- a high rich fiber diet.
Avoid caffeine
laxatives, stool softeners
enemas
Manual removal of fecoliths
 Take Home Message
   Back, bladder and bowel care is a very important aspect in orthopedic patient care because these…
Have a profound impact on the overall recovery of the patient.
Hamper rehabilitation.
Lead to additional morbidity.