View Complete Issue PDF

More documents

Recommendations

Info

30 R. Ham, J. M. Regan and V. C. Roberts the Rank Trust and BLESMA is also gratefully acknowledged. REFERENCES BUTLER, C. M. (1986). The vascular amputee. MS thesis, University of London. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (1972). Central Health Services Council, Rehabilitation; report of a sub-committee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee. Chairman Sir Ronald Tunbridge.—London—H.M.S.O. FINCH, D. R. A., MACDOUGAL, M., TIBBS, D. J., MORRIS, P. J. (1980). Amputation for vascular disease: the experience of a peripheral vascular unit Br. J. Surg. 67, 233-237. HUTTON, I. M., ROTHNIE, N. G. (1977). The early mobilisation of the elderly amputee Br. J. Surg. 64, 267-270. MCCOLL, I. (1986). Review of Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre Services.—London: D.H.S.S. MURDOCH G. (1977). Amputation surgery in the lower extremity—part II Prosthet. Orthot. Int. 1, 183-192. MURDOCH, G. (1984). Amputation revisited: Prosthet. Orthot. Int. 8, 8-15. ROBINSON, K. (1972). Long posterior flap myoplastic below-knee amputation in ischaemic disease. Review of experience. Lancet I, 193-195. ROMANO, R. L., BURGESS, E. M. (1971). Level Selection in lower extremity amputations. Clin. Orthop. 74, 177-184. WATERS, R. L. PERRY, J., ANTONELL, D., HISLOP, H. (1976). Energy cost of walking of amputees: the influence of level of amputation J. Bone Joint Surg. 58A, 1, 42-46. LITTLE, J. M. (1975). Major amputations for vascular disease—Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 1987, 11, 31-32 Abnormal extension of the big toe as a cause of ulceration in diabetic feet K. LARSEN and P. HOLSTEIN Steno Memorial Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen Abstract Relief from external pressure and repetitive stress is a main concept in treating diabetic neuropathic ulcers. Ulcers on the tip of the big toe may be caused by abnormal extension of the big toe, which can be diagnosed only by observing the patient during barefoot walking. A flexor pad underneath the big toe eliminates the phenomenon, but in case of rigidity of the toe, extremely roomy toe boxes must be prescribed. Out of a series of 272 diabetic patients with skin lesions on the feet 18 suffered this phenomenon, in one case with bilateral ulcerations. Fifteen ulcers healed and below the knee amputation had to be carried out in 4 legs due to ischaemia. Introduction The degree and duration of the extension of the toes during walking is, like the walking pattern itself, highly individual (Saunders et al, 1953). The authors have observed that problems from the big toe may be ascribed to excessive and constant extension during walking found in some patients. The phenomenon stresses the tip of the toe as it repeatedly bumps against the upper of the shoe. In patients with peripheral neuropathy, e.g. diabetics, there is a high risk of ulceration. In case of occlusive arterial disease, gangrene of the toe may be initiated (Fig. 1, top). A callosity on the tip of the toe or under the rim of the nail indicates the occurence of stress and will precede ulceration or necrosis of the skin. The phenomenon of abnormal extension can be diagnosed only by observing the patient during barefoot walking. A normal pattern of walking implies that the big toe is slightly extended during swingphase and at heelstrike. Fig. 1 Top, skin necrosis of the tip of the big toe. Centre, abnormal extension of the big toe at heel strike. Bottom, flexor pad placed underneath the big toe causing flexion of the interphalangeal joint. Abnormal extension is easily recognized as the big toe is markedly extended during the whole walking cycle. (Fig. 1, centre). The phenomenon is usually bilateral and connected with cavus foot deformity. Compensation for the abnormality can be provided by hand made shoes with extremely roomy toe-boxes. Another solution is a "flexorpad" which consists of a soft bar, about 5 to 6 mm in height placed under the first phalanx of 31
Page 1 and 2: =J^ (ggf The Journal of the Interna
Page 3 and 4: Prosthetics and Orthotics Internati
Page 5 and 6: The Journal of the International So
Page 9 and 10: I.S.P.O. Statement of Accounts, 198
Page 11 and 12: I S.P.O. Statement of Accounts, 198
Page 13 and 14: Executive Board Meeting 7 The manua
Page 17 and 18: In fields unrelated to vascular amp
Page 19 and 20: Adjuvant oxygen therapy 13 subseque
Page 21 and 22: et al, 1984). These differences app
Page 25 and 26: Table 2. Causes of pain following l
Page 29 and 30: Fig. 5. Free movement of fingers an
Page 33 and 34: The Dulwich study 27 The MO and pro
Page 35: The Dulwich study 29 during the fou
Page 41 and 42: Foot loading in amputees and normal
Page 43 and 44: foot outline differs between those
Page 45 and 46: patterns for different levels of am
Page 47 and 48: Multipurpose orthosis 4! Fig. 2. Le
Page 49 and 50: New splinting materials The isocyan
Page 51 and 52: New splinting materials 45 polyuret
Page 53 and 54: Sirs, Letters to the Editor 47 Foll
Page 57 and 58: Calendar of Events 51 16-21 August,
Page 59 and 60: SMITHERS BIO-MEDICAL SYSTEMS OFFERS
Page 61 and 62: Precisely measured forces and torqu
Page 63 and 64: We Have A Lot To Offer.. SUPER-SOCK

View Complete Issue PDF

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?