[Functional evaluation in patient with critical SARS-CoV-2 disease: Cohort study in a third level hospital rehabilitation unit]. / Evaluación funcional tras SARS-CoV-2 crítico. Estudio de cohortes de la unidad de rehabilitación en un hospital de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-COV-2 pneumonia is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes respiratory, physical and psychological dysfunctions. We present the results of patient assessment when they were discharged from the ICU. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cohort study of patients affected by SARS-COV-2 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit from 01/10/2020 to 31/07/2021. We collect sociodemographic data, personal history, ICU and hospital stay, Barthel, FAC and mMRC (pre-admission/initial assessment/discharge), development of osteomuscular and/or neurological pathology and need for rehabilitation treatment. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were evaluated, of which 224 met criteria. The average age was 63 years (68.75% men). Mean ICU/hospital stay were 27/44 days. They were assessed by physiatry, after that, we provide a guide developed by physiatry, solving doubts about the disease and setting exercises of intensity and progressive difficulty, to be carried out during the admission and at home. Neurological pathology was present at 42.86% patients, of whom a 83.33% were peripheral nervous system disease. The total of the sample needed respiratory physiotherapy and a 72.32% motor physiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, a high number of patients have needed rehabilitation treatment in order to get functional recovery, highlighting the development of post-COVID neurological pathology. SARS-COV-2 generates other complications, not only respiratory, subsidiary to be assessed and treated by rehabilitation services for a comprehensive recovery that minimizes sequelae.

[Capsular hydrodilatation versus kinesitherapy as initial treatment of finger capsulitis]. / Hidrodilatación capsular versus cinesiterapia como tratamiento inicial en las capsulitis de dedos.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effectiveness of early capsular ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation (HD) of the proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints in reducing joint stiffness and shortening kinesitherapy, as well as in improving hand functionality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a one-year quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study with a control group in patients with proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal capsulitis in complex regional pain syndrome stages 2 or 3. Inclusion criteria consisted of age over 18 years, visual analogue scale<4 points and the absence of prior treatment. The control group received only kinesitherapy and the experimental group received capsular HD before kinesitherapy. There were 10 patients per group. The main measures were range of motion, active grip, Spanish validated Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire and the number of kinesitherapy sessions required. RESULTS: At baseline, the range of motion of the proximal proximal interphalangeal joint was 20° worse in the experimental group (P=.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the other baseline characteristics. Immediate gain in range of motion after HD was 61.71% (P=.024). No significant improvements were observed in functionality except in active grip after 2 weeks of HD (P=.02) and one month later compared with the control group (P=.014). The number of kinesitherapy sessions required was 19.6±10.42 (95% CI) in the HD group and 29.4±8.11 (95% CI) in the control group (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Capsular HD could be considered as an initial treatment in finger joint stiffness because of the significant immediate improvement in range of motion. It is also an innovative technique in these joints with a short learning curve. The technique can be safely and effectively performed in a physiatry consulting room.