Early shoulder-girdle MRI findings in severe COVID-19-related intensive care unit-acquired weakness: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and early shoulder-girdle MR imaging findings in severe COVID-19-related intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) after ICU discharge. METHODS: A single-center prospective cohort study of all consecutive patients with COVID-19-related ICU-AW from November 2020 to June 2021. All patients underwent similar clinical evaluations and shoulder-girdle MRI within the first month and then 3 months (± 1 month) after ICU discharge. RESULTS: We included 25 patients (14 males; mean [SD] age 62.4 [12.5]). Within the first month after ICU discharge, all patients showed severe proximal predominant bilateral muscular weakness (mean Medical Research Council total score = 46.5/60 [10.1]) associated with bilateral, peripheral muscular edema-like MRI signals of the shoulder girdle in 23/25 (92%) patients. At 3 months, 21/25 (84%) patients showed complete or quasi-complete resolution of proximal muscular weakness (mean Medical Research Council total score > 48/60) and 23/25 (92%) complete resolution of MRI signals of the shoulder girdle, but 12/20 (60%) patients experienced shoulder pain and/or shoulder dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Early shoulder-girdle MRI findings in COVID-19-related ICU-AW included muscular edema-like peripheral signal intensities, without fatty muscle involution or muscle necrosis, with favorable evolution at 3 months. Precocious MRI can help clinicians distinguish critical illness myopathy from alternative, more severe diagnoses and can be useful in the care of patients discharged from intensive care with ICU-AW. KEY POINTS: • We describe the clinical and shoulder-girdle MRI findings of COVID-19-related severe intensive care unit-acquired weakness. • This information can be used by clinicians to achieve a nearly specific diagnosis, distinguish alternative diagnoses, assess functional prognosis, and select the more appropriate health care rehabilitation and shoulder impairment treatment.

[Physical therapy, orthosis and occupational therapy in medical and surgical rheumatologic hand diseases]. / Rééducation de la main en pathologies médicale et chirurgicale : ergothérapie, orthèse et kinésithérapie.

Hand pathology can cause functional disability and deterioration in the quality of life by altering the grip and therefore, it requires a complex approach by a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Orthoses are an important part of the treatment of these pathologies. A thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of lesions and their risk of progression to deformities is required for an appropriate use. Their fabrication by a specialized therapist and also their monitoring assure a good compliance. Their effectiveness depends on the patient adherence, for which information and education are essential. The role of physiotherapist is to establish a personalised rehabilitation program, including passive and active exercises and also the prevention of joint stiffness. The main goal after surgery is to initiate an early active motion in order to decrease the risk of adhesions without compromising the suture by the use of a splint. The role of occupational therapist is important all along the treatment period, from the early rehabilitation to the moment of return to home environment. The literature search shows that there is a lack of good methodological clinical studies in order to assess the effectiveness and the costs of this medical treatment.

Specific scapular kinematic patterns to differentiate two forms of dynamic scapular winging.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic scapular winging (DSW) is a rare and misdiagnosed disorder causing considerable disability due to reduced scapular stability and abnormal motion. Two common causes are long thoracic nerve lesions resulting in serratus anterior muscle palsy and spinal accessory nerve lesions resulting in trapezius muscle palsy. The aim of this study was to analyse 3D scapular kinematic patterns in patients with DSW due to long thoracic (LTNL) or spinal accessory nerve lesions (SANL). METHODS: 3D scapular kinematics were assessed using a non invasive method involving an electromagnetic device during arm elevation in the frontal and sagittal planes in 9 patients (4 with SANL and 5 with LTNL) with unilateral DSW confirmed by electrical evidence. Within subject affected-unaffected differences were measured and compared between pathological groups (Mann-Whitney). FINDINGS: Differences between affected and unaffected shoulders were significantly greater for scapular posterior tilt (at rest and 30° for sagittal arm elevation, at rest, 30° and 60° for frontal arm elevation) in the LTNL compared to the SANL group. Differences between affected and unaffected shoulders were significantly greater for scapular protraction (at rest and 60° of sagittal arm elevation, at rest, 30° and 60° of frontal arm elevation) and scapular lateral rotation at 60° for frontal arm elevation in the SANL compared to the LTNL group. INTERPRETATIONS: These kinematic findings show two different scapular patterns that are specific to the neurological lesion. Moreover our kinematic data relate to specific clinical signs and the functional roles of the muscles involved.