Exploring the impact of rehabilitation on post-surgical recovery in elbow fracture patients: a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Elbow fractures, characterized by their complexity, present significant challenges in post-surgical recovery, with rehabilitation playing a critical role in functional outcomes. This study explores the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions in enhancing joint range of motion (ROM) and reducing complications following surgery for both stable and unstable elbow fractures. METHODS: A cohort of 15 patients, divided based on the stability of their elbow fractures and whether they received post-operative rehabilitation, was analyzed retrospectively. Measurements of ROM-including flexion, extension, pronation, and supination-were taken at three follow-ups: 15-, 30-, and 45-day post surgery. The study assessed the impact of rehabilitation on ROM recovery and the resolution of post-surgical complications. RESULTS: The findings indicated no statistically significant differences in ROM improvements between patients who underwent rehabilitation and those who did not, across all types of movements measured. However, early rehabilitative care was observed to potentially aid in the mitigation of complications such as joint stiffness, especially in patients with stable fractures. CONCLUSION: While rehabilitation did not universally improve ROM recovery in elbow fracture patients, it showed potential in addressing post-operative complications. The study underscores the importance of individualized rehabilitation plans and highlights the need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines for post-surgical care in elbow fractures.

Fibrinogen and antithrombin III blood levels fluctuations during isoniazid or isoniazid plus rifampicin administration.

Nineteen randomized patients, treated with isoniazid (INH, CAS 54-85-3) for tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis or isoniazid plus rifampicin (RMP, CAS 13292-46-1) combination for tuberculosis therapy, were studied in order to explore the effects of these drugs on fibrinogen and antithrombin III blood levels. Other hepatic biology indices were also measured (aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time etc). The results suggested a relationship between INH or INH + RMP administration and fibrinogen as well as antithrombin III blood levels. The data indicate a protective effect of the RMP synchronous administration (by enzyme induction mechanisms) in the preservation of fibrinogen blood levels.

A multi-level intervention approach for care of HIV-positive haemophiliac and thalassaemic patients and their families.

The experience gained from the application of an on-going multilevel intervention programme through an interdisciplinary team approach to the management of 30 HIV-positive children, adolescents and young people aged from 7 to 21 years (20 haemophiliac and 10 thalassaemic patients) and their families is described. The objective of the intervention was to assess the family's needs, to help parents and other family members to contain the anxiety of seropositive children and to improve their interraction with the family as well as with others in their social environment. The intervention was also designed to help family members to cope with their grief. Work with the medical and nursing staff, on the other hand, was intended to increase their understanding of the emotions caused in them by occupational stress, such as fear, anxiety, prejudice and feelings of guilt related to the iatrogenous nature of the infection. The need for follow-up studies is stressed to allow assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention and to search for protective factors, successful coping skills, strategies and adaptational resources.

Detection of carriers of haemophilia: a 'blind' study.

A 'blind' study has been made to try to find out if it is possible to diagnose carriers of haemophilia. A group of 34 obligatory carriers of haemophilia were compared with 34 normal women. Levels of factor VIII activity, factor VIII-related antigen, factor V and ratio of factor VIII activity to factor VIII-related antigen were measured. In the carrier group the mean level of factor VIII activity and the mean level of the ratio of activity to antigen were each approximately half of those found in the normal women. The mean level of factor V was the same in both groups of women. By setting the lower limit of normal at the lowest level of the different factors found in the normal women, 12 out of 34 (35%) carriers could be distinguished on the basis of their factor VIII level alone; 24 out of 34 (71%) could be detected on the basis of the ratio of factor VIII activity to factor VIII related antigen and 25 out of 34 (73%) could be detected if both factor VIII activity and the ratio were taken into account. It is concluded that consideration of both the level of factor VIII activity and the ratio of factor VIII activity to factor VIII-related antigen is of some value in detecting carriers of haemophilia. The number of carriers detected (73%) in the present study is not as high as that found by other workers.