Splint satisfaction in the treatment of traumatic radial nerve injuries.

Between the years 1986-2001, 135 patients who have had traumatic radial nerve injury, were supplied with dynamic wrist-hand orthoses (WHOs). The aim of this study is to examine the applied splints, considering aspects such as apperance, practicality of use, function, comfort and endurance. The author's assessments show that the biggest problem was due to the unaesthetic appearance of the finger extensor spring of the splints. For this reason, modification of these finger extensor outriggers has been attempted. Also, aspects of the splints such as the problems faced and regeneration of the nerve, have been considered and modifications made in order to eliminate any disfunction. This study reflects the reactions and satisfaction of 83 patients concerning the splints they have used. Conventional wire springs have been used in the splints of 71 patients, and 12 had modifications done on their outriggers. In terms of appearance, there were significant differences between modified outriggers and conventional outrigger (p < 0.05). Also, when the modified outriggers were compared in terms of appearance and durability, there was a statistically significant opinion in favour of them (p < 0.01).

No association between oxidative stress and IL-6 in NIDDM patients with nephropathy.

Oxidative stress is hypothesized to play a role in the development of diabetes with and without nephropathy. In addition, it has been suggested that some metabolic abormalities associated with diabetes may be due to cytokine overproduction. In the light of this knowledge, we aimed to measure MDA levels as a marker of oxidative stress and the IL-6 level in diabetes with and without different stages of nephropathy. Plasma MDA levels in the group of NIDDM patients with advanced nephropathy were significantly higher than in the group of NIDDM patients without nephropathy, which had significantly higher levels compared with the control group. Although IL-6 levels were elevated in diabetic groups with and without nephropathy in comparison with the control, no significant difference was found between patient groups. As a conclusion, oxidative stress may play an important role in diabetes with and without nephropathy, but the IL-6 level may not be useful in the evaluation of diabetic nephropathy.

Three dimensional measurements of pelvic tilt in trans-tibial amputations: the effects of pelvic tilt on trunk muscles strength and characteristics of gait.

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of pelvic tilt in the three dimensions, the trunk muscle strength and effects on gait in trans-tibial amputated patients. This study comprised of 22 unilateral trans-tibial amputated patients who were seen at the authors' Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory for the purpose of prosthetic provision. Measurements were made using plurimeter and caliper and gait observations were made by video camera. In the sagittal and horizontal planes respectively the pelvic tilt was measured to be 12 degrees and 5.73 degrees, and such measurements in relation to the trunk extensor and flexor muscles were shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the same could not be said for frontal plane measurements. In addition, in 9 cases excessive knee flexion was noted during the stance phase having a direct influence on the pelvic tilt (p < 0.05).

Effect on knee disarticulation on bone growth in immature rabbits.

This study was designed by the University of Ankara Experimental and Research Laboratory for animals in 1997. In the study an anteroposterior skin flap technique was used for 20 knee disarticulation amputations and also in 20 trans-femoral amputations on immature rabbits, in order to investigate their effects on the femoral epiphyseal growth plate. The femurs of the rabbits were observed radiographically for 8 weeks. It was observed that the femurs tended to grow at a slower rate compared to the normal contralateral femur. These studies showed that the disarticulated limb femurs grew 0.68 cm shorter on average compared to the contralateral femurs and the femurs in the trans-femoral amputated limbs 3.58 cm shorter on average compared to the contralateral ones. These results were found to be statistically significant.