BACKGROUND: Mirror therapy has been used as an alternative stimulus to feed the somatosensory cortex in an attempt to preserve hand cortical representation with better functional results. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the short-term functional outcome of an early re-education program using mirror therapy compared to a late classic sensory program for hand nerve repair. METHOD: This is a randomized controlled trial. We assessed 20 patients with median and ulnar nerve and flexor tendon repair using the Rosen Score combined with the DASH questionnaire. The early phase group using mirror therapy began on the first postoperative week and lasted 5 months. The control group received classic sensory re-education when the protective sensation threshold was restored. All participants received a patient education booklet and were submitted to the modified Duran protocol for flexor tendon repair. The assessments were performed by the same investigator blinded to the allocated treatment. Mann-Whitney Test and Effect Size using Cohen's d score were used for inter-group comparisons at 3 and 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: The primary outcome (Rosen score) values for the Mirror Therapy group and classic therapy control group after 3 and 6 months were 1.68 (SD=0.5); 1.96 (SD=0.56) and 1.65 (SD=0.52); 1.51 (SD=0.62), respectively. No between-group differences were observed. CONCLUSION: Although some clinical improvement was observed, mirror therapy was not shown to be more effective than late sensory re-education in an intermediate phase of nerve repair in the hand. Replication is needed to confirm these findings.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as propriedades mecânicas de amostras fabricadas a partir de ataduras de gesso que são utilizadas em órteses ortopédicas e que variam quanto ao número de camadas. MÉTODOS: Foram confeccionados espécimes em forma de placa retangular e em forma cilíndrica, divididos em dois grupos que simulavam splint e gesso circular, os quais foram divididos em seis subgrupos de acordo com o número de camadas utilizadas, ou seja, três, seis, oito, dez, 12 e 14 camadas. Os espécimes foram submetidos a um teste de inclinação de três pontos (placas/splint) ou teste de resistência à compressão (cilindros/gesso circular). As seguintes propriedades mecânicas foram avaliadas: carga máxima e carga no limite de elasticidade e rigidez. O peso da amostra foi calculado. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelos testes de Kruskal-Wallis e diferença mínima significativa (DMS). Comparações pareadas entre os subgrupos 10x12 e 10x14 revelaram diferenças significativas para todas as propriedades mecânicas (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Os resultados sugerem que, quando o objetivo é construir aparelhos com alta resistência mecânica, independente do peso, tais como órteses seriadas de posicionamento para simular força gradual aplicada no tecido para a melhoria da amplitude de movimento, talas de 12 ou 14 camadas devem ser preferidas. Para os aparelhos ortopédicos que irão ser submetidos a esforços de baixa intensidade, aconselha-se a utilização de dez camadas para as órteses, porque houve uma melhor correlação entre a resistência mecânica e peso para as amostras fabricadas com dez camadas de atadura gessada comparadas com aquelas confeccionadas com seis ou oito camadas. CONCLUSÂO: Baseado nos achados deste estudo, sugere-se a utilização de dez camadas na confecção de órteses ortopédicas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of varying numbers of layers of plaster of Paris bandages on the mechanical properties of specimens used on the construction of orthopedic splints. METHODS: Rectangular plate-shaped and cylinder-shaped specimens were constructed and assigned to two groups simulating plaster slabs and cast and further divided into six subgroups according to the number of layers used: 3, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 layers. The specimens were subjected to either a three-point bending test (plates/slab) or compressive strength test (cylinders/cast). The following mechanical properties were evaluated: maximum load, elastic limit load and stiffness. Specimen weight was also calculated. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and the least significant difference (LSD) tests. RESULTS: Pairwise comparisons of the subgroups 10x12 and 10x14 revealed significant differences for all mechanical properties (p<0.05). The results of this study suggest that when the goal is to construct appliances with high mechanical strength, regardless of weight, such as serial plaster slabs splints for stimulating tissue growth through the application of gradual load, splints made with plaster of Paris bandages with 12 or 14 layers should be preferred. For orthotic devices such as positioning orthotics, the use of 10 layers plaster bandages slab splints is advisable as they were found to have better correlation between mechanical strength and weight in comparison to those made wtih 6 or 8 layers. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, we suggest the use of 10 layers of plaster of Paris for the construction of orthopedic splints.

São analisados os resultados funcionais 51 artrodeses do punho em 49 pacientes, portadores de variadas patologias dessa região. Em todos os casos, a artrodese foi realizada com fixação interna rígida, usando placa e parafusos e o seguimento pós-operatório variou de 6 a 201 meses (média: 73 meses). Para a avaliação funcional foi empregado um método de subjetivo, baseado nas impressões dos próprios pacientes, e outro objetivo, através da análise das radiografias e de testes funcionais que simulam todo tipo de função do membro superior. A posição de fixação da artrodese foi de 14º de extensão e 8º de desvio ulnar, em média. Consolidação primária foi obtida em 50 (98%) punhos, num período médio de oito semanas, sendo que, no punho restante ocorreu pseudartrose, consolidada após re-operação com enxertia óssea. Houve melhora da intensidade e mudança do padrão da dor pré-operatória e todos os pacientes com atividade leve retornaram ao trabalho.. Houve perda relativa da força de preensão manual (61% do contralateral) e das pinças (cerca de 70% do lado contralateral), porém os testes funcionais apresentaram resultados considerados satisfatórios e concordantes com a literatura. Conclui-se que a artrodese do punho é um método aplicável a diversas patologias que impliquem em dor e instabilidade da articulação, que produz resultados consistentemente repetitíveis, sem afetar significativamente a função global do membro superior, apesar da relativa perda da força, a qual se deveu mais a fatores pré-existentes do que a artrodese em si.

The functional results of 51 wrist arthrodesis carried out in 49 patients with different regional pathologies are analyzed. In all cases the arthrodesis was performed with rigid internal fixation with a dynamic compression plate; postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 to 201 months (average: 73 months). Both subjective and objective methods were used in the evaluation. The subjective method was based on the evaluation by the patients and the objective method on analysis of radiographs and functional tests simulating all different functions of the upper limb. The arthrodesis was performed in 14º extension and 8º ulnal deviation, on average. Primary healing was obtained in 50 wrists (98%) in eight weeks on average. Pseudarthrosis was observed in one single case, and eventually healed after reoperation for bone grafting. All patients presented pain improvement, with a different pattern, as compared to the preoperative period and all of those with lighter activities resumed their previous occupation. Relative loss of grip strength (61% from normal) and digital pinch (70% from normal) were observed, but final results were considered as satisfactory on the functional tests, in accordance to the literature. It was concluded that wrist arthrodesis is applicable to a diversity of wrist pathologies which imply in pain and unstability, with easily reproducible results, without significantly affecting the global upper limb function, despite the relative loss of power, mainly due to the pre-existing factor.