Citations

AbstractPurposeNumerous surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of peroneal nerve palsy after knee dislocation with less than optimal outcomes. The purpose of this article is to present a review of the literature including modern surgical treatment options for peroneal nerve palsy after knee dislocation.MethodReview of the current body of literature relevant to the topic was undertaken and summarized accordingly. Mechanism of injury, pathology and prognosis as well as current and novel treatment options are presented.ResultsNeurolysis and nerve grafting results are dependant on nerve graft length, with documented recovery rates of only 44% for nerve grafts longer than 6 cm. Posterior tibial tendon transfer procedures have had reasonable success in allowing patients to return to ambulation without assistive devices; however, dorsiflexion strength on the affected side has been reported at only 30% that of the normal contralateral side, and return to activities more strenuous than walking has not been reported. Future concepts including partial nerve transfer of a motor branch of the tibial nerve to the peroneal nerve have been described, but no outcome data is currently available.ConclusionPeroneal nerve palsy after knee dislocation leads to significant functional impairment. Prior treatment strategies utilized for restoration of dorsiflexion and peroneal nerve function have yielded overall poor results. Newer surgical techniques are being developed and clinical trials are under way to evaluate their effectiveness.

Without adequate safety measures, oral chemotherapy can lead to undetected dosing errors. The Mayo Clinic launched a project to ensure that all capecitabine and temozolomide prescriptions receive an independent double check.

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was (1) to describe a staged protocol for management of the dislocated knee and (2) to describe clinical and functional outcomes for patients who received initial spanning external fixation as part of this protocol.MethodNine knees in 9 patients, consisting of 6 males and 3 females, mean age 30.4 (range 19–44) years with diagnosis or presumption of knee dislocation were treated with a protocol of stabilization with external fixator. Mean follow‐up was 24 (range 13–42) months. Indications for spanning external fixation included significant vascular injury, gross instability on examination with failure to maintain joint reduction, open knee dislocation, inability to tolerate mobilization in a brace. The standard protocol involved vascular examination including ankle‐brachial index, ligamentous examination (under anesthesia when applicable), stabilization with temporary joint spanning external fixator, thromboprophylaxis, reconstructive knee surgery, and standard rehabilitation.ResultsMean range of motion (ROM) was 97.4° (range 80°–150°, SD 20.75, median 127.5). Median IKDC score was 80 (range 30–95), and mean Lysholm score was 76.7 (range 46–95). Heterotopic ossification (HO) was noted in 4 knees (44%).ConclusionThe treatment algorithm utilized in this series for management of the dislocated knee demonstrated satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes. This staged protocol provides a management option for those patients who may be best served with initial spanning joint external fixation. Larger prospective studies are needed to fully understand the merit of staged protocols in this setting.

PurposeFatigue is one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients with cancer. This trial was developed to evaluate the efficacy of long-acting methylphenidate for improving cancer-related fatigue and to assess its toxicities.Patients and MethodsAdults with cancer were randomly assigned in a double-blinded manner to receive methylphenidate (target dose, 54 mg/d) or placebo for 4 weeks. The Brief Fatigue Inventory was the primary outcome measure, while secondary outcome measures included a Symptom Experience Diary (SED), the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Vitality Subscale, a linear analog self-assessment, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Subject Global Impression of Change.ResultsIn total, 148 patients were enrolled. Using an area under the serum concentration-time curve analysis, there was no evidence that methylphenidate, as compared with placebo, improved the primary end point of cancer-related fatigue in this patient population (P = .35). Comparisons of secondary end points, including clinically significant changes in quality-of-life variables and cancer-related fatigue change from baseline, were similarly negative. However, a subset analysis suggested that patients with more severe fatigue and/or with more advanced disease did have some fatigue improvement with methylphenidate (eg, in patients with stage III or IV disease, the mean improvement in usual fatigue was 19.7 with methylphenidate v 2.1 with placebo; P = .02). There was a significant difference in self-reported toxicities (SED), with increased levels of nervousness and appetite loss in the methylphenidate arm.ConclusionThis clinical trial was unable to support the primary prestudy hypothesis that the chosen long-acting methylphenidate product would decrease cancer-related fatigue.