Rehabilitation in Belgium.

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UTILITE DE LA REDUCTION DES FRACTURES LUXATIONS DU RACHIS

In traumatic lesions of the lumbar dorsal spine with neurological involvement, reduction of the fractures and in particular axial correction of the spine appears to be a useful measure and a valuable prophylactic of some of the painful syndromes which affect the patients' future. Opening of the spinal canal gives no guarantee of benefit as regards this painful syndrome and may even worsen the condition.SCOPUS: NotDefined.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Lung volume restriction in patients with chronic respiratory muscle weakness: the role of microatelectasis

BACKGROUND--It is well established that patients with longstanding weakness of the respiratory muscles have a reduction in lung distensibility. Although this occurs in most patients without any radiographic changes suggesting parenchymal lung disease, it has been attributed to the development of microatelectasis. METHODS--A high resolution computed tomographic (CT) scanner was used in eight patients with traumatic tetraplegia and six patients with generalised neuromuscular disorders to look for areas of atelectasis. With the patient in the supine posture scans of 1 mm thickness were obtained at total lung capacity at intervals of 1 cm from the apex to the base of the lung. RESULTS--Vital capacity, total lung capacity, and inspiratory muscle strength were reduced to a mean of 59.5%, 73.9%, and 51.1% of predicted values, respectively. Static expiratory lung compliance was decreased in 12 of the 14 patients and averaged 69.1% of the predicted value. The CT scans revealed only small areas of atelectasis in one tetraplegic patient and in one patient with a generalised neuromuscular disorder; no parenchymal abnormality was seen in the other 12 patients. CONCLUSIONS--In many patients with chronic weakness of the respiratory muscles the reduced lung distensibility does not appear to be caused by microatelectasis. It might be related to alterations in elasticity of the lung tissue.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Two therapeutic experiments on stubborn pain in spinal cord lesions: coupling melitracen-flupenthixol and the transcutaneous nerve stimulation

A drug combination was used against sub-lesional pain with some good results. Transcutaneous stimulation was used in three cases of pain in the roots without result.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Home care of the spinal injury patient

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe