UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Intrinsic foot muscle weakness has been implicated in a range of foot deformities and disorders. However, to establish a relationship between intrinsic muscle weakness and foot pathology, an objective measure of intrinsic muscle strength is needed. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the anatomy and role of intrinsic foot muscles, implications of intrin...

BACKGROUND Turf toe is the general term for a sprain of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint complex. Previously attributed to shoe design and artificial turf, the incidence of turf toe injury has been thought to decline with the advent of newer turf designs. However, the current incidence and epidemiology remain unknown as the majority of the literature consists of small series and addres...

OBJECTIVE To assess the value of transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) for diagnosing suspected haemodynamically significant pulmonary embolism and signs of right ventricular overload at standard echocardiography. METHODS 113 consecutive patients (58 male; 55 female), mean (SD) age 53.6 (13.3) years, in whom there was clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism and right ventricular overload o...

BACKGROUND Patients with diabetic foot ulcers are at a high risk of having both minor or major lower extremity amputations. AIM To identify the extent of risk factors for major and minor amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Using the guidelines for wound classification developed by the International ...

S Schema Theory (1975) predicts that successful motor skill learning and performance are largely determined by the amount of movement variability the performer experiences during practice. This prediction has been consistently validated through a vast amount of research. Within a training environment, practice variability can be integrated by creating variation within the movements of an action...

OBJECTIVE To compare transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography (TTE, TOE) in patients with permanent pacemaker lead infection and to evaluate the safety of medical extraction in cases of large vegetations. METHODS TTE and TOE were performed in 23 patients with definite pacemaker lead infection. Seventeen patients without previous infection served as a TOE reference for non-infected ...

Optimal frequency of head-to-toe assessment in hospitalized pediatric patients is unknown. An alteration in head-to-toe assessment frequency was proposed at a Midwestern regional hospital. The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate patient safety and staff satisfaction following a change in head-to-toe assessment frequency. METHOD Chart audits were performed on all patients upon di...

We report on a 77-year-old woman with a history of peripheral vascular disease who presented with an acute-onset tender blue toe and deteriorating renal function. A clinical diagnosis of blue toe syndrome was made but the patient deteriorated rapidly and died. This case illustrates the rapidly devastating nature and fatality of blue toe syndrome. There is no effective treatment for this condition.

A case report is presented of an axillary plexus blockade following a second toe-to-hand transfer. After completion of the microvascular anastomoses and restoration of blood flow to the transplanted toe, the axillary plexus blockade was started. Together with the vasodilation of the hand and forearm there was a marked drop in blood flow in the transplanted toe. Possible explanations for this ph...