6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The purpose of this study is to explore the physical exam characteristics of patients referred to orthopedic surgeons with a diagnosis of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. CMC osteoarthritis of the thumb is one of the most common degenerative conditions of the hand in 11% of men and 33% of women (Gillis et al., 2011). Patients with CMC arthritis may experience pain, decreased range of motion, loss of grip and pinch strength, often limiting participation in activities of daily living (Bertozzi et al., 2014). In 1979, two physicians identified a variation of a tendinous connection in the wrist between the tip of the index finger and the tip of the thumb known as the Linburg-Comstock variation (LCV) (Linburg \& Comstock, 1979). The prevalence of the LCV varies respectively from 13-66% in both males and females (Erić et al., 2019). A physical examination of patients with LCV reveals concurrent flexion of the flexor digitorum profundus to the index finger and flexor pollicis longus. The study aims to gain more insight into patients diagnosed with CMC arthritis through clinical examination for LCV to consider an association of the diagnoses. Currently, there is no evidence surrounding patients with symptomatic CMC arthritis and LCV. The hypothesis is that there is an association between symptomatic CMC arthritis and LCV. Patients with a LCV may then be more likely to develop painful CMC arthritis.
Syndactyly is a relatively common congenital abnormality of the hand occurring approximately 1 out of 2500 live births (1). It can be simple, meaning only skin and soft tissues are shared, or complex, meaning the bone or nail parts are shared. In any case, it is a fact that there is not enough skin surrounding the two finger segment to be utilized to cover two separate fingers. This can also be proven by simple geometry. Therefore, it has always been taught to residents and explained to numerous patients' families that addition of skin graft is required for a proper syndactyly release. Without it, skin flaps would be too tight, causing some necrosis and significant scarring along the finger and particularly in the web space, causing an unsatisfactory functional and cosmetic result requiring revision.
The study looks at a new treatment for wrist and finger contractures -- a condition where the affected hand is in a "closed" position, with the wrist and fingers stiff and difficult to move from that position. We want to study if stimulation of wrist and finger muscles using an implanted neuromuscular stimulator (BION) will be more or less effective than doing passive exercises of the affected hand to improve the range of movement at wrist and finger joints. Subjects of this study will be randomized into one of three groups: one doing passive movement therapy; one receiving surface stimulation (electrical stimulation with electrodes on the skin of the arm) and one doing BION® therapy. The passive movement group will do therapy for 12 weeks. Subjects in either stimulation group will receive stimulation for 6 weeks and then only passive therapy for 6 weeks.
This study will test the iBreastExam device to find out whether it can detect a mass or lump in the breast as accurately as a routine breast cancer screening examination. The iBreastExam is a handheld device that performs a painless electronic palpation (examination by touch) of the breast. The device is designed to detect breast abnormalities that may require breast imaging and additional clinical examination by a nurse or doctor. The iBreastExam device creates a color map of the breast, with red spots indicating areas that may be abnormal.
Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers are important interventions in disease prevention. Engaging in frequent hand washing is especially effective in preventing the spread of viruses, as this removes microbes and prevents the spread to others. Hand dermatitis, however, is a common occurrence in certain occupations, such as healthcare workers. With the onset of the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic, hand hygiene measures are further enforced as there is no cure or vaccine for this virus. In the study, the effects of hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer on skin proteins and lipids will be assessed.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate functional and aesthetic outcomes of combined facial and upper extremity composite tissue allografts on patients who have not achieved functional and aesthetic outcomes with conventional reconstructive surgical strategies and prosthetic devices.