Biomaterial Database

Thromboembolic complications of cast immobilization for injuries of the lower extremities. 1975

L J Micheli

Six cases of thromboembolic complications in patients being treated with plaster cast immobilization for a variety of injuries to the lower extremity were encountered over a four month period on an Air Force orthopaedic service. These injuries, consisting of three ruptures of the tendo achillis, two fractures of the tibia, and a sub-talar dislocation of the foot, resulted in one death from pulmonary emboli and three other serious complications of pulmonary emboli. The literature on thromboembolic complications following lower extremity injuries (including information of pathogenesis, clinical characteristics and epidemiology of venous thromboembolism and the hazards of lowere extremity cast immobilization in an individual susceptible to his complication) suggests that prophylaxis against thrombosis should be instituted in high risk individuals who must undergo case immobilization for injuries to the lower extremity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007103	Immobilization	The restriction of the MOVEMENT of whole or part of the body by physical means (RESTRAINT, PHYSICAL) or chemically by ANALGESIA, or the use of TRANQUILIZING AGENTS or NEUROMUSCULAR NONDEPOLARIZING AGENTS. It includes experimental protocols used to evaluate the physiologic effects of immobility.	Hypokinesia, Experimental,Experimental Hypokinesia,Experimental Hypokinesias,Hypokinesias, Experimental
D007718	Knee Injuries	Injuries to the knee or the knee joint.	Injuries, Knee,Injury, Knee,Knee Injury
D007866	Leg	The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE.	Legs
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009326	Naval Medicine	The practice of medicine concerned with conditions affecting the health of individuals associated with the marine environment.	Nautical Medicine,Medicine, Nautical,Medicine, Naval
D010690	Phlebography	Radiographic visualization or recording of a vein after the injection of contrast medium.	Venography,Phlebographies,Venographies
D011655	Pulmonary Embolism	Blocking of the PULMONARY ARTERY or one of its branches by an EMBOLUS.	Pulmonary Thromboembolism,Thromboembolism, Pulmonary,Embolism, Pulmonary,Embolisms, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Embolisms,Pulmonary Thromboembolisms,Thromboembolisms, Pulmonary
D002370	Casts, Surgical	Dressings made of fiberglass, plastic, or bandage impregnated with plaster of paris used for immobilization of various parts of the body in cases of fractures, dislocations, and infected wounds. In comparison with plaster casts, casts made of fiberglass or plastic are lightweight, radiolucent, able to withstand moisture, and less rigid.	Fiberglass Casts,Plaster Casts,Plastic Casts,Cast, Surgical,Surgical Cast,Surgical Casts,Cast, Fiberglass,Cast, Plaster,Cast, Plastic,Casts, Fiberglass,Casts, Plaster,Casts, Plastic,Fiberglass Cast,Plaster Cast,Plastic Cast
D004204	Joint Dislocations	Displacement of bones from their normal positions at a joint.	Inferior Dislocation,Joint Subluxations,Luxatio Erecta,Dislocation, Joint,Dislocations, Joint,Inferior Dislocations,Joint Dislocation,Joint Subluxation,Subluxation, Joint,Subluxations, Joint