| Abstract: |
Objective: To determine the utility of knee immobilizers for cancer patients with femoral neuropathy. Design: Retrospective case series with chart reviews and telephone interviews. Setting: Teaching hospital, inpatient setting, and 1-year follow-up as outpatients. Participants: Five cancer patients with femoral neuropathy (4 men, 1 woman; age range, 51-76y). Inclusion criteria were (1) diagnosis of femoral neuropathy, (2) receipt of knee immobilizer as an inpatient, and (3) ability to discuss opinions about knee orthotics at 1-year follow-up. Intervention: Knee immobilizer. Main Outcome Measures: Number of falls with and without knee immobilizer, ambulatory distance with and without immobilizer, subjective rating of activity level, and feeling of stability with and without immobilizer. Results: Patients reported that the knee immobilizer reduced their number of falls by up to 10-fold, increased ambulatory distance between 105 and 420ft (31.5 and 126m), improved their feeling of stability, and increased overall activity levels. Conclusions: Patients can benefit from knee immobilizers during their rehabilitation efforts: risk of falls decreased, ambulation distance increased, and relative peace of mind was achieved with the orthotic's use. |
