SummaryA comminuted, grade I open femoral fracture in an immature cat was repaired using stacked veterinary cuttable plates in a bridging fashion. The cat subsequently developed quadriceps contracture with stifle hyperextension and atrophy of the quadriceps muscle. Adhesions between the quadriceps muscle and fracture callus were released and a dynamic flexion apparatus used to prevent recurrence of quadriceps contracture by encouraging leg use and lengthening of the quadriceps muscles. The range of motion in the stifle improved from 35° to 130° and the cat maintained excellent use of the leg without recurrence of quadriceps contracture. Quadriceps contracture was diagnosed in an immature cat after biological repair of a comminuted femoral fracture using stacked veterinary cuttable plates in a bridging fashion. The quadriceps contracture was successfully managed with release of adhesions between the vastus intermedius and fracture callus, application of a dynamic flexion apparatus, and an intensive physiotherapy program.

Mountain and maritime climate therapy takes advantage of specific climatic conditions to treat chronic allergic diseases. It was the aim of the study to investigate effects of a 5 day sojourn on atopic diseases at the highest German mountain. In this pilot study 18 patients with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic ezcema or asthma and 11 non-allergic controls were included. Skin physiology parameters, changes of the respiratory and nasal functions, subjective symptoms and blood parameters were measured during a 5-day observation period in the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS) at the moderate altitude mountain region (Zugspitze; 2650 m alt.) compared to a low altitude area (Munich; 519 m alt.). Several of the skin physiology parameters changed significantly during the observation period (decrease of skin hydration, increase of skin smoothness, skin roughness, skin scaliness and pH-value). In patients with atopic eczema, the SCORAD (Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis) and the scores of the DIELH (Deutsches Instrument zur Erfassung der Lebensqualität bei Hauterkrankungen) did not change significantly. Histamine induced itch decreased significantly. Parameters of nasal function did not change significantly. Several lung parameters showed a slight, but statistically significant improvement (forced expiratory volume in one second/volume capacity [FEV1/VC], peak expiratory flow [PEF], maximum expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity [MEF 50], maximal mid-expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity [MMFEF 25/75]), whereas the vital capacity (VC) decreased significantly. ECP (eosinophil cationic protein) in the serum and parameters of blood count changed significantly. These results show that the benefit of a moderate altitude mountain climate sojourn over a period of 5 days differs in depending on the atopic disease. Especially asthma parameters and itching of the skin improved. It would be interesting to assess the parameters during longer observation periods in alpine climate.

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