The application of three-dimensional (3D) printing is growing explosively in the medical field, and is especially widespread in the clinical use of fabricating upper limb orthosis and prosthesis. Advantages of 3D-printed orthosis compared to conventional ones include its lower cost, easier modification, and faster fabrication. Hands are the most common body parts involved with burn victims and one of the main complications of hand burns are finger joint contractures. Applying orthotic devices such as finger splints are a well-established essential element of burn care. In spite of the rapid evolution of the clinical use of 3D printing, to our knowledge, its application to hand burn patients has not yet been reported. In this study, the authors present a series of patients with hand burn injuries whose orthotic needs were fulfilled with the application of 3D-printed finger splints.

Epidermal keratinocytes are highly activated, hyper-proliferated, and abnormally differentiated in the post-burn hypertrophic scar (HTS); however, the effects of scar fibroblasts (SFs) on keratinocytes through cell–cell interaction in HTS remain unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of HTSF-derived exosomes on the proliferation and differentiation of normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) compared with normal fibroblasts (NFs) and their possible mechanism to provide a reference for clinical intervention of HTS. Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured from HTS and normal skin. Both HTSF-exosomes and NF-exosomes were extracted via a column-based method from the cell culture supernatant. NHKs were treated for 24 or 48 h with 100 μg/mL of cell-derived exosomes. The expression of proliferation markers (Ki-67 and keratin 14), activation markers (keratins 6, 16, and 17), differentiation markers (keratins 1 and 10), apoptosis factors (Bax, Bcl2, caspase 14, and ASK1), proliferation/differentiation regulators (p21 and p27), and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) was investigated. Compared with NF-exosomes, HTSF-exosomes altered the molecular pattern of proliferation, activation, differentiation, and apoptosis, proliferation/differentiation regulators of NHKs, and EMT markers differently. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HTSF-derived exosomes may play a role in the epidermal pathological development of HTS.

Even healthy individuals often encounter leg venous symptoms such as heaviness, pain, and swelling especially after prolonged standing work. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is a widely used simple therapy for preventing deep vein thrombosis and for treating lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency. However, IPC has not been evaluated for its effect in relieving venous symptoms of healthy people. This was single center, cross-over study to investigate the effect of IPC for 20 healthy volunteers who usually stand on duty and complain of leg pain and swelling. The primary outcome was pain (measured using a visual analogue scale) and secondary outcomes were leg circumference and volume. Three different interventions included natural rest, sequential mode of IPC, and circular mode of IPC. Outcomes were measured before work and immediately after work (T1), after 30 minutes of intervention (T2), and 30 minutes of rest after intervention (T3). Pain and leg circumferences were significantly improved at T2 and T3 compared with those at T1. Sequential and circular IPC led to significantly greater improvement in pain and leg circumferences than just natural rest, but there was no difference in its effect according to the 2 modes of IPC. Leg volume was reduced significantly at T2 and T3 as compared with T1 in all 3 interventions, but effects did not differ among 3 intervention groups. IPC is effective for reducing leg pain and circumferences more than natural rest in healthy adults with prolonged standing work, without causing adverse events.

Cho HM, et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2017 Aug;41(4):705-708. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.4.705

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is an exceedingly common medical condition that results in significant medical and social burden. Sitting for a long period is a common aggravating factor for LBP. Although seat cushion is known to promote comfort, relieve pressure, and correct posture, its effect on chronic LBP has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of gel seat cushion on chronic LBP in occupational drivers. Methods: Occupational drivers with chronic LBP lasting for > 6 months were recruited. Subjects were double-blinded, randomly assigned to 2 groups (gel and foam cushion groups), and instructed to use the provided cushions while driving. Pain threshold and tissue hardness were measured at tender points using a digital algometer. Numeric pain intensity scale (NPIS), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to analyze the primary endpoint, whereas the Beck Depression Inventory and Short Form-6D were used for the secondary endpoint. Results: Of 80 enrolled subjects, 75 (gel cushion group, 40; foam cushion group, 35) were included for analysis. Both groups showed significant improvement in NPIS and ODI scores following cushion use. Results for Beck Depression Inventory and Short Form-6D scores indicated that gel cushion use was significantly helpful. Change in NPIS score was significantly greater in the gel cushion group than in the foam cushion group. Conclusion: Gel cushion use may be effective in relieving LBP in occupational drivers seated for a long period compared with foam cushion use.

Cui HS, et al. Ann Dermatol. 2023 Jul;35:e99. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.22.210