@article{ref1,
title="High-voltage electrical burn injuries: Functional upper extremity assessment",
journal="Burns: journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries",
year="2009",
author="Mazzetto-Betti, K. C. and Amâncio, A. C. G. and Farina, J. A. Jr and Barros, M. E. P. M. and Fonseca, M. C. R.",
volume="35",
number="5",
pages="707-713",
abstract="<p>High-voltage electric injuries have many manifestations, and an important complication is the damage of the central/peripheral nervous system. The purpose of this work was to assess the upper limb dysfunction in patients injured by high-voltage current. The evaluation consisted of analysis of patients' records, cutaneous-sensibility threshold, handgrip and pinch strength and a specific questionnaire about upper limb dysfunctions (DASH) in 18 subjects. All subjects were men; the average age at the time of the injury was 38 years. Of these, 72% changed job/retired after the injury. The current entrance was the hand in 94% and grounding in the lower limb in 78%. The average burned surface area (BSA) was 8.6%. The handgrip strength of the injured limb was reduced (p<0.05) and so also that of the three pinch types. The relationship between the handgrip strength and the DASH was statistically significant (p<0.001) as well as the relationship between the three pinch types (p</=0.02) to the injured limb. The ability to perceive cutaneous touch/pressure was decreased in the burnt hand, principally in the median nerve area. These data indicate a reduction of the hand muscular strength and sensibility, reducing the function of the upper limb in patients who received high-voltage electrical shock.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0305-4179",
doi="10.1016/j.burns.2008.10.002",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2008.10.002"
}