Abstract
Neurological and functional prognoses were studied in 6 patients (2 men, 4 women, age; 21-72yr) with crush syndrome injured in the Kobe Earthquake. Patients were buried under collapsed buildings. Two patients were injured in their unilateral legs, the other 4 patients were in bilateral legs. All the patients were associated with acute renal failure and serum creatine kinase was elevated. Affected limbs were remarkably swollen, muscle power and sensitivity to all modalities were diminished in the area distal to the site of compression. No patients underwent amputations or developed infections in their limbs and all the patients regained renal function. Burning pain and numbness occurred with the recovery of sensitivity 1 to 3 weeks following receiving injury. Muscle weakness and sensory deficits persist in all patients 6 months after the earthquake. There were no correlations between the level of muscle injury and duration of use of analgesics, recovery of motor function. We conclude that pain and functional disorder persists for a long time in patients with crush syndrome and pain control, rehabilitation are required for improving prognosis.
