(LML) SW monofilaments

Leprosy Mailing List – August 11,  2013 

Ref.:   (LML) SW monofilaments

From:  S. Noto, Ragusa, Italy

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Dear Pieter,

Thank you very much to Dr Narasimha Rao, from Hyderabad, for his message dated LML August  5, 2013.  His proposal of using the Semmes-Weinstein (S-W) monofilaments in workshops on leprosy is excellent.

Nerve damage or function impairment of nerves serving eyes, face, hand and feet, is what makes leprosy a serious disease.  The complete assessment of the peripheral nerves of predilection in leprosy includes, observation, palpation, sensory and motor testing of eyes, face, hands and feet.  The sensory testing of hands and feet is part of this process and is best done using the S-W monofilaments. 

I think the “ballpoint pen” method is not reliable and efforts need to be done to overcome its use.  Can the “ballpoint pen” detect early nerve damage and monitor treatment?  Probably not; so, I would not advise its use.  

I hope that colleagues with experience in this crucial topic can help with their comments.

Best regards,

Salvatore

PS
As far as I know the S-W monofilaments are available only from Brazil.  In attachment is the PDF document [in Portuguese] already mentioned by Ms Lehman. http://www.sorribauru.com.br/Arquivos/Manual%20Kit%20Estesiometro.pdf 

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LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com