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Biomedical subjects

A W Kinninmonth

Publications and source records attributed to A W Kinninmonth.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Three cases of prolapsed disc presenting as 'twisted ankles'.

We have recorded three cases of patients who initially were referred to the orthopaedic department with ankle problems. One of these was actually being managed with a full below-knee walking plaster. All of these patients proved to have prolapsed intervertebral discs with appropriate symptoms, and signs at examination and on computerized tomography (CT). Incorrect management protocols resulted in possible morbidity or at least in a delay in correct diagnosis. In summary, it is recommended to remember nerve root compression as a cause for ankle pain and for lack of abductor control of the ankle joint. This emphasizes the need for an adequate history and examination.

Ankle Injuries↗

Bier's block: a change of injection site.

Bier's block or intravenous regional anesthesia is a well-proven technique that is useful in the traumatic setting to provide upper limb anesthesia in the manipulation of distal radial fractures. In this situation, the traditional injection site in the dorsum of the hand can present difficulties with subsequent plaster application and with venous access caused by swelling or pain. One hundred patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 50. The first group was injected into the dorsum of the hand and the second into the antecubital fossa, in each case on the injured side. Effectiveness of anesthesia at both the fractures site and the cuff was assessed using a visual analog scale. Results analyzed using Student's t test, showed no difference in anesthesia between the two groups. In addition, there were fewer technical problems associated with venous access and subsequent plaster application in the antecubital fossa group.

Adult↗

External fixation of the distal radius. A biomechanical study.

External fixation is a useful method of treating unstable fractures of the distal radius. There is a lack of information regarding the behaviour of mini-fixation systems, particularly under cyclical loading, which would be expected to occur at the wrist. This laboratory study was designed to investigate the mechanical characteristics of nine current fixation systems. A programme of loading was devised to mimic forces acting on the distal radius. Wooden dowel was used to mount the fixator. Distraction and compression forces were applied in an Instron rig. Displacement was monitored throughout the load programme. No fixator failed at the loads tested. The small Hoffman rectangular frame proved stiffest in compression and extension, but was heavier than other devices. A trend of progressive, permanent deformation became apparent in those fixators which contain plastic or composite materials. This feature has implications for loss of fracture reduction in the clinical setting.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

A complication of the buried suture.

A buried suture used in the repair of the central slip of a digital extensor resulted in an erosive lesion of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the long finger. In a review of the literature I can find no other reports describing this unusual complication.

Adult↗

Ligamentotaxis and bone grafting for comminuted fractures of the distal radius.

The conventional treatment of comminuted fractures in the distal radius has been unsatisfactory. We therefore made a prospective study using the principle of ligamentotoxis and primary cancellous bone grafting as the uniform method of treatment. Ligamentotaxis was maintained by using an external fixator for three weeks only, after which a carefully monitored programme of rehabilitation was given. We have reviewed 72 consecutive distal radial fractures after a follow-up of 7 to 40 months (average 11 months). Reduction had been maintained during healing and over 80% of patients regained full range of movement in hands, wrists and forearms with strong and pain-free wrist function. Complications were infrequent and gave no real problems. We conclude that distraction, external fixation and bone grafting appears to be an excellent method of treating comminuted fractures of the distal radius.

Adolescent↗

Intramedullary locking nails in the management of femoral shaft fractures.

Intramedullary locking nails have proved to be of considerable advantage when treating complex, comminuted or segmental femoral shaft fractures. We have reviewed 117 patients with 120 femoral shaft fractures treated with the Strasbourg device. These included 20 compound fractures, 13 pathological fractures and two non-unions. Rehabilitation and union rates have been very satisfactory and there have been no serious infections in the series. Comminution of the proximal femur has occurred in six patients and there have been three femoral neck fractures, but all of these have healed without further complications.

Adolescent↗

A comparative controlled trial of a new perforated splint and a traditional splint in the treatment of mallet finger.

A perforated mallet finger splint is described and the results of a controlled trial comparing its use with a conventional splint are presented. The perforated splint gives superior results by virtue of the fact that it does not require to be removed for purposes of hygiene and can thus produce a satisfactory result even in those patients who fail to grasp the technique of removal and replacement of the splint.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

A randomized trial of 48 hours of prophylactic cefotaxime versus single dose in transurethral prostatic surgery.

A previous randomized trial from this department demonstrated that there was significant reduction in morbidity and post-operative bacteriuria when men undergoing transurethral prostatectomy were given a prophylactic perioperative regimen of 48 h of cefotaxime compared with a no treatment control group. In this paper we report the results of a new randomized trial to determine whether a single dose of cefotaxime given with the induction of anaesthesia would be of equal efficacy to the previous 48 h regimen. We also investigated the ward bacterial flora for cefotaxime resistance before and during the trial. The 48 h regimen was significantly superior to the single dose in terms of the number of men who developed post operative complications and there was also a small but significant reduction in post-operative hospital stay. Forty-eight hours of prophylaxis covers the normal time of post-operative urethral catheterization and this may explain our findings. There was no evidence of emergence of cefotaxime resistant strains.

Bacteriuria↗

Dorsal wedge osteotomy in the treatment of hallux rigidus.

The results of 18 dorsal wedge osteotomies in the treatment of hallux rigidus are presented. Patients were retrospectively interviewed and examined, and an assessment was made in a number of key functional areas. Good or excellent results were obtained in 14 or 18 cases at a mean follow-up time of 4 years with only one patient requiring further surgery. Pain (p = 0.00014), activity levels (p = 0.0019), footwear difficulties (p = 0.0016), and joint range of motion (p = 0.0001) were all significantly improved; tiptoeing was the only activity assessed (p = 0.23) for which the improvement was not significant. These results compare well with other published series. We recommend dorsal wedge osteotomy as a useful alternative in the treatment of hallux rigidus.

Adult↗