PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C McFadden

Publications and source records attributed to C McFadden.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Management of a patient with lacerations of the tendons of the extensor digitorum and extensor indicis muscles to the index finger.

The purpose of this report is to describe the management of a 30-year-old male truck driver following a zone-VI (metacarpal level) laceration of the tendons of the extensor digitorum and extensor indicis muscles to the index finger. Surgical repair was performed 6 days after the injury and was followed by a 32-day period of short-arm cast immobilization. Physical therapy was begun immediately following cast removal. At about 8 to 10 days into the rehabilitation process, we became concerned about an increasing extensor lag (active extension less than passive extension), which affected the treatment program. We hypothesized that the scar at the tendon repair site had become excessively lengthened, and we therefore discontinued all flexion stretching and emphasized active extension. Additionally, we rested the joint in extension using a static splint except during exercise. As the patient's extensor lag improved, we increased the vigor of active extension exercise to promote tendon gliding and elongate restricting adhesions. The patient regained full range of motion and was able to return to work at full duty. The immobilization period implemented postoperatively in this case represents a traditional, conservative approach. The case emphasizes the need for careful monitoring and interpretation of both active and passive range of motion following tendon repair.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Power spectral analysis of visual evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis.

Power spectral analysis (PSA) was performed on the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to counterphased checkerboard stimuli from 98 eyes in 49 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 54 eyes of 27 normal volunteers. Attenuation of high frequency components of the transient visual evoked potential was found in 53% of MS patients and 4% of controls. Loss of high frequency components was poorly correlated with prolonged latency (r = 0.346). The consideration of both PSA and latency of the VEP increased the percentage of MS patients exhibiting visual pathway conduction abnormalities from 61% to 86%. The use of PSA in the diagnosis of MS is useful in increasing detection especially in cases where deformed waveforms preclude a reliable estimation of latency.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

A model of spinal cord injury.

We report here a model of submaximal spinal cord injury, employing direct thoracic cord compression in ferrets. This yields consistent and reproducible long term consequences on local cellular structure and on locomotive function. We show also that both the anatomical and functional losses can be measured objectively using simple techniques, and that useful long-tract mediated locomotion is preserved after severe axonal losses at the site of injury.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biomechanical approaches applied to the lower and upper limb for the measurement of spasticity: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To review and characterise biomechanical approaches for the measurement of spasticity as one component of the upper motor neurone syndrome. METHOD: Systematic literature searches based on defined constructs and a four-step review process of approaches used or described to measure spasticity, its association with function or associated phenomena. Most approaches were limited to individual joints and therefore, to reflect this trend, references were grouped according to which body joint(s) were investigated or whether it addressed a functional activity. For each joint, references were further sub-divided into the types of measurement method described. RESULTS: A database of 335 references was established for the review process. The knee, ankle and elbow joints were the most popular, perhaps reflecting the assumption that they are mono-planar in movement and therefore simpler to assess. Seven measurement methods were identified: five involving passive movement (manual, controlled displacement, controlled torque, gravitational and tendon tap) and two involving active movement (voluntary and functional). Generally, the equipment described was in an experimental stage and there was a lack of information on system properties, such as accuracy or reliability. Patient testing was either by cohort or case studies. The review also conveyed the myriad of interpretations of the concept of spasticity. CONCLUSIONS: Though biomechanical approaches provide quantitative data, the review highlighted several limitations that have prevented them being established as an appropriate method for clinical application to measure spasticity.

Arm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Favus in a backyard flock of game chickens.

Favus, or avian ringworm, was diagnosed in a backyard flock of game chickens from which Microsporum gallinae was isolated. Infected birds had white crusts on the comb and on the skin of the head and neck. Histopathological lesions included hyperkeratosis of the skin epithelium with invasion of the stratum corneum by fungal mycelia, acanthosis, acantholysis, and hydropic degeneration of cells in the stratum spinosum. The underlying dermis was infiltrated by mononuclear cells and contained lymphoid foci. Daily topical treatment with miconazole was applied in the field and in the laboratory, with apparent success.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heart transplantation in children who have undergone previous heart surgery: is it safe?

As heart transplantation becomes more commonly applied to the pediatric population, it is important to determine if previous palliative or reparative operations increase the risk of transplantation. Since 1988, 13 children aged 23 months to 14 years (mean 9.5 years) who had undergone previous heart operations underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. These children had undergone an average of 3.2 previous operations (range 1 to 7):1.9 sternotomies (range 0 to 5) and 1.2 thoracotomies (range 0 to 3). Three children had undergone only palliative operations (Norwood procedure, Waterston shunt, and transthoracic pacemaker); the remaining 10 had undergone at least one "corrective" operation: four valve replacements or repairs (three mitral and one aortic), three Fontan procedures, one Rastelli procedure, one double-outlet right ventricle repair, and one ventricular septal defect repair. At the time of transplantation, seven patients (54%) were on inotropic support, two with mechanical ventilation. Three patients (23%) had significant levels of preformed antibodies necessitating a prospective cross-match, which significantly delayed transplantation. The transplant procedure was complicated by the need for pulmonary arterial reconstruction in six patients (46%), transposition of the great arteries in three patients (23%), and atrial baffling to redirect anomalous venous drainage in one patient (8%). There was one death 4 days after surgery from sepsis in a patient who had undergone a previous Konno procedure who required 24 hours of mechanical right ventricular assistance after transplantation. Two children (15%) required mediastinal exploration for bleeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗