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Biomedical subjects

K Ammer

Publications and source records attributed to K Ammer.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Electrotherapy].

Electrotherapy is defined as the sum of therapeutic modalities of physical medicine capable to change the threshold of elicitation of nerve or muscle. Classification due to applied pulse frequencies, way of action of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (= TENS) and of iontophoresis is described. Pain syndromes, muscle atrophy by loss of activity and support of wound healing are named as accepted indications for electrotherapy. The difficulties of electrical stimulation of paretic muscles and the problem, whether different indications for certain forms of electrotherapy exist or not, is discussed.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed1992

Chemically-induced chronic nerve compression in rabbits--a new experimental model for the carpal tunnel syndrome.

In order to create an experimental model for the carpal tunnel syndrome without the use of the commonly applied foreign bodies (silicone or rubber tubes, tourniquets etc.), the present study tried to induce a chemically provoked compression of the median nerve in rabbits. In 9 female rabbits 1 ml of Aethoxskerol 3% (Hydrox-polyethoxy dodecan) was instilled into the carpal tunnel around the median nerve after visualisation of the nerve. The other foreleg served as the control and was treated with the same amount of saline solution. Electroneurophysiologic parameters were registered preoperatively, 1 month and 6 months post surgery and histomorphologic investigations by light and electron microscopy were performed after 6 months. 6 months after treatment with Aethoxysklerol, a statistically significant lengthening of the distal latency period as well as a significant reduction of the compound potential amplitude could be observed. In accordance with these findings, morphological investigation revealed the presence of extensive granulation tissue around the median nerve together with signs of demyelination. Our results indicate that we were able to produce the development of extensive granulation tissue in the carpal tunnel of rabbits with subsequent compression of the median nerve which was confirmed by histomorphologic investigation as well as by measurement of nerve conductive velocity.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[The effect of meniscectomy on the strength of the femoral quadriceps muscle after more than 3 years].

This paper investigates the strength of the quadriceps extensor femoris following partial meniscectomy by means of arthrotomy. Measurements were carried out on 30 patients using a velocity-controlled dynamometer. Follow-up ranged from three to twelve years. On clinical examination 17 patients revealed atrophy of the quadriceps, amounting to 1 cm in 12 patients and up to 2 cm in 5 patients. The average difference in muscular strength between the operated leg and the non-operated one totalled 11% in the cases of 1 cm atrophy and 19% in the 2 cm cases. Those patients who presented with no atrophy on the operated leg had an average loss of 4% in muscular strength, which is within the normal range. In addition, an interrelationship was established between measurements carried out at different angular velocities and the extent of quadriceps atrophy. The high percentage of patients showing a weakness of the quadriceps extensor femoris after a long follow-up period is most likely due to the severing of proprioceptors during surgery and to inadequate or lacking postoperative physiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Is mere surgical division of the transverse carpal ligament in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome adequate?].

In the period between 1985-1986 137 patients underwent simple nerve decompression by division of the carpal ligament as therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome. In a long-term follow-up it was possible to control the results of 61 cases. Beside two patients all showed an absolutely satisfying result, subjectively as well as electroneurophysiologically. Therefore we can recommend simple ligament division as a safe and quick method for the therapy of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Isokinetic measurements of the stretch strength of the femoral quadriceps muscle in surfers in comparison to healthy, untrained persons].

The strength of the quadriceps muscle of twelve male surfers who practice their sport for more than 10 years was compared with results of 15 male untrained persons. The concentric peak torque of knee extensors was measured every 10 degrees in a range from 90 to 20 degrees isometrically and dynamically with a constant angle velocity of 10 degrees/sec. The difference in torque between the left and the right leg is not significant, but there is a slight dominance in favour of the standing leg. The body weight related strength of the surfers was 3.2 Nm/kg indicating a higher strength characteristic compared to 2.7 Nm/kg of untrained subjects. Moreover the strength values of our group of athletes were above the value of 3 Nm/kg, which is referred to in the literature as representing a good training status. In view of these results it can be concluded that a long-lasting specific training like surfing will change the strength characteristics of the quadriceps muscles, although none of the surfers had undertaken an extensive strength training for the lower extremity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Scintigraphic monitoring of chondro-protective therapy of finger polyarthritis].

A pilot study in patients with osteoarthritis of fingers was done to clarify the question, whether abnormal joints in bone scanning can predict degenerative changes in X-rays and if scintigraphy is of help in monitoring therapy with chondroprotective medications. 2 groups of 7 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of fingers were treated either with galvanic bath alone or in combination with Rumalon-injections for 6 weeks. After therapy the number of abnormal joints in bone scan and number of tender joints was found reduced in both groups, a decrease of the mean circumference of joints was only seen in the Rumalon-group. After 1 year an increase of degenerative signs in X-rays was demonstrated in both groups. But the number of tender joints was smaller in the Rumalon-group than in controls. For abnormal joints in bone scanning a high positive value was calculated regarding to signs of osteoarthritis in radiographs. But no major information in monitoring the chondroprotective efficacy of the medicament was given by bone scanning.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Comparison of the effectiveness of acupuncture and physical therapy in ambulatory patients with gonarthrosis].

A comparative study between acupuncture and physical therapy in patients with gonarthrosis is reported. Patients treated with physical therapy showed 4 parameters significantly reduced after a treatment duration of 2 weeks, and 7 out of 10 parameters after 4 weeks of therapy. Acupuncture could better 2 parameters but only after 4 weeks of treatment. Although physical therapy was superior in most of the objective measurements, the subjective judgement by the patients of the efficacy of both treatments found no significant difference. In summary acupuncture is thought to be only an additional form of treatment in gonarthrosis.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1988

Ultrastructural and autoradiographic investigations of cell cultures derived from tendons or ligamentous material from patients with fibromatous disorders.

Cell cultures were derived from tendons or ligamentous material from patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Dupuytren's contracture (DP), tendopathia nodosa (TN) and hallux valgus (HV). The ultrastructure of the operation specimens as well as of the cell monolayers was investigated, using a floating sheet method in order to preserve both cell-to-cell contacts and the orientation of the monolayers. The histologic features of the tissues obtained in the operations were correlated with the ultrastructure of the cells in culture derived from these specimens. In DP, above all in the nodules, an activation of the capillary endothelium in the vicinity of myofibroblasts and mast cells was observed. In CTS the collagen fibrils varied extremely in diameter. In DP and TN biopsies a splicing process of helicoidly arranged fibrils could be seen. A disintegration of elastic fibers in the fibrillar and amorphous components was found in DP nodules, HV and TN tissues. Transitional forms between fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were observed not only in DP but also-though in a smaller percentage--in the cultures derived from the other patients. The cells showed organelles for active protein synthesis and transport. Autophagocytosis and the formation of multilamellated bodies took place in TN and HV cultures. In CTS, DP and TN cultures cells were connected via gap junctions. In some cultures, above all in those derived from CTS, monocilia were found. In CTS cultures the formation of intracellular collagen occurred. Growth parameters were rather low in HV cultures. PLmax (maximal pulse labelling index) values were higher in TN cultures than in DP and HV cultures. Plating efficiency (PE) values were higher in cultures derived from cell-rich and capillarized tissues than in biopsies with few cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Physical treatment of herpetic diseases. Report of a pilot study with low-frequency electrotherapy].

Standard methods employed in physiotherapy are seldom applied to florid herpes zoster since they bring little benefit. Initial experience with electrotherapy for herpes is reported. Pulsed galvanic current at a frequency of 30 hertz was applied to the region of the affected segmental nerve. In two centres (Vienna and Maribor) treatment was carried out on 32 patients with herpes zoster (recovery in Vienna after a mean duration of treatment of 6.3 days; in Maribor recovery after 20 days of treatment) and 18 patients with herpes simplex (recovery after 5 or 6.5 days respectively) were treated. Follow up of all patients treated in Vienna showed that only one patient out of the zoster group developed post-herpetic neuralgia. Three patients with herpes simplex had a relapse of the disease, but it was less severe than before treatment. The better results in Vienna were explained by the use of strictly monopolar wave forms and the fact that treatment was applied every day, while in Maribor patients received no treatment over a weekend.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗
PubMed1987

Morphometric analysis of collagen fibrils in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgical biopsies of dissected transverse carpal ligaments of patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were examined with an electron microscope revealing collagen fibrils with varying diameters. Morphometric analysis of transversely cut collagen fibrils was performed on photomicrographs exhibiting fibrils with a small diameter comparable to that in normal tissue as well as fibrils with a large diameter that could not be observed in normal tissue.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗