PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M H Jahss

Publications and source records attributed to M H Jahss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of the heel pad fat in rheumatoid arthritis.

The heel fat pad is organized, both in structure and in composition, to bear the stresses and strains of normal activities and to permit pain-free weightbearing. The fatty acid composition of heel pads in 11 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease process frequently associated with heel fat pad atrophy, was analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography and was compared with that of patients without systemic disease. The heels of patients with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated a significant change in the composition of saturated fatty acids when compared with heels of nonrheumatoid patients. This composition reflects an increased fat viscosity, which decreases the ability of the heel to absorb and dissipate the energy generated during ambulation. This factor could cause degeneration of the heel septal system, with resulting fat pad atrophy.

Abdomen↗

Peroneus quartus muscle: MR imaging features.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of the peroneus quartus (PQ) muscle, to demonstrate the morphology of this accessory muscle on magnetic resonance (MR) images, and to reassess the reported association of the PQ muscle with a hypertrophic peroneal tubercle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 136 consecutive ankle MR imaging studies. The origins, insertions, and variations in size of the muscle and the dimensions of the peroneal tubercle and retrotrochlear eminence were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of the PQ muscle was 10% (14 of 136 cases). The accessory muscle and tendon unit descended medial and posterior to the peroneal tendons. The site of insertion was variable and included the calcaneus, peroneus longus tendon, peroneus brevis tendon; and cuboid bone. The calcaneus was the insertion site in 11 cases. The accessory tendon attached to the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneus. In the group with the PQ muscle, the retrotrochlear eminence was significantly taller (P < .01) than in the group without the PQ muscle. CONCLUSION: Contrary to previous reports, the peroneocalcaneal variant of the PQ muscle appears to insert in the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneus rather than the peroneal tubercle. The presence of the PQ muscle is associated with a prominent retrotrochlear eminence but not with an enlarged peroneal tubercle.

Adolescent↗

Deltoid ligament forces after tibialis posterior tendon rupture: effects of triple arthrodesis and calcaneal displacement osteotomies.

Deltoid ligament forces were studied after observing deltoid ligament insufficiency in several post-triple arthrodesis patients. Six fresh-frozen, below-knee amputation specimens were axially loaded. The results demonstrate that a properly positioned triple arthrodesis produced deltoid ligament forces that were similar to those seen with an intact tibialis posterior tendon. A triple arthrodesis in combination with a lateral displacement calcaneal osteotomy produced deltoid ligament forces that were 76% greater than those seen with the intact tibialis posterior tendon (P < .05). A triple arthrodesis in combination with a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy produced deltoid ligament forces that were 56% less than those seen with the lateral displacement calcaneal osteotomy (P < .01). Patients with longstanding ruptures of the tibialis posterior tendon and associated peritalar subluxation/dislocation may have less than optimal clinical results after triple arthrodesis, unless the hindfoot can be properly reduced, due to persistent elevated forces in the deltoid ligament and resulting ligament laxity. This study suggests that a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in combination with a triple arthrodesis may be a viable treatment when the hindfoot cannot be positioned properly.

Ankle Joint↗

Histology and histomorphometric analysis of the normal and atrophic heel fat pad.

Light and electron microscopy was used for a histologic examination of normal heel fat pads and atrophic heel fat pads from patients with peripheral neuropathies. Histomorphometric analysis revealed an average 30% smaller mean cell area and 16% smaller mean cell diameters in the atrophic pads compared with the normal heel fat pads. Septal walls in the atrophic fat pads were often fragmented and approximately 75% wider than normal. Perineural fibrosis was also found in the atrophic heel fat pads. The Verhoeff elastic staining technique was used to determine the relative percentage of collagen to elastic tissue within the septae. No significant differences were noted between the normal and atrophic heels. The ultrastructure of the adipocytes from the normal and atrophic heel pads was similar to those found in abdominal subcutaneous fat. Lipid droplets of variable size and density thin the center of the adipocyte were surrounded by a thin border of cytoplasm. The interphase between adipocytes contained fine collagen and elastic fibers.

Adipose Tissue↗

Clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle and foot.

Magnetic resonance imaging is of major diagnostic value in foot and ankle pathology. It is noninvasive and extremely accurate, and rarely gives false negative or false positive results. Any false results are due invariably to poor imaging, or inept interpretation by the radiologist or orthopedist or both. Diagnostic accuracy is increased by clinical correlation. Magnetic resonance imaging is not only a valuable diagnostic tool with respect to the foot and ankle but also is often of great value in either indicating or contraindicating surgery or modifying the preoperative surgical management. Finally, the orthopedist must be aware of the current limitations of MR imaging and not assume that a negative reading indicates the absence of pathology.

Ankle Joint↗

Fatty acid composition of normal and atrophied heel fat pad.

Capillary gas-liquid chromatography was used to analyze the fatty acid composition of normal heel fat pads from subjects without systemic disease (N = 8) and atrophied heels from patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (N = 4), rheumatoid arthritis (N = 1), peripheral vascular disease (N = 1), and hereditary sensory neuropathy (N = 1). In the normal subjects, the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous abdominal fat was also obtained for comparison. Three saturated fatty acids (myristate, palmitate, and stearate) and four unsaturated fatty acids (palmitoleate, oleate, vaccenate, and linoleate) comprised over 90% of the total fatty acid composition. Higher percentages of unsaturated fatty acids and lower percentages of saturated fatty acids were found in the normal heel fat pads when compared to subcutaneous abdominal fat. The increase in the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (4.4 versus 2.5, P < .01) may decrease triglyceride viscosity and enhance the biomechanical efficiency of the heel fat pad. Though the number of patients is small, no statistically significant compositional differences were noted between the heel fat from normal subjects and from subjects with peripheral neuropathies, rheumatoid arthritis, or peripheral vascular disease. However, the heel fatty acid composition of the one subject with a hereditary sensory neuropathy was less unsaturated and more saturated than normal with a ratio of unsaturates to saturates similar to that of the abdomen (2.8).

Abdomen↗

Foot and ankle pain resulting from rheumatic conditions.

Pain in the foot and ankle is most frequently secondary to static and degenerative changes, eg, corns, hammer toes, bunions, anterior metatarsalgia, and heel pain. A second common group consists of rheumatologic disorders that encompass immune and hereditary factors. This group includes rheumatoid arthritis, the often underdiagnosed seronegative spondyloarthropathies, and, less commonly, crystalline deposit disorders and diffuse connective tissue diseases. Both the physician and the public need a heightened awareness of the existence and presence of these disorders, which may be devastating, eg, psoriatic arthritis and tenosynovitis. To these groups, we now must add Lyme disease and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The advances in testing, including immunologic and nuclear imaging (eg, magnetic resonance imaging), have permitted more rapid and specific diagnosis with earlier treatment.

Ankle↗

Investigations into the fat pads of the sole of the foot: heel pressure studies.

The fat pads of the heel have a structure that is optimized for load bearing. In various diseases and aging, the load-carrying ability of the heel pad is clinically impaired. The loading pattern was examined in subjects having normal heel pads and those with atrophic heel pads, both with and without clinical symptoms. Normal heel pads showed a broad region of high pressure, which accounted for a high percentage of the total load transmission. In contrast, the atrophic heels showed a high but narrow peak pressure. However, most of the load was transmitted over a large area of low pressure. There was no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic heels. The mechanical behavior of the fat pad is discussed with particular reference to the anatomic structure of the pads. Pad thickness and septal integrity are both important to the mechanical characteristics of the fat pad. The load-bearing patterns observed are discussed in terms of the mechanical components influencing fat pad resilience. These results have direct relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of heel pain secondary to degeneration of the fat pad.

Adipose Tissue↗

Investigations into the fat pads of the sole of the foot: anatomy and histology.

Anatomical, histological, and histochemical studies were performed on normal and abnormal fat pads of the sole of cadaver feet. The fat pads were found to contain a significant nerve and blood supply separate from that to the surrounding musculature and skin. Pacinian corpuscles and free nerve endings within the fat were identified. Histological analysis indicated a meshwork of fibroelastic septae arranged in a closed-cell configuration. The mechanical consequences of this organization are discussed in the context of the weightbearing role of the fat pads of the feet. Alterations seen in dysvascular or senescent feet are consistent with the hypothesis that the septal anatomy of the fat pads is central to their cushioning function.

Adipose Tissue↗

Tibialis posterior: a review of anatomy and biomechanics in relation to support of the medial longitudinal arch.

The medial longitudinal arch is unique among homo sapiens. This specialization of the human foot is believed to be necessary to the habitual bipedal gait pattern. Mechanical integrity of the arch depends on static and dynamic anatomic factors. The posterior tibial tendon in particular is situated to provide dynamic support along the plantar aspect of the foot and arch. Evaluation of the phasic activity of the posterior tibial muscle appears to confirm this premise. Furthermore, changes in the longitudinal arch that occur when the posterior tibialis is deficient lend further evidence that it is important in maintenance of the normal arch.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of anomalous leg muscles: accessory soleus, peroneus quartus and the flexor digitorum longus accessorius.

Since the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the suspected diagnosis of an accessory muscle of the lower extremity can now be confirmed without the need for invasive procedures. The accessory soleus, peroneus quartus, and flexor digitorum longus accessorius are anomalous muscles of the lower extremity that can be diagnosed by MRI. These accessory muscles are probably more common than once thought and can now be easily distinguished from other space occupying lesions that can occur around the ankle. MRI of these anomalous muscles enables one to make a definitive diagnosis without a biopsy. In those symptomatic patients, the origins and insertions of these accessory muscles can be accurately evaluated by MRI prior to any anticipated surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗

Rupture of the posterior tibial tendon: CT and surgical findings.

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 42 patients with 49 clinically suspected tears of the posterior tibial tendon. Twenty-eight of the 49 suspected tears were subsequently surgically explored and repaired. Three patterns of tendon abnormalities were recognized on CT scans: type I-intact, hypertrophied, heterogeneous tendon; type II-attenuated tendon; and type III-absence of a portion of a tendon. Types I and II correlated with partial rupture seen during surgery, and type III correlated with complete rupture of the tendon. CT findings were accurate in 96% of the patients who underwent surgery. In four cases (14%), tendon rupture was seen on CT scans, but the extent of the injury was underestimated and the rupture was misclassified. Reactive periostitis of the distal tibia was seen in 71% of diseased tendons and may represent an important factor in the diagnosis of tendon rupture.

Adult↗

Rupture of posterior tibial tendon: CT and MR imaging with surgical correlation.

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were performed in 32 cases of clinically suspected chronic tears of the posterior tibial tendon. Surgery was performed in 22 patients (69%). Each case was classified radiographically and surgically as normal or a type 1, type 2, or type 3 rupture. The sensitivity and specificity of CT were 90% and 100%, respectively, while those of MR imaging were 95% and 100%. The accuracy in detecting ruptures was 91% for CT and 96% for MR imaging. The overall accuracy, which reflected the percentage of cases correctly diagnosed as well as those correctly classified, was 59% for CT and 73% for MR imaging. Although the differences between the CT and MR imaging parameters were not statistically significant (possibly due to the small population), the results suggest that MR imaging is the method of choice for detecting ruptures of the posterior tibial tendon. MR imaging provided greater definition of tendon outline, vertical splits, synovial fluid, edema, and degenerated tissue. CT was superior to MR imaging in showing associated bone abnormalities such as periostitis, subtalar osteoarthritis, and subtalar dislocation.

Adult↗

Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of ankle tendons: an overview.

CT and MRI are both effective in the diagnosis of ankle tendon injuries. MRI is the preferred study, however, because of its superior soft tissue contrast resolution, multiplanar capabilities, lack of beam hardening artifacts, and lack of ionizing radiation. CT can serve as an excellent substitute when financial considerations and availability preclude the use of MRI. CT is also superior in evaluating bony abnormalities associated with tendon injuries.

Ankle↗