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Biomedical subjects

R D Goldner

Publications and source records attributed to R D Goldner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dislocating medial triceps and ulnar neuropathy in three generations of one family.

Variations in the medial triceps in conjunction with bilateral ulnar neuropathy have been identified in three generations of one family also possessing the phenotype of Waardenburg syndrome (a rare autosomal-dominant disorder with clinical features including cochlear deafness, dystopia canthorum, and pigmentation problems). To our knowledge, no other inherited condition with triceps anomalies has been reported. Study of this family provided insight into the relationship between dislocating medial triceps and ulnar neuropathy and demonstrated that a broad spectrum of clinical presentations exists-from being completely asymptomatic to producing symptomatic snapping and ulnar neuropathy.

Adolescent

Periprosthetic infections due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with no prior history of tuberculosis.

Although uncommon, infection of prostheses with Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be managed successfully if it is diagnosed early and treated correctly. A case of M. tuberculosis infection of a prosthetic knee first diagnosed 4.5 years after initial arthroplasty is described. This case and a review of the literature led to the conclusion that there are two distinct patterns of M. tuberculosis infection following joint implant surgery in patients without a history of tuberculosis. (1) Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection may be an unexpected finding at the time of arthroplasty. These patients generally have favorable outcomes using standard antituberculous chemotherapy, without implant removal. (2) Late-onset M. tuberculosis joint infection may be identified in patients with painful, clinically infected, or malfunctioning prostheses. In these cases, medical treatment alone is usually unsuccessful; prosthesis removal is often required. With recent increases in the incidence of tuberculosis in the United States and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, periprosthetic tuberculous infection is likely to become more common.

Aged

Changes on magnetic resonance images after traumatic hip dislocation.

Fourteen patients with traumatic hip dislocation had serial magnetic resonance imaging and routine radiographic studies from the time of injury through 24 months after injury. One experienced radiologist interpreted all images prospectively for abnormalities suggesting osteonecrosis of the femoral head and posttraumatic arthritis. Eight hips demonstrated abnormal marrow signals on T1 and T2 weighted images within 6 weeks of injury. These changes progressed in 3 hips, and osteonecrosis was confirmed subsequently by plain radiography. The abnormal marrow signals in the remaining 5 hips proved to be transient, resolving on magnetic resonance images within 3 months in 4 of the 5 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used with confidence for the early detection of osteonecrosis of the femoral head after traumatic hip dislocation or fracture-dislocation. The presence of acetabular or femoral shaft hardware did not preclude magnetic resonance imaging assessment of these patients when coronal, sagittal, and axial images were obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging was not reliable for assessing marrow changes within the first week after injury, nor was it helpful in predicting which patients were at risk for posttraumatic arthritis to develop. An algorithm is proposed for using magnetic resonance imaging in the early diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head after traumatic hip dislocation.

Adolescent

Effects of immobilization on Achilles tendon healing in a rat model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of immobilization and mobilization on the functional and biomechanical recovery of injured Achilles tendons. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated randomly into four groups: (a) sham operation, (b) division only (surgical transection of the Achilles tendon without immobilization), (c) "dummy" external fixation (division of the Achilles tendon and application of Kirschner wires), and (d) rigid external fixation (division of the Achilles tendon and immobilization with Kirschner wires connected by two triangular frames). All procedures were performed on the right lower limb; the left, uninjured, lower limb served as an internal control. Kirschner wires and external fixators were removed on day 12. Functional performance was determined from measurements of hind pawprints of rats walking preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15. On day 15, the animals were killed and biomechanical evaluations were performed on both the injured and the uninjured Achilles tendon constructs. No functional or mechanical deficits were observed in the sham-operation group. Animals subjected to division of the Achilles tendon had an initial functional deficit that returned to near normal by day 15. The application of Kirschner wires was associated with an impairment of the functional performance of the rat as well as of the mechanical properties of the tendon-bone constructs. Immobilization by connection of the Kirschner wires to an external frame had an additional, highly significant (p < 0.001) detrimental effect on the functional and mechanical recovery of Achilles tendon-calcaneal complexes.

Achilles Tendon

Results after replantation and revascularization in the upper extremity in children.

The rates of survival of the amputated part and the functional outcomes were studied retrospectively after seventy-three replantations and eighty-nine revascularizations in the upper extremity in 120 children. All operations were performed between January 1974 and December 1988 after partial and complete amputations at various levels. The ages of the patients ranged from three days to sixteen years. The average duration of follow-up was thirty-six months (range, fourteen months to seven years) for the patients who had had a replantation and thirty months (range, fourteen months to eight years) for the patients who had had a revascularization. The rate of survival of the amputated part was significantly higher (p < 0.0002) after revascularization (seventy-eight parts [88 per cent]) than after replantation (forty-six parts [63 per cent]). There was no association, for either group, between survival and the preoperative duration of ischemia, the level of the injury, the digit that had been injured, the number of arteries that had been repaired, or the use of venous grafts. The rate of survival after replantation of completely amputated parts was 72 per cent (twenty-eight of thirty-nine parts) when the amputation had resulted from a laceration injury and 53 per cent (eighteen of thirty-four parts) when the amputation had resulted from a crush or an avulsion injury. The rate of survival after revascularization of incompletely amputated parts was 100 per cent (all forty-five parts) when the injury had been the result of a laceration and 75 per cent (thirty-three of forty-four parts) when it had been the result of a crush or an avulsion. We did not find any relationship between the age of the patient and the rate of survival of the amputated part after revascularization; however, there was a significantly higher rate of survival (p , 0.02) after replantation in children who were less than nine years old (77 per cent [twenty-four of thirty-one parts]) compared with the rate in those who were nine to sixteen years old (52 per cent [twenty-two of forty-two parts]). The viability of the digit was in jeopardy after twenty-nine (40 per cent) of the seventy-three replantations and nineteen (21 per cent) of the eighty-nine revascularizations. Immediate reoperation resulted in the salvage of only two of the twenty-one replanted parts and six of the twelve revascularized parts that had a reoperation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living

Shoulder pyarthrosis: a concomitant process.

Thirty cases of glenohumeral pyarthrosis are reported. Systemic immune compromise and local tissue abnormalities were each present in 74% of the adult patients. Both were present in 52%. Most adult patients were debilitated by chronic diseases. Diagnosis was frequently delayed due to mild symptoms and minimal, nonspecific laboratory findings. Poor results correlated with treatment delay. Shoulder pyarthrosis occurred ipsilateral to forearm arteriovenous dialysis fistulas in four patients. Postoperative shoulder pyarthroses were eradicated only in patients with clinically intact immune systems. Three patients (10%) with intact rotator cuffs had unsuspected associated subacromial bursa abscesses. Evaluation of suspected glenohumeral pyarthrosis should include evaluation of the subacromial bursa.

Adolescent

Free vascularized fibula in traumatic long bone defects and in limb salvaging following tumor resection: comparative study.

In this retrospective analysis, we present our experience with two groups of patients who had long bone defects secondary to trauma or tumor resection and who were treated with a free vascularized fibular graft for skeletal reconstruction. Both groups were comparable in number and average age of patients, length of bone defect, and mean follow-up (average 3 years both groups). The number of surgical procedures prior to microvascular grafting was significantly higher for the traumatic defects. Primary bone union in a mean period of 6 months occurred at a higher rate in the tumor patients; the trauma patients had a significantly higher nonunion rate, which required multiple additional surgical procedures. The latter did not, significantly, improve the rate of success in the trauma group. Residual limb shortening was present in one-half of the patients with traumatic defects. On the basis of this review, it appears that the scarred and relatively avascular soft tissues surrounding the long bone defects secondary to trauma affect the course and the final outcome of the microvascular fibular grafting. A similar procedure applied for limb salvaging after tumor resection is better.

Adolescent

Achilles tendon injuries: a comparison of surgical repair versus no repair in a rat model.

Controversy exists regarding the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures. The aim of this study was to determine whether surgical repair of the rat Achilles tendon offered any biomechanical, functional, or morphological advantage over no repair. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: (1) sham operated (skin incision only), (2) no repair (complete division of the Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon without repair), (3) internal splint (plantaris left intact), and (4) Achilles repair (with a modified Kessler-type suture). Functional performance was determined from the measurements of hindpaw prints utilizing the Achilles Functional Index. On day 15, the animals were killed, and biochemical and histological evaluations were performed on both the injured and uninjured Achilles tendon constructs. All groups subjected to Achilles tendon division had a significant initial functional impairment that gradually improved so that by day 15 there were no functional or failure load impairments in any group. The injured tendons in all three groups subjected to Achilles tendon division had a 13-fold increase in the cross-sectional area and were less stiff and more deformable than uninjured and sham-operated tendons on day 15 (P < .001). The magnitude of the biomechanical and morphological changes at postoperative day 15 and the initial impairment and rate of functional recovery were similar for no repair, internal splint, and Achilles repair groups. In summary, this study demonstrates that surgical repair of the Achilles tendon in the rat does not offer any advantage over nonoperative management.

Achilles Tendon

The Achilles Functional Index.

The literature regarding the management of spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon is controversial and confusing. The relative infrequency of the condition in any one center prohibits the completion of well-designed clinical studies. Many of the disputes could be addressed and innovations tested if an appropriate animal model were available. We present a method for evaluating Achilles tendon function from measurements of the prints, preserved in bromphenol-blue-impregnated photocopying paper, of the hindfeet of walking rats. The stimulus for this study was derived from de Medinaceli's method for assessing the functional condition of rat sciatic nerves (de Medinaceli L, Freed WJ, Wyatt RJ: An index of the functional condition of rat sciatic nerve based on measurements made from walking tracks. Exp Neurol 77:634-643, 1982). Four variables were measured from these walking tracks, and comparisons between the damaged (experimental) and intact (normal) side were converted to proportional deficits. The relative contribution of each parameter to the overall deficit was determined by multiple linear regression analysis, and the variables were weighted accordingly to obtain an "Achilles Functional Index" (AFI). A sham operation produced no functional deficit, whereas animals subjected to a 0.5-cm midsubstance Achilles tendon defect demonstrated a markedly impaired AFI. Animals with repaired transected Achilles tendons also demonstrated a significant, but less severely impaired AFI. The functional deficit in this repair group returned to control values by postoperative day 15, whereas animals with a defect remained impaired at day 15. Furthermore, an excellent correlation was found between the functional recovery and biomechanical properties (ultimate failure load) of the healing tendon (r = 0.94; p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Achilles Tendon

Direct end-to-end repair of flexor pollicis longus tendon lacerations.

Between 1976 and 1986, 38 consecutive acute isolated flexor pollicis longus lacerations were repaired. This study excluded all replanted or mutilated digits and all lacerations with associated fracture. Average follow-up was 26 months. Tendon rehabilitation was standardized. Range of motion and pinch strength were measured postoperatively. Seventy-four percent (28/38) of the flexor pollicis longus injuries occurred in zone II. Neurovascular injury occurred in 82% of the lacerations, and this correlated with the zone of tendon injury. In 21% of the patients (8/38) both digital nerves and arteries were transected. Postoperative thumb interphalangeal motion averaged 35 degrees and key pinch strength was 81% that of the uninjured thumb. One rupture occurred in a child. Laceration of the flexor pollicis longus is likely to involve damage to neurovascular structures, and repair may be necessary. Direct end-to-end repairs within the pulley system do at least as well as delayed tendon reconstruction and do not require additional procedures.

Adolescent

Scaphoid fractures: assessment and treatment.

The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone. The fracture pattern and its relationship to the blood supply have significant implications regarding treatment and prognosis. Prompt recognition and treatment are fundamental to successful management.

Carpal Bones

Replantation proximal to the wrist.

Technical aspects of importance in replantation proximal to the wrist are somewhat different from those involved with digital replantation. Re-establishing blood flow rapidly by insertion of an arterial shunt, meticulous debridement, stable internal fixation of fractures, fasciotomy, and re-examination of the tissue 48 to 72 hours after replantation are discussed. Indications and contraindications for replantation in addition to maximizing use of "spare parts" are illustrated.

Amputation, Traumatic

Snakebite in the tarheel state. Guidelines for first aid, stabilization, and evacuation.

Snakebite is relatively common in North Carolina. The Copperhead is the most common offender, though we have representatives of all three genera of the Pit Viper family in addition to the Coral Snake. Pit Vipers are identified by the characteristic triangular head, elliptical eyes, well-developed fangs, and with the Rattlesnakes, a tail rattle. The Coral Snake is identified by its characteristic color pattern with red bands adjacent to yellow bands. Treatment is initiated by the safe identification of the snake, taking care to avoid a second bite. A lymphatic constriction band is applied above the bite and an Extractor, if available, is applied within three minutes. The extremity is splinted and the victim evacuated to the nearest trauma center as soon as possible.

Camping

Replantation in children.

The authors have replanted 162 parts in 120 children over the past 15 years. The youngest patient, undergoing successful replantation, was aged 7 months, 3 weeks. Unlike an adult, any child suffering a traumatic amputation should be considered for a possible replantation. Replantation should consist of minimal bone shortening to preserve epiphyseal plates, with repair of all severed structures. Longitudinal K-wires usually provide adequate fixation. Our survival rate for complete replantation in children under the age of 16 years is 77%. Long-term study showed that continued skeletal growth occurred and the digit attained 81% of normal longitudinal length at maturity. Recovery of sensibility in the replanted digit is nearly as good as for isolated digital nerve repair. Patient and parent satisfaction is high when replantation is successful, with uniform approval of the extensive effort required.

Bone Wires

Revision arthrodesis for tibiotalar pseudarthrosis with fibular onlay-inlay graft and internal screw fixation.

Pseudarthrosis after failed tibiotalar arthrodesis was successfully treated surgically in nine of 11 patients between 1980 and 1987. The indication for the initial attempted arthrodesis was traumatic arthrosis in seven patients, traumatic arthrosis with osteonecrosis of the talus in two patients, degenerative arthrosis in one patient with cavovarus foot (Charcot-Marie-Tooth), and myelodysplasia with progressive valgus deformity of the foot and ankle in one. The surgical technique planned for revision arthrodesis provided firm coaptation of tibia to talus with internal fixation that maintained the foot at right angles to the tibia with the forefoot in neutral position. Seven feet in 11 patients were treated using a transfibular approach that allowed excision of fibrous tissue and sclerotic bone, decortication of the media malleolus, fixation of the tibia to the talus with cancellous screws, and onlay/inlay fibular graft. Of the remaining four patients, one was treated with medial compression plate, a second was treated using an anteromedial cortical graft, a third was treated by a combination of sliding anteromedial corticocancellous graft and tibiotalar compression screw, and a fourth was treated with tibiotalar compression screw. Clinical and roentgenographic union occurred in nine of 11 patients. One patient developed a painless, fibrous union and one patient with persistent pseudarthrosis had myelodysplasia and severe valgus deformity and required amputation. Adequate exposure was possible through the transfibular approach to provide cancellous bone opposition, to excise the pseudarthrosis membrane and sclerotic bone, and to remove necrotic segments of the talus. In addition, supplemental bone graft, internal fixation, and postoperative cast immobilization were also helpful in obtaining union.

Adolescent