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Biomedical subjects

R D Heekin

Publications and source records attributed to R D Heekin.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Segmental limb reconstruction after tumor resection.

Limb salvage of large segmental and osteoarticular defects after tumor resection has become the standard of care for most patients with musculoskeletal tumors because overall survival is the same when compared with that seen in amputation patients. This study examines limb salvage for the surgical management of large segmental defects in terms of local recurrence, complications, and functional outcome in both primary and metastatic lesions. We retrospectively identified 32 patients with benign or malignant tumors of bone who underwent resection and limb salvage reconstruction by means of a custom or modular metal implant between 1985 and 1995. The most common tumor sites were the proximal femur (41%), distal femur (37.5%), and proximal humerus (12.5%). Primary bone lesions accounted for 18 patients (56%); metastatic disease accounted for 14 patients (44%). Osteosarcoma (n = 11) and chondrosarcoma (n = 3) were the most frequent primary tumors. The overall limb salvage rate (91%) was high, yet complications (28%) were common. Except for 3 patients who underwent amputation after prosthetic failure, all surviving patients were independent with or without assistive devices at latest follow-up. In patients with advanced metastatic disease, average survival was 7.6 months. No cases of aseptic loosening or implant breakage were observed in patients followed up for 2 years or more. Treatment after tumor resection with a limb salvage prosthetic reconstruction has shown good functional outcomes with an acceptable complication rate. This modality, therefore, offers patients a more favorable functional outcome with a more energy-efficient gait when compared with limb amputation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Arthroscopic release for lateral epicondylitis: a cadaveric model.

At least 10 different surgical approaches to refractory lateral epicondylitis have been described, including an arthroscopic release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. The advantages of an arthroscopic approach include an opportunity to examine the joint for associated pathology, no disruption of the extensor mechanism, and a rapid return to premorbid activities with possibly fewer complications. A cadaveric study was performed to determine the safety of this procedure. Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities underwent arthroscopic visualization of the extensor tendon and release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. The specimens were randomized with regard to the use of either a 2.7-mm or a 4.0-mm 30 degree arthroscope through modified medial and lateral portals. Following this, the arthroscope remained in the joint, and the portal, cannula track, and surgical release site were dissected to determine the distance between the cannula and the radial, median, ulnar, lateral antebrachial, and posterior antebrachial nerves, and the brachial artery and the ulnar collateral ligament. No direct lacerations of neurovascular structures were identified; however, the varying course of the lateral and posterior antebrachial nerves place these superficial sensory nerves at risk during portal placement. As in previous reports, the radial nerve was consistently in close proximity to the proximal lateral portal (3 to 10 mm: mean, 5.4 mm). The ulnar collateral ligament was not destabilized. Arthroscopic release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon appears to be a safe, reliable, and reproducible procedure for refractory lateral epicondylitis. Cadaveric dissection confirms these findings.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed1999

The porous-coated anatomic total hip prosthesis, inserted without cement. A prospective study with a minimum of ten years of follow-up.

One hundred consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties performed with use of a porous-coated anatomic total hip prosthesis, fixed without cement, in ninety-one patients were followed prospectively for a minimum of ten years. At the time of the most recent follow-up, twenty patients (twenty-three hips) had died and seventy-one patients (seventy-seven hips) were living. The average age of the living patients was sixty-six years (range, thirty-two to ninety-two years), and their average Harris hip score was 84 points (range, 33 to 100 points). Twelve percent (nine) of the seventy-seven hips were found to be associated with pain in the thigh when the patients were specifically questioned by the examiner. Eleven hips were revised during the follow-up period. Only the acetabular component was revised in six hips, only the femoral component was revised in one hip, and both the femoral and the acetabular components were revised in four hips. Of the ten acetabular revisions, one was performed because of acute dissociation of the component and eight, because of a combination of polyethylene wear, osteolysis, and loosening; the tenth acetabular revision consisted of exchange of the liner and curettage and bone-grafting of the osteolytic area. Of the five femoral revisions, two were performed because of loosening and three, because of extensive osteolysis of the proximal aspect of the femur. Including the revised components, twelve acetabular components and five femoral components had radiographic evidence of aseptic loosening. Acetabular osteolysis occurred in seventeen hips. Femoral osteolysis occurred in thirty-nine hips: in the proximal aspect of thirty-one hips, in the distal aspect of four, and in both the proximal and the distal aspect of four. The durability of the femoral fixation documented in this study is especially encouraging in view of the fact that this was our initial experience with devices fixed without cement and that a so-called first-generation femoral component was used. However, the study also demonstrated that not all acetabular components fixed without cement function well over the long term and that specific design considerations (adequate initial fixation, congruency between the liner and the shell, an optimum shell-liner capturing mechanism, and a smaller femoral head) are warranted.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

A review of total joint replacement in active duty soldiers.

Thirty-two active duty soldiers (36 total joint replacements) were followed from 9 months and 18 years (average 4.1 years) to evaluate the outcome of total joint replacement in active duty soldiers. Follow-up consisted of clinical assessment and radiographic evaluation at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and yearly thereafter. A Harris hip rating (HHR) was also completed at each clinic visit. There were 30 total hip arthroplasties in 27 patients with an average age at surgery of 40.8 years (range 31-58) and an average follow-up of 4.1 years. The HHR averaged 93 on latest evaluation. There were three revisions (average 7.2 years). Of the 27 patients, 18 were retained on active duty and 9 were separated from service. Of the senior enlisted (E7 or above) and officers (O4 or above), 16 of 17 (94%) were retained on active duty, whereas only 2 of 10 (20%) of the junior enlisted (E6 or below) were retained on active duty. There were 6 total knee arthroplasties in 5 patients with an average age at surgery of 49.8 years (range 33-58) and an average follow-up of 3.0 years (9 months to 4 years). There were no revisions, and all 5 soldiers were retained on active duty. Preliminary results from this study reveal that a high percentage of soldiers undergoing total joint replacement are retained on active duty (72%) and are able to continue active lives. Rank or seniority also appears to be a significant factor for retention on active duty. The revision rate (10%) and the rate of osteolysis (19%) are comparable with reported rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Fractures through cystic lesions of the greater trochanter. A cause of late pain after cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Four patients who presented with sudden onset of hip pain 7 to 11 years after successful porous-coated cementless hip arthroplasty are described. These four patients were all diagnosed to have fractures through osteolytic cysts in the greater trochanter. One patient was seen initially with a displaced fracture of the greater trochanter. Two patients were treated operatively with curettage of the cystic area and with polyethylene exchange. One of these patients underwent revision of the femoral component in addition to the polyethylene exchange. Two patients were treated nonoperatively. The fractures treated nonoperatively have healed and the patients have resumed their normal activities. This report should stimulate an awareness of fractures through cystic lesions of the greater trochanter as a late cause of hip pain after porous-coated cementless hip arthroplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Structural bulk allografts in acetabular reconstruction. Analysis of two grafts retrieved at post-mortem.

Two acetabula which contained large bone allografts introduced at revision arthroplasty were obtained at post-mortem. The allografts had been placed in superior defects to support cementless acetabular components, and both hips were functioning well at the time of death. Clinical radiographs demonstrated apparent healing of graft to host bone, no graft collapse and stability of the acetabular components. Microscopic examination of sections through these specimens showed that the bulk allografts were encapsulated in fibrous tissue. Vascularity was increased at the host-graft interface, but there was limited evidence of bone union between the graft and the host. In the few areas where union had occurred, revascularisation extended no more than 2 mm beyond the graft-host interface. Within the body of the graft, the acellular matrix of trabecular bone maintained structural integrity up to 48 months after surgery. In areas where the allograft was adjacent to an implant, there was fibrous tissue orientated parallel to the implant surface. The acetabulum which contained a porous-coated component showed evidence of bone growth into the porous surface where it was in contact with viable host bone. No ingrowth occurred in areas where the porous coating was in contact with the graft. Although the grafts were functioning well, allograft revascularisation and remodelling were minimal, and the radiological appearance of healing did not correlate with histological findings.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1996

Parachuting injuries among Army Rangers: a prospective survey of an elite airborne battalion.

Injuries are common in sports and military parachuting. This paper presents results of a prospective survey of parachuting injuries in an airborne Ranger battalion. The Ranger regiment is the U.S Army's most elite airborne infantry, prepared for worldwide deployment without advanced notice. Average unit size was 556 Rangers for the 18 months of follow-up. Other variables examined were type of landing area and time of day. During the follow-up period, all injuries occurring in the battalion were documented, as were all airborne operations. During the survey period, 65 airborne operations were conducted (7,948 static-line and free-fall jumps), which caused 163 injuries to Rangers. Fifty-five percent of the operations and jumps were made at night, and 63, 23, and 14% of operations were onto fields, airports, and unimproved airplane landing strips, respectively. All operations were performed in a tactical environment with equipment. The "static-line" injury rate was 2.2%. The types of injuries were similar to those found in previous reports. Dirt landing strips (4.7% injured) and airports (2.3%) appeared to be more hazardous landing areas than fields (1.6%) and water (0%), and more injuries occurred during night operations (2.7%) than during the day (1.4%). Two and one-half times as many severe injuries occurred at night versus day. This type of information is important for combat airborne operations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Morselized allograft in acetabular reconstruction. A postmortem retrieval analysis.

Contained acetabular defects often are repaired at revision surgery using morselized bone allograft. The extent to which this graft becomes incorporated is unknown, and the value of radiographs for predicting allograft incorporation is unclear. To better understand the effectiveness of morselized allograft in revision hip arthroplasty, the authors studied postmortem specimens from 3 patients treated with this type of graft. Histologic analysis of acetabular components in situ for 18 months showed allograft fragments invested with loose myxofibrous tissue. Vascularized tissue had penetrated the allograft fragments to a depth of 4 mm. In peripheral areas, the vascularized ingrowth was accompanied by partial osteoclastic resorption of graft trabeculae and application of living bone to allograft fragments. After 53 months in situ, graft fragments had remodeled and showed progressive vascular ingrowth. By 83 months, the graft almost completely had incorporated. Morselized allograft bone is useful for restoring bone deficiency within contained acetabular defects. The graft does incorporate, but the extent of graft incorporation cannot be predicted accurately by postoperative radiographs.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1995

Osteolysis around an uncemented cobalt chrome total hip arthroplasty.

One hundred consecutive uncemented Porous Coated Anatomic total hip arthroplasties performed in 91 patients who obtained prospective serial clinical and radiographic evaluation during a minimum 7-year followup period were studied for the occurrence, extent, and progression of localized periprosthetic bone loss (osteolysis). Periprosthetic bone loss occurred around the femoral component in 11 hips, the acetabular component in 2 hips, and both components in 2 hips during the followup interval. The bone loss was progressive in 6 hips (2 of 11 femoral cases, 2 of 2 acetabular cases, and 2 of 2 both component cases). It frequently occurred around components that showed no evidence of acetabular migration or femoral subsidence (11 of 15 cases). The average age at surgery of patients in the bone loss group was 10 years younger than the nonbone loss group (in the 100 hip cohort). Clinically, most patients with bone loss were asymptomatic, with the average Harris hip rating of 92.4 points (range, 85-99 points). With this particular device at this interval of followup (7 years), the acetabular and the proximal femoral osteolytic lesions are of greatest concern. Wear of the acetabular component was greater for cases with osteolysis than for those without osteolysis, but the difference was not significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The porous-coated anatomic total hip prosthesis, inserted without cement. Results after five to seven years in a prospective study.

The results of 100 primary arthroplasties with a porous-coated anatomic total hip prosthesis that were performed consecutively in ninety-one patients were followed prospectively for five to seven years after the operation or until death. Clinical Harris hip ratings and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were made preoperatively, several times in the first postoperative year, and at annual intervals thereafter. Average sequential hip ratings were maintained between 92 and 93 points during the follow-up interval. Pain in the thigh, which did not limit function, was recorded at the yearly examinations from the first to the fifth year. After one year, 18 per cent of the thighs were painful, and in succeeding years, 19 per cent, 23 per cent, 26 per cent, and 15 per cent were painful. Radiographs demonstrated that the fixation of the femoral component was by ingrowth of bone in 94 per cent of the hips, by stable fibrous fixation in 1 per cent, and by unstable fibrous fixation in 5 per cent, according to the criteria of Engh et al. By five years, 6 per cent of the acetabular components had migrated, and 5 per cent of the femoral components had subsided. Two acetabular components had been revised, and one revision of a femoral component was pending. The evaluated device was an early-generation prosthesis that was designed for insertion without the use of cement. Further study is necessary to determine the long-term durability of the prosthesis-bone interface.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of the learning curve associated with uncemented primary porous-coated anatomic total hip arthroplasty.

The results of the first and second groups of 50 consecutive primary, uncemented porous-coated anatomic arthroplasties were analyzed to evaluate the learning curve associated with the procedure. Femoral fit, acetabular cup angle, femoral fracture rate, minimum two-year clinical hip ratings, and clinical symptoms were compared between the two groups. Significant improvement in achieving better femoral canal filling with the prosthesis and lower acetabular cup angle placements was documented in the second 50 cases. Although a definite learning curve in mastering the technique of uncemented total hip arthroplasty was observed, thigh pain rate and clinical ratings were not improved after two years.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The diagnostic accuracy of history, physical examination, and radiographs in the evaluation of traumatic knee disorders.

We prospectively looked at the diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination of the knee in patients with arthroscopically documented knee injuries. The study included 156 patients with 156 knee injuries (72 acute and 84 chronic) who were seen during 1 year at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning Georgia. All patients were given a primary diagnosis based on their history, physical examination, and routine radiographs. Fifty-seven patients were also given one or more secondary diagnoses. Magnetic resonance imaging scans and arthrograms were not used in the evaluation of these patients. The primary diagnosis was correct in 83% of the knees. Of 57 secondary diagnoses given, 54% were correct and 31% were incomplete. An incorrect diagnosis was made in 14% of knees for both primary and secondary diagnoses. There were four patients with no identifiable lesion other than synovitis. With the increasing cost of medical care, the need for expensive diagnostic studies such as magnetic resonance imaging needs to be evaluated. The cost of a magnetic resonance image scan ranges between $600 to $1200 depending on the institution. The use of magnetic resonance imaging as a routine diagnostic aid in the clinical examination of the knee is unnecessary. Arthroscopic surgery of the knee should be based on the patient's history, physical examination, and radiographs.

Adolescent↗