PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R T Austin

Publications and source records attributed to R T Austin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Spinal lesions simulating hip joint disorders.

In three patients pain in the groin and thigh which was initially attributed to either a malfunctioning hip prosthesis or osteoarthritic hip, was shown to arise in the spine. All patients had positive myelograms and one had electromyographic evidence of nerve root compression. Referred pain from the spine must always be considered in the differential diagnosis of pain thought to be arising from a hip replacement.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Epidural adhesions after chymopapain chemonucleolysis.

Epidural adhesions were discovered in seven of nine patients undergoing surgery for failed chymopapain chemonucleolysis. Clinically the adhesions were very vascular, prolific and adherent to the nerve root, dura and the porieties. The histological composition was similar to the normal tissues of the epidural space from the post-mortem controls and also to adhesions discovered at surgery in a non-injected patient, except that there was an increase in fibrous tissue, which was poorly cellular. There was no evidence of an inflammatory infiltrate. Such adhesions may partly explain the failure of chemonucleolysis and prejudice the success of surgery by potentiating further adhesion formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Treatment of broken legs before and after the introduction of gypsum.

Gypsum or plaster-of-Paris has given long and efficient service in the management of fractures of the leg, and in spite of the recent introduction of a variety of synthetic materials (Hunt, 1980) it remains the most commonly used splintage material. Plaster-of-Paris bandages can compete successfully with synthetic ones because of their convenience and easy use notwithstanding the superior strength, shorter curing time, water resistance, and radiotranslucence of the synthetics. However, Orthoplast in sheet form is a very satisfactory material for forming the tibial cast brace while synthetic bandages with plastic flexible hinges are advantageous for femoral cast bracing. Nowadays, in fact, plaster-of-Paris has been supplanted to some extent. A review of the methods of fracture splintage that were used before the introduction of gypsum helps to provide a perspective of the merits of this material, whose properties and availability have been taken for granted for more than a hundred years.

Braces↗
PubMed1982

Granulomatosis of bone from high density polyethylene.

Granulomatous reaction by bone to high density polyethylene can occur if the rate of wear and the volume of the resulting wear products is abnormally great. The phenomenon was found in 6 of 11 patients who had had a Monk soft-top prosthesis inserted more than two years before.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

The Sarmiento tibial plaster: a prospective study of 145 fractures.

A prospective series of 145 fractures of the tibia was treated with the Sarmiento below-knee functional cast between 1973 and 1979. In only 3 patients was it not possible to use the cast for reasons connected with the method. The cast was applied in 88 per cent of cases within 4 weeks of injury. Control of angulatory deformity and shortening was satisfactory and the results approach those reported by Sarmiento. The results regarding the speed of healing also stand comparison with Sarmiento's but difficulties inherent in the interpretation of these results are discussed. The PTB cast has been found to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Dislocation of the median nerve and brachial artery in supracondylar fractures of the humerus.

Two patients are described in whom the median nerve was dislocated and incarcerated between the fragments of a supracondylar fracture of the humerus. In one, the brachial artery was similarly incarcerated and was in spasm. In the second, the brachial artery had been ruptured by the upper fragment. Circulation was restored by operation in both instances. The mechanism of dislocation is discussed.

Brachial Artery↗
PubMed1979

Flexor tendon healing and adhesion formation after Sterispon wrapping: a study in the rabbit.

The influence of Sterispon (Allen & Hanbury) wrapping on the healing of the rabbit flexor digitorum profundus tendon sutured within the digital sheath was studied. Control tendons healed in 2 weeks in association with thick adhesions. The wrapped tendons were surrounded with fewer adhesions, but 50% separated. Healing was delayed until adhesions reached the suture site. A sheath of a single layer of mesothelial cells formed on the surface of the Sterispon opposite the tendon and this markedly reduced adhesions at the suture site. The cellular reaction was bland. Sterispon wrapping had a similar effect on tendon healing and adhesion formation as wrapping with other non-absorbable substances and the results support the theory that healing in the digital sheath is necessarily mediated through the formation of adhesions. Sterispon wrapping has been helpful after tenolysis operations.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Fractures of the tibial shaft: is medical audit possible?

Eight reports dealing with fractures of the tibial shaft have been examined to ascertain whether an audit of the results could be made. This was possible in only two instances owing to wide variations in the systems of classification of fractures, in definitions of certain terms and in presentation of results. Histograms in the form of frequency distribution curves of healing time were not helpful for making comparisons but the presentation of the results in the form of cumulative percentage curves appears to have advantages as a simple visual means of comparison. Statistical analysis is then still necessary. Little useful information is gained by attempting to compare reports which incorporate different systems of classification and definition as well as different methods of presenting results. A medical audit of different methods of treatment will only be made possible by standardization in these matters. A system of classification is required which will subclassify serious fractures so that specific problem fracture types can be studies on a multicentre basis.

Adolescent↗