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Biomedical subjects

T M Cook

Publications and source records attributed to T M Cook.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Revascularization and ligamentization of autogenous anterior cruciate ligament grafts in humans.

Forty-eight patients were enrolled in a study to determine the time interval for maturity and remodeling following arthroscopically assisted autogenous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Two biopsy specimens, one superficial and one deep, at the same level in the midsubstance of the ACL were obtained. Graft age, time from ACL reconstruction to biopsy, ranged from 3 months to 120 months. The patients were placed into four groups, (1) 3 to 6 months, (2) 7 to 12 months, (3) more than 12 months, and (4) control, in accordance with the time following ACL reconstruction. Each specimen was independently evaluated using light microscopy by two different observers in a blinded design. The biopsy specimens were evaluated for vascularity, cellularity, fiber pattern, and metaplasia when compared with the normal ACL. None of the patients was protected from activity as a result of ligament biopsy and no adverse outcomes were reported as a result of biopsy. Our study showed that fiber pattern, cellularity, vascularity, and degree of metaplasia obtained gross histological similarity with a normal ACL by 12 months after autogenous reconstruction. Unexpectedly, no significant statistical differences were noted for all grafts more than 6 months after ACLR, for two of the histological features studied, vascularity and fiber pattern, P=.05. We conclude that by 12 months after autogenous ACLR, graft maturity resembles a normal ACL. Additionally, because no statistical differences were noted in vascularity and fiber pattern after 6 months following autogenous ACLR, significant graft maturity may occur before 12 months. This may allow early postoperative return to full activity and support proponents of accelerated rehabilitation programs following autogenous ACLR.

Adult

The effect of foot structure on the three-dimensional kinematic coupling behavior of the leg and rear foot.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Differences in foot structures have been reported to account for the large variability in findings in previous studies that have examined the relationship between foot structure and the interdependent rotations of the lower extremity. The purpose of this study was to determine, in individuals with radiographically distinct foot structures, the effect of foot structure on three-dimensional kinematic behavior of the leg and rear foot during running. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Based on radiographic measurements, 10 recreational runners were assigned to a low rear-foot group and another 10 recreational runners were assigned to a high rear-foot group. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected during treadmill running. Individual axis rotations and the "coupled" relationship between the leg and rear-foot segments were defined using a Cardan angle system of three ordered rotations. RESULTS: The predominant rotations suggest a combined subtalar and talocalcaneal joint axis to favor calcaneal eversion and inversion for the low rear-foot group and tibial medial and lateral rotation for the high rear-foot group. Group differences were also found for the coupling ratio, which described the proportion of calcaneal eversion and inversion transferred or coupled to tibial axial rotation. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The rotational patterns and coupling response unique to each foot group may enhance our understanding of lower-extremity injuries related to certain foot structures. An assessment of the coupling relationship in combination with traditional frontal-plane measurements may better guide decisions regarding selection of footwear and orthoses.

Adolescent

Effects of vibration frequency and postural changes on human responses to seated whole-body vibration exposure.

The present investigation evaluated the effects of changes in pelvic orientation and vibration frequency on the seated human's response to wholebody vibration (WBV). Seat-to-trunk and seat-to-head acceleration transmissibility, peak-to-peak pelvic motion and erector spinae EMG and mean erector spinae EMG was collected across three pelvic orientations (9 degrees anterior pelvic tilt, neutral pelvis, and 9 degrees posterior pelvic tilt) and frequencies ranging from 4.5 to 16 Hz. Subjects included 30 healthy males between the ages of 18 and 35. Ensemble averages, two vibration cycles in length, were produced for each subject within each frequency-pelvic orientation combination. Group ensemble averages within each frequency-pelvic orientation combination were then compared using ANOVA. Changes in pelvic orientation produced significant differences in acceleration transmissibility, pelvic motion, and erector spinae EMG. At frequencies below 6 Hz, acceleration transmissibility at the head and pelvic motion were significantly greater in the posterior pelvic orientation than in the other two. At frequencies above 6 Hz, acceleration transmissibility at the head and trunk were significantly greater in the anterior pelvic orientation than in the other two. Peak-to-peak EMG responses were similar across all pelvic orientations at frequencies below 6 Hz. However, above 6 Hz, the response was significantly greater in the anterior pelvic orientation than in the other two. Thus, vibration frequency and pelvic orientation were shown to have significant interactive effects on the seated human's response to WBV. These interactive effects need to be considered when determining appropriate vibration exposure guidelines.

Adult

Analgesia after day-case knee arthroscopy: double-blind study of intra-articular tenoxicam, intra-articular bupivacaine and placebo.

Arthroscopy of the knee is performed regularly on a day-case basis. Intra-articular bupivacaine produces transient analgesia and reports of analgesia using intra-articular morphine have produced conflicting results. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs given systemically can provide effective analgesia for this procedure. In this study we attempted to determine if intra-articular tenoxicam provided useful analgesia after day-case arthroscopy. Sixty three ASA I-II patients were allocated randomly to one of three groups to receive 40 ml of a solution containing 0.9% saline (group Pla), 0.25% bupivacaine (group Bup) or tenoxicam 20 mg (group Ten). The injection was made into the knee joint at the end of surgery, 10 min before tourniquet deflation. Verbal rating and visual analogue pain scores (at rest and on knee flexion), use of analgesia, mobilization and disturbance by pain at home were recorded for the next 48 h. There were no differences between pain scores in any of the three groups when tested at rest or on movement. Less analgesia was used in the first 24 h by patients in the tenoxicam group but the difference in time to first analgesia was not statistically significant. Side effects and disturbance by pain were similar in all groups. The use of intra-articular tenoxicam 20 mg at the end of arthroscopy reduced oral analgesic requirements during the first day after operation but did not alter patients' perception of pain.

Adolescent

Epidural analgesia following upper abdominal surgery: United Kingdom practice.

BACKGROUND: Epidural Analgesia (EA) may be used to provide pain relief after upper abdominal surgery. A variety of drugs and combinations may be used. Potential side effects lead some to believe EA should be restricted to high care areas. METHOD: The use of EA following upper abdominal surgery is surveyed in 214 hospitals in the United Kingdom by means of a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent use EA frequently and 3% not at all. The low thoracic site is the most commonly used, by 65%. Forty-eight percent use a combination of sites. EA is most frequently achieved using a mixture of an opioid and a local anaesthetic (97%). No other agents are used. Fentanyl and diamorphine are the opioids used most widely (61% and 52% departments, respectively) in combination with local anaesthetic. Subcutaneous heparin is regularly used in 89% of departments. In 43%, the epidural is sited shortly after administering heparin. Use of EA is restricted solely to intensive or high-care units in 46% of hospitals. In 82% of departments, EA is continued for up to 72 h. Ninety-six percent of departments use continuous epidural infusions in the post-operative period. Adjunct analgesia includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 50% of departments. An anaesthetist supervises EA in 89% of hospitals. EA is considered to be the best mode of analgesia available by 80% of respondents. CONCLUSION: EA is widely used in the United Kingdom following upper abdominal surgery. A degree of consensus exists on the choice of drug types, their method of administration and duration. There is no consensus as to whether the technique should be used on a general ward, which opioid should be used or the timing of heparin.

Abdomen

Effects of restricted knee flexion and walking speed on the vertical ground reaction force during gait.

Although lower extremity immobilization, including restricted knee flexion, is commonly used in rehabilitation, the effect of angle of knee restriction and walking speed on the vertical ground reaction forces during gait is unclear. Force plate measurements were made on 36 healthy males walking at three different speeds when knee flexion was unrestricted and restricted to both 10 and 25 degrees. Analysis of variance and post hoc analyses showed significant increases in four characteristics of the vertical ground reaction force in the restricted leg and in two characteristics in the unrestricted leg during walking with restricted knee flexion. Loading rate and unloading rate for the restricted leg and peak force for both legs showed significant speed-knee flexion restriction interactions. At the fast walking speed, two significant differences were found between knee flexion restrictions of 10 and 25 degrees. The clinical implications of these findings are that restricted knee flexion during gait may significantly alter the forces applied to both lower limbs.

Adolescent

An audit of hospital mortality after urgent and emergency surgery in the elderly.

An audit was carried out of 102 patients aged over 75 years undergoing urgent or emergency surgery in a district general hospital. The risk of death in hospital after general surgery (13 deaths in 49 patients) was greater than after orthopaedic surgery (two deaths in 53 patients) (P < 0.05). In particular, laparotomy carried a high in-hospital mortality: 12 of 25 patients undergoing laparotomy died. Risk of death after general surgery increased with increasing preoperative ASA class, increasing medical risk factors and duration of operation. Orthopaedic cases were fitter than the general surgical cases as determined by ASA class and the number of medical risk factors. NCEPOD has recommended increased involvement of senior medical staff in operations, reduced night-time operating and avoidance of futile surgery. A high proportion of cases were operated on and anaesthetised by higher specialist trainees and consultants. Death rate was not affected by the seniority of doctors involved, nor by the time of day the operation took place. General surgical deaths were predictable postoperatively in most cases, but preoperative prediction of outcome was not specific enough to alter management.

Aged

Analgesia following thoracotomy: a survey of Australian practice.

This survey examines pain management after thoracotomy in Australian hospitals. Questionnaires were sent to senior thoracic anaesthetists at 27 hospitals (16 public and 11 private) with thoracic surgical units. Twenty-six anaesthetists replied and 24 responses were included in the analyses. Seventy-two percent of respondents were from hospitals with acute pain services (APS), and in 94% of these hospitals patients are reportedly visited by the APS. The most frequently used analgesic modalities are epidural analgesia, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA), and nurse-controlled intravenous opioid infusions. Over half of the anaesthetists reported using local anaesthetic intercostal nerve block, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or paracetamol. Combinations of analgesic techniques were cited frequently. Respondents reported that cryoanalgesia, interpleural blockade, paravertebral blockade, subarachnoid infusions, ketamine, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are used infrequently. Anaesthetists from public hospitals reported using epidural analgesia, IVPCA and NSAIDs more frequently than those from private hospitals. When epidural analgesia is used, most respondents place the catheter in the mid-thoracic region (91%), use a regimen of opioids plus local anaesthetic (96%), use a constant infusion technique (100%), and continue analgesia for up to three days (83%). Over half of the respondents reported that post-thoracotomy patients are nursed in a high-dependency area. Seventy-nine percent of respondents selected epidural analgesia as the best available analgesia technique, whereas 21% consider IVPCA to be the best. Only 75% of respondents reported that the type of analgesia they consider best is also the type which they use most frequently.

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