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Biomedical subjects

W Pförringer

Publications and source records attributed to W Pförringer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Subsequent treatment of surgically managed, fresh, anterior cruciate ligament ruptures--a randomized, prospective study].

The prospective study examined two different postoperative treatments on 46 patients with acute and isolated disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament (acl), who were treated with reconstruction and augmentation using the semitendinosus-tendon. The patients were randomised and divided into two groups either to use a postoperative brace (Donjoy Ind.) set at full extension (group A) or to use the same brace set at a flexion of 20 degrees (group B) on the first 3 days after surgery. All patients undertook a standard "accelerated" rehabilitation protocol and were evaluated after 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The results were as follow: the patients of group A reached the full extension faster than group B without any loss of knee stability. Postoperative extension even led to an earlier return to work and sport activities. The muscle strength side-to-side difference (Cybex-measurement) was lower in group A. The severity and intensity of postoperative pain, swelling and giving-way was reduced in group A as was the risk of arthrofibrosis. Evaluated with the scoring scales of the "Orthopädische Arbeitsgruppe Knie" (OAK), the "International Knee Documentation Committee" (IKDC), the Tegner activity score and the Lysholm score, the clinical outcome and activity-level were higher in group A than in group B. This prospective study shows, that immediate postoperative extension, compared to the postoperative flexion of 20 degrees, reduces the term of rehabilitation and optimizes the operative results after acl-reconstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Effects of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on the proliferation of chondrocytes].

Chondrocytes isolated from the human cartilage of 5 patients between the ages 23 and 56 were exposed to low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (9 mT; 3 Hz) for a daily period of 60 minutes on 5 consecutive days and then every 48 hours for the next 6 days (11 days in total). Cell viability was estimated using trypan blue exclusion and proliferation was estimated by counting the cells in a haemacytometer. Cell morphology was compared for control purposes by directly observing the cells under a light microscope after staining cells in a haematoxylin and eosin solution. The results were statistically analysed and compared to a control sample. Data revealed that exposing cells isolated from human cartilage to pulsed electromagnetic fields (9 mT; 3 Hz) led to a significantly higher number of cells in comparison to the control sample. Among the cells from the 5 patients, growth varied between 1.1 to 3.0 folds compared to the control sample. The difference in cell viability between the exposed cells and the control sample was, however, not significant. Some morphological variations were revealed when the cells were observed under a light microscope. The exposed cells were thinner and longer than the control cells which were large and flat. The exposed cells tended to grow in a more uniform direction while the control cells grew in all directions. These differences in morphology and growth may be related to the higher density of the exposed cells.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Injuries and overuse syndromes due to rock climbing on artificial walls].

The purpose of this study was to obtain an overview of acute injuries and chronic overuse syndromes due to rock climbing on artificial climbing walls. Strategies for prevention should then be developed based on these experiences. From October 1995 to December 1996 314 climbers of both sexes and all degrees of climbing abilities were individually interviewed at five different indoor climbing arenas with the help of a special questionnaire. Type, quantity and cause of typical injuries and overuse syndromes on artificial climbing walls were determined. Injuries (n = 204) as well as overuse syndromes (n = 266) increased with the performance level. Experienced climbers often suffered from injuries to the finger flexor tendons (n = 42) and the finger flexor pulleys (n = 37) while holding small grips. Beginners sustained skin injuries (n = 26) and joint distortions (n = 22) of the lower limb while falling. Reasons are a lack of experience in the techniques of belaying and falling as well as incomplete covering of the ground with crash mats. Chronic overuse syndromes mainly presented as swelling and pain in the finger joints (n = 140) and as epicondylitis in the elbow (n = 30). Especially knee problems (n = 12) were caused by new climbing techniques used on artificial climbing walls. Referring to injuries as well as to overuse syndromes climbing on artificial climbing walls is a very safe sport, compared to climbing on natural rock. Further prevention could be provided by a well-based instruction of beginners, especially in techniques of belaying and falling. The ground of climbing walls should always be completely covered by sufficient crash mats. More experienced climbers should minimize harmful climbing techniques, like using very small holds with a cling grip, long distance reaches and inside rotation of the leg under pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Analysis of the cost of illness in backache].

BACKGROUND: Back pain has become quite a health problem in today's modern industrial society. Even though an excellent network of doctors and efficient treatments is available and most of the patients need only a few treatments, back pain is a common cause of illness and inability to work. This amounts to a considerable reduction in quality of life for those affected, additionally this also leads to a high economic burden for the national economy and the solidarity of the insured. COST ANALYSIS: The total costs caused by back pain come up to about 34 billion DM per year according to the present study. Ten billion DM of these amount to direct costs, which are divided into costs for physician visits (including diagnostic procedures) at about 35%, hospital, treatment at about 22%, rehabilitation at about 21%, physical therapy at about 17% and medication at about 5%. Regarding total costs, which are composed of around 70% indirect costs, the direct costs relativize immensly. CONCLUSION: Savings through restrictive prescriptions for medications therefore have no great impact on total costs. Only a more efficient therapy, which reduces sick days, number of recurrences and development of chronic illness as well as a more effective prevention, is able to limit the costs of back pain in the long-run. Therefore, more research on a broader base may result in a significant benefit in this area.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Acute and chronic overuse injuries in extreme sport-climbing].

From May to September 1994 a study on acute and chronic overuse injuries in to rockclimbing was performed. The etiology of trauma was referred to trainingforms and climbing techniques. 112 climbers participating in the study climbed at level 9+/10- (8a). This study demonstrated that the incidence of overstrain syndromes increased with the performance level. The overall predominance of finger injuries was followed by acute spinal syndromes, knee, and ankle sprains. Among the most frequent overstrain complaints epicondylopathias, chronic complaints of the finger joins and flexor tendons, and nerve compression syndromes of the upper extremities could be seen. Most notable was the fact that the frequency of certain overstrain syndromes increased in relation to the years of climbing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Sports medicine aspects of gymnastics].

926 injuries were collected and analyzed through a retrospective questionnaire survey among 289 competitive gymnasts. On the average a male/female athlete suffered 0.35/0.33 injuries per year. The greatest number of injuries occurred during floor exercise. Male gymnasts had a high average number (52%) of upper body injuries. The wrist was most often affected (15.4%). The females suffered more injuries in the lower body (52%). The ankle was the most frequently injured anatomical site (28.5%). A comparison between different level gymnasts shows that a more intensive training does not lead to different injuries. When comparing injuries to expose time fewer occurred in the group of high level gymnasts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Sports-induced epiphyseal injuries of the knee and ankle joint].

We report on the clinical and radiological follow-up results of 37 patients with epiphyseal injuries of the knee and ankle joint who were treated in our hospital between 1985 and 1990. Most of the ankle joint injuries were sustained during track and field, soccer and basketball, and most of the knee injuries during alpine skiing. The different mechanisms of injuries of the knee and ankle joint are discussed on the basis of our own results. The therapy considers the age of patient as well as localisation and type of the epiphyseal injury. In spite of this, growth disturbances occurred in 12.5% of the ankle joint and in 9.5% of the knee joint injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate in osteoarthritis of the knee: a multicenter, double-blind study.

The efficacy and the safety of intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate were studied in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in a randomized multicenter double-blind study. Two hundred and nine patients received five injections of either 25 mg hyaluronate/2.5 ml (verum, N = 102) or 0.25 mg hyaluronate/2.5 ml (control, N = 107) at weekly intervals. Seven patients in each group were excluded from the protocol-correct efficacy analysis. The Lequesne Index, the first main criterion, showed a significant superiority of the verum-treated patients after the third injection up to the final follow-up examination 9 weeks after the last injection (MANOVA, P < 0.025). The consumption of paracetamol was defined as a complementary main criterion that did not reveal significant differences between the treatment groups. Most of the individual secondary endpoints demonstrated a much better response to the active treatment without reaching the significance level in the intergroup comparisons for the single time-points. Side-effects were confined to local reactions of minor severity and short duration in four patients (six events) of the verum group and in five patients of the control group. Clinical chemistry and hematology remained essentially unchanged.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1993

[Conservative therapy of ruptures of the medial collateral ligament of the knee. Results of a comparative follow-up study].

The rupture of the medial collateral ligament of the knee joint due to sports injuries is the most common lesion of ligaments of the knee in athletes. The treatment is usually non-operative. We compared in a retrospective study the conservative treatment of these ruptures by two different methods. One group of patients was immobilised in a plaster cast for six weeks, one group of patients was partially immobilised with a brace, initiating early functional therapy. The results proved that the group of early mobilisation was significantly better in late results, in shorter rehabilitation and in all other aspects regarded as important for the treatment of such an injury. Therefore we feel the treatment with plaster casting for isolated ruptures of medial collateral ligaments as the knee should be abandoned.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Traumatology and athletic injuries in basketball].

This analysis outlines the facts concerning sports injuries and damages of 473 active basketball players covering a 5-year period in more than 100 clubs in southern Germany. The average age was 26.8 years and 34.5% were women. 658 medically treated basketball injuries were described in detail. With 40.7% distortions were the most frequent injuries followed by ruptures of ligaments in 24.6% and fractures in 9.3%. In the majority of cases the lower extremities were involved (65.3%), of which most commonly the ankle joint was injured (45.6%). Another 14% were lesions to the fingers and 12.9% trauma to the knee. In 3600 reported cases players did not consult a physician after inflicting distortions to a ankle or a finger. Aside from interaction with adversaries (41%) also the relatively heavy ball (650 g) caused 11.9% accidents. Survey shows, that younger players and "center"-players were most often subject to injuries. More than 2/3 of actives in question suffer from permanent pain due to basketball activities. 43.8%, mainly younger players, report continues pain in the knee and 28.1%, predominantly older players, suffer from permanent damage of the ankle joint, caused by repeatedly occurring, however light, distortions of the ankle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Injuries in parasailing. A collective GOTS study].

Regulations permitting the sport of paragliding were issued on April 15, 1987 by the Department of Transportation in Germany. With the rising number participants in this sport, the number of reported injuries has also been steadily increasing. The herein reported epidemiologic study presents the incidence, localization and degree of injuries associated with this sport documented in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. During the period from 1. 1. 1987 until 31. 12. 1989, 218 injuries associated with paragliding were reported in the above mentioned countries. 181 occurred during landing, 28 during start procedures and 9 during flight. The average age of the patients was 29.6 years. The analysis of the localization of the trauma related injury documented 33.9% spinal injuries, 13.8% injuries of the upper extremities and 41.3% of the lower extremities. Over half of these injuries were treated surgically and in 54 instances permanent disability remained. In the sport of paragliding the lower extremities are at greatest risk for injury during the landing phase. Proper equipment especially sturdy shoes, exact training in landing techniques and especially improved instruction in procedures during aborted or crash landings of the individual paraglider is required to reduce the frequency of these injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Epiphyseal injuries of the lower extremity in sports].

Sports-related epiphyseal injuries have been becoming more prevalent during the last years. We are reporting 85 patients with epiphyseal fractures of the lower extremity treated in our hospital during the last twenty years. The injuries were sustained during soccer in 28% and during alpine skiing in 26% of the cases, of which the former was responsible for most of the injuries reported in males and the latter for those in females. The most frequently seen localization was the upper ankle joint (48 cases), followed by the proximal tibial (15 cases) and the distal femoral epiphysis (10). Of the patients, 56% were treated surgically, while conservative treatment was chosen for 44% of the patients. Of the 49 patients available for follow-up complications were documented in 10 cases, including 3 leg length discrepancies, 5 axis deviations, one avascular necrosis of the femoral head and one case of osteomyelitis, of which 6 required operative surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Treatment of fresh fibular capsular ligament lesion].

340 patients with ruptures in the region of the fibular ligaments at the ankle joint could be followed up clinically and by x-ray after an average period of 3.4 years following trauma and treatment. Significantly better treatment results were seen in the group of 246 patients who had primarily been treated by surgery (77% very good to good) than in the group of 94 patients who had been treated conservatively (41.5% very good to good). On the basis of our own follow-up results, the international literature and with particular reference to the experiences collected in sports orthopedics and sports traumatology, it continues to seem imperative to arrive at an individual indication in each case as to whether a rupture of the lateral ligaments at the ankle joint should be treated by surgery or not; the results we have reviewed point to a generally more favorable outcome of surgical treatment than of the conservative approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Paragliding injuries.

Regulations controlling the sport of paragliding were issued in April 1987 by the German Department of Transportation. The growing popularity of this sport has led to a steady increase in the number of associated injuries. This study presents the incidence, localization and degree of injuries associated with paragliding documented in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The 283 injuries suffered by 218 paragliders were documented in the period 1987-1989: 181 occurred during landing, 28 during starting procedures and nine during flight. The mean patient age was 29.6 years. There were 34.9% spinal injuries, 13.4% upper extremity injuries and 41.3% lower limb injuries. Over half of these injuries were treated surgically and in 54 instances permanent disability remained. In paragliding the lower extremities are at greatest risk of injury during landing. Proper equipment, especially sturdy footwear, exact training in landing techniques as well as improved instruction in procedures during aborted or crash landings is required to reduce the frequency of these injuries.

Adolescent↗