Biomedical subjects

William P Garth

Publications and source records attributed to William P Garth.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Acute rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon in a collegiate athlete.

In rare incidences of combined ruptures of the ACL and patellar tendon, either the patellar tendon ruptures or the associated ACL tear is often initially missed. Even when recognized, there is no established treatment regimen. We report a case of an intercollegiate football player with a combined rupture of the ACL and patellar tendon that was successfully treated by primary augmented repair of the patellar tendon along with ACL reconstruction. Similar to other reported cases, the mechanism of injury involved forceful eccentric contraction of the quadriceps against a fixed foot. Superior displacement of the patella with a palpable defect of the patellar tendon, a positive Lachman test, and an inability to perform terminal knee extension noted during the on-field examination indicated the combined injury. Magnetic resonance and radiographic imaging confirmed conclusions from the on-field examination. The patient also underwent safe early mobilization and weight bearing following surgical repair.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Athletic pubalgia: definition and surgical treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Athletic pubalgia, or "sports hernia," affects people actively engaged in sports. Previously described in high-performance athletes, it can occur in recreational athletes. It presents with inguinal pain exacerbated with physical activity. Examination reveals absence of a hernia with pubic point tenderness accentuated by resisted adduction of the hip. Diagnosis is by history and physical findings. Treatment with an internal oblique flap reinforced with mesh alleviates symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective review from December 1998 to November 2004 for patients with athletic pubalgia who underwent operative repair was performed. Descriptive variables included age, gender, laterality, sport, time to presentation, outcome, anatomy, and length of follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve patients, 1 female, with median age 25 years were evaluated. Activities included running (33%), basketball (25%), soccer (17%), football (17%), and baseball (8%). The majority were recreational athletes (50%). Median time to presentation was 9 months, with a median 4 months of follow-up. The most common intraoperative findings were nonspecific attenuation of the inguinal floor and cord lipomas. All underwent open inguinal repair, with 9 being reinforced with mesh. Four had adductor tenotomy. Results were 83.3% excellent and 16.7% satisfactory. All returned to sports. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of athletic pubalgia can be elusive, but is established by history and physical examination. It can be found in recreational athletes. An open approach using mesh relieves the pain and restores activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

A modified test for patellar instability: the biomechanical basis.

OBJECTIVE: (1) Determine if displacement of the patella in a distal lateral direction results in a more sensitive method to show deficiency of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), the primary restraint to lateral patellar dislocation, than the traditional patellar apprehension test in a direct lateral direction. (2) Determine objective criteria for defining a positive patellar instability test rather than subjective evaluation of apprehension. DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical study. SPECIMENS: Ten above-the-knee amputation specimens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Force-displacement curves with direct lateral patellar displacement were compared with curves with distal lateral patellar displacement before and after sectioning the MPFL. RESULTS: After dividing the MPFL, average terminal restraining force to distal lateral patellar displacement declined by 53% (P=0.024), but force declined only by 30% (P=0.09) with lateral displacement. The greatest difference in terminal slope (eg, end point) was with the MPFL intact with lateral displacement compared with distal lateral displacement with the ligament divided (P=8.67x10(-5)). The terminal slope declined after ligament division with lateral (P=0.07) and distal lateral patellar displacement (P=0.09). CONCLUSION: Displacement of the patella in a distal lateral direction is a more sensitive maneuver to detect disruption of the MPFL, the primary soft tissue restraint, than with traditional lateral displacement. With the knee flexed 30 degrees and patella displaced 2 cm, objective criteria for a positive patellar instability test include greater ease of patellar translation and a softer end point compared with a normal, contralateral knee.

Adult↗