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Bone loss of the radius in rheumatoid arthritis. Comparison between 34 patients and 40 controls.

We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in the radius by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in 40 healthy controls. The BMD in RA patients in their fifties and sixties, but not in their forties and seventies, was significantly lower than that in the control subjects. The decrease in total radial BMD correlated with grip strength, RA activity and RA stage. The decrease in distal radial BMD correlated with RA activity, but not with grip strength. The levels of serum parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, and urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine were significantly higher in the patients. From these findings, we suggest that the bone loss in RA patients is affected by severity of inflammation, disuse, postmenopausal osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Child-Pugh class, nutritional indicators and early liver transplant outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver transplantation have reduced body fat and muscle mass. The extent to which nutritional indicators and Child-Pugh class are predictive of postoperative outcome in adults is unclear. The aims of this study were to determine in adult patients undergoing transplant 1) the influence of preoperative Child-Pugh class and nutritional indicators on early transplant outcomes and one-year survival, 2) the relationship between nutritional indicators and Child-Pugh class and disease type. This study included 80 patients (1990-1994). METHODOLOGY: The nutritional indicators utilized were grip strength, triceps skinfold thickness and uncorrected mid-arm muscle area. Measured outcomes were ventilator time, intensive care stay, postoperative hospital stay and one-year survival. RESULTS: Early morbidity was determined in survivors. Child-Pugh class C patients required longer ventilation and spent more time in the intensive care unit than Child-Pugh classes A and B. No significant relationships were found for length of hospital stay. Relationships between the nutritional indicators (when controlled for Child-Pugh class) and early morbidity could not be determined due to insufficient data. No relationship was established between one-year survival and Child-Pugh class or the nutritional indicators. Grip strength and mid-arm muscle area were lower in the patients in Child-Pugh classes B and C. Parenchymal liver disease was associated with lower grip strength and mid-arm muscle area when compared to cholestatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Child-Pugh class C is associated with greater early postoperative morbidity. Advanced Child-Pugh class is also associated with diminished muscle status and parenchymal disease.

Adolescent↗

Failure of cast immobilization for thumb ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fractures.

To determine if small avulsion fractures of the thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) with minimal (< or = 2.0 mm) displacement can successfully be treated by cast immobilization, the authors reviewed 9 patients with minimally displaced fractures initially treated by casting. Despite immobilization within an average of 2 days of the initial injury (range, 0-6 days), a minimum of 6 weeks of immobilization in a cast, and adequate rehabilitation, all 9 patients had persistent thumb pain, especially with activities requiring strong pinch. After undergoing open reduction and internal fixation, the patients had relief of thumb pain and pinch strength improved from 36% of the contralateral side to 89% (p < .01). Grip strength increased from 77% to 93% (p < .05), but the ranges of motion of the thumb metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints were not significantly altered. Minimally displaced UCL avulsion fractures frequently have significant rotation that prevents successful fracture healing even with prompt cast immobilization.

Adolescent↗

Outcome of distal radius fractures in relation to bone mineral density.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether osteoporosis influenced the clinical results of distal radius fractures in women above the age of 40 years. Forty patients underwent bone mineral densitometry of the distal forearm, hip and lumbar spine. Radiographs of both wrists were taken at the time of fracture healing and the difference in ulnar variance, palmar tilt and radial inclination with the contralateral wrist was measured. Wrist mobility, grip strength and pain relief were determined in 35 patients with a follow-up of more than one year. We found that the clinical results correlated better with bone mineral density than with the radiological parameters. Osteoporosis may be one of the factors affecting the outcome of distal radius fractures.

Adult↗

Comparison of force-time parameters and EMG in static explosive gripping by various exertion conditions: muscle fatigue state and submaximal exertion.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the exertion and electromyography (EMG) properties during the developmental phase (DFmax) in static explosive grip (SEG), rapid submaximal exertion grip, namely fake SEG exertion (FAKE), and SEG in a muscle fatigue state. METHODS: Thirty healthy males and females performed the SEG and FAKE exertions (50% and 75% of peak value as a target value). Then, they performed sustained repeated rhythmic grip for 6 min (30 times x min(-1)), and SEG after 1-min, 4-min, and 7-min (SEG after the exertion). EMG was measured concurrently to compare with the muscle activation property during each grip exertion. Eight force-time parameters evaluating the DFmax in addition to the peak value were selected. RESULTS: The peak value significantly decreased, and the mean power spectrum density shifted to the low-wave in SEG after the exertion as compared with before. Therefore, SEG after the exertion was judged to be a muscle fatigue state. In addition, because the frequency properties in each exertion differed, the muscle activation properties during their DFmaxs were considered to differ. From the comparison between SEG before and after the exertion and FAKE, it is suggested that the time of reaching the peak value and the relative muscle strength when reaching an inflection point are not useful as parameters to evaluate the explosive muscle function during SEG. CONCLUSIONS: The maximal increasing volume during the DFmax and integrated area until 0.25 and 0.5 s could discriminate a difference of the DFmaxs according to each exertion and they are useful parameters.

Adult↗

Long-term adaptation to dynamics of reaching movements: a PET study.

Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to examine changes in the cerebellum as subjects learned to make movements with their right arm while holding the handle of a robot that produced a force field. Brain images were acquired during learning and then during recall at 2 and 4 weeks. We also acquired images during a control task where the force field was not learnable and subjects did not show any improvements across sessions. During the 1st day, we observed that motor errors decreased from the control condition to the learning condition. However, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the posterior region of the right cerebellar cortex initially increased from the control condition and then gradually declined with reductions in motor error. Correspondingly, rCBF in the ipsilateral deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) initially decreased from the control condition and then increased with reductions in motor error. If measures of rCBF mainly reflect presynaptic activity of neurons, this result predicts that DCN neurons fire with a pattern that starts high in the control task then decreases as learning proceeds. Similarly, Purkinje cells should generally have their lowest activity in the control task. This pattern is consistent with neurophysiological recordings that find that cerebellar activity during early learning of a motor task may mainly reflect changes in coactivation of muscles of the limbs, rather than a learning specific signal. By the end of the first session, motor errors had reached a minimum and no further improvements were observed. However, across the weeks a region in the anterior cerebellar cortex showed gradual decreases in rCBF that could not be attributed to changes in motor performance. Because patterns of rCBF in the cortex and nuclei were highly anti-correlated, we used structural equation modeling to estimate how synaptic activity in the cerebellar cortex influenced synaptic activity in the DCN. We found a negative correlation with a strength that significantly increased during the 4 weeks. This suggests that, during long-term recall, the same input to the cerebellar cortex would produce less synaptic activity at the DCN, possibly because of reduced cerebellar cortex output to the DCN.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Functional recovery improvement is related to aberrant reinnervation trimming. A comparative study using fresh or predegenerated nerve grafts.

Experimentally predegenerated nerve grafts have been demonstrated to improve recovery. In a 12 month-long study, we compared the degree of recovery of conventional and predegenerated grafts in rat median nerve repair. To induce predegeneration the ulnar donor nerve was crushed and grafting to the median nerve was performed 2 weeks later. The day of recovery and the improvement of finger flexion strength were studied by the grasping test. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery retrograde labeling studies and flexor carpi radialis muscle ATPase histochemistry were performed. In the predegenerated grafts, the recovery of finger flexion occurred 19.6+/-1.5 days after surgery and was significantly faster than that in the conventional group. Twelve months after surgery, a similar rate of 85% of grasping strength recovery in relation to the normal control rats was demonstrated for the conventional and predegenerated grafts. After grafting, a larger number of motoneurons, compared to the normal controls, were retrograde labeled in the median nerve. This surplus of retrograde labeled motoneurons in the predominantly sensory branch of the median nerve represented misdirected motor fibers. There was a time-related decrease in the number of labeled motoneurons, which correlated to functional grasping strength recovery. Muscle reinnervation induced a predominance of type I over type II muscle fibers. Forty percent of type I fibers were grouped indicating that collateral sprouting plays a prominent role during muscle reinnervation. Regeneration in predegenerated grafts was faster but the final rate of recovery was similar to conventional grafts.

Animals↗

Association of physical performance measures with bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between physical performance measures and bone mineral density (BMD) in older women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy postmenopausal women (N=116; mean age +/- standard deviation, 68.3+/-6.8y) in self-reported good health who were not taking medications known to affect bone, including hormone replacement therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometrics and BMD of the hip, spine, whole body, and forearm. Physical performance measures included normal and brisk 8-m gait speed, normal step length (NSL), brisk step length (BSL), timed 1-leg stance (OLS), timed sit-to-stand (STS), and grip strength. RESULTS: NSL, BSL, normal gait speed, brisk gait speed, OLS, and grip strength correlated significantly with several skeletal sites ( r range, .19-.38; P <.05). In multiple regression models containing body mass index, hours of total activity, total calcium intake, and age of menarche, NSL, BSL, normal and brisk gait speeds, OLS, and grip strength were all significantly associated with BMD of various skeletal sites (adjusted R 2 range, .11-.24; P <.05). Analysis of covariance showed that subjects with longer step lengths and faster normal and brisk gait speeds had higher BMD at the whole body, hip, and spine (brisk speed only). Those with a longer OLS had greater femoral neck BMD, and those with a stronger grip strength had greater BMD in the whole body and forearm ( P <.05). STS was not related to any skeletal site. CONCLUSIONS: Normal and brisk gait speed, NSL, BSL, OLS, and grip strength are all associated with BMD at the whole body, hip, spine, and forearm. Physical performance evaluation may help with osteoporosis prevention and treatment programs for postmenopausal women when bone density scores have not been obtained or are unavailable.

Aged↗

Acute percutaneous scaphoid fixation using a cannulated screw.

Fractures of the scaphoid are most commonly seen in young males where immobilisation in a cast will lead to a prolonged period away from work and from athletic activities. Early rigid fixation has recently been advocated to promote a rapid functional recovery. Open reduction and internal fixation of the scaphoid is however technically demanding, damages the anterior radiocarpal ligaments, violates the scapho trapezial joint, further endangers the already compromised blood supply of the scaphoid and not infrequently leads to troublesome hypertrophic scars. These problems can be overcome in minimally displaced or undisplaced fractures by percutaneous fixation. We present the first 50 cases from our ongoing study of patients treated acutely in this way. No cast immobilisation was used and the patients were allowed to mobilise immediately postoperatively. Union was obtained in all cases after an average of 55 days (37-79). Range of movement at the time of fracture union was equal to that of the contralateral limb at three months and grip strength was 98% of the contralateral side at three months. Patients returned to sedentary work within 4 days and to manual work/sports within 5 weeks. We have found percutaneous scaphoid fixation for acute fractures a rapid and very satisfactory intervention which leads to a rapid functional recovery.

Adolescent↗

[Total carpometacarpal dislocations. Two case reports].

We report two cases of carpometacarpal dislocation of the four long fingers. They were diagnosed in emergency and treated by open reduction and stabilization by intramedullary pinning. They were followed for an average of 30 months. The results were rated good, and the two patients had an excellent grip strength, no deformity, no instability, no disabling or limited prehension. Dislocation or fracture-dislocation of the carpometacarpal joints are uncommon injuries. The diagnosis can be easily missed. The authors recommend closed or open reduction and fixation by pins and immobilisation in a plaster cast. The results was good in the two cases without complications.

Adult↗

Results of the wafer procedure for ulnar impaction syndrome in the ulnar negative and neutral wrist.

Thirteen wrists with ulnar neutral or negative variance were treated by open distal ulna excision (the wafer procedure). The mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 12-38). At final follow-up grip strength had increased a mean of 14 kgf and 12 of the 13 patients were very satisfied with the functional outcome and pain relief. In treatment of the ulnar impaction syndrome, the wafer procedure provides excellent pain relief and functional restoration particularly in patients with ulnar neutral or negative wrists in whom triangular fibrocartilage tears have not yet developed.

Adolescent↗

[Scapholunate dissociation: treatment by dorsal capsulodesis].

Between December 1994 and December 1996, 26 patients with a scapholunate ligament injury (three with SLD 1. degrees, 16 with SLD 2. degrees and 7 with SLD 3. degrees ) underwent an operation for dorsal capsulodesis in the Klinik für Handchirurgie, Bad Neustadt/Saale. Mean follow-up was 24 months (16 to 37 months). Follow-up criteria were range of motion, grip strength, pain relief, and X-ray findings. Clinical outcome was evaluated using a personal questionnaire, the DASH- and a modified Cooney-Score. Although significant reduction of joint mobility compared to the opposite site was found in all cases (E/F 32 %, U/R 19 %), the reduction of pain was 30 %. Grip-strength was not altered. Thus, 86 % of the patients were satisfied with the result obtained. On X-ray, the scapholunate angle was raised in the SLD 3. degrees -group by 12 degrees postoperatively; in the group with dynamic instability, X-ray findings were normal. Overall, 19 % (5/26) needed further operations due to persistent pain.

Adult↗

The effects of posture on forearm muscle loading during gripping.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the response of the forearm musculature to combinations of wrist and forearm posture and grip force. Ten healthy individuals performed five relative handgrip efforts (5%, 50%, 70% and 100% of maximum, and 50 N) for combinations of three wrist postures (flexed, neutral and extended) and three forearm postures (pronated, neutral and supinated). 'Baseline' extensor muscle activity (associated with holding the dynamometer without exerting grip force) was greatest with the forearm pronated and the wrist extended, while flexor activity was largest in supination when the wrist was flexed. Extensor activity was generally larger than that of flexors during low to mid-range target force levels, and was always greater when the forearm was pronated. Flexor activation only exceeded the extensor activation at the 70% and 100% target force levels in some postures. A flexed wrist reduced maximum grip force by 40-50%, but EMG amplitude remained elevated. Women produced 60-65% of the grip strength of men, and required 5-10% more of both relative force and extensor activation to produce a 50 N grip. However, this appeared to be due to strength rather than gender. Forearm rotation affected grip force generation only when the wrist was flexed, with force decreasing from supination to pronation (p < 0.005). The levels of extensor activation observed, especially during baseline and low level grip exertions, suggest a possible contributing mechanism to the development of lateral forearm muscle pain in the workplace.

Adult↗

Magnesium and muscle performance in older persons: the InCHIANTI study.

BACKGROUND: The role of magnesium in maintaining muscle integrity and function in older adults is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relation between serum magnesium concentrations and muscle performance in older subjects. DESIGN: Data are from the baseline examination conducted between September 1998 and March 2000 of the InCHIANTI (aging in the Chianti area) study, a prospective epidemiologic survey of risk factors for late-life disability. From among 1453 randomly selected community residents completing a home interview, 1138 men (46%) and women (aged 66.7 +/- 15.2 y; x +/- SD) with complete data on muscle performance and serum magnesium who were not severely cognitively compromised and had no evidence of kidney disease or hypercalcemia were included in the analysis. Muscle performance was evaluated by grip strength, lower-leg muscle power, knee extension torque, and ankle extension isometric strength and was normalized for age and body mass index (BMI) within each sex. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, laboratory variables, presence of chronic diseases, muscle area, muscle density, and physical activity level, serum magnesium concentrations were significantly associated with indexes of muscle performance, including grip strength (beta = 2.0 +/- 0.5, P = 0.0002), lower-leg muscle power (beta = 8.8 +/- 2.7, P = 0.001), knee extension torque (beta = 31.2 +/- 7.9, P < 0.0001), and ankle extension strength (beta = 3.8 +/- 0.5, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum magnesium concentration is an independent correlate of muscle performance in older persons. Whether magnesium supplementation improves muscle function remains to be shown.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The effects of endurance training in persons with a hereditary myosin myopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate muscle performance and its consequences in eight individuals with a hereditary myopathy and the effects of an 8-week endurance training program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Handgrip, muscle strength and endurance and oxygen consumption by breath-by-breath analysis during a stepless bicycle ergonometer test were evaluated. Walking, balance test and activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed, and a questionnaire for activity level and perceived symptoms was used. The design was a before-after trial in comparison with data from a control population, bicycling at 70% of maximal workload, 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The subjects were weaker than age-matched controls. After training, the peak watt increased by almost 20% (P < 0.05). Muscle strength (flexion/extension) and isometric endurance (40% of maximum at 60 degrees ) did not change significantly. The average self-selected walking speed increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 1.25 to 1.45 m/s. Compliance was excellent and no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Endurance training seems to function for this myopathy.

Adult↗

Excision of the trapezium for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint: a study of the benefit of ligament reconstruction or tendon interposition.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether palmaris longus interposition or flexor carpi radialis ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition improved the outcome of excision of the trapezium for the treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint. METHODS: 183 thumbs with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis were randomized for treatment by either simple trapeziectomy, trapeziectomy with palmaris longus interposition, or trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition using 50% of the flexor carpi radialis tendon. A K-wire was passed across the trapezial void during each of the 183 surgeries to hold the base of the thumb metacarpal at the level of the index carpometacarpal joint and was retained for 4 weeks in every case. All patients wore a thumb splint for 6 weeks. Each patient had subjective and objective assessments of thumb pain, stiffness, and strength before surgery and at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The 3 treatment groups were well matched for age, dominance, and presence of associated conditions. Complications were distributed evenly among the 3 groups and no cases of subluxation/dislocation of the pseudarthrosis were observed. Of the 183 thumbs 82% achieved good pain relief and 68% regained sufficient strength to allow normal activities of daily living at the 1-year follow-up evaluation. Neither of these subjective outcomes nor the range of thumb movement was influenced by the type of surgery performed. Thumb key-pinch strength improved significantly from 3.5 kg before surgery to 4.6 kg at 1 year but the improvement in strength was not influenced by the type of surgery performed. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of these 3 variations of trapeziectomy were very similar at 1-year follow-up evaluation. In the short term at least there appears to be no benefit to tendon interposition or ligament reconstruction.

Adult↗

Results of ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnocarpal impaction syndrome in wrists with neutral or negative ulnar variance.

Ulnocarpal impaction syndrome was diagnosed in six wrists of five patients with neutral or negative ulnar variance. All underwent ulnar shortening with satisfactory results. The average grip strength increased from 53% to 78% and the range of flexion-extension increased from 82% to 93%, the mean Cooney's score improved from 25 to 83. These cases show that ulnocarpal impaction syndrome can occur in wrists with zero or negative ulnar variance, and that ulnar shortening is an effective treatment for such wrists.

Adult↗

Evaluation of a training program for persons with SCI paraplegia using the Parastep 1 ambulation system: part 2. Effects on physiological responses to peak arm ergometry.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the task-nonspecific effects of functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS)-assisted ambulation training on the physiological responses of persons with paraplegia to upper extremity exercise challenge. DESIGN: Before-after trial. SETTING: Human spinal cord injury (SCI) applied research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve men and three women with motor- and sensory-complete thoracic-level SCI (T4-T11), mean age 28.2 +/- 6.8yrs (range, 21.1 to 45.2yrs), mean injury duration 3.7 +/- 3.0yrs (range, 7 to 8.8yrs). INTERVENTION: Thirty-two sessions of FNS ambulation training using a commercial six-channel system (Parastep 1). This system is composed of a microprocessor-controlled electrical stimulation unit and a walking frame outfitted with finger switches that allow the user to independently control the system and stimulation parameters. OUTCOME MEASURES: Peak and subpeak physiological responses to arm ergometry testing and upper extremity strength measures, obtained before and after the FNS ambulation training. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases in peak values for time to fatigue, peak power output, and peak VO2 (all p < .001). Heart rate was significantly lower throughout subpeak levels of arm ergometry after the ambulation training (p < .05). Values of upper extremity strength were not significantly altered after training. CONCLUSIONS: FNS ambulation by persons with SCI paraplegia results in task-nonspecific training adaptations. Central cardiovascular adaptations were indicated as the primary source of these beneficial alterations in exercise responses.

Adult↗