The relationship between knee strength and functional stability before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Functional stability of the knee is dependent on an intact ligamentous system and the timely and efficient contraction of supporting musculature. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between muscle strength and functional stability in 31 patients pre- and post-operatively, following a unilateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture. All subjects underwent reconstructive surgery using semitendonosis and gracilis tendons. Isokinetic strength assessment of quadriceps and hamstring muscles was performed at a rate of movement of 60% and 120degrees/s. Functional stability was determined by performance during five functional stability tests that included the shuttle run, side step, carioca, single and triple hop tests. Pearson's correlation coefficient statistics were applied to pre-operative and post-operative data respectively. These analyses demonstrated a significant positive correlation between quadriceps strength indices at both testing speeds and the two hop tests pre-operatively (p's < 0.007) and between quadriceps strength indices at both speeds and all five functional tests post-operatively (p's < 0.01). Assessed using Steiger's formula, there was a significant increase in the correlation between quadriceps strength indices and three functional tests post-operatively compared to pre-operatively (p < 0.05). No significant correlation between hamstring strength indices and functional scores existed pre- or post-operatively. This study has shown a significant correlation exists between quadriceps strength indices and functional stability both before and after surgery, this relationship does not reach significance between hamstring strength indices and functional stability. (C) 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exercise ech predicts development of late post-operative left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac morbidity in asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation

Objective: Mitral repair is increasingly performed in asymptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR). Previous work showed that pre-operative documentation of loss of contractile reserve (Cr) by exercise echo (ExE) may predict LV dysfunction early after repair. We sought the value of Cr in predicting late post-op LV dysfunction and clinical outcome. Methods: Pre-op ExE was performed in 41 pts with isolated MR without coronary disease undergoing repair. LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes were measured at rest and post-stress and EF was calculated using modified Simpson’s rule. Intact Cr was defined by >4% increment of stress compared with rest EF. During follow up (3±1 years), EF was serially assessed and occurrence of cardiac events was documented. Results: Cr was present in 19 pts (Cr+)(peak EF 76±7%) and absent in 22 pts (Cr-)(peak EF 56±11%, p

Two knees or not two knees? Patient costs and outcomes following bilateral and unilateral total knee joint replacement surgery for OA

Aims: This study aims to address medical and non-medical direct costs and health outcomes of bilateral and unilateral total knee replacement from the patients' perspective during the first year post-surgery. Methods: Osteoarthritis patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee or bilateral total knee replacement (TKR) surgery at three Sydney hospitals were eligible. Patients completed questionnaires pre-operatively to record expenses during the previous three months and health status immediately prior to surgery. Patients then maintained detailed prospective cost diaries and completed SF-36 and WOMAC Index each three months for the first post-operative year. Results: Pre-operatively, no significant differences in health status were found between patients undergoing unilateral TKR and bilateral TKR. Both unilateral and bilateral TKR patients showed improvements in pain, stiffness and function from pre-surgery to 12 months post-surgery. Patients who had bilateral TKR spent an average of 12.3 days in acute hospital and patients who had unilateral TKR 13.6 days. Totally uncemented prostheses were used in 6% of unilateral replacements and 48% of bilateral replacements. In hospital, patients who had bilateral TKR experienced significantly more complications, mainly thromboembolic, than patients who had unilateral TKR. Regression analysis showed that for every one point increase in the pre-operative SF-36 physical score (i.e. improving physical status) out-of-pocket costs decreased by 94%. Out-of-pocket costs for female patients were 3.3 times greater than for males. Conclusion: Patients undergoing bilateral TKR and unilateral TKR had a similar length of stay in hospital and similar out-of-pocket expenditures. Bilateral replacement patients reported better physical function and general health with fewer health care visits one year post procedure. Patients requiring bilateral TKR have some additional information to aid their decision making. While their risk of peri-operative complications is higher, they have an excellent chance of good health outcomes at 12 months and are not going to be doubly 'out-of-pocket' for the experience. (C) 2004 OsteoArthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Carotid endarterectomy relieves pulsatile tinnitus associated with severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis

Objectives. Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare and often disabling condition. Pulsatile tinnitus sometimes occurs in patients with severe atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. It is uncertain whether carotid endarterectomy (CEA) relieves pulsatile tinnitus in patients with severe carotid stenosis. Design, Materials and Methods. This is a retrospective study of 14 patients with pulsatile tinnitus who underwent CEA. Demographic and clinical features and pre-operative duplex results were recorded. Operative results in this group were assessed. Results. CEA relieved symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus in 10 out of 14 cases (70%). Of 10 patients that had lateralisable tinnitus and ipsilateral surgery, 9 (90%) reported symptomatic improvement. Conclusions. CEA is effective in improving pulsatile tinnitus in patients with unilateral symptoms and severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis.

Glutamate transporter localization does not correspond to the temporary functional recovery and late degeneration after acute ocular ischemia in rats

Purpose: To determine whether the localization of retinal glutamate transporters is affected by retinal ischaemia and whether their ability to transport glutamate decreases with the progression of ischemic retinal and optic nerve degeneration. Methods: Retinal ischemia was induced in rats by acutely increasing the intraocular pressure (IOP, 110 mmHg/60 min). Reperfusion was permitted for periods up to 60 days post-ischemia. Functional evaluation was performed by monitoring the pupil light reflexes (PLRs) and electroretinograms (flash, flicker ERG and oscillatory potentials). Glutamate transporter localization and D-aspartate (glutamate analogue) uptake were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Intense immunoreactivity for the retinal glutamate transporters (GLAST, GLT1, EAAC1 and EAAT5) was observed at all time points after the insult, despite severe retinal degeneration. D-aspartate was also normally accumulated in the ischemic retinas. Ten days post-operatively the PLR ratio (ratio = indirect/direct PLR = 34 +/- 7(.)5%) was significantly less than the pre-operative value (pre-op = 76(.)7 +/- 2 (.)6%, p < 0(.)05). However, 25 and 35 days post-operatively PLR ratios did not differ significantly from pre-operative values (44(.)4 +/- 6(.)9 and 53(.)8 +/- 9(.)6%, p > 0(.)05). Forty-five and 60 days post-operatively the PLR ratio declined again and was significantly lower than the pre-operative value (33(.)8 + 8(.)7 and 26(.)2 + 8(.)9%, p < 0(.)05). Statistical analysis revealed that all tested ERG components had significantly higher values at 32, but not at 42 and 58 days post-operatively when compared to the first time point recorded post-operatively (10 days). Conclusions: While retinal glutamate transport is compromised during an acute ischemic insult, consequent retinal recovery and degeneration are not due to a change in the excitatory amino acid transporter localization or D-aspartate (glutamate analogue) uptake. Rat retina and optic nerve are capable of spontaneous, but temporary, functional recovery after an acute ischemic insult. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A review of plasma endothelin-1 levels in CABG patient group

Introduction: Endothelin-1 is a potent vasoconstricting growth peptide. In physiologic conditions basal levels maintain vascular homeostasis, conversely in pathological situations it may be expressed in response to chronic and acute vascular injury. Elevated levels of plasma ET-1 have been identified in sub-populations at risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) including smokers, diabetics and hyerlipidaemic subjects and in patients with atherosclerotic disease. This peptide may be chronically expressed, such as in congestive heart failure where it has been used as a prognostic marker of disease severity and also acutely, after cardiac revascularisation surgery, possibly as a result of endothelial injury and ischaemia. Aims: The objectives of this study were to (1) identify basal endothelin-1 concentrations in a young healthy control group with no risk factors for IHD (control group 1); (2) to compare; (1) venous plasma ET-1 levels preoperatively and post-operatively in patients undergoing CABG surgery, (3) to compare pre-operative plasma ET-1 levels from the CABG group with an age and gender matched control group (control group 2) and (4) combine all three groups to assess correlations between plasma ET-1 and the various risk factors for IHD, including smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and family history. Methods: Venous specimens were collected in chilled EDTA tubes and samples measured using an ELISA assay (Biomedica), following the standard protocol for human EDTA plasma. Results: Forty CABG patients (5F, 35M, mean age 66 yrs), 15 control group 1 subjects (8F, 7M, mean age 29 yrs) and 30 control group 2 subjects (5F, 25M, mean age 61 yrs) participated in the study. No significant difference was detected in plasma ET-1 levels between the controls (1) and (2), and the CABG group, where plasma ET-1 levels were 3.37+/ 5.19 pmol/L, 1.99+/3.74 pmol/L and 1.28+/1.27 pmol/L, respectively. There was a non-significant elevation in post-op ET-1 plasma in comparison with the pre-op levels (2.50+/0.51 Vs 1.45+/6.44). There were also no statistical correlation between risk factors for IHD including smoking, hypertension, NIDDM, hyperlipidemia or family history when data from both patient and controls groups was merged. Conclusion: Contrary to other findings, plasma ET-1 does not appear to a valid marker for IHD or factors which are strongly associated with the pathogenesis of this disease.

The effect of pre-clinical fieldwork subject on the confidence and professional skills of undergraduate occupational therapy students

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of a pre-clinical fieldwork subject on the confidence and professional skills of undergraduate occupational therapy students during their first full-time clinical fieldwork placement. Methods: Participants were 31 third year students enrolled in the pre-clinical fieldwork subject (experimental group), and 25 students not enrolled in the subject (control group). Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were employed to address the research question. Student anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and compared at three different intervals - prior to commencing the university semester, prior to commencing full-time practical placement, and following this full-time placement. Individual interviews were conducted with six students (three from the experimental group, three from the control group) to explore their perceptions regarding confidence levels and skill proficiencies during full-time placement. At each data analysis interval, responses for both groups were compared using independent samples t-tests. Responses were compared over time using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The qualitative data were subjected to thematic and content analysis. Results and Conclusions: In general, student anxiety levels did not differ between the experimental and control groups over time. However, qualitative results suggest that students who were enrolled in the pre-clinical subject have greater confidence and competence with occupational therapy skills, and have heightened awareness of the expectations on full-time placement.

Realtime telemedicine for paediatric otolaryngology pre-admission screening

We conducted a feasibility study to examine whether a paediatric patient at a regional hospital could be assessed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist via videoconference, therefore saving at least one journey to the tertiary hospital for a pre-admission appointment. A video-otoscope was used with standard videoconference equipment, and realtime images were transmitted at a bandwidth of 384 kbit/s. In all, 13 telepaediatric ENT clinics were conducted between November 2003 and April 2005, and 98 consultations were facilitated for 64 patients. The main reasons for referral were recurrent tonsillitis (25%) and obstructive sleep apnoea (23%). Of the 64 patients examined by telemedicine, 42 (66%) were recommended for surgery and placed on the surgical waiting list. About 12 patients (19%) required travel to the tertiary centre for further investigations and tests not available locally, while four patients (6%) were reviewed via videoconference during a scheduled clinic. Six patients (9%) required no further follow-up after their initial telepaedliatric consultation. Videoconferencing is an effective method of assessing ENT conditions of paediatric patients and for pre-screening potential surgical admissions to a tertiary hospital. Careful consideration of a number of economic and logistical factors needs to be made before large investments are made to expand the service.