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Biomedical subjects

A E Goodship

Publications and source records attributed to A E Goodship.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Development and validation of a new transducer for intradiscal pressure measurement.

Potentially damaging tensile stresses in the annulus fibrosus are directly related to the hydrostatic pressure in the centre of an intervertebral disc: the design and development of a miniature strain gauge pressure transducer is described for measuring such pressures. Static calibration tests in bulk liquid demonstrated that measurements made with the transducer were of sufficient accuracy and stability for in vitro and in vivo investigations of spinal mechanics, and a study of the dynamic behaviour of the transducer demonstrated that it had a frequency response suitable for in vitro and in vivo investigations. Tests within loaded cadaveric discs showed that the transducer could be used to make repeatable measurements which were free from significant artefacts, when the disc was subjected to forces of up to 4000 N and when deformed in full flexion/extension.

Adult↗

A peptide family being re-united: the angiotensins coming in from the cold.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is now considered to be far more complex than previously thought when the vasoconstrictor and other physiological effects of the octapeptide angiotensin II in the circulating blood were emphasized. The reasons for this altered viewpoint, involving angiotensins other than the octapeptide in the regulation of blood pressure, water and electrolyte homeostasis, are briefly advanced and discussed.

Angiotensin I↗

Identification of subclinical tendon injury from ground reaction force analysis.

In this study a method of analysing ground reaction forces was developed to help in the diagnosis of subclinical flexor tendon injury. A Kistler force plate was used to obtain records from a population of Thoroughbreds in National Hunt training over a period of two years. Characteristic features of the force patterns generated were measured and shown to have low variance, both between horses and over a period of two racing seasons in animals that were sound throughout the trial. Specific changes in the loading pattern of the limb, which correlated with injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon, were identified from horses that sustained clinical injury during the study. Retrospective analysis showed that changes became apparent in the force patterns before this group of horses exhibited clinical lameness. This type of analysis provides an objective means of detecting tendon injury at an early stage.

Animals↗

Axial movement and tibial fractures. A controlled randomised trial of treatment.

Diaphyseal fractures of the tibia in 80 patients were treated by external skeletal fixation using a unilateral frame, either in a fixed mode or in a mode which allowed the application of a small amount of predominantly axial micromovement. Patients were allocated to each regime by random selection. Fracture healing was assessed clinically, radiologically and by measurement of the mechanical stiffness of the fracture. Both clinical and mechanical healing were enhanced in the group subjected to micromovement, compared to those treated with frames in a fixed mode possessing an overall stiffness similar to that of others in common clinical use. The differences in healing time were statistically significant and independently related to the treatment method. There was no difference in complication rates between treatment groups.

Adolescent↗

The orientation of the mineral crystals in the radius and tibia of the sheep, and its variation with age.

The direction of preferred orientation of the hydroxyapatite crystals in both the tibia and radius of the sheep is close to the long axis of the bone, notwithstanding the angle of about 30 degrees which, for the tibia, exists between the long axis and the direction of principal dynamic strain during locomotion. For both bones the orientation of the cranial cortex, which is a tension surface during locomotion, is about 40% larger than the caudal. The variation with age of the magnitude of the preferred orientation for the sheep bones is contrasted with what has been reported earlier for the human femur. Notably, for the sheep, both bones show substantial orientation at birth--having increased steadily during gestation--so that the animal is able to stand and walk at the outset.

Aging↗

Controlled mechanical stimulation in the treatment of tibial fractures.

Although it is known that the mechanical environment affects the fracture healing process, the optimal conditions for the different stages of healing have not been defined. In the present studies, the influence of applying a very short period of axial micromovement with defined characteristics to healing fractures has been studied both in simulated and clinical tibial fractures. The fracture healing process is seen to be acutely sensitive to small periods of daily strain applied axially within two weeks of fracture. There are boundaries of strain magnitude and force of application of applied movement that, if exceeded, inhibit the healing process. The application of appropriate applied strain to clinical tibial fractures at a time shortly after injury, when most patients would be very inactive, appears to enhance the healing process when using external skeletal fixation.

Animals↗

A carbon chamber for vital microscopy of bone healing.

We describe a carbon chamber implanted in the ulna of fowl. A window permitted daily microscopy of bone formation including observations of tetracyline labelling. The chamber could be heated to 5 degrees above body temperature by 600 kHz radio frequency.

Animals↗

Effect of controlled axial micromovement on healing of tibial fractures.

The preliminary results are presented from a study in which 85 serious tibial fractures were treated with external skeletal fixation. In group I patients were treated with highly rigid fixation. In group II the same fixation was used but axial micromovement was applied across the fracture site for 30 min per day, starting 1-3 weeks after injury and continuing until partial weight-bearing, which leads to self-induced movement. The overall mean time to independent weight-bearing was longer in group I than group II (p = 0.02); delayed union occurred in more group I patients. Objective measurement of fracture stiffness was made by means of strain gauges placed on the fixation frame for 49 fractures treated consecutively. The time to reach stiffness levels equivalent to clinical union was significantly longer in group I than in group II. The fractures in the treatment groups were of comparable severity. It seems that the fracture healing process is susceptible to small changes in mechanical environment.

Fracture Fixation↗

Experimental treatment of tendon injury with heparin.

The effect of heparin on the progress of healing in the injured tendon was examined after a standard injury had been created in the Achilles tendons of New Zealand White rabbits. Half of the rabbits were then treated by the intratendinous injection of heparin. The diameters of the injured right hind and the uninjured left hind Achilles tendon and overlying skin were measured using vernier calipers before injury and at one month after injury. At this time histological analysis was carried out on all Achilles tendons and tendon dry weight, collagen concentration and DNA concentration were measured. Orientation of collagen fibres was more pronounced in treated than untreated tendons while cellularity and blood vessel density were less pronounced. Analysis by Students t-test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between treated and untreated tendons in terms of leg diameter (p less than 0.005), dry weight (p less than 0.01) and DNA concentration (p less than 0.01).

Achilles Tendon↗

The influence of induced micromovement upon the healing of experimental tibial fractures.

Although it has been well established that fracture healing is influenced by the mechanical environment, the optimal parameters have not yet been established. In two groups of sheep an experimental tibial diaphysial fracture was created, and stabilised using external skeletal fixation. In one group rigid fixation was maintained throughout fracture healing; in the other group controlled axial micromovement, with a loading regime known to be osteogenic in intact bones, was applied for a short period daily. A significant improvement in healing was associated with the application of controlled micromovement. Data from these experiments provide the basis for improving the conditions for fracture healing and may assist in the prevention of delayed union.

Animals↗

The development of tissue around various prosthetic implants used as replacements for ligaments and tendons.

Currently, no ideal prosthesis is available for the repair or replacement of tendons and ligaments. Although filamentous carbon is a useful fibrogenic material, it does not fulfill the ideal requirements of a soft-tissue prosthesis. A number of other synthetic fibers were examined for biocompatibility and fibrogenic properties in both cell culture and in vivo implantation. It was found that the less extensible materials could adversely affect the normal morphology of the induced collagen. None of the materials examined exhibited mechanical properties similar to those of collagen; therefore, a composite prosthesis was designed to incorporate three criteria: mechanical characteristics similar to those of the normal tissue, fibrogenic capability to induce replacement collagen, and replacement collagen developing with normal morphologic characteristics. A prototype prosthesis for the Achilles tendon in rabbits, evaluated by mechanical and histologic methods, shows that these criteria can be fulfilled and thus form the basis for future prosthetic tendon and ligament research.

Animals↗

Studies on the pathogenesis of equine tendonitis following collagenase injury.

The histological and morphological characteristics of the scar tissue formed during healing after traumatic equine tendon injury have been compared with those of scar tissue produced in response to an enzyme-induced pony tendon injury. Several techniques are currently in use in the treatment of equine tendon sprain and this work formed part of a study of their respective efficacy. It was concluded that the enzyme-induced lesion is resolved by a reparative process very similar in its prognosis and extent to that following a naturally occurring tendon sprain. It may therefore justifiably be used as a model of naturally occurring tendon sprain in the comparative study of treatment methods.

Animals↗

A clinical and experimental study of tendon injury, healing and treatment in the horse.

This project was carried out over a five year period (1977 to 1981 inclusive) at the University of Bristol following discussion between the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons about the efficacy of, and ethical justification for, the practice of 'firing' (cautery). These discussions had been promoted by parliamentary questions but led to no firm conclusions because previously reported clinical investigations on specific treatments lacked adequate comparisons and controls and thus did not provide scientifically acceptable, statistically valid data. The project was originally conceived as having two main sections, one clinical and the other experimental. The Veterinary Advisory Committee of the Horserace Betting Levy Board felt that primary attention should be given to the clinical investigation and this was done.

Animals↗

Mechanically adaptive bone remodelling.

Removal of the ulna in mature sheep causes a slight increase in peak principal walking strains in the radius which can be recorded by rosette strain gauges. The overstrain on the cranial surface of the radius (20%) was more than twice that on the caudal surface (8%) yet over the 50 weeks following ulnar osteotomy new bone was deposited predominantly on the bone's caudal periosteal surface. The total amount of new bone deposited on the radius replaced the area of bone in the removed ulna, thus equilibrating strains due to compression between osteotomised and non-osteomised limbs. Strains due to bending, and consequently total strains, were reduced to below normal suggesting that mechanically adaptive bone remodelling may not be related to absolute strain levels but to the relative distribution of strain. New bone formation can therefore be stimulated as the result of a mechanical reorganization in which total strains are lower than those which normally occur. The new bone deposited on the caudal cortex of the radius became intensively remodelled with secondary osteons while that on the cranial surface remained in its primary form. This suggests that osteonal remodelling may not always be a simple reparative process but may be one influenced by the strain situation possibly to improve the structure and physical properties of the tissue.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

An assessment of filamentous carbon fibre for the treatment of tendon injury in the horse.

The results of an assessment of carbon fibre for biological use are given, with particular reference to the clinical use of the material in the treatment of equine tendon injury. Biocompatability of the fibres is assessed using fibroblast cell cultures and replacement of normal tendon with carbon fibre prostheses in experimental animals. The rationale and technique for using this material in clinical cases of tendon injury in the racehorse are described. Results are given from 62 implant operations in a limited series of 40 horses.

Achilles Tendon↗