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Biomedical subjects

H K Graham

Publications and source records attributed to H K Graham.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Calcium homeostasis and exercise.

Calcium homeostasis is altered by strenuous physical exercise. The mechanism is unclear. Our study was designed to investigate this relationship, particularly any associated changes in the calcium regulating hormones. Six subjects carried out a strenuous exercise programme for 10 min on a bicycle ergometer. Blood samples were analysed for ionized calcium, total calcium, calcitonin and pH. Plasma parathormone was assayed using a new and very sensitive N-terminal assay. Serum ionized calcium was significantly elevated by exercise at 50% of maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max). The rise persisted until the late recovery phase, when it fell significantly below resting levels. Plasma parathormone levels were initially depressed by moderate exercise (50% VO2 max.) but were significantly elevated during and immediately after severe exercise. Our results suggest that exercise stimulates the hormonal, osteolytic influences acting on the skeleton, with increases in plasma parathormone and mobilisation of calcium stores. These changes may provide a supply of raw material allowing the osteogenic mechanical forces initiated by exercise to produce a positive skeletal balance. In view of the possible relevance of these findings to the understanding and management of osteoporosis we feel that this area merits further study.

Adult↗

Lengthening of the calcaneal tendon in spastic hemiplegia by the White slide technique. A long-term review.

For equinus deformity in spastic hemiplegia, correction by the White slide technique has been studied in a group of 35 patients followed up for 14 to 20 years. It is a simple, effective method of lengthening the calcaneal tendon, and is free from significant complications with an acceptable rate of recurrent deformity. The majority of patients achieved a heel-toe gait.

Achilles Tendon↗

Management of displaced extension-type supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

The cases of 230 patients who had a displaced extension-type supracondylar fracture of the humerus were reviewed retrospectively. The results of treatment by four different methods were assessed clinically and compared. The mean length of follow-up was 4.6 years (range, one to nine years). The highest percentages of excellent results were achieved by percutaneous Kirschner-wire fixation (78 per cent), skeletal traction (67 per cent), and open reduction with internal fixation (67 per cent). Closed reduction and application of a cast was associated with a significantly lower percentage of early and late complications, including Volkmann ischemic contracture and cubitus varus. It is recommended that treatment with a cast be reserved for undisplaced fractures only. Percutaneous Kirschner-wire fixation is advocated as the method of choice for the majority of displaced fractures.

Adolescent↗

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Treatment by straight lateral traction.

Ninety-eight children with severely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus were treated by straight lateral traction. After a mean follow-up period of 3.5 years there were 90 satisfactory and only eight unsatisfactory results. Cubitus varus was present in only four children, which compares favourably with the results of operative treatment. The indications for straight lateral traction, and the advantages of this method, are discussed.

Adolescent↗

A new injury of the distal radio-ulnar joint.

A case of locked hypersupination of the distal radio-ulnar joint is described in which the ulnar displacement was purely rotational rather than volar. The mechanism of injury is discussed in the light of cadaveric dissections which reproduced the injury.

Humans↗

High tibial osteotomy in degenerate diseases of the knee.

Between 1970 and 1981, 64 patients underwent 77 tibial osteotomies for degenerate diseases of the knee at the Withers Orthopaedic Centre in Belfast. Records on 11 patients (12 knees) were either missing or inadequate, leaving 53 patients who underwent 65 tibial osteotomies for study. There were 23 males and 30 females, ranging in age from 23 to 75 years (mean 59.8 years). The predominant diagnosis was osteoarthrosis and the indication for operation in all cases was pain. With a follow-up of from two to ten years (mean 4.8 years), 39 knees were assessed as good, 15 as fair (improved, but still symptomatic), and 11 as failures. Patients with valgus deformity did worse than those with varus deformity. The importance of adequate pre-operative assessment is stressed, the operation itself is outlined, and the end result is seen to correlate closely with the degree of correction obtained.

Adult↗

Five years' experience in stapling the oesophagus and rectum.

In the 5-year period from 1976 to 1980, 143 anastomoses were performed using circular stapling devices. In 2 further cases, anastomosis was attempted but failed and operation was completed by orthodox methods. There were 101 oesophageal anastomoses; 70 of these were transections in patients with oesophageal varices and 31 were either oesophagogastric or oesophagojejunal in nature, mainly following excisional cancer surgery. The remaining 42 patients had colorectal anastomoses following anterior resection of the rectosigmoid. Initial results in a follow-up period from 2 months to 5 years have been encouraging. There were 3 cases of complete anastomotic dehiscence and 4 cases of leakage. Stricture formation occurred in 10 per cent of patients but was easily controlled in the majority of cases.

Aged↗

The control of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca content in cardiac muscle.

Most of the calcium that activates contraction in the heart comes from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and it is therefore essential to control the SR Ca content. SR Ca content reflects the balance between uptake (via the SR Ca-ATPase, SERCA) and release, largely via the ryanodine receptor (RyR). Unwanted changes of SR Ca are prevented because, for example, an increase of SR Ca content increases the amplitude of the systolic Ca transient and this, in turn, results in increased loss of Ca from and decreased Ca entry into the cell thereby restoring cell and SR Ca towards control levels. We discuss the parameters that affect the steady level of SR Ca and how these may change in heart failure. Finally, we discuss disordered Ca regulation with particular emphasis on the condition of alternans where successive heartbeats alternate in amplitude. This behaviour can be explained by excessive feedback gain in the processes controlling SR Ca.

Animals↗

Three-dimensional gait analysis in spina bifida.

This study was designed to determine gait patterns in children with lumbar and sacral neurologic level spina bifida. We studied a group of 28 children: 10 had L4-level lesions and a mean age of 11 years; eight had L5-level lesions and a mean age of 8 years; and 10 had S1-level lesions with a mean age of 12 years. A group of 15 normal children, mean age 10 years, was used for comparison. Each child underwent three-dimensional gait analysis using the Vicon system. We found that there were recognisable gait patterns for each level of spina bifida and that the abnormalities accurately reflected the muscle deficiencies present. The gait patterns approximated more closely to those of the normal group as the neurological level descended. The most important findings were of increased pelvic obliquity and rotation with hip abduction in stance (reflecting the gross Trendelenburg-type gait seen in these children) and persistent knee flexion throughout stance as a result of the absence of the plantar flexion-knee extension couple. We found that gait was not improved by tendon transfers performed either at the hip (posterolateral psoas transfer) or at the ankle (tibialis anterior transfer).

Adolescent↗

Olecranon fractures in children: Part 1: a clinical review; Part 2: a new classification and management algorithm.

Part 1: A Clinical Review: Fractures of the olecranon in children are uncommon, and the outcome has historically been reported as good. Management varies from simple immobilization to include various methods of internal fixation. Recently a new technique of fracture fixation has been used in an attempt to improve the management of this fracture. This article reviews olecranon fractures seen at two children's hospitals over a 10-year period. The purpose of the study was to review and classify various fracture patterns, different fixation techniques, and to assess medium-term outcomes after this uncommon injury. Part 2: A New Classification and Management Algorithm: A new classification system and management algorithm for fractures of the olecranon in children is presented. This was developed after a 10-year review of olecranon fractures and their management at two children's hospitals (Part 1). Minimally displaced or undisplaced fractures account for 80% of all olecranon fractures, and these are managed with immobilization, rarely requiring hospital admission. Of those fractures admitted to hospital, oblique metaphyseal fractures are most commonly seen and are satisfactorily treated with tension-band techniques, but a wide variety of fracture patterns are less common and may require different management. Previous classifications of this uncommon fracture have not addressed all of the significant features to categorize the fracture accurately or to imply a management pathway. This new anatomically based classification system facilitates accurate classification for research purposes, and its principles are applied in the clinical-management algorithm presented here.

Adolescent↗

A new material for splinting neonatal limb deformities.

We report the use of Permagum, a silicone rubber dental-impression material, in the management of neonatal limb deformities. A wide range of custom-made splints can be quickly and easily made from Permagum for both the upper and lower limb. The material is not sufficiently rigid for the older, heavier child but is particularly useful in the neurologically impaired child.

Foot Deformities, Congenital↗

Tooth root resorption associated with a familial bone dysplasia affecting mother and daughter.

The dental findings are presented of a mother and daughter who suffer from an as yet unclassified bone dysplasia that shows features of both hereditary hyperphosphatasia and familial expansile osteolysis. Both patients have experienced progressive root resorption of permanent teeth, deafness, and high alkaline phosphatase levels. The mother has a more advanced bone dysplasia which has led to progressive skeletal deformity and bone pain. The kindred is consistent with an autosomal dominant pattern, and the mutation(s) is thought to be in chromosome 18q21-22 region. Conventional treatment strategies of root resorption offer only a poor prognosis for the dentition. Therapy using alendronate, a bisphosphonate compound and a potent inhibitor of osteoclastic activity, has reduced alkaline phosphatase levels, bone pain, and may offer an effective strategy to prevent tooth root resorption in this group of diseases.

Adult↗

Slotted acetabular augmentation: is a hip spica necessary?

Between 1988 and 1996, 16 patients who underwent a total of 18 slotted acetabular augmentation procedures were managed postoperatively without a spica cast, by using instead a protocol of limited weight bearing and restriction of hip range of motion. Postoperatively, no patients experienced hip stiffness. No patients exhibited any migration or change of position of their bone graft. Radiographic examination revealed the following: center-edge angle (CEA) averaged 3 degrees preoperatively and 54 degrees postoperatively. Acetabular index averaged 35 degrees preoperatively and 18 degrees postoperatively. No patients experienced any deleterious effects by not using a spica cast. We believe that by obviating the spica cast, we may ease the postoperative recovery for patients, avoid postoperative hip stiffness, and thereby expand the applications of this safe and reliable method of acetabular reconstruction in selected patients.

Acetabulum↗

Which implant for proximal femoral osteotomy in children? A comparison of the AO (ASIF) 90 degree fixed-angle blade plate and the Richards intermediate hip screw.

We reviewed the clinical and radiologic results of 164 proximal femoral osteotomies in 132 children using the AO (ASIF) 90 degree fixed-angle blade plate and the Richards intermediate hip screw to establish the clinical and radiologic outcomes, establish the incidence of complications, and determine the relative indications and contraindications for the two implants. The incidence of complication in this series was 9% (15 complications in 14 osteotomies in 13 patients) including one bursitis, one wound breakdown with exposure of the underlying plate, five infections, two peroneal nerve palsies, one fractured shaft of femur, one fractured neck of femur, two technical errors, one painful nonunion, and one loss of fixation. There were five (3%) revisions in total. Fifty-six osteotomies in 44 patients were performed using the Richards intermediate hip screw, and 108 osteotomies were performed in 88 patients using the AO 90 degree fixed-angle blade plate. We found that both implants were effective with an acceptable rate of complications and revision surgery.

Adolescent↗