Sequential roentgenographic changes occurring in massive osteolysis.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J S Torg.
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Classification of epiphyseal injuries include only simple fractures and few cases of comminuted fracture of the distal tibial epiphysis, epiphyseal plate and adjacent metaphysis. On the basis of a review of the literature, as well as our own experience, it appears that that fracture is unstable and requires open reduction and internal fixation.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the painful ankle of a 15-year-old boy revealed the nidus of a subarticular osteoid osteoma of the talus along with markedly abnormal signal intensity in the neighboring bone marrow. This MR appearance correlated with alterations in the neighboring bone marrow documented by histopathologic examination.
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Twenty-one patients (age range, 15 to 26; 18 patients 15 to 20 years old) had proximal diaphyseal fractures of the fifth metatarsal. Clinical records and radiographs for all patients were available for review. Patient treatment had been individualized and included several methods, including rest, plaster immobilization, and bone grafting. Twenty of the 21 patients were boys or men participating in athletics. Nine of the 21 fractures and 8 of the reinjuries were sustained while playing basketball. Healing required a minimum of 3 months (with bone graft) and some fractures were not radiographically healed at 20 months, although the patients were clinically asymptomatic. The fracture of the proximal shaft of the fifth metatarsal, particularly the 1.5-cm segment distal to the tuberosity, is a troublesome injury in the active athlete. The clinical course does not appear to be influenced by the usual initial conservative treatment modalities, although many of these fractures will heal if the athlete is willing to restrict activities for a prolonged period of time. In this series, bone grafting with a tibial corticocancellous graft after thorough curettage of sclerotic bone obliterating the medullary canal was the most effective treatment modality for delayed union.
Data on cervical spine injuries resulting from participation in football have been compiled by a national registry established in 1975. Information has been collected retrospectively by defined criteria since 1971. Efforts have been made to establish the mechanism of injury responsible in the majority of instances on the basis of epidemiologic evidence and recognized biomechanical principles. During the 5-year period, 77 deaths resulted from severe neck injuries. During this period, 1,275,000 players were exposed. Ninety-nine cervical fracture-dislocations resulting in permanent quadriplegia and 259 cervical fractures-dislocations occurred. There may be a "trend" towards an increase in permanent quadriplegia resulting from serious cervical spine injuries sustained while playing football. Apparently, the cause can be attributed to the helmet-face mask that has encouraged the use of the head as the primary point of contact in blocking, tackling, and head butting. The figures clearly identify defensive backs, linebackers, or specialty team members making tackles by using the head as the initial point of contact, as the individuals at greatest risk to sustain cervical spine injuries resulting in permanent quadriplegia.
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This stress fracture of the left first rib in a 17-year-old, left-handed high school baseball pitcher represents the first of its type reported in the literature. Two similar cases have been reported in pitchers, but the fracture was on the nondominant side in both cases. In contrast to most cases of this rare lesion, the stress fracture we report occurred acutely and was documented roentgenographically from onset to complete healing 9 months later.
Measurement of glenohumeral joint motion has, for the most part, been performed with the simple goniometer. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method for measuring and recording static and dynamic external rotation of the glenohumeral joint using the Cybex II Isokinetic Dynamometer and an MFE model 815 X-Y plotter. Static range of motion was assessed at 60 deg/sec using a slow arm action externally from a 90 degree abduction position. Dynamic motion was recorded at 300 deg/sec using a rapid rotational whipping action from a 90 degree abducted position. Measurements were recorded on three groups of athletes, and the influences of sex, hand dominance, overarm activity, and surgery were analyzed. The subjects in the first two groups were divided according to sex and their participation in overarm versus nonoverarm (control) activities. Static and dynamic motion in both groups was significantly influenced by sex and hand dominance (P less than 0.05). Although there was no overall difference in the motion measurements between the control and overarm groups, the interaction of this factor with sex and type of measurement was significant. Males who participated in overarm activities had, on the average, more static range of motion than males in the control group. A third group that had undergone a modified Bristow procedure for recurrent dislocation/subluxation of the shoulder demonstrated that static and dynamic range of motion were significantly reduced by the surgery (P less than 0.05). The average differences in static and dynamic motion between the surgical arm and its nonsurgical counterpart were 17.5 degrees and 21 degrees, respectively, resulting in an overall range of motion difference of 19 degrees.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Epidemiologic, pathologic, biomechanical, and cinematographic data on head and neck injuries occurring in tackle football have been compiled since 1971 by the National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry. Preliminary analysis performed in 1975 indicated that the majority of serious cervical spine football injuries were caused by axial loading. Based on this observation, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Federation of High School Athletic Associations (NFHSAA) implemented rule changes banning "spearing" and the use of the top of the helmet as the initial point of contact in striking an opponent during a tackle or block. Between 1976 and 1987, as a result of these rule changes, the Registry has documented a dramatic decrease in both the total number of cervical spine injuries and those resulting in quadriplegia at both the high school and college level. It is suggested that development and implementation of similar preventative measures based on clearly defined injury mechanisms would decrease injury rates in diving, rugby, ice hockey, trampolining, wrestling, and other high-risk sports as well.
Injuries to the cervical spine at the C3-C4 level involving the bony elements, intervertebral disks, and ligamentous structures are rare. We present 25 cases of traumatic C3-C4 injuries sustained by young athletes and documented by the National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry. Review of the cases reveals that the response of energy inputs at the C3-C4 level differ from those involving the upper (C1-C2) and lower (C4-C5-C6-C7) cervical segments. Specifically, the C3-C4 lesions appear to be unique with regard to the infrequency of bony fracture, difficulty in effecting and maintaining reduction, and a more favorable recovery following early, aggressive treatment. In the majority of instances, injury at this level results from axial loading of the cervical spine. Lesions were distributed into specific categories: 1) acute intervertebral disc herniation (N = 4), 2) anterior subluxation of C3 on C4 (N = 4), 3) unilateral facet dislocation (N = 6), 4) bilateral facet dislocation (N = 7), and 5) fracture of vertebral body C4 (N = 4). Analysis of these 25 cases suggests that traumatic lesions of the cervical spine in general can be classified as involving the upper (C1-C2), middle (C3-C4), or lower (C4-C7) segments. This is based on our observations from this series that C3-C4 lesions 1) generally do not involve fracture of the bony elements; 2) acute intervertebral disc herniations are frequently associated with transient quadriplegia; 3) reduction of anterior subluxation of C3 on C4 is difficult to maintain; 4) reduction of unilateral facet dislocation is difficult to obtain by skeletal traction and is best managed by closed manipulation and reduction under general anesthesia; and 5) reduction of bilateral facet dislocation is difficult to obtain by skeletal traction and is best managed by open methods. The more favorable results observed in this series of immediate reduction of both unilateral and bilateral facet dislocations deserves emphasis. In two cases of unilateral facet dislocation reduced within 3 hours of injury and subsequently fused anteriorly, significant neurologic recovery occurred. The other four patients, two who underwent an open reduction and laminectomy and two treated closed with skeletal traction, remained quadriplegic. In the four instances of bilateral facet dislocation where reduction was achieved by either closed or open methods, although there was no neurologic recovery, all four patients survived their injuries. However, the three patients who were not successfully reduced died.
The anteroinferior cervical vertebral body corner fracture was originally described by Schneider and Cann as the "teardrop" fracture. This report analyzes the biomechanical, clinical, and roentgenographic features of 55 such fractures obtained from the National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry. Teardrop fractures resulting from tackle football characteristically occurred in players attempting to make a tackle in which initial contact was made with the top or crown of the helmet. There were two fracture patterns associated with the anteroinferior corner (teardrop) fracture fragment: 1) the isolated fracture, which is usually not associated with permanent neurologic sequelae; and 2) the three-part, two-plane fracture in which there is an associated sagittal vertebral body fracture as well as fracture of the posterior neural arch. This latter pattern was almost always associated with permanent neurologic sequelae, specifically quadriplegia. Axial loading of the cervical spine was clearly identified as a mechanism of injury for both fracture patterns. Roentgenographic examination must include both anteroposterior and lateral views with computed tomography or tomography as necessary to determine the presence of the sagittal vertebral body fracture and the integrity of the posterior neural arch.
The effect of early (mean, 5 months) versus late (mean, 9 months) return to vigorous cutting activity on the long-term outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was evaluated retrospectively. Sixty-four reconstructions, using a distally attached medial one-third patellar tendon, were reviewed on an average of 46 months postoperatively. After surgery, the timing of return to vigorous activity was based on biologic fixation of the graft, a negative Lachman test, absence of effusion, and the patient's desire to return to previous activity. The 64 patients were retrospectively separated into two groups. The early group consisted of 31 patients who returned to activity 2 to 6 months after reconstruction, and the late group consisted of 33 patients who returned to activity 7 to 14 months after reconstruction. By clinical examination, KT-1000 arthrometer measurements, subjective evaluation, and Cybex testing, there were no differences between the early and late return groups except for reestablishment of final range of motion. At an average followup of 46 months, this study indicates that an early return to vigorous physical cutting activities after ACL reconstruction does not predispose patients to reinjury or a less satisfactory longterm result.
We describe spear tackler's spine, a clinical entity that constitutes an absolute contraindication to participation in tackle football and other collision activities that expose the cervical spine to axial energy inputs. A subset of football players were identified who demonstrated: 1) developmental narrowing (stenosis) of the cervical canal; 2) persistent straightening or reversal of the normal cervical lordotic curve on erect lateral roentgenograms obtained in the neutral position; 3) concomitant preexisting posttraumatic roentgenographic abnormalities of the cervical spine; and 4) documentation of having employed spear tackling techniques. From data obtained by the National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry and the senior author's practice, 15 cases of spear tackler's spine were identified during 1987 to 1990. All 15 cases were evaluated because of complaints referable to the cervical spine or brachial plexus resulting from football injuries. Of these, 11 had complete neurologic recovery without permanent sequelae. Four cases resulted in permanent neurologic deficits: quadriplegia, 2; incomplete hemiplegia, 1; and residual long track signs, 1. Permanent neurologic injury occurred as the result of axial loading of a persistently straightened cervical spine from use of head-impact playing techniques. We suggest that individuals who possess the aforementioned characteristics of spear tackler's spine be precluded from participation in collision activities that expose the cervical spine to axial energy inputs.