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Biomedical subjects

Mark D Miller

Publications and source records attributed to Mark D Miller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Chondral injury after arthroscopic meniscal repair using bioabsorbable Mitek Rapidloc meniscal fixation.

Arthroscopic meniscal repair is a commonly performed procedure in clinical practice. With improvements in bioabsorbable implants, all-inside techniques have increased in popularity. The Mitek RapidLoc meniscal fixation implant may be used to fix reparable meniscal tears arthroscopically without requiring an additional incision. We report 2 potential complications associated with this implant: chondral injury causing femoral grooving and recurrent meniscal tear 4 months after initial surgery.

Absorbable Implants↗

Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis can present to the emergency department as an acute, subacute, or chronic orthopedic concern. The presentation can range from subtle, as with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in the pediatric patient population, to obvious, as with the diabetic patient who presents with a foot ulcer overlying exposed bone. Accurate early diagnosis and prompt treatment, whether with antibiotics, debridement, or both, are important in helping determine the ultimate outcome in this potential orthopedic pitfall. We review here the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options for osteomyelitis that are applicable to the emergency practitioner.

Aged↗

Osteochondral autograft plug transfer: achieving perpendicularity.

Although osteochondral autograft plug transfer is a common clinical procedure, few authors have addressed the outcomes or how variations and surgical technique can influence results. Variations in arthroscopic versus open harvesting techniques, as well as intercondylar notch versus lateral trochlear ridge harvest locations, influence the ability to obtain the most perpendicular osteochondral grafts. Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were studied. Four plugs were harvested from each knee, two from the superior lateral intercondylar notch area and two from the superior lateral trochlear ridge area. Plugs harvested from the lateral trochlear ridge (86.9 degrees) were statistically more perpendicular than the plugs harvested from the intercondylar notch (83.3 degrees) (P=.02). No statistically significant difference was noted between the open (86.4 degrees) and arthroscopic (83.8 degrees) harvesting techniques (P=.11).

Aged↗

Meniscal repair with the Rapid Loc device: a cadaveric study.

The devices available for all-inside meniscal repair were evaluated using a cadaver model. Rapid Loc devices (Mitek, Westwood, Mass) were inserted arthroscopically into 8 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (age range: 66-78 years) in the posterior regions of the menisci at 5- to 7-mm intervals. Forty-eight devices were placed (3 in each meniscus), and the knees were subsequently dissected to determine the location of the inserted devices. Devices were correctly inserted in 40 (833%) of 48 knees. No problems were noted with loss of fixation on the periphery of the meniscus. Entrapment of the popliteus tendon (3 of 8) and superficial medial collateral ligament (2 of 16) were the only major problems with the device.

Aged↗

Hamstring regrowth following harvesting for ACL reconstruction: The lizard tail phenomenon.

This study evaluated the ability of the native semitendinosus tendon to regenerate after harvest for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a rabbit model. The histological and biomechanical properties of the regenerate tendons also were studied. At 16 and 28 weeks post-harvesting of the semitendinosus tendon, the regenerate tissue was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, gross and histologic pathologic specimens, and biomechanical evaluation. Ten of 10 specimens at 16 weeks and 10 of 10 specimens at 28 weeks demonstrated regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon, with biomechanical strength 23% of normal tendon at 16 weeks and 62% of normal tendon at 28 weeks. The results of this study support regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon to its osseous insertion on the proximal tibia after harvesting for ACL reconstruction.

Animals↗

Course and rate of antidepressant response in the very old.

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined elderly patients with major depression to determine the relationship of current age to treatment response course and success rate. METHODS: Three studies of elderly depressed patients provided data on antidepressant treatment response in 323 subjects, treated in protocols using either nortriptyline or paroxetine. We grouped the subjects by current age: 'young-old' (59-69, N=163), 'middle-old' (70-75, N=80), and 'older-old' (76-99, N=80). We employed mixed-effect random regression analyses to examine Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores over 12 weeks of acute treatment. RESULTS: Older-old patients responded as quickly and successfully as the young- and middle-old. CONCLUSIONS: Major depression in the very old can be treated as successfully as in early old age.

Age Factors↗

Preventing sports injuries: opportunities for intervention in youth athletics.

Participation in youth sports has steadily grown over the past 30 years and continues to rise. During the 1998-1999 school year over 360,000 collegiate athletes and almost 6.5 million high school athletes participated in sports. This expansion has been accompanied by an increased awareness of the injury problem associated with participation in youth sports. Estimates are that one-third of high school athletes will sustain an injury during a sports season serious enough to result in time lost from participation. While there may always be some risk associated with sports participation, health professionals can actively encourage injury prevention. In this paper, we describe the benefits of sport participation, the injury problem associated with sports, injury prevention frameworks, and conclude by discussing the changing role of the team physician in youth sports.

Adolescent↗

Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: pediatric growth plate injuries.

Musculoskeletal injuries are frequently the reason children and adolescents seek care in the emergency department. In the skeletally immature patient, injury to the open growth plate can occur. When missed or mismanaged, these injuries can result in growth plate arrest. The emergency physician needs to remain vigilant for these injuries. This review article examines the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options applicable to the emergency physician.

Adolescent↗

Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: fight bite.

Clenched fist injuries to the mouth ("fight bite") are notorious for being the worst human bites. These are often treated as minor injuries, without the recognition that the joint capsule, the extensor tendon, or the deep fascial spaces may have been violated and contaminated with oral bacteria. Significant morbidity can result from late presentation or inadequate initial management. The emergency physician needs to remain vigilant for complications associated with closed fist injury. This review article examines the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options applicable to the emergency physician in the treatment of fight bite.

Bites, Human↗

Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), though a relatively common disorder, is frequently missed on initial presentation. Symptoms can be vague, the physical examination unrevealing, and radiographic abnormalities subtle. Prompt diagnosis of SCFE is important, however, to improve clinical outcome. The emergency physician needs to remain vigilant for this diagnosis to avoid this orthopedic pitfall. This article examines the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options applicable to the emergency physician in the treatment of SCFE.

Adolescent↗

Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: radiographically occult hip fracture.

Acute hip fracture is among the most commonly encountered orthopedic injuries seen by the emergency physician. The majority of these fractures can be readily diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings and plain radiographs. When initial films are negative or equivocal, but a high clinical suspicion exists for a hip fracture, additional diagnostic studies need to be performed because significant morbidity can result from ambulation on an unrecognized fracture. The emergency physician needs to remain vigilant for this potential orthopedic pitfall. This review article examines the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and management options applicable to the emergency practitioner.

Aged↗

Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures.

Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common fracture around the elbow in the pediatric population. They are the result of a fall on an outstretched arm and are seen primarily in the first decade of life. The diagnosis of these fractures can be subtle and, if missed, can result in vascular, structural, or neurologic injuries. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of these injuries is important to improved clinical outcome. The emergency physician needs to remain vigilant for this diagnosis to avoid this orthopedic pitfall. This review article examines the clinical presentation, diagnostic technique, and management options applicable to the emergency physician in the treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures.

Child↗

EndoButton drill bit failure.

A case of an EndoButton drill bit failure associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using semitendinosus gracilis autograft is reported. The distal 10 mm flutes of the drill bit sheared off prior to graft passage. This event was likely related to repeated use of this bit, which is intended for single use only. This case highlights another potential pitfall associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗

Pitfalls associated with FasT-Fix meniscal repair.

There are several devices currently available for all-inside meniscal repair. One of the newest of these devices, the FasT-Fix (Smith & Nephew, Endoscopic Division, Andover, MA), is attractive because it combines advantages of traditional inside-out meniscal repair with an all-inside technique. We chose to critically evaluate these devices in a cadaver model. FasT-Fix devices were inserted arthroscopically in 8 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees at 5 to 7 mm intervals. A total of 45 devices were placed (24 laterally, 21 medially), and the knees were subsequently dissected to determine the location of the inserted devices. Several potential pitfalls were identified during the evaluation. When using the depth penetration limiter that comes preset with the device (to a depth of 22 mm), superficial structures, including the iliotibial tract and even the skin, were at risk for penetration with the needle. The device could not effectively be inserted into the anterior meniscus or the extreme posterior horn. Other potential pitfalls seen during insertion of the FasT-Fix meniscal repair devices include suture tensioning issues (including failure of the suture during tightening), intra-articular deployment of the implants, premature deployment of both the first and second implants, difficulty in advancing the trigger for deployment of the second implant, and difficulty in placing vertical-mattress sutures. Although the FasT-Fix is already in clinical use, additional modifications would likely enhance meniscal repair using this device.

Arthroscopes↗

Effect of nortriptyline and paroxetine on CYP2D6 activity in depressed elderly patients.

This study was performed in elderly patients (1) to assess the degree to which CYP2D6 mediated metabolism of debrisoquine at baseline determines plasma concentration to dose quotients for nortriptyline or paroxetine after 4 weeks of treatment, and (2) to compare the effects of nortriptyline and paroxetine on debrisoquine metabolism after 6 weeks of treatment. CYP2D6 activity was estimated in 66 subjects (71.4 +/- 7.2 years) before initiating treatment and again after 6 weeks of treatment with either nortriptyline or paroxetine under randomized, double-blind conditions according to a standard protocol. CYP2D6 activity was estimated by the debrisoquine recovery ratio in a 6- to 8-hour urine sample collected after oral administration of 10 mg debrisoquine sulfate. Nortriptyline and paroxetine plasma concentrations were obtained weekly. Baseline debrisoquine recovery ratio values were significantly correlated with the plasma concentration to dose quotient at 4 weeks for both nortriptyline ( = -0.75, = 0.0001, N = 29) and paroxetine ( = -0.50, = 0.003, N = 33). Treatment with either nortriptyline or paroxetine was associated with a significant decrease in the median debrisoquine recovery ratio, reflecting inhibition of CYP2D6 metabolism. The percent decrease associated with nortriptyline was significantly smaller than that with paroxetine ( < 0.0001). None of the patients treated with nortriptyline but 19 of the 32 extensive metabolizers treated with paroxetine were converted to phenotypic poor metabolic status. Our observations of CYP2D6 inhibition are consistent with data and results obtained in younger healthy volunteers. The significant correlations between baseline debrisoquine recovery ratio and the plasma concentrations to dose quotients at 4 weeks for both nortriptyline and paroxetine are consistent with CYP2D6 playing a major role in the metabolism of both drugs. CYP2D6 inhibition by paroxetine, which effectively converted 59% of patients to phenotypic PMs, may be especially relevant for elderly patients given their generally higher concentration of paroxetine.

Adrenergic Agents↗

Combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy as maintenance treatment for late-life depression: effects on social adjustment.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of maintenance treatment for late-life depression on social adjustment. The authors hypothesized that elderly patients recovering from depression would have better social adjustment with medication and interpersonal psychotherapy than with medication or psychotherapy alone. METHOD: Patients aged 60 and older recovering from recurrent major depression were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: nortriptyline and interpersonal psychotherapy, nortriptyline and clinic visits, placebo and psychotherapy, or placebo and clinic visits. The Social Adjustment Scale was administered every 3 months until illness recurrence. Combined treatment was compared to monotherapy on scores over 1 year among patients who remained in recovery (N=49). RESULTS: Patients receiving nortriptyline and interpersonal psychotherapy maintained social adjustment, which declined in those receiving monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of late-life depression with nortriptyline and psychotherapy is more likely to maintain social adjustment than treatment with either alone. Combination therapy improves not only duration but quality of wellness.

Age Factors↗

Vascular risk associated with a posterior approach for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the tibial inlay technique.

This study evaluated the risk to the popliteal artery associated with the tibial inlay technique in posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. Barium was injected into the femoral arteries of eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees and anteroposterior (AP) radiographs were obtained. Dissection of the fascia overlying the gastrocnemius muscle, identification of the interval between the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the semimembranosus, and lateral retraction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius (the Burks and Schaffer approach) was performed. Subsequently, a bicortical screw was placed from posterior to anterior through the tibia as is performed in the tibial inlay technique. A second AP radiograph was obtained. The distance from the center of the screw to the edge of the popliteal artery was measured using digital calipers. The closest any screw came to the popliteal artery was 18.1 mm, and the average distance was 21.1 mm (21.1 +/- 4.6 mm, range: 18.1-31.7 mm). When this distance was calculated as a percentage of the tibial plateau width, the smallest value was 19.2% (24% +/- 4.9%, range: 19.2%-35.1%). A posterior approach for a tibial inlay PCL reconstruction procedure appears safe with respect to the popliteal artery.

Aged↗