In 14 race walkers the intramuscular pressure in the anterior tibial muscle was measured with a wick catheter. At rest the pressure was 10 to 15 mmHg and increased by a factor of 10 during full speed walking. Those walkers who experienced pain in the anterior tibial muscle also had a higher than average pressure. Fasciotomy decreased the intramuscular pressure and relieved the pain.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hinged cast after knee ligament surgery.

One hundred thirteen patients scheduled for repair of knee ligament injuries were randomized to postoperative immobilization in either a hinged or a long leg cast. The time of disability (i.e., sick leave) was significantly shorter (6 weeks) with a hinged cast, but only in ACL cases. All types of injuries regained their range of motion more rapidly after use of a hinged cast. There was no evidence that the motion permitted in a hinged cast hampers the result as regards to stability.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasound examination of soft tissue injury of the lower limb in athletes.

We performed ultrasonography on 32 athletes complaining of intense pain in a swollen and tender thigh or calf after a contusion or stretching trauma. The ultrasonogram was used to visualize the presence and size of a suspected hematoma. The findings included the following: 7 patients with a circumscribed, anechoic lesion compatible with a liquefied hematoma; 10 patients with a circumscribed lesion of mixed echogenicity compatible with areas of liquefied hematoma, coagulated blood, and edema; and 15 patients with a diffuse change in echogenicity of the whole muscle. The circumscribed liquefied, and mixed hematoma were more common after contusion trauma, while the diffuse type was more common after injury caused by stretching. Ultrasonography is useful in localizing the hematoma and in characterizing the different types. Differentiation is important in diagnosis and choice of treatment.

Adolescent↗