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Biomedical subjects

R A Meals

Publications and source records attributed to R A Meals.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The effects of two nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on limb swelling, joint stiffness, and bone torsional strength following fracture in a rabbit model.

Using a rabbit distal tibia fracture model treated by immobilization for three weeks, the effects of two nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on postfracture limb swelling, joint stiffness, and torsional bone strength were examined. Limb swelling in rabbits treated with low-dose piroxicam was reduced by 39%, and high-dose piroxicam reduced limb swelling by 86%. Flunixin, tested at one dose, reduced swelling by 53%. Neither piroxicam nor flunixin affected ankle stiffness or tibia torsional strength.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Functional demands and consequences of manual communication.

Sign language is the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. Despite the frequent need for this unique upper limb function, little is known regarding the demands and consequences of signing. This article (1) reviews 15 signers with upper limb abnormalities to determine how the abnormalities affect their signing, and (2) explores overuse syndromes in six sign language interpreters. Because of the way the sign language is constructed, only the most severe, bilateral limb abnormalities affect signing, and no extraordinary measures beyond standard, high quality hand care is required to improve function. To treat overuse syndromes in sign language interpreters, customary conservative treatments have generally been useful, but prevention is greatly preferable to treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Thumb reconstruction following major loss: a review of treatment alternatives.

Over the past 20 years the available methods for thumb reconstruction following major loss have changed dramatically, primarily through the continued development of microsurgical techniques. Replantation effort is generally indicated when the injury is favorable and the patient can safely undergo emergency and possibly prolonged surgery. Since secondary reconstructions vary markedly with respect to anticipated function and appearance, donor site requirements, and other important factors, the reconstruction method should be individualized according to the patient's age and general health, functional demands, and cosmetic expectations.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on posttraumatic limb swelling and joint stiffness. A review and an experimental study in rabbits.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an inorganic compound with many interesting in vitro properties, including the ability to scavenge oxygen-free radicals. DMSO has been used to treat a variety of clinical conditions, especially musculoskeletal trauma, but valid data regarding its effectiveness are lacking. This paper reviews the pharmacology of DMSO and reports on its effectiveness in reducing posttraumatic limb swelling and ankle joint stiffness in a rabbit hind limb model. The left and right hind limbs of the test and control animals were instrumented and fractured identically. DMSO was applied daily to the skin of only one limb in the test animals. DMSO reduced postinjury ankle stiffness in both ankles of the test rabbits by 41% but had no effect on limb swelling compared to control rabbits. Postulated mechanisms of decreased joint stiffness include oxygen-free radical scavenging and inhibition of fibroblast proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Denervation for the treatment of acquired spasticity of the brachioradialis.

Spasticity of the brachioradialis developed in three adolescent boys after an episode of intracranial bleeding. The spasticity resulted in paradoxical contraction of the muscle during attempted active extension of the elbow. The flexed posture of the elbow was both dysfunctional and embarrassing to the patient. A block of the radial nerve with lidocaine at the mid-humeral level confirmed the diagnosis of paradoxical spasticity. After denervation of the brachioradialis, the ability to extend the elbow markedly improved, and the improvement was maintained at the time of follow-up which ranged from two to five years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The effects of intermittent passive exercise on joint stiffness following periarticular fracture in rabbits.

To determine the effects of intermittent passive motion on joint stiffness following periarticular fracture, bilateral distal tibia fractures were produced in 31 rabbits. Following immobilization and fracture union at three weeks, one ankle on each rabbit underwent passive exercise daily until sacrifice at six weeks. The contralateral ankle remained immobile, except for weekly stiffness determinations. Passive exercise produced limb swelling and resulted in temporarily decreased ankle stiffness to, but not significantly below, control values. Between exercise sessions, the exercised ankles became significantly stiffer than the contralateral immobilized ankles. The cause of stiffness was not determined, but extrapolation from other work would suggest that the regimens of intermittent passive exercise tested in this study additionally traumatized the healing tissues surrounding the fracture.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Biomechanical effects of point configuration in Kirschner-wire fixation.

The drilling and bone holding properties of Kirschner wires of three different tip designs have been investigated. The tip designs studied were the commercially available trocar- and diamond-shaped tips and the homemade cut tip produced by cutting the pin obliquely with wire cutters. Thirteen canine metacarpals were drilled with wires of each tip design at 400 and 800 rpm. A servohydraulic test machine (Materials Test Systems, Minneapolis, MN) simultaneously measured axial loads, torque, and displacement during insertion and pull-out. Kirschner wires of each tip configuration were also placed in seven canine metacarpals for a three-week in vivo test. After the animals were killed, peak pull-out forces were measured and compared with in vitro results. The trochar-tipped wire displayed the highest required torque and axial load to penetrate bone. It also demonstrated the highest pull-out force immediately after drilling, especially when inserted at the low drill speed. After placement for three weeks, pull-out force of the diamond-tipped wire equaled the trochar. The homemade cut wire consistently yielded inferior holding properties. For immediate and sustained strong fixation in bone, a wire with a trochar tip configuration should be inserted at low drill speeds.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Computerized anatomy instruction.

A self-paced gross anatomy teaching package is under development using computer-generated anatomic images controlled by branching instructional software on a personal computer. The package is designed to overcome several problems encountered in the traditional study of anatomy. The capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses of computer-assisted instruction are highlighted.

Anatomy↗
PubMed1986

The effects of pressurization on fracture swelling and joint stiffness in the rabbit hind limb.

Long bone fractures frequently cause limb swelling and joint stiffness, and the two effects are generally assumed to be related, an assumption long held but rarely tested. The authors investigated limb swelling and joint stiffness in rabbits with experimental 28-day healing fractures. Eleven control rabbits were treated with bilateral hind limb skeletal fixation and unilateral distal tibia fractures. Subsequent limb swelling occurred bilaterally, but it was significantly greater on the side fractured. All fractures healed. Ankles in both fractured and unfractured limbs became significantly stiffer, compared with preinjury values, but ankles in the fractured limbs became significantly stiffer than those in the unfractured control limbs. Air pressure of 10 mmHg above atmospheric pressure was applied for four days to newly fractured limbs in 11 additional rabbits. Pressurization reduced swelling but did not significantly affect ankle stiffness. In general, reduction in postfracture swelling by application of external pressure did not significantly affect adjacent joint stiffness.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Carpenter's nails, phonograph needles, piano wires, and safety pins: the history of operative fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures.

This century has witnessed advances in basic sciences that have led to and resulted from advances in operative fixation of fractures. In addition to the sweeping changes in medicine and surgery, the development of corrosion-resistant alloys underpins all current concepts of fracture surgery. Most of the techniques were originally borrowed from work on large bones and most of the materials came from workshops or sewing boxes. Today, as improved understanding of bone healing and appropriate application of mechanical principles to skeletal injuries have become indispensable for appreciating the relative value of these techniques, operative fixation of hand fractures has emerged as a science in its own right.

Bone Nails↗
PubMed1984

Pay phone receiver cord injuries to the hand.

Pay phone receiver cord injuries to the hand have been identified in five hands of three patients. These injuries occur when the individual tries to violently jerk the receiver from the main unit of the telephone by the metal sheathed cord. This flexible metal sheath then becomes uncoiled and exposes very sharp edges on which hands can be severely lacerated and mutilated. Identification of and experiences with these types of injuries are discussed.

Finger Injuries↗