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Biomedical subjects

W Pohl

Publications and source records attributed to W Pohl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Significance of body weight in degenerative skeletal diseases (author's transl)].

An attempt was made to ascertain the influence of body weight on degenerative skeletal diseases in a group of 250 hospitalized patients suffering from gonarthrosis and/or lumbar syndrome. The current average body weight according to age, size and sex (Geigy Tables) were used as the standard. Patients with gonarthrosis were significantly overweight while patients with lumbar syndrome fell within the normal range. A prearthrosis or prearthritic deformity of the vertebral column or knee could be demonstrated in the majority of patients, particularly the younger ones. In most of the older patients, an age-induced reduction in the quality of cartilage and tissue of the intervertebral disk was already present. For the established casual significance of prearthroses, the only possible influence of body weight on the development of alterations is as a contributing factor, to functional strain. A statement cannot be made concerning the importance of this contributing factor for methodological reasons; an essential influence, however, is doubtful. Overweight alone does not tend to induce degenerative skeletal alterations under normal static and occupational conditions.

Adult

[Rehabilitation after operations on the hip-joint (author's transl)].

The increase of hip-replacement is also seen in departments of rehabilitation. Among 270 operations during 1974/75 the main age at operations was 50-59 years. Para-articular ossification was more common in men than women. Function was disturbed more often in women, pain more common after operations other than replacement. Unfitness for work and compensation depend on the degree of limitation of mobility and weightbearing related to occupation. Because of relatively common complications and still unsatisfactory postoperative improvement, indication for replacement ought to be more critical. Conservative measures often give astonishingly good results, delay progressive symptoms. Techniques preserving the joint should be exhausted before the proper age for operation is reached.

Age Factors

[Reflex-dystrophic pseudo-arthritis or Sudeck syndrome (author's transl) ].

Local bone- and tissue dystrophies identical with Sudeck's syndrome and progressing in 3 stages are called reflex dystrophies. In the 1st and 2nd stages complete recovery is possible, in the 3rd stage only irreversible dysptrophic-ankylosing defect-healing. Etiologic significance of causal factors discussed is not certain. In, initially similar, inflammatory and rheumatic arthritis often only the further course and radiologic appearance provide a diagnosis. So far we have no desirable clear definition of reflex dystrophic conditions.

Adult