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PubMed2005

Relationship between leg bone mineral values and muscle strength in women with different physical activity.

This study examines whether knee extensor muscle isometric, isokinetic, and isoinertial strength values in women with different physical activity and body composition patterns are related to leg bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) values. A total of 129 women aged 17-40 participated in this study. They were divided into four groups: strength-trained (n = 33), endurance-trained (n = 32), normal weight sedentary (n = 41), and overweight sedentary (n = 23) women. In addition, the subjects were grouped as physically active (n = 65) or sedentary (n = 64) women. BMD and BMC for both legs (LBMD and LBMC, respectively) and for the dominant leg alone (DLBMC), body fat percentage and lean body mass (LBM), maximal knee extension isometric (ISOM) and isokinetic (ISOK) strength at the angular velocity of 60 deg.s(-1), and isoinertial leg explosive strengths (countermovement jump CMJ) were measured. In endurance-trained women, LBMD was dependent on body mass index (BMI) (33.7% of the variance, R2 x 100), and in the physically active group and the total group with LBM (14.6% and 15.6%, respectively). In the overweight group, LBMD was dependent on ISOK strength (21.7% of the variance, R2 x 100). In the sedentary and total groups, ISOM strength was more important (10.3% and 5.0%, respectively); in the strength-trained group, body weight influenced LBMC, accounting for 71.6% of the variance (R2 x 100). In the endurance-trained women, height influenced LMBC (37.9%, R2 x 100). In sedentary and overweight women, LBM accounted for 52.1% and 61.4% of the total variance in LBMC. In these groups, ISOM strength accounted for 15.3% and 25.9% of the variance in LBMC. In overweight women, ISOM and ISOK strength together influenced LBMC highly (64.8% of the variance, R2 x 100). In the sedentary group, the influence of LBM on LBMC was higher than in the active group (82.1% and 50.5% of the variance, respectively). In the total group, LBM influenced LBMC, accounting for 54.5% of the variance (R2 x 100). ISOM strength (22.7%) alone or in combination with ISOK strength (35.8%) and CMJ (41.7%) (R2 x 100) in LBMC in the sedentary group explained the variance. In the total group, ISOM strength alone (13.2%) or in combination with CMJ (17.1%) influenced LBMC (R2 x 100). Our results suggest that (1) muscle strength and anthropometrical parameters were associated with LBMD; (2) LBM and ISOM strength had a significant relationship with DLBMC and LBMC only in nonathletic women; and (3) strength measured with different regimens highly influenced LBMC compared with LBMD, especially in the sedentary groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An unusual cause of refractive chronic bilateral leg ulceration.

BACKGROUND: Ulceration of the lower extremities is a common disorder that can be very painful. It occurs most frequently in the elderly population as a result of venous hypertension. We report an unusual case of a 32-year-old man with an 11-year history of extensive, painful, bilateral leg ulcers resistant to conventional treatment necessitating above-knee amputation of the left leg. Eventually, the patient was treated with prednisone, which led to almost complete healing of the ulcers of the right leg. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to discuss a rare cause of chronic bilateral leg ulceration. METHODS: Detailed histopathologic examination showed a complex pattern of overlapping features of several specific dermatologic conditions, including necrobiosis lipoidica (NL), necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG), and the destructive form of granuloma annulare (GA). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of our patient suggest a variant of a cutaneous necrobiotic disorder that has not been previously reported. When clinicians are confronted with recalcitrant ulcerations in the lower extremity, this group of disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Deep venous contribution to hydrostatic blood volume change in the human leg.

The causes of orthostatic intolerance following prolonged bed rest, head-down tilt or exposure to zero gravity are not completely understood. One possible contributing mechanism is increased venous compliance and peripheral venous pooling. The present study attempted to determine what proportion of the increased calf volume during progressive venous occlusion is due to deep venous filling. Deep veins in the leg have little sympathetic innervation and scant vascular smooth muscle, so their compliance may be determined primarily by the surrounding skeletal muscle. If deep veins make a large contribution to total leg venous compliance, then disuse-related changes in skeletal muscle mass and tone could increase leg compliance and lead to decreased orthostatic tolerance. The increase in deep venous volume during progressive venous occlusion at the knee was measured in 6 normal subjects using calf cross-sectional images obtained with magnetic resonance imaging. Conventional plethysmography was used simultaneously to give an independent second measurement of leg volume and monitor the time course of the volume changes. Most of the volume change at all occlusion levels (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm Hg) could be attributed to deep venous filling (90.2% at 40 mm Hg and 50.6% at 100 mm Hg). It is concluded that a large fraction of the calf volume change during venous occlusion is attributable to filling of the deep venous spaces. This finding supports theories postulating an important role for physiological mechanisms controlling skeletal muscle tone during orthostatic stress.

Blood Volume↗
PubMed1989

Effects of nisoldipine on systemic and leg blood flow, oxygen transport and metabolism, and hemodynamics during exercise in effort angina pectoris.

The acute effects of 10 mg of oral nisoldipine on hemodynamics, oxygen transport and metabolism, and distribution of cardiac output, at rest and during semiupright bicycle exercise, were evaluated in 10 men with effort angina receiving long-term beta 1 blockade. Cardiac output and leg blood flow were measured using the thermodilution technique. At rest, nisoldipine decreased systemic resistance from 18.9 +/- 1.0 to 15.9 +/- 1.2 dynes.s.cm-5.10(2) (p less than 0.05) and cardiac output increased from 4.8 +/- 0.2 to 5.3 +/- 0.3 liters/min (p less than 0.05) without changing leg blood flow. During maximal exercise with nisoldipine, systemic resistance was reduced (10.6 +/- 0.9 to 8.6 +/- 0.5 dynes.s.cm-5.10(2), p less than 0.05) and cardiac output increased 18% (10.3 +/- 0.7 to 12.2 +/- 0.6 liters/min, p less than 0.05) when compared with control values. Exercise heart rate was higher with nisoldipine (113 +/- 4 vs 106 +/- 4 beats/min, p less than 0.01), but the mean arterial pressure was not significantly changed, giving a higher rate-pressure product. The increase in mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure was attenuated (26 +/- 3 vs 30 +/- 3 mm Hg during control exercise, p less than 0.05), but ST depression was unaltered. Exercise leg flow was reduced by nisoldipine from 4.3 +/- 0.4 to 3.9 +/- 0.3 liters/min (p = 0.07) and the proportion of cardiac output distributed to the legs was reduced from 42 +/- 3 to 33 +/- 3% (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effect of oral magnesium substitution on pregnancy-induced leg cramps.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether women with pregnancy-related leg cramps would benefit from oral magnesium supplementation. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-three women with pregnancy-related leg cramps were interviewed about their symptoms in a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial. Initial serum magnesium levels and diurnal magnesium excretion was determined in 50% of the patients. Oral magnesium or placebo was given for 3 weeks, after which new interviews and laboratory analyses were performed. RESULTS: Serum magnesium levels in these patients were at or below the lower reference limit, as is also often the case in healthy pregnant patients. Oral magnesium substitution decreased leg cramp distress (p < 0.05 compared with the placebo group, p < 0.001 compared with initial complaints), but did not significantly increase serum magnesium levels, excess magnesium being excreted as measured by an increase in urinary magnesium levels (p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Oral magnesium supplementation seems to be a valuable therapeutic tool in the treatment of pregnancy-related leg cramps.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1981

The blood supply to the skin of the leg: a post-mortem investigation.

A detailed investigation of the blood supply to the skin of the leg in 22 cadavers using intra-arterial dye and lipiodol confirmed the increased vascularity of the skin of the upper leg and showed that surgically successful flaps are more safely raised on the medial and posterior aspect of the leg. There was a generally uniform distribution of the vascularity with the significant exception of the lower leg where the supply to the skin from perforating vessels was strikingly deficient. Some observations are made on the feasibility of using innervated free flaps and a free vascularised nerve graft.

Fascia↗
PubMed1983

The prevention of leg injuries in motorcycle accidents.

Leg injuries due to motorcycle accidents are becoming increasingly common, and a relatively high proportion of these injuries are severe, requiring intensive and prolonged treatment with an often disappointing final result. A total of 309 injured motorcyclists consented to take part in a study investigating the possibility that crash bars fitted to motorcycles might protect the motorcyclist's legs from injury. In the group as a whole, it seemed possible that crash bars would afford some protection, but the figures were not statistically significant. In the group of 150 motorcyclists injured by side impact, 8 of the 25 with crash bars escaped injuries of the legs compared with only 17 out of 125 who did not have crash bars. These results suggest that crash bars provide a measure of protection to motorcyclist's legs, especially when the impact is from the side.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1988

Rheumatic disease aspects of leg length inequality.

Inequality of leg lengths is associated with low back pain, greater trochanteric bursitis, and degenerative hip disease. The pelvic obliquity that results from a discrepancy of leg lengths may contribute to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. The diagnosis of leg length inequality may be overlooked. If this occurs, extensive and costly investigations are then often ordered to evaluate these secondary manifestations of leg length inequality. This is unfortunate because a simple shoe lift is all that was needed to provide symptomatic relief for selected patients.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1994

Does passive leg raising increase cardiac performance? A study using Doppler echocardiography.

Passive leg raising is commonly used for the initial treatment of hypovolemic shock. However, there are many reports which have pointed out that it does not produce significant autotransfusion effect. We tried to evaluate the effects of passive leg raising on the cardiovascular performance in coronary artery disease patients in stable condition. We studied 31 patients of 51 +/- 10 years. Two M-mode echocardiographic and continuous wave Doppler studies of aortic flow were obtained. The first was performed while the patient was lying on the left side and the second after passive leg elevation. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension increased by 0.40 +/- 0.82 cm (P = 0.007), fractional shortening by 2.5 +/- 6% (P = 0.01), peak aortic blood velocity by 5 +/- 14 cm/s (P = 0.02), and velocity time integral by 1.7 +/- 3.0 cm (P = 0.0007). From the above it is concluded that passive leg elevation really does increase preload, and consequently cardiac performance, by the classical Frank-Staring relationship in normovolemic coronary artery disease patients.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1987

Management of lower limb burns using suspension of the leg by means of ASIF bone screws. An analysis of the results.

Skin grafts on the dorsal side of the legs are liable to failure because of mechanical trauma, maceration and subsequent infection. Suspension of the legs in traction is a well-known method to overcome these problems. In 1984 and 1985, in 14 patients who underwent skin grafting on the dorsum of the leg, suspension was attained by means of two ASIF screws drilled in the ventral side of the proximal and distal tibia. The 'take' percentage of the transplantations on the dorsum of the legs was the same as the 'take' percentage of skin grafts on other sites of the body. No serious complications were encountered.

Bone Screws↗
PubMed1991

Early and late effects of cisplatin and radiation at acute and low dose rates on the mouse skin and soft tissues of the leg.

The influence of radiation dose rate and drug dose on the combined effects of cisplatin (Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II] and radiation on the skin and soft tissues was studied in the C3Hf/SED mice. Localized acute-dose-rate irradiation (ADRI) at 3.345 Gy/min and continuous low-dose-rate irradiation (CLDRI) of the hind leg at 0.028 Gy/min with and without the drug was delivered using a 137Cs laboratory irradiator. Cisplatin at 6 or 11 mg/kg was given by intraperitoneal bolus injection 1 hour before ADRI or by continuous infusion during CLDRI. Acute skin reaction was scored from days 13 to 30 and late skin contraction and leg contracture were measured at days 90, 180, 270, and 360 after treatment. A marked dose-rate effect was observed for these early and late normal tissue endpoints. At a dose of 60 Gy of CLDRI, the dose rate factor (DRF = isoeffect dose at CLDRI/isoeffect dose at ADRI) was 1.82 for acute skin reaction and 1.76 for late skin contraction or leg contracture at day 270. However, there was no significant enhancement of these early and late normal tissue effects by cisplatin at 6 or 11 mg/kg at either acute or low dose rates. Thus neither drug dose nor radiation dose rate had a significant impact on the combined effects of cisplatin and radiation on the mouse skin and soft tissues of the leg.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of visceral afferent activation on leg extension induced by sciatic afferent stimulation.

In cats under light chloralose and sodium pentobarbital anesthesia the effects of electrical stimulation of various visceral afferent nerves on leg extension induced by sciatic afferent stimulation were studied. Stimulation of the central end of the cervical vagus and stellate ganglion produced inhibition of induced leg extension while stimulation of the distal end of the thoracic vagus, coeliac ganglion, and splanchnic nerves produced facilitation. Decortication slightly reduced the inhibitory effect and greatly reduced the facilitatory effect. Additional decerebration greatly reduced the inhibitory effect and almost abolished the facilitatory effect. Spinal transection at C1 completely abolished the inhibitory and facilitatory effects on induced leg extension. These results suggest that visceral afferents facilitate sciatic induced leg extension principally through the cortex while they inhibit extension through the midbrain and hypothalamus.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2006

[A simple way to secure the distally based fascio-cutaneous flap of the leg: the lesser sapheneous-greater sapheneous vein anastomosis. Report of 15 clinical cases].

PURPOSE: The distally based fasciocutaneous flaps of the leg are very useful for the treatment of skin defects at the lower third of the leg and the foot, but the venous congestion due to the reverse flow can be responsible of necrosis at the distal part of the flap. The anastomosis of the lesser saphenous vein which is included in the flap's dissection to the greater saphenous vein near the defect avoid this venous congestion and the necrosis of the most useful part of the flap for the coverage of these defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1999 to June 2005, 15 patients aged between 22 and 64 years old have benefited for the treatment of soft tissue defects secondary to trauma with a mean diameter of 7 x 10 cm and located in 7 cases at the lower third of the leg and in 8 cases at the posterior side of the heel, from distally based posterior fasciocutaneous flaps where the venous reverse flow has been changed in a physiological one by the terminolateral anastomosis between the lesser and greater saphenous vein. The dissection of these flaps was classical except that the lesser saphenous vein was dissected 6 cm beyond the proximal part of the flap in the popliteal region. RESULTS: In all these flaps, there was no venous congestion and no arterial problems. With a mean follow-up of 40 months, the coverage's quality of these defects was very satisfactory. No sequellae are reported. CONCLUSION: The anastomosis between the lesser and the greater saphenous veins seems to eliminate the main source of failure of the distally based fasciocutaneous flap of the leg and can reinforce the indications of these flaps for the treatment of such defects.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Novel treatment strategy for leg and sternal wound complications after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: bioengineered Apligraf.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that bioengineered Apligraf improves time to wound healing in sternal and leg wound complications after coronary artery bypass surgery. DESCRIPTION: Between 1998 and 2001, 1,550 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery utilizing saphenous vein. In 45 (2.9%) of 1,550 patients, leg wound complications developed (group A); and in 15 (0.9%) of 1,550 patients, sternal wound complications developed (group B). Apligraf was utilized as the primary treatment for 30 (66%) of 45 leg wounds and for 9 (60%) of 15 sternal wounds. Traditional wound care included debridement and daily wet-to-dry dressings. EVALUATION: Time to wound healing ranged from 26 to 72 days (mean, 46) for Apligraf group A and from 34 to 120 days (mean, 84) for traditional wound care group A. The time to wound healing ranged from 21 to 80 days (mean, 39) for Apligraf group B, and from 36 to 110 days (mean, 62) for traditional care group B. Apligraf treatment was simpler, with less time and resource utilization than traditional wound care. CONCLUSIONS: Apligraf significantly improves time to wound healing in patients with leg and sternal wound complications and offers an attractive new treatment alternative to traditional wound care.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Single-layer versus multiple-layer closure of leg wounds after long saphenous vein harvest: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The long saphenous vein harvested by traditional techniques is an important conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study was to determine if a single-layer closure over a drain improved wound healing compared with the traditional two-layer closure after harvest. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive patients undergoing CABG were prospectively randomized to have their leg wound closed by either a single-layer technique with a suction drain or multiple layers. All wounds were assessed using the additional treatment, presence of serous discharge, erythema, purulent exudate, and separation of the deep tissues, isolation of bacteria, and the duration of inpatient stay (ASEPSIS) score postoperatively and 6 weeks later. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (5 females) had their wound closed by the single-layer technique and 34 (6 females) closed in multiple layers. The ASEPSIS scores were significantly lower (p = 0.001) in those patients closed with a single layer (mean, 4.4) than those with multiple layers (mean, 6.8). Patients whose legs were closed with the single-layer technique had less peripheral edema compared with the multiple-layer group (chi2, p < 0.001). Using univariate analysis there was no correlation between ASEPSIS scores and length of wound incision (p = 0.49), whereas increasing age was found to have a weak positive correlation (r =0.24; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Single-layer leg wound closure over a suction drain is superior to the traditional multiple-layer closure. A possible mechanism of better wound healing in the former technique might be through decreased tissue handling and a reduction in leg edema.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

A painless method of ultrasonically assisted debridement of chronic leg ulcers: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Devitalized tissue in a recalcitrant leg ulcer is common and may impede healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a non-invasive low frequency ultrasound device to debride chronic leg ulcers as an adjunct to compression bandages therapy. METHODS: 19 patients with leg ulceration of at least 6 months were recruited. Low frequency ultrasound at 25kHz was delivered by a portable Sonaca--180 via a handheld probe, using normal saline as the irrigation/coupling medium. The ultrasound was applied for 10-20 seconds per probe head area onto the ulcer. Each leg underwent treatment at an interval of 2-3 weeks with compression bandages reapplied at the end of the treatment. Serial colour photographs were taken to evaluate the response at each visit. RESULTS: Each patient received on average 5.7 treatments each ranged from 5-20 minutes depending on the ulcer size. Symptomatic relief (pain and odour reduction) was achieved in 6 patients. 7 patients achieved complete ulcer healing (mean ulcer size=4.72+/-SD 1.872cm(2)) but no response was observed in 8 patients. There were no major complications of the treatment which was relatively painless. CONCLUSIONS: The application of low frequency ultrasound debridement may heal some recalcitrant ulcers when standard compression regimens have failed. It is cheap and does not require admission. The role of simple wound cleansing requires further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A prospective study of gait related risk factors for exercise-related lower leg pain.

The purpose of this study was to determine prospectively gait related risk factors for exercise-related lower leg pain (ERLLP) in 400 physical education students. Static lower leg alignment was determined, and 3D gait kinematics combined with plantar pressure profiles were collected. After this evaluation, all sports injuries were registered by the same sports physician during the duration of the study. Forty six subjects developed ERLLP and 29 of them developed bilateral symptoms thus giving 75 symptomatic lower legs. Bilateral lower legs of 167 subjects who developed no injuries in the lower extremities served as controls. Cox regression analysis revealed that subjects who developed ERLLP had an altered running pattern before the injury compared to the controls and included (1) a significantly more central heel-strike, (2) a significantly increased pronation, accompanied with more pressure underneath the medial side of the foot, and (3) a significantly more lateral roll-off. These findings suggest that altered biomechanics play a role in the genesis of ERLLP and thus should be considered in prevention and rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The effect of physical training on workload, upper leg muscle function and muscle areas in patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of physical training (PTr) on upper leg muscle area, muscle strength and muscle endurance expressed as upper leg muscle function (ULMF) in relation to exercise performance in CHF. DESIGN: Randomised to a training (TG) or control group (CG). SETTING: Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation centre of community hospital. PATIENTS: 77 CHF patients (59 men and 18 women), NYHA class II/III, age 59.8+/-9.3 years, LVEF 27+/-8%. Sixteen patients dropped out during the intervention period, 61 patients (M/F:46/15) completed the study. INTERVENTION: PTr (combined strength and endurance exercises) four times per week, twice supervised and twice at home, during 26 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: LVEF, body composition, daily physical activity, exercise performance, upper leg muscle area and isokinetic leg muscle variables. RESULTS: Workload and peak oxygen consumption decreased in the CG (-4.1% and -4%) but increased in the TG (+5% and +4%) following PTr (p<0.05, ANOVA repeated measures). Hamstrings area decreased in the CG and did not change in the TG (p<0.05, ANOVA repeated measures). ULMF improved in the TG, but remained unchanged in the CG (+13.0% and 0.0, respectively, p<0.05; ANOVA repeated measures). At baseline and after intervention nearly 60% of the variance in maximal workload was explained by ULMF and quadriceps muscle area (multiple regression analysis). CONCLUSIONS: In CHF patients, home-based training in conjunction with a supervised strength and endurance training program is safe, feasible and effective and does not require complex training equipment. Physical training prevented loss of hamstrings muscle mass and improved exercise performance by enhancing muscle strength and endurance.

Exercise↗