The aim of this study was to compare the longer-term outcomes of operatively and nonoperatively managed patients treated with a removable brace (fixed-angle removable orthosis) or a plaster cast immobilization for an acute ankle fracture. This is a secondary analysis of a multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing adults with an acute ankle fracture, initially managed either by operative or nonoperative care. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either a cast immobilization or a fixed-angle removable orthosis (removable brace). Data were collected on baseline characteristics, ankle function, quality of life, and complications. The Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) was the primary outcome which was used to measure the participant’s ankle function. The primary endpoint was at 16 weeks, with longer-term follow-up at 24 weeks and two years.Aims
Methods
To identify a core outcome set of postoperative radiographic measurements to assess technical skill in ankle fracture open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), and to validate these against Van der Vleuten’s criteria for effective assessment. An e-Delphi exercise was undertaken at a major trauma centre (n = 39) to identify relevant parameters. Feasibility was tested by two authors. Reliability and validity was tested using postoperative radiographs of ankle fracture operations performed by trainees enrolled in an educational trial (IRCTN 20431944). To determine construct validity, trainees were divided into novice (performed < ten cases at baseline) and intermediate groups (performed ≥ ten cases at baseline). To assess concurrent validity, the procedure-based assessment (PBA) was considered the gold standard. The inter-rater and intrarater reliability was tested using a randomly selected subset of 25 cases.Aims
Methods
Objectives. To evaluate the applicability of MRI for the quantitative assessment
of anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFLs) in symptomatic chronic
ankle instability (CAI). Methods. Between 1997 and 2010, 39 patients with symptomatic CAI underwent
surgical treatment (22 male, 17 female, mean age 25.4 years (15
to 40)). In all patients, the maximum diameters of the ATFLs were
measured on pre-operative T2-weighted MR images in planes parallel
to the path of the ATFL. They were classified into three groups based
on a previously published method with modifications: ‘normal’, diameter
= 1.0 - 3.2 mm; ‘thickened’, diameter >
3.2 mm; ‘thin or absent’,
diameter <
1.0 mm. Stress radiography was performed with the
maximum
The main object of this study was to use a geometric morphometric
approach to quantify the left-right symmetry of talus bones. Analysis was carried out using CT scan images of 11 pairs of
intact tali. Two important geometric parameters, volume and surface
area, were quantified for left and right talus bones. The geometric
shape variations between the right and left talus bones were also
measured using deviation analysis. Furthermore, location of asymmetry
in the geometric shapes were identified. Numerical results showed that talus bones are bilaterally symmetrical
in nature, and the difference between the surface area of the left
and right talus bones was less than 7.5%. Similarly, the difference
in the volume of both bones was less than 7.5%. Results of the three-dimensional
(3D) deviation analyses demonstrated the mean deviation between
left and right talus bones were in the range of -0.74 mm to 0.62
mm. It was observed that in eight of 11 subjects, the deviation
in symmetry occurred in regions that are clinically less important
during talus surgery. Objective
Methods
Results
The goals of this study were: 1) to determine if high-fat diet
(HFD) feeding in female mice would negatively impact biomechanical
and histologic consequences on the Achilles tendon and quadriceps
muscle; and 2) to investigate whether exercise and branched-chain
amino acid (BCAA) supplementation would affect these parameters
or attenuate any negative consequences resulting from HFD consumption. We examined the effects of 16 weeks of 60% HFD feeding, voluntary
exercise (free choice wheel running) and BCAA administration in
female C57BL/6 mice. The Achilles tendons and quadriceps muscles
were removed at the end of the experiment and assessed histologically
and biomechanically.Objectives
Methods
