RCT of PEP Program to Reduce ACL Injuries in Female Collegiate Soccer Players
Anterior Cruciate Ligament RuptureThis research study involves implementing and evaluating a physical training program specifically designed to reduce the risk of ligamentous knee injuries in female soccer players by incorporating proven neuromuscular and proprioceptive training concepts into a concise, on-field warm-up activity. All 283 Division I NCAA women's soccer teams were asked to participate in this research study. Those that agreed were randomized to control (usual training program) and intervention (alternative warm-up program). Both groups of teams provided investigators with participation and knee injury information during the 15 week 2002 fall soccer season. Requested information included only that which would be readily available to the certified athletic trainers (ATC) in their normal course of duties. The knee injury rates among intervention team athletes were compared with control team athletes to determine program effectiveness. Data collection is complete and the report should be submitted shortly for publication.
Levator Hiatal Dimensions and Mode of Delivery
Pelvic Floor; RuptureChildbirth Problems1 moreThe aim of this observational study is to learn about how muscle dimensions of the pelvic floor measured during pregnancy in primigravida impact birth mecanics and mode of delivery. Tha main aims are to 1. Explore associations between mode of delivery and hiatal dimensions measured by transperineal ultrasound antenatally and 2. Explore the association between duration of 2nd stage of labour and hiatal dimensions. A pelvic floor ultrasound examination will be performed between pregnancy week 12 and 20 and levator ani muscle hiatal dimensions will be compared between women having a normal vaginal delivery and women with emergency cesarean or operative vaginal deliveries.
Risk of Rupture of Aneurysms of the Thoracic Ascending Aorta (ATA) From the Dynamic Imaging
Aortic AneurysmThoracicAneurysms of the thoracic ascending aorta are a serious pathology which may threatens life by rupture or dissection. Their incidence is estimated at 10.4 per 100,000 people. At present, the only parameter for assessing the risk of complication is the maximum diameter of the aneurysm. The only way to avoid a complication is a surgical replacement of the aneurysmal aorta by a prosthetic tube. This procedure is performed by sternotomy and with extracorporeal circulation and its death rate ranges between 3% and 5%. Surgical repair is indicated when the diameter of the aneurysm exceeds 5.5 cm for degenerative atheromatous aneurysms or 5 cm in a patient with genetic disorder of connective tissue (Marfan disease or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome). However, there are aneurysms with diameter greater than the surgical threshold which remain stable. Conversely, complications have been described for aneurysms less than 4.5 cm in diameter. The criterion of diameter appears therefore as inadequate to assess the risk of complication of an aneurysm of the ascending aorta.Multiple methods have been described in the literature. One of them relies on in vitro mechanical testing on healthy or aneurysmal tissue. Another method is the vivo analysis from imaging (CT, MRI or ultrasound). So far, no algorithm is robust enough for predicting the risk of complication better than the universally used criterion of diameter. The pathophysiology of these aneurysms has also been explored from histological studies. The investigators know that the microstructure of the aortic wall of an aneurysm is deteriorated with a degradation of elastin fibers and collagen that determine to a large extent its biomechanical behavior. Histological analysis appears inseparable from biomechanical analysis.
Impact of Achilles Tendon Rupture on the Achilles Tendon and Calf Muscles
Achilles Tendon RuptureThe aim of this study is to measure the recovery following Achilles tendon rupture. The investigators will use an ultrasound scan to look at the Achilles tendon, they will complete calf strength tests and use questionnaires to measure how individuals are managing in everyday life. The investigators will take these measurements when participants first arrive to the Achilles tendon rupture clinic, after 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 4 months, 6 months and 1 year.
Analgesic Benefits of Genicular Nerve Blocks of the Posterior Knee for Patients Undergoing ACL Reconstruction...
Rupture of Anterior Cruciate LigamentOutpatients scheduled to have ACL surgery typically receive a femoral nerve block to provide analgesia for the front of the knee. Postoperatively, these patients will often report pain in the back of the knee. Local anesthetic infiltration of the posterior aspect of the knee results in blockade of the genicular nerves of the posterior knee. These nerves originate off of the tibial and common peroneal nerves and their blockade will result in improved posterior knee pain relief and may decrease narcotic consumption compared to patients who receive the same infiltration with normal saline.
Use of Placental Alpha Microglobulin-1(PAMG-1) to Diagnose Premature Rupture of Membranes in Pregnant...
Preterm LaborPreterm BirthThe study is to evaluate the accuracy of a test device called "PAMG-1" to see if a pregnant women has ruptured membranes in comparison to standardly used testing methods.
Quality of Life After an Ambulatory Reconstruction of the Cruciate Ligament
Rupture of the Cruciate LigamentStudy to compare the quality of life after reconstruction of the cruciate ligament in hospitalized versus day-clinic patient
Impact of Achilles Tendon Ruptures: Cross-Sectional Analysis
Achilles Tendon RuptureThis project will assess the clinical outcomes of individuals completing rehabilitation for their Achilles tendon rupture at the University Hospitals of Leicester. Patients attending the Achilles tendon rupture clinic or rehabilitation classes will be asked to complete ultrasound imaging, strength testing and questionnaires. This will provide an insight into the rehabilitation outcomes of a broad range of patients at each rehabilitation timepoint.
Prediction of Development and Rupture Risk for Intracranial Unruptured Aneurysms
Intracranial AneurysmIn recent years, researches on the natural history and risk factors of intracranial unruptured aneurysms have become a hot topic at home and abroad. However, risk factors for aneurysm rupture is still unclear yet. The investigators' preliminary study focused on constructing a rupture risk prediction system for intracranial unruptured aneurysm in the investigators' single center. The investigators' result showed that three significant factors (sex, abnormal serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and coincidence of thin-walled regions (TWR) and normalized wall shear stress (NWSS)) stood out by using logistic regression to explore the rupture risk factors of intracranial unruptured aneurysms, which could help guide the clinical treatment of intracranial unruptured aneurysms. This study is to evaluate and improve the rupture predict model of intracranial unruptured aneurysm in multi-neurosurgical centers.
Predictive Value of Maternal Serum Pentraxin 3 (PTX 3) and Heparin-binding Protein (HBP) for Chorioamnionitis...
Preterm Premature Rupture of MembraneObjective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of maternal serum pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and heparin-binding protein (HBP) for chorioamnionitis in preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Method: This observational prospective cohort study included a total of 180 pregnant women at 24-40 gestational weeks. There were 60 cases of term premature rupture of membranes (TPROM), 60 cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes(PPROM)and 60 cases of healthy women. The concentrations of PTX3 and HBP were measured in maternal blood and amniotic fluid using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western immunoblotting was used to analyze the expression of PTX3 and HBP in placental tissue. The localization and immunoreaction of PTX3 and HBP in placenta were determined via immunohistochemistry (IHC).