Limb length discrepancy and segmental bone defects can be difficult problems to manage after fractures of the lower limb. Distraction osteogenesis can be applied to lengthen bone or to bridge intercalary defects by segmental bone transport. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcome and long-term quality of life after distraction osteogenesis of the lower limb when applied f...

BACKGROUND Intramedullary (IM) nailing is the method of choice for the treatment of most femoral shaft fractures. However, despite successful solid union, great initial fracture comminution can lead to significant leg length discrepancy affecting normal gait mechanics. Femoral osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis over the pre-existing IM nail could restore this limb inequality. METHODS Five...

During downhill running, manoeuvring, negotiation of obstacles and landings from a jump, mechanical energy is dissipated via active lengthening of limb muscles. Tendon compliance provides a 'shock-absorber' mechanism that rapidly absorbs mechanical energy and releases it more slowly as the recoil of the tendon does work to stretch muscle fascicles. By lowering the rate of muscular energy dissip...

Instability of the hip joint in the young adult is a difficult problem. Patients with an unstable hip secondary to any aetiology usually have loss of bone from the proximal femur or shortening of the limb or both. In this study we report our results in the treatment of the unstable hip joint in young adults by pelvic support osteotomy using the Ilizarov method. From 1997 to 2004, 25 patients (1...

PURPOSE Exerting axial pressure on the affected lower limb remains one of the most crucial elements of Ilizarov method. The objective was to determine the effects of an early intrahospital rehabilitation on weight bearing during lower extremity lengthening with Ilizarov method. METHODS The study included 15 patients who underwent lower limb lengthening. The patients were tested on the third d...

This study examined whether the elasticity of the tendinous tissues plays an important role in human locomotion by improving the power output and efficiency of skeletal muscle. Ten subjects performed one-leg drop jumps (DJ) from different dropping heights with a constant rebound height. The fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscle was measured by using real-time ultrasonography during DJ....

This study examined the moment-producing capabilities of the gastrocnemius during isokinetic knee flexion tasks. Nine healthy men were tested using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Each one completed 3 maximum repetitions at 3 angular velocities, 30, 75, and 150o/s, with his ankle braced in either full dorsiflexion or full plantar flexion. A computer model was used to simulate the experimental ...

PURPOSE The Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS) is a rating scale that is used in direct observation of physical activity in children. Direct observation is costly and tedious, and accuracy may decrease as the observation period lengthens. Recently, motion sensors have gained acceptance for assessment of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to compare 6 h of activity levels usin...

This paper hypothesizes that average muscle length and minimum tendon strain govern muscle and tendon length adaptation in all situations. A model has been implemented to test this hypothesis, and simulations have been performed for normal development, bone lengthening, immobilization, and retinacular release experiments in young and adult animals. The simulation results predict that both muscl...