To analyse the costs and benefits of sending femoral head specimens for histopathological analysis and whether our practice had changed since the original study five years ago. The cohort definition was patients who had both undergone hip hemiarthroplasties (HHAs) and had femoral head specimens sent for histopathological analysis at our tertiary care institution from 2013 to 2016. Retrospective review of clinical and electronic notes was performed on these patients for history of malignancy, histopathological diagnosis of femoral head, indication for histopathological examination and radiological studies. The total number of HHAs performed at the centre and the costs involved in analysing each femoral head specimen were identified.Abstract
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Methods
Proteomic analysis has the ability to reveal both the different types and abundances of proteins in a sample. To date, proteomic analysis has received limited attention in the field of tendon research, with mainly Six microdialysis samples were obtained from human subjects before (controls) or after shock wave therapy on their achilles tendon. Samples were concentrated and intefering substances removed using StrataClean™ resin. Reduction, alkylation and an In-solution tryptic digestion was performed with the prior addition of 1% Rapigest SF solution. Samples were then analysed by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry. Data files were searched using IPI-human database using Mascot Search Engine. Relative quantification was performed between groups by ProgenesisQI.Introduction
Materials and Methods
An additional pathology should be considered for Achillodynia differentials – the intratendinous tear (ITT) – for which we describe symptoms, ultrasound findings and co-presenting pathology. Examinations of 740 Achillodynic patients in one specialist centre were reviewed. ITTs were defined as a clearly visualised echopoor area situated centrally and extending to, but not through the tendon periphery, with pain on palpation and no clinical findings consistent with Achilles rupture. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse differences between pathological sub-groups, and images described qualitatively.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Numerous risk factors have been identified for patellar tendinopathy (PT), often in small population studies. The aim was to use an online questionnaire internationally to generate a large database and identify significant risk factors. Subjects were recruited from England, Spain and Italy with the questionnaire available in all three languages, with the questionnaire previously having been validated by Morton et al. (2014) as to be suitable for self-administration. The questionnaire can be viewed at: Introduction
Materials and Methods
Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a highly prevalent injury in athletes and non-athletes with an unknown aetiology. Genetic risk factors have been a recent focus of investigation. The aim of this systematic review was to determine which loci have been linked with mid-portion AT and could potentially be used as biomarkers in tendinopathy risk models or as preventative or therapeutic targets. Eight electronic bibliographic databases were searched from inception to April 2015 for cross-sectional, prospective cohort and case-control studies that included empirical research investigating genes associated with mid-portion AT. Potential publications were assessed by two independent reviewers (AAC and PRJ) for inclusion and quality. Quality was evaluated using a validated scale.Introduction
Materials and Methods
High-volume image guided injections (HVIGI) followed by structured rehabilitation have been shown to be effective in various musculoskeletal conditions including Achilles tendinopathy and shoulder impingement syndrome. The aim was to explore the effect of a HVIGI in Hoffa's fat pad impingement, a common cause of anterior knee pain. 100 consecutive subjects who received a HVIGI followed by a standardised physiotherapy rehabilitation regime for Hoffa's fat pad impingement (diagnosed using clinical history, examination and magnetic resonance imaging) at one specialist MSK centre were sent a follow-up questionnaire. The questionnaire collected demographics, symptom length and the percentage improvement in symptoms following the HVIGI. All had received HVIGI consisting of 10ml of 0.5% Marcaine and 50mg of hydrocortisone followed by a structured rehabilitation programme with a focus on lower limb alignment control, flexibility, hip and knee strengthening in line with best practice. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 at this interim stage; data collection is continuing.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Tendinopathies are debilitating and painful conditions. They are believed to result from repetitive overuse, which can create micro-damage that accumulates over time, and initiates a catabolic cell response. The aetiology of tendinopathy remains poorly understood, therefore the ideal treatment remains unclear. However, current data support the use of eccentric exercise as an effective treatment. In a previous study, we have shown that eccentric loading generates perturbations in the tendon at 10Hz, which is not present during other less effective loading regimes. Consequently, we hypothesis that 10Hz loading initiates an increased anabolic response in tenocytes, that can promote tendon repair. Human tenocytes from healthy hamstring tendons and tendinopathic Achilles tendons were derived by collagenase digest and outgrowth respectively. Tenocytes were seeded into 3D collagen gels. The gels were fixed in custom-made chambers and placed in an incubator for 24hrs whilst gene expression stabilised. After 24hrs, cyclic uniaxial strain at 1% ± 1% was applied to the cells, at either 1Hz (n=4) or 10Hz (n=4) using a Bose loading system. After 15 minutes of cyclic strain, the samples were maintained in chambers under 1% static strain for 24 hrs after which gene expression was characterised using RT-PCR.Introduction
Materials and Methods
