Project description:Second-harmonic generation microendoscopy is a minimally invasive technique to image sarcomeres and measure their lengths in humans, but motion artifact and low signal have limited the use of this novel technique.We discovered that an excitation wavelength of 960 nm maximized image signal; this enabled an image acquisition rate of 3 frames/s, which decreased motion artifact. We then used microendoscopy to measure sarcomere lengths in the human extensor carpi radialis brevis with the wrist at 45° extension and 45° flexion in 7 subjects. We also measured the variability in sarcomere lengths within single fibers.Average sarcomere lengths in 45° extension were 2.93±0.29 ?m (±SD) and increased to 3.58±0.19 ?m in 45° flexion. Within single fibers the standard deviation of sarcomere lengths in series was 0.20 ?m.Microendoscopy can be used to measure sarcomere lengths at different body postures. Lengths of sarcomeres in series within a fiber vary substantially.
Project description:Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, has been attributed to the degeneration of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon, with surgery reserved for recalcitrant cases. Surgical intervention of lateral epicondylitis includes release alone or release with repair. Outcomes of open surgical repair have been reported with better preservation of the grip strength than release alone. We describe a technique for the release and repair of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon using an arthroscopic approach, which could be used to repair the extensor carpi radialis brevis with minimal invasion and to address the concomitant intra-articular pathology.
Project description:Recalcitrant elbow lateral epicondylitis presents a difficult challenge for both the patient and the doctor. Surgical treatment consists of open resection and debridement of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. However, advances in arthroscopic surgery provide for a more elegant method. There are several comparative studies between arthroscopic and open treatment that have shown equivalent outcomes. There is no consensus on which treatment is better and no defined indications of when to choose one over the other. This article presents our technique for arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle resection.
Project description:Aged dystrophin-null canines are excellent models for studying experimental therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a lethal muscle disease caused by dystrophin deficiency. To establish the baseline, we studied the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) muscle in 15 terminal age (3-year-old) male affected dogs and 15 age/sex-matched normal dogs. Affected dogs showed histological and anatomical hallmarks of dystrophy, including muscle inflammation and fibrosis, myofiber size variation and centralized myonuclei, as well as a significant reduction of muscle weight, muscle-to-body weight ratio and muscle cross-sectional area. To rigorously characterize the contractile properties of the ECU muscle, we developed a novel in situ assay. Twitch and tetanic force, contraction and relaxation rate, and resistance to eccentric contraction-induced force loss were significantly decreased in affected dogs. Intriguingly, the time-to-peak tension and half-relaxation time were significantly shortened in affected dogs. Contractile kinetics predicted an unforeseen slow-to-fast myofiber-type switch, which we confirmed at the protein and transcript level. Our study establishes a foundation for studying long-term and late-stage therapeutic interventions in dystrophic canines. The unexpected myofiber-type switch highlights the complexity of muscle remodeling in dystrophic large mammals. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Project description:Purpose To evaluate outcomes of patients who underwent small-bore needle arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) release for the management of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Methods Patients who underwent elbow evaluation and ECRB release using a small-bore needle arthroscopy system were included in this study Thirteen patients were included. Quick Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores, as well as overall satisfaction scores, were collected. A 2-tailed paired t-test was conducted to assess the statistical significance of the differences observed between preoperative and 1-year postoperative scores with significance set at P < .05. Results There was a statistically significant improvement in both outcome measures (P < .001) and a 92.3% satisfaction rate with no significant complications at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Conclusions Patients with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis treated with ECRB release using needle arthroscopy demonstrated significantly improved Quick Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores postoperatively, without complications. Level of Evidence IV, retrospective case series.