Failure of plates in femoral shaft fractures

This study concluded that plate failure after femoral shaft fractures is an avoidable complication when some simple precautions are considered. Proper planning of the operative procedure is mandatory before applying it to the patient. This entails a thorough study of the fracture type and stability with a special consideration to its media cortex. It enables the surgeon to predetermine the length of the plate required and the direction of the screws used. A painstaking effort should be done in preserving the blood supply to the fracture fragments. Minimal periosteal and soft tissue stripping should be considered. Bone grafting should also be considered almost in every patient regardless of the type of fracture sustained. The question is whether this bone graft is to be only cancellous or a corticocancellous in the same time. The answer will always be in the medial cortex of the femoral shaft, it demands a cortical strut when comminuted. The patients should be closely followed up, and strict postoperative instructions should always be insisted upon regardless of their own circumstances

Computerized signal analysis techniques in electromyography

The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of several signal processing techniques in the analysis of Electromyograms [EMGs]. Experiments were conducted to reveal the comparative sensitivity of each of the techniques employed to changes in the EMG resulting from static loading on the muscle. A new method of EMG data processing, namely, information theory was introduced. The Entropy [H] and the Redundancy [D] were calculated. Results indicated that several indices are quite useful in quantifying EMG data. The new methodology using the entropy proved useful in providing additional information about muscle behaviour under loading

Clinical applications of computerized EMG signal processing

The use of a computer to enhance the capability of clinical electromyographic laboratories is desirable. Clinical electromyography depends largely on the ability of the electromyographer to detect specific characteristics of the various kinds of neuromuscular pathology in EMG voltage-time features. It is not intended to replace the electromyographer with a computer, but rather to develop a more quantitative method of EMG analysis. In this paper, such a methodology has been proposed, after giving a general background about the EMG signal characteristics. The processing techniques, both in the time and frequency domains, are then defined. Four case studies have also been given, in two of which a comparison between the normal and abnormal muscles provides a demonstration and verification of the proposed techniques. The advantages of the quantitative approach in clinical diagnosis are discussed

signal processing methodology for gross muscular activity

This paper summarizes research effort undertaken to establish an electromyographic methodology for processing muscular activity in tasks requiring coordinated simultaneous action by a muscle group. The objective is to investigate possibility of obtaining a numerical index quantifying the amount of muscular activities involved in performing daily human tasks. A hybrid computer was used to monitor recorded signals, integrate it and provide, numerical output reflecting the amount of electrical activity involved in the task. A series of static and dynamic experiments were conducted to establish the relationship between the obtained index and parameters of muscular effort, namely, load, time power and rate. Results showed high correlation between these parameters and the index obtained. This renders the index very useful in kinesiological and Ergonomic: studies. The paper also provides a general review of electromyography recording and processing techniques and discusses potential applications of the proposed processing methodology