The vastus medialis oblique muscle and its relationship to patellofemoral joint deterioration in human cadavers.

Patellofemoral joint deterioration (PFJD) is frequently seen in physical therapy clinics and represents a significant problem for both patients and rehabilitation clinicians. The vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle is reported to be the primary stabilizer of the patella during knee extension. Most studies and treatment protocols emphasize strengthening of the VMO as the nonsurgical treatment of choice for patients with PFJD. The purpose of this study was to determine whether any relationship exists between the morphology of the VMO and the presence and severity of PFJD in human cadavers. Dissection of 374 vastus medialis (VM) muscles and patellofemoral joints was performed on 229 human cadaver lower limbs to determine what relationships exist between gender, VMO features, and PFJD. Patellofemoral joint deterioration was determined by direct visual observation and assigned a score based on severity of joint deterioration present. Two-way chi-square tests were performed to determine the relationships between cadaver gender, the presence of VMO features, and the presence and severity of PFJD. Linear regression was performed to determine whether any correlation existed between the VMO fiber angle and the severity of PFJD. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to determine whether any differences existed between the VMO fiber angle and the PFJD groups. No statistically significant relationships, correlation, or differences existed in any of the tests performed between cadaver gender, VMO features, and presence or severity of PFJD. The presence or severity of PFJD in human cadavers is not related to either gender or VMO morphologic features. The results of this study do not support the premise that a more distal insertion of the VMO onto the patella of the VMO will have any effect on the presence or severity of PFJD.

Prevalence and morphology of the vastus medialis oblique muscle in human cadavers.

BACKGROUND: The vastus medialis (VM) muscle has been described as being composed of two separate divisions: the vastus medialis longus (VML) proximally and the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) distally. The VML is reported to directly contribute to knee extension, while the VMO provides medial stabilization of the patella during knee extension. Despite the prevalence of literature describing the morphology and function of the VMO as an individual muscle, very little literature exists which actually substantiates the existence of the VMO as a separate, distinct muscle from the VML. The purpose of this study was to examine a sufficiently large sample of human cadavers to quantify and substantiate the existence of the VMO as a separate, distinct muscle from the VML, and to establish a statistical parameter representative of a normal adult population. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-four adult human cadaver lower extremities were dissected, exposing the entire anterior thigh from the anterior superior iliac spine to the tibial tubercle. Examination of the cadavers included goniometric measurement of the fiber angles of the VML and VMO, determination of the existence and location of a fascial plane, and determination of the maximum VM fiber angle in all cadaver specimens. Descriptive statistics were performed on all fiber angle measurements and frequency of fascial plane presence. Analysis of variance was performed on the maximal VM fiber angle between muscles with and without a definitive fascial plane. Intrarater reliability tests were performed on all measures to ensure the reliability and increase the validity of all of the measurements taken. RESULTS: A statistical parameter for the appearance of VMO features as originally defined was set at 21.65% of the sample. No statistically significant differences existed in the maximal VM fiber angle between the groups demonstrating the presence or absence of a VM fascial plane. None of the cadavers possessed an aponeurotic sheet of epimysium anatomically separating the VMO from the VML. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports earlier research reporting a difference in fiber orientation between the proximal and distal VM fibers; however, contrary to statements in published literature, the VMO does not appear to be an anatomically separate structure from the VML inherent throughout the human population. The results of this study do not support the concept that the VMO and VML exist as anatomically separate structures in a sample of human cadavers.

Exercise performance of collegiate rodeo athletes.

In this study we examined the physical, hematologic, and exercise response of 20 male and 10 female athletes of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, Central Rocky Mountain Region. Male subjects were grouped by roughstock, steer wrestling, and roping events. Female athletes were grouped separately. Maximal aerobic capacity, pulmonary ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, energy expenditure, maximal heart rate, blood pressure, treadmill time, pre- and postexercise lactate, percent body fat, lean body mass, blood chemistry, serum lipids, and reaction/movement time were analyzed by event. No significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were found in any of these categories between male events. Mean resting blood chemistry parameters of rodeo athletes were within normal ranges. Steer wrestling athletes possessed greater body size and lean body mass than other groups. When analyzing body composition, blood pressure, and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratios, results indicate average to low risk for coronary heart disease. When compared to other intermittent-activity sport athletes, college rodeo athletes appear to have similar aerobic capacities, but possess lower lean body mass and greater percent body fat.

Injuries in intercollegiate rodeo athletes.

Collegiate rodeo athletes (N = 156) in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region, were examined for injuries during a 7 month (10 rodeo) season from 1987 to 1988. Sixty-two athletes sustained a total of 138 acute injuries resulting from 3292 exposures. One hundred twenty-seven injuries (92% of total injuries) occurred in the roughstock and steer wrestling events, and 11 injuries (8%) occurred in the roping and female events. When calculating opportunity for injury, rodeo athletes face an 89% potential for injury per season. Ninety-one of the injuries incurred were upper body injuries; 47 were lower body injuries. A 6:1 exposure to injury ratio among roughstock events exemplifies the magnitude of injury potential in this sport, affecting 25% of roughstock competitors. Contusions, strains, and concussions comprised 42%, 16%, and 11% of the total injuries, respectively, whereas fractures and dislocations comprised only 5% of the total. Twenty-three percent of the injuries occurred during the completion of an athlete's ride, with 21% of injuries attributed to equipment mishaps. Frequency of injury by performance, relation of seasonal participation and exposure to injury, orthotic care, use of conditioning programs, medication history, and need for enhanced sports medicine education in this sport are discussed.

A regional study of sources of apathy toward membership in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

The problem of this study is to determine the reasons why registered technologists do not join The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). This was accomplished with an instrument developed by the authors using a modified Delphi Technique and a five item Likert scale. A stratified random sample of technologists was selected from the Houston area to response to the instrument.