Hydrocollator

Abstract: Pennes first described a model of heat transfer through the limb based only on calories delivered from a heat source, calories produced by metabolism and skin blood flow. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a moist versus a dry heat source on the skin in eliciting a blood flow response to add data to this model. Ten subjects were examined, both male and female, with a mean age of 32.5 ± 11.6 years, mean height of 172.8 ± 12.3 cm, and mean weight of 77.6 ± 19.5 kg. Skin temperature was measured by a thermocouple placed on the skin and skin blood flow measured by a laser Doppler flow meter. The results of the experiments using a dry heat pack (commercially available chemical 42°C cell dry heat source), moist hydrocollator pack (72.8°C) separated from the skin by eight layers of towels, and whirlpool at 40°C, showed that moist heat caused a significantly higher skin blood flow (about 500% greater) than dry heat (p < 0.01). Most of the greater increase in skin blood flow with moist heat w...

Abstract: Acute effects of active and passive warmup, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were compared during hip-joint range of motion (ROM). Two active warm-up treatments included (a) achieving a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) of 1.00 and (b) achieving 60% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Hydrocollator pads (HP) served as the passive warm-up treatment. These treatments and a control were randomly assigned to increase hamstring muscle temperature of the dominant leg. Warm-up treatments were administered to 12 men (mean 25.3 years) with a minimum of 24 hours interspersed between each treatment. A timed PNF (slow-reversal-hold) technique was conducted after each warm-up treatment. Tukey tests (p < 0.05) showed ROM for RER (107.48) was greater than all other treatments. ROM for HRR (102.88) and HP (103.48) did not differ from each other but were greater than the control (98.88). Ratings of perceived exertion were lowest for RER (4.0) and highest for control (8.5). Ratings of perceived exertion for HRR (6.0) and HP (6.5) were similar. In conclusion, an active warm-up before PNF stretching appears to be the most effective treatment to increase hip ROM. Results of RPE reinforce that active warm-up reduces the resistance to stretch. In a field setting, it is estimated that a warmup of 70% of HRR would duplicate the muscle readiness equivalent to an RER of 1.00 before PNF stretching.

Abstract: Head trauma (HT) and whiplash injury (WI) is followed by a posttraumatic headache (PH) in approx. 90% of patients. The PH due to common WI is located occipitally (67%), is of dull-pressing or dragging character (77%) and lasts on average 3 weeks. Tension headache is the most frequent type of PH (85%). Besides posttraumatic cervicogenic headache or symptomatic, secondary headache due to SDH, SAB, ICB or increased ICP, migraine- or cluster-like headache can be observed in rare cases. Prolonged application of analgetics (> 4 weeks) can cause a drug induced headache. In 80% of patients PH following HT shows remission within 6 months. Chronic PH lasting at least 4 years occurs in 20%. Unfavorouble prognostic factors include an age higher than 40 yrs, a low intellectual, educational and socio-economic level, previous HT or a history of alcohol abuse. A prolonged PH due to WI can be expected in patients with initially severe headache, with an extensive decrease of mobility of the cervical spine, with subjective impediment, with depressive mood, with somatic-vegetative complaints, with a history of pretraumatic headache and with increased age. Acute PH is treated with analgesics, antiphlogistics and/or muscle relaxants; chronic PH with thymoleptics (e.g. Amitryptiline or Amitryptiline oxide). Additional physical therapy (e.g. wearing a cervical collar for a short time, hydrocollator pack), physiotherapy incl. muscle relaxation techniques (Jacobson) and psychotherapy can be performed. Medico-legal issues should be solved as soon as possible.

Abstract: An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) occurred in a college football team in August 2006. Of 109 players on the team roster, 88 (81%) were interviewed during a cohort investigation. Twenty-five cases were identified, six of which were culture-confirmed. Available culture isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), which identified two different MRSA strains associated with the outbreak. Playing positions with the most physical contact (offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and tight ends) had the greatest risk of infection [risk ratio (RR) 5.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-11.5. Other risk factors included recent skin trauma (RR 1.9, 95% CI 0.95-3.7), use of therapeutic hydrocollator packs (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.7), and miscellaneous training equipment use (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.1). The outbreak was successfully controlled through team education and implementation of improved infection-control practices and hygiene policies.