LENUS Collection:

Diagnosing the doctors' departure: survey on sources of dissatisfaction among Irish junior doctors.

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Diagnosing the doctors' departure: survey on sources of dissatisfaction among Irish junior doctors. Authors: Bruce-Brand, R; Broderick, J; Ong, J; O'Byrne, J Abstract: There has been a significant decline in the number of applications for non-consultant hospital doctor (NCHD) posts in Ireland over the last 18 months. We conducted an online, anonymous survey of Irish NCHDs to establish levels of satisfaction, sources of dissatisfaction and the major reasons for junior doctors seeking work abroad. 522 NCHDs took the survey, including 64 (12.3%) currently working outside of the Republic. 219 (45.8%) were slightly dissatisfied and 142 (29.7%) were extremely dissatisfied with practising medicine in Ireland. Major sources of dissatisfaction included the state of the health care system, staffing cover for leave and illness, the dearth of consultant posts and the need to move around Ireland. The most important reason for NCHDs wishing to leave was to seek better training and career opportunities abroad.

Nonoperative modalities to treat symptomatic cervical spondylosis.

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Nonoperative modalities to treat symptomatic cervical spondylosis. Authors: Hirpara, Kieran Michael; Butler, Joseph S; Dolan, Roisin T; O'Byrne, John M; Poynton, Ashley R Abstract: Cervical spondylosis is a common and disabling condition. It is generally felt that the initial management should be nonoperative, and these modalities include physiotherapy, analgesia and selective nerve root injections. Surgery should be reserved for moderate to severe myelopathy patients who have failed a period of conservative treatment and patients whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by nonoperative means. A review of the literature supporting various modalities of conservative management is presented, and it is concluded that although effective, nonoperative treatment is labour intensive, requiring regular review and careful selection of medications and physical therapy on a case by case basis.

The meniscofemoral ligaments influence lateral meniscal motion at the human knee joint.

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The meniscofemoral ligaments influence lateral meniscal motion at the human knee joint. Authors: Poynton, Ashley; Moran, Cathal J; Moran, Ray; O'Brien, Moira Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the meniscofemoral ligaments on lateral meniscal motion during flexion and extension of the human knee joint.; A cadaveric biomechanical study was performed. The effect of meniscofemoral ligament tension on the dynamics of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was determined by image analysis.; We found that the meniscofemoral ligaments functioned in a reciprocal manner, with the anterior meniscofemoral ligament developing tension with flexion and the posterior meniscofemoral ligament tensioning with extension. Analysis of posterior horn motion showed that the meniscofemoral ligaments caused a medial, superior, and anterior displacement of the posterior horn throughout knee motion, thus increasing the congruity of the posterior meniscal arch and the lateral femoral condyle. There was a significant correlation between meniscofemoral ligament tension and displacement of the posterior meniscal horn (r = 0.76, P < .0001).; Where both meniscofemoral ligaments were present, the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was subject to a displacing force throughout the range of knee motion tested. The degree of displacement correlated with the magnitude of ligament tension, and its direction was anteromedial and superior.; The findings of this study provide further information on the role of the meniscofemoral ligaments at the human knee joint and may influence decisions regarding the management of ligamentous or lateral meniscal injury.

Diagnostic gait pattern of a patient with longstanding left femoral nerve palsy: a case report.

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Diagnostic gait pattern of a patient with longstanding left femoral nerve palsy: a case report. Authors: Burke, Neil G; Walsh, Michael; O'Brien, Tim; Synnott, Keith Abstract: The gait pattern of a 35-year-old man with longstanding, left femoral nerve palsy was assessed using 3-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analysis. Stability of his left knee in stance was achieved by manipulating the external moments of the limb so that the ground reaction force passes in front of the knee joint. This compensatory mechanism of locking the knee in extension is reliant on the posterior capsular structures. The patient was managed conservatively and continued to walk without aids.