Tissue Nutrition and Viability, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1986

Recent research, especially in fields of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilita­ tion, point to the importance of periodic, moderate stress for maintaining normal structure and function of tissues. Moreover, growth and healing of load-bearing tissues such as bone, cartilage, and intervertebral disc are especially dependent upon stress-related stimuli. Extreme levels of stress, however, are usually detrimental to tissue integrity, and most treatment regimens today address problems related to trauma and other conditions of abnormally high stress. Therefore, the purpose of this book is to bring together experts in fields of tissue nutrition and growth in order to review previous work and examine new ideas and results concerning the importance of mechanical stress in tissues. This book is unique in that the topic of tissue nutrition and growth, especially related to possible benefits of periodic moderate stress, has never been addressed comprehensively, drawing together experts on vari­ ous tissues and organs. One objective is to focus attention on tissue nutrition where controversy still exists regarding basic mechanisms of metabolite transport and fluid homeostasis within the interstitium. An­ other objective is to examine the pathophysiology of tissue compression and discuss strategies to improve viability. Tissues which are treated in this book include bone, cartilage, intervertebral disc, lung, nerve, skeletal muscle, umbilical cord, synovium, skin, and subcutaneous tissues. Based upon these objectives, this book is primarily addressed to students, inves­ tigators, and teachers in fields of physiology, biochemistry, biomechan­ ics, exercise, orthopaedic surgery, rehabilitation, and sports medicine.

1. Stress Effects on Tissue Nutrition and Viability.- 2. Distribution and Transport of Fluid as Related to Tissue Structure.- 3. Mechanisms of Fluid Transport in Cartilaginous Tissues.- 4. Compression Effects on Cartilage Permeability.- 5. Intervertebral Disc Nutrition as Related to Spinal Movements and Fusion.- 6. Growth Induction of Bone and Cartilage Cells by Physical Forces.- 7. Pathophysiology of Nerve Entrapments and Nerve Compression Injuries.- 8. Pressure Effects on Human Peripheral Nerve Function.- 9. Edema and the Tissue Resistance Safety Factor.- 10. Fluid Dynamics and Stress in Synovial Joints with Special Reference to the Immature Hip.- 11. Mechanical Stress and Viability of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue.- 12. Lymph Transport in Skeletal Muscle.- 13. Regional Pressure and Nutrition of Skeletal Muscle during Isometric Contraction.- 14. Hyperbaric Oxygen and Tissue Viability.