SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF LOW-BATCH PRODUCTION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE PRODUCTS USING THEIR ELECTROTHERMAL PROCESSING BY INCREASED FREQUENCY CURRENTS

The organization of the technological process of manufacturing concrete products with the use of electrothermal treatment with high-frequency currents at both large and small industrial enterprises is considered. This technology is also useful for winter concreting and field concrete work. The technology is based on the use of a centralized high-frequency power supply, made using high-power transistor voltage converters, for simultaneous processing of several products. A pilot plant for the implementation of such a technology and the results of an experiment with its use are presented. The plant capacity was estimated based on the developed work schedule. Using the example of manufacturing foundation blocks of the FBS 12.4.6 type, it is shown that the actual schedule of work on the manufacture of products using electrothermal treatment with high-frequency currents leads to the fact that the power consumed from the supply network has a relatively small value (13.2 kW), which almost any enterprise can afford.

Long-Term Outcomes for Arthroscopic Thermal Treatment for Scapholunate Ligament Injuries

Background Arthroscopic electrothermal treatment of low-grade Geissler's scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) tears has shown clinical benefit at short-term follow-up. Questions/Purpose This study aims to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes in patients undergoing this treatment. Patients and Methods A retrospective review of all patients treated between 2005 and 2013 was performed. Patients were excluded with less than 5 years of follow-up, the presence of static SLIL injuries, prior wrist surgery, and concomitant denervation. Symptom resolution, return to activity, postoperative complications, range of motion, grip strength, and subsequent treatment were recorded. Each patient completed Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), Modified Mayo Wrist (MMW), and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires. Results Nine patients underwent treatment for Geissler's grade I, II, and III SLIL injuries with a mean 7 years (range: 5–11 years) of follow-up. Mean grip strength was 99% of the nonsurgical extremity. Wrist motion was near symmetric with a mean of 76 (±14), 74 (±8), 21 (±13), and 40 degrees (±13) for wrist flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation. QuickDASH improved significantly by a mean 39 points (50 (preoperative)–11 [postoperative], p = 0.009). Postoperative MMW and PRWE scores were 83 and 14, respectively. Visual analog scale (VAS) score was 1.4. A total of 90% was returned to their preinjury level of function or higher. Conclusions Arthroscopic electrothermal treatment of low-grade Geissler's SLIL tears demonstrates excellent objective and subjective outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up, providing evidence that this is an effective, safe, and, most importantly, durable-therapeutic modality. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, case series study.