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Purpose We evaluated whether the grade assigned to the Achilles tendon's appearance on sonograms can be used to predict the outcome of achillodynia. Methods A retrospective evaluation was done of a case series of patients with Achilles tendon pain seen at a sports medicine clinic. The study consisted of chart reviews, telephone follow-up interviews, and grading of ultrasound images of the tendon obtained during the initial visit. The grading scheme was as follows: grade 1, normal tendon; grade 2, enlarged tendon; and grade 3, tendon containing a hypoechoic area, regardless of size. The time needed to recover from symptoms was compared between grades using survival analysis. Results The group consisted of 33 patients, with a mean age of 35.8 years and a mean follow-up time of 24.3 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the time to full recovery between grades (p = 0.02). Patients with grade 1 tendons had a prompter resolution of symptoms than did patients with grade 2 or 3 tendons. Conclusions This retrospective study of the outcome of achillodynia demonstrates the possible use of tendon sonography as a prognostic tool to supplement physical examination. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 26:335–339, 1998.

Multilayer printed circuits are a prime example of complex polymer composites. One of the critical steps in manufacturing of the circuit boards is the lamination process, which is frequently simulated by the aborted flows test (AFT). In order to obtain a composite free of voids and good interlaminar adhesion, it is imperative for the resin to flow into metal interfaces as well as intermix in the resin interfaces. On an empirical basis, the AFT is used as a process monitor for making prepreg, the glass fiber reinforced dielectric which supports the circuitry. Under a given set of conditions (temperature profile, pressure, layup), AFT measures advancement and reactivity of prepreg. By using a given batch of prepreg, the optimum laminating conditions can be identified, which are mainly a function of the temperature profile. Here, a calorimetric and rheological study of prepreg cure kinetics during lamination is presented. The flow process is being modeled by calculating the viscosity from combining a temperature dependent viscosity term with a kinetically controlled molecular weight term.