An overview of implant materials.

Materials used for implant manufacture may play an important role in implant fixation. The choice of a material influences rigidity, corrosion characteristics, biocompatibility and tissue receptivity. The surface morphology of the implant affects its stability within the skeleton or within the surrounding cement mantle.

In situ posterolateral fusion for spondylolisthesis.

In this series spondylolisthesis was treated operatively in children and adolescents who had a displacement greater than 50% even if they were asymptomatic. In youngsters with less than 50% displacement and in adults, operative stabilization was performed if the displacement was progressive or if there were persistent symptoms unresponsive to conservative treatment that interfered with the patient's normal activities. The operation consisted of a posterolateral fusion in situ.

Comminuted fracture of the scapula following electric shock. A case report.

A case of a comminuted fracture of the scapula, following electric shock, is reported. Recovery was uneventful, and normal function returned after conservative treatment.

Flexor pollicis longus rupture with scaphoid nonunion. A case report and literature study.

A case of flexor pollicis longus rupture which resulted from a pseudarthrosis of the scaphoid in a non-rheumatoid patient is described. Treatment consisted of an interphalangeal joint arthrodesis.

The syndrome of Parsonage and Turner. Discussion of clinical features with a review of 8 cases.

A clinical analysis of 8 patients with brachial plexus neuropathy is presented. The disease may involve the upper, the lower, or the entire plexus. There is a higher incidence in men than in women.

Conservative versus neurosurgical treatment of tethered cord patients.

We compared the outcome of neurosurgical release of a tethered spinal cord in 20 children with the neurological evolution of 21 other children known iwth a tethered spinal cord on nuclear magnetic resonance scan (NMR). Neurosurgery yielded stabilisation of the symptoms without any lasting improvement. Pre-operative conservative medical treatment had to be continued in all operated children.

Evaluation of the prognostic indices in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: statistical analysis of 116 hips.

The records of 100 patients (116 hips) with Legg-Calvé-Perthes' (LCP) disease, with a minimum follow-up of 4 years and treated at the University Hospital, Pellenberg, were reviewed. Sex, Salter's, and Catterall's classifications and lateral subluxation were found to be important prognostic indices. Older children tended to do worse than younger children, but statistical significance could not be established.

Open reduction by the Ludloff approach to congenital dislocation of the hip under the age of two.

The technique of Ludloff is particularly indicated in treating congenital dislocation of the hip, under the age of two. The procedure is relatively simple, provides direct access to the most important pathology, limited blood loss and a good cosmetic result. In the period between 1981 and 1984, 26 congenital dislocations of the hip were treated in our department, by the Ludloff technique.

Proposal for a plan of treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip (Belgian Association of Pediatric Orthopaedics).

After several round table discussions between the members of the Belgian Association of Pediatric Orthopedics (BAPO) a plan of treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip was adopted. The purpose of this publication, is to propose this plan as a basis for a general approach to the problem of congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH).

Ultrastructural changes in synovium and cartilage in experimental hemarthrosis in dogs.

This paper reports electron-microscopic findings in synovium and cartilage in experimental hemarthrosis in dogs. The results are correlated with the total amount of glycosaminoglycans in the cartilage matrix, measured by the fixed-charge density method. Very early, changes are seen in the synoviocytes, similar to synovitis, and especially phagocytosis of iron-containing particles forming secondary lysosomes or siderosomes.

Triple arthrodesis in neuromuscular disorders.

Triple arthrodesis, consisting of a fusion of the calcaneo-cuboid, talonavicular, and talocalcaneal joints, is used to correct deformity and replace braces. Indications depend on symptoms. For good results, patients should be at least 12 years old.

Back pain after Harrington rod instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis.

The purpose of this study is to compare preoperative and postoperative back pain problems in 182 patients operated on for idiopathic scoliosis. Preoperatively 32% of the patients presented with back pain, increasing to 66% postoperatively. Minor degrees of back pain increased (from 45 to 65%) and more severe complaints decreased (from 55 to 35%).

Early changes in the ground substance of articular cartilage in experimental hemarthrosis in dogs, measured by the fixed-charge density method.

This work presents early findings in the articular cartilage of dog knees in experimental hemarthrosis produced by injections of whole blood, red blood cells, white blood cells, serum, and iron citrate. The effect of coagulation and synovectomy was also studied. The fixed-charge density determination has proved to be a reliable, easy, and rapid method for finding - very early in the process - quantitative changes in cartilage ground substance.

Posterior tibial tendon transfer in spastic equinovarus.

Twenty-eight posterior tibial tendon transfers through the interosseous membrane were performed to correct spastic equinovarus. All patients improved their gait, and 82% discarded their brace. Foot striking at the beginning of the stance phase was good or satisfactory in 82%; 68% had a neutral position of the heel.

The Klippel-Feil syndrome: a constellation of deformities.

The clinical triad, described by Klippel and Feil in 1912 and consisting in a short neck, a low dorsal hairline and restricted neck mobility, is the result of synostosis of several cervical vertebrae, which may or may not be deformed. In recent years, however, even more attention has been given to associated urological, neurological, cardiopulmonary and locomotor deformities, which significantly increase the morbidity. A multidisciplinary approach and treatment are therefore required.

Isolated mesomelic shortening of the forearm in father and daughter: a new entity in the group of mesomelic dysplasias.

In this report we describe the occurrence of severe mesomelic shortening of the forearms due to hypoplasia of the ulnae with severe radial bowing. In contrast to the mesomelic dysplasias, i.e.

Treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis with the Ilizarov technique.

Four patients with congenital pseudarthrosis in neurofibromatosis were treated with percutaneous transosseous fixation according to the Ilizarov method. Three tibias were first treated unsuccessfully with a Sofield procedure. After application of the Ilizarov fixator, consolidation was obtained in two cases after 6 and 19 months, respectively.

Autosomal dominant hypophosphataemia with elevated serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D and hypercalciuria.

A 14-year-old boy presented with the clinical and radiological features of rickets. Serum inorganic phosphate levels were constantly low, whereas serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were within the normal range. Laboratory investigation did not show any evidence for vitamin-D deficiency, chronic renal insufficiency, Fanconi syndrome, tubular acidosis, hepatic disease or intestinal malabsorption.

Septic arthritis of the hip in children: poor results after late and inadequate treatment.

This study reports on the late results of septic arthritis of the hip in 29 children, after an average follow-up of 12 years 7 months. The purpose of the study is to show the severe destruction caused by infection in children's hips and to reemphasize the necessity for early diagnosis and treatment. The 29 patients were divided into two groups according to age (0-4 weeks and 1 month-3 years of age) because of the different prognoses.

Early biochemical and histological findings in experimental hemarthrosis in dogs.

This study reports on the early findings in experimental hemarthrosis. Biochemical and histological analyses show the first signs of cartilage degeneration secondary to the presence of blood in the joint, and this for a certain duration. The lower limits of amount and duration, necessary to produce a reaction in synovium and cartilage are determined.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes follow-up study.

We present here a follow-up study concerning Legg-Calvé-Perthes. This study about 71 hips shows that the Catterall grouping, age and "at risk signs" are still to be considered as very important prognostical factors. A definitive and indispensable scheme of treatment has not yet been advanced, especially because the right etiology still remains an obscure point.

Biochemical analyses in osteoarthritis of the hip: a correlative study between glycosaminoglycan loss, enzyme activity and radiologic signs.

This article describes a correlative study between biochemical analyses and radiologic signs in 90 hips with osteoarthritis (OA) removed at operation. On the basis of possible etiologic considerations, the hips are separated into three groups: mechanically induced OA; OA with mainly inflammatory signs; OA in which neither of the two above factors are clearly present. Respective findings of glycosaminoglycan loss, and enzyme activity in cartilage and synovia demonstrate that in mechanically induced OA the glycosaminoglycan loss is less than in inflammatory OA.