Cementless femoral design concerns. Rationale for extensive porous coating.

In the early 1980s increased interest in proximally porous coated stems was sparked by first generation cemented stem failures in young patients and concerns with extensively porous coated cementless stems regarding thigh pain and stress shielding. As a result, various proximally porous coated stems were produced, each with differing clinical results. Using 5-year minimal followup as a cut off, the evolution of proximally porous coated stems during the years is presented and compared with the long term results obtained with extensively porous coated stems.

Abscesses of the upper extremity from drug abuse by injection.

A 4-year retrospective review of 59 consecutive upper extremity abscesses associated with drug abuse by injection is reported. There were 57 patients, with the most common location being the forearm. All abscesses were treated with incision, drainage, and intravenous antibiotics.