Flashlamp pulsed dye laser (585 nm). Treatment of resistant verrucae.

The treatment of recalcitrant plantar verrucae has represented challenging clinical problems for podiatric physicians. A procedure described by Borovoy et al studying 46 patients initially indicated a success rate of 76.1%. A review of 200 patients who have been treated with refined treatment protocols and modalities is presented, with an overall success rate of 79.9%. The Candella SPTL 1 and 1B have been used in the study. These lasers produce a full 450-microsecond pulse at 585 nm wave length. Hand pieces ranging from 2 mm to 7 mm were used. The energy density (fluence) used ranged from 6 to 9 J/cm2. Discussion will be presented including treatment protocol, modalities, comparisons with other forms of treatment, and overall success rates.

Healing of laser-induced defects of articular cartilage: preliminary studies.

The investigators have induced defects to the articular surfaces of knee joints in rabbits with the use of a CO2 laser. Subsequent healing of these defects have been studied and are described. This work has demonstrated healing with formation of fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage in two of eight cases. Further investigation with improved techniques will be undertaken in order to produce effective healing on a more consistent basis. This article also reviews previous investigation related to the healing of cartilage defects.

A new classification of first metatarsophalangeal joint dislocations (type I B).

Dorsal dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a rare occurrence that has been infrequently reported in the podiatric literature. Two types of dislocations have been described. The authors review the mechanisms of injury and describe a third type of dislocation not yet reported in the literature.