Treatment of dynamic claw toe deformity flexor digitorum brevis tendon transfer to interosseous and lumbrical muscles: a literature survey.

The authors report the results of a literature survey of corrective surgical treatment based on FDL and FDB tendon transfer for dynamic claw toe deformities. The study revealed that FDL transfer was first described in 1967 by Malcolm A. Brahms in "Common Foot Problems", and FDB transfer was first mentioned in 1993 in the first edition of the treatise by G. Pisani "Trattato di Chirurgia del Piede". The paper also discusses the functional effect of FDB transfer, compared to FDL transfer.

Pathological fractures due to metastases.

The authors review the literature and report on the treatment of metastatic pathological fractures, on the basis of their own experience of 51 operations. They review the radiological and pathological aspects of the lesions, and the methods of investigation. They stress the need for close collaboration between oncologists, radiologists and orthopedic surgeons, and emphasize the role of surgical treatment in the restoration of function and the relief of pain, by stable synthesis of the affected part. The methods employed are those used in traumatology, together with arthroprosthetic replacement. The importance of ensuring a stable synthesis, for the patients' limited life expectancy, justifies the use of acrylic cement, which often establishes continuity that otherwise would not be attainable. The indications for operation are not related to prolonging life but only to improvement in the quality of remaining life as measured by absence of pain and recovery of function. The results should be assessed primarily from the patient's point of view, the aim being to restore his mode of living before the fracture occurred. This has psychological as well as functional value.