Balloon-assisted reduction, pin fixation and tricalcium phosphate augmentation for calcanear fracture.

Two-thirds of hindfoot fractures involve the calcaneus. The best treatment for intraarticular fractures is still debated. The goal of treatment has been focussed for years on the anatomical reduction of the articular surface. Open reduction and internal fixation enables the surgeon to view the articular surface directly, but it is associated with a high rate of wound breakdown and infection. Therefore, length, width and angular replacement of the great tuberosity are actually the main parameters to consider when treating this type of fracture. This is a report of our experience of 20 patients treated with a minimally invasive technique of reduction using an inflatable bone tamp filled with tricalcium phosphate, with a mean follow-up of 12.25 months (range 7-26 months). Percutaneous K-wires were used to help reduction and to direct balloon inflation. Surgical goals were restoration of the mechanical stability for earlier full weight-bearing and patient mobilisation.

Experience with thymopentin in the treatment of periarthritis humeroscapularis, tendinitis, and gonarthrosis by local infiltration.

A total of 122 patients with periarthritis humeroscapularis, tendinitis, and gonarthrosis were accepted into a controlled, randomized double-blind study; of these patients, 61 subjects were administered local infiltrations of thymopentin (Timunox) 1 ml (50 mg) plus lidocaine 1 ml (2%), once a week for a period of 5 weeks. 61 subjects were during the same time treated with methylprednisolone depot 1 ml (40 mg) plus lidocaine 1 ml (2%). Demographic and clinical parameters were comparable in both groups. Intergroup comparison on completion of the therapy with regard to the criteria "pain at rest", "pain on pressure", "disability of articulation", and "pain relief" revealed statistically significant superiority of thymopentin. No unexpected drug experiences were observed in this double-blind study.

The use of Hoffmann-Vidal type mini-fixateurs.

The writers describe the use of miniature external fixateurs in injuries of the forearm, the wrist, the hand and the fingers. Various problems raised by the use of these fixateurs at different sites is discussed. Finally, an original application of the mini-fixateur for arthrodesis of the wrist in severe spastic cerebral palsy in mentioned.

[Joint pain crises and chronic inflammatory-reactive phenomena: a unitary approach with proglumetacin]. / Crisi algiche articolari e fenomeni flogistico-reattivi cronici: un approccio unitario con la proglumetacina.

Nineteen patients with acute joint pain and 12 patients with chronic rheumatic disorders were treated with 450 mg/day of proglumetacin for a period ranging between 15 and 30 days. The overall results revealed a satisfactory response to treatment, and tolerance was rated as "good" or "very good" in all patients.