The aim of the present study was to compare the mechanical properties of the torn menisci between stable and ACL unstable knees. Material and method: Ten medial menisci from isolated bucket handle tears and ten from ACL deþcient knees (injury < 3 months) during ACL reconstruction were obtained after an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. They were þxed and tested mechanically in tension. The modulus of elasticity (E), maximum stress σmax, maximum load, and stress-strain curves were evaluated. Results: In the isolated tears E was 56.35 Mpa (median values) and in the ACL deþcient knees was 163.0 MPa and it was signiþcant (P=0,023). The maximum failure stress σmax was 9,22 Mpa for the þrst group and 17,26 Mpa for the latter and this was also signiþcant (P=0.04) Conclusions: The bucket handle torn menisci from the stable knees had inferior mechanical characteristics compared to the ACL deþcient knees. In other words isolated meniscal tears seem to be an inferior material compared to those of the ACL deþcient knees. The authors believe that it is worth considering a low cost and morbidity partial meniscectomy in isolated bucket handle tears, instead of a more demanding and long lasting meniscal repair operation followed by an also longer rehabilitation time.

The aim of the present study was to compare the amount of blood loss between Gamma nail and DHS operative procedures in treating fractures N.O.F.

Material and Method: thirty patients 81 years of age (average), suffering from N.O.F. fracture were divided in two groups, depending on sex, age, weight and type of fracture, in such way that for every patient operated using one procedure there was a similar one treated with the other one (pairing). The admission and discharge Ht, the blood unites needed for the whole patients hospitalization time were compared.

Statistically T-test, Pearson chi square – Fisher exact test were used.

Results: The average age for the Gamma nail group and DHS group were 82 yrs (sd=11,5) and 81,3 (sd=10,6), the admission Ht 36,9% (sd=4,0) and 36,72% (3,27) and the discharge Ht. was 33,2% (sd=2) and 34,9% (sd=2.9) respectively. For the first group (Gamma nail) 2.3 (sd=1.1) units of blood were used, compared to 2.4 (sd=0.7) for the second one (DHS). There was no statistical difference concerning the age and the population sample, the admission and discharge Ht, and the blood units needed between these two groups.

Conclusion: There is no difference concerning blood loss between Gamma nail and DHS in treating fractures N.O.F.