1. A case of massive osteolysis of the right humerus is described. Diseased bone was resected leaving only the lower part of the humerus. The resected bone was replaced by a titanium prosthesis. 2. The diagnosis, etiology, prognosis and treatment of the condition are briefly discussed

1. Three cases of osteochondromatosis of the hip joint are described. 2. Attention is drawn to the diagnostic importance of erosions at the junction of head and neck of the femur, and the conical shape of the femoral neck. 3. Arthrography is of particular value in diagnosis when the loose bodies are radio-translucent

We report a 72-year-old patient with thoracic myelopathy due to isolated ossification of the ligamentum flavum at T9-T10. Severe paraparesis had developed before the lesion was identified when thinning of a segment of the lower thoracic spinal cord was suspected on a second MRI examination. The diagnosis was then established by CT

We present a 26-year-old athlete with severe low back pain associated with a fracture of a lumbar pedicle and contralateral spondylolysis. The difficulties of diagnosis are discussed together with the subject of segmental pain referral. A technique of operative management is described involving instrumentation of the symptomatic level alone

1. The symptoms, signs and treatment of three patients with a posterior dislocation of the clavicle are described. 2. The value of tomography in confirming the diagnosis is outlined. 3. Certain experimental work has been done in an attempt to determine the factors necessary to produce this dislocation

Pyomyositis of the obturator muscles is a rare condition, characterised by pain in the hip and features of systemic infection. It may follow minor trauma to the hip, sometimes in the presence of an apparently innocuous infective source. All previously reported cases have been diagnosed conclusively on the initial CT or MR scan. We present a case of obturator pyomyositis in a 21-year-old football player in which the first MR scan was misleading. A radiolabelled, white blood cell scan was also negative and the resultant delay in diagnosis proved dangerous. The crucial importance of careful and repeated clinical examination is emphasised

1. A case of traumatic aneurysm of the descending genicular artery complicating elective operation on the knee joint is reported. 2. The aneurysm was mainly intra-articular, presenting as a pulsating haemarthrosis soon after operation. 3. The pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and management are briefly discussed

1. Four cases of sural nerve entrapment lesions in the ankle and foot are reported. 2. All the patients gained complete relief of symptoms following neurolysis. 3. The presence of a ganglion in relation to the sural nerve in the ankle and foot is a helpful sign in the diagnosis of this condition

1. The literature on fractures of the postero-superior aspect of the calcaneus is reviewed. 2. The mechanical distinction between "beak" fractures and avulsion fractures is questioned, and the dangers of a purely radiological diagnosis are stressed. 3. When a complete avulsion is suspected on clinical grounds, open reduction should be done

The frame described has a place in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip especially if the diagnosis is not made until after the age of one year. Analysis of comparable series of hips reduced on the frame and by manipulation shows that dysplasia of the femoral head is decidedly commoner after the manipulative method

We report five patients who developed septic arthritis of the shoulder after cancer of the ipsilateral breast had been treated by surgery and radiotherapy. Lymphoedema was present in all cases. The infections were not obvious, having subacute onsets, and delays in diagnosis led to destruction of the joint in all but one patient

1. A patient with complete ischaemia of the muscles of the calf and anterior compartment of the leg is described. 2. In diagnosis, tenseness of the calf, equinus and pain on attempted dorsiflexion of the ankle are most important. 3. Peripheral pulses may be present and do not contra-indicate decompression by operation to prevent ischaemia

This paper reports the results of bone scans on 78 painful feet. Scanning helped in the diagnosis of persistent foot pain following injury and it enabled stress fractures, fractures of the sesamoids and subtalar arthritis to be diagnosed earlier. It reliably excluded bone infection and was useful as a screening test when radiographs were normal

1. A woman of seventy-four presenting with gigantism of the left hand and foot, lipomatosis, progressive arthropathy and psoriasis is described. 2. The associations of the various conditions are examined in the light of the previously reported cases and the differential diagnosis of this condition (macrodystrophia lipomatosa) from other causes of localised gigantism is discussed

We have treated seven patients with cryptococcal spondylitis. Five presented with a neurological deficit and one was HIV-positive. Amphotericin-B and 5-flucytosine were used in five patients and ketoconazole was given orally in the remaining two. Three patients made a complete neurological recovery. Since these lesions mimic spinal tuberculosis, which is commonly seen in our environment, we draw attention to the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis

Septic arthritis has been regarded as rare in haemophiliacs, but its incidence may have increased since HIV infection has become widespread in these patients. We describe six cases treated at one haemophilia unit over a two-year period and discuss their investigation, diagnosis and treatment. Four of the patients were seropositive to anti-HIV

1. Two cases of syphilitic involvement of the spinal column are described, illustrating the presentation and pathology of the disease. 2. The possibility of increased incidence of syphilitic disorders of bone and joint is considered in the light of recent statistics, and the need for awareness of the disease in its various forms is emphasised. 3. The problems of diagnosis are discussed

1. Four cases of congenital lateral dislocation of the patella are described. 2. The significance of the associated flexion contracture is emphasised. 3. Early diagnosis and operative realignment of the extensor mechanism is considered to be important because it should avoid the secondary growth changes which can produce serious disability

Fractures and plastic deformities of the forearm are common in children. While axial deformities are easily recognised and treated, bowing of the radius may be overlooked. Physiological bowing is essential for full rotation of the forearm. We have used the method of Schemitsch and Richards to estimate the degree of bowing in 100 children who had not suffered a fracture of the forearm. The site of maximum bowing remained constant at 60.39% of the length of the radius (95% CI 59.65 to 61.14). The value of maximum bowing did not exceed 10% of the total length (mean value 7.21%; 95% CI 7.00 to 7.41). This study provides information that can be useful for the diagnosis of bowing and for the evaluation of post-traumatic deformities