Objectives

Bioresorbable orthopaedic devices with calcium phosphate (CaP) fillers are commercially available on the assumption that increased calcium (Ca) locally drives new bone formation, but the clinical benefits are unknown. Electron beam (EB) irradiation of polymer devices has been shown to enhance the release of Ca. The aims of this study were to: 1) establish the biological safety of EB surface-modified bioresorbable devices; 2) test the release kinetics of CaP from a polymer device; and 3) establish any subsequent beneficial effects on bone repair in vivo.

1. Ninety-eight cases of fracture of the upper end of the tibia treated by operative reduction have been reviewed.

2. The true split fractures and the mildly comminuted compression fractures showed the best results. The "mosaic" cases showed the least satisfactory results.

3. Age has scarcely any effect on the end-results and is consequently no contra-indication to operation.

4. Nearly half the patients regained normal or almost normal mobility in the knee joint.

5. In no case did a meniscus left in place cause symptoms indicating internal derangement.

One hundred and sixty-four cases of intramedullary nailing of the long bones have been studied with special reference to the difficulties and complications encountered.

There was one death not attributable to the method.

Two cases of pulmonal fat embolism and one case of thrombosis occurred, all in fractures of the femur.

The lessons we have learned from our mistakes can be summarised as follows:

1 . The method requires technical experience and knowledge and is not suited to inexperienced surgeons or surgeons with little fracture material at their disposal.

2. Intramedullary nailing should only be used in fractures to which the method is suited. In general, comminuted fractures or fractures near a joint are unsuitable.

3. Open reduction is preferable to closed methods.

4. The nail should never be driven in with violence. It should be removed and replaced with a new one if difficulty is encountered when inserting it.

5. In fractures of the femur the nail should be driven in from the tip of the trochanter after careful determination of the direction.

6. The nail should be introduced only to the level of the fracture before exploring and reducing the fracture.

7. Distraction of the fragments must be avoided.

8. If the nail bends it should be replaced by a new one, at least in femoral fractures.

9. If union is delayed, the fracture should be explored and chip grafts of cancellous bone placed around it.

10. Improvised nails or nails which are not made of absolutely reliable material should never be used.

11 . Make sure that the nail is equipped with an extraction hole for removal.

The purpose of this paper is to call attention to the anterior bone block method of Hybbinette-Eden for recurrent dislocation of the shoulder joint.

1. The operative technique is not difficult, and the after-treatment is short and relatively agreeable for the patient.

2. Sixty of our own cases are described, with four recurrences. The recurrences all occurred as the result of real trauma. In a total of 128 Scandinavian cases there were eight recurrences—that is 6·3 per cent.

3. In our opinion, based on the observations of radiography, arthrography, and operation, it is the compression fracture of the head of the humerus which deserves the name "essential lesion." Destruction of the anterior rim of the glenoid may be very slight, or entirely lacking. No false joint cavity or rupture big enough to receive the head of the humerus was ever observed by arthrography or by inspection during operative exploration.

Recurrent dislocation is an intracapsular subluxation, which occurs when the anterior rim of the glenoid slides into the hollow in the humeral head.