[Conventional radiology in the choice of surgical treatment of gonarthrosis]. / Indagine radiologica tradizionale nella scelta del trattamento chirurgico della gonartrosi.

Gonarthrosis is a pathologic condition the incident of which is high in people over 50. Its etiologic factors are varus-valgus deformities, traumatic lesions, meniscal tears, osteochondritis, and metabolic diseases. The authors report their experience with the setting of a radiographic protocol for the study of 100 patients over 50. The protocol allowed both detection and quantification of: varus and valgus deformities studied in weight-bearing (teleradiography in weight-bearing) and extensor mechanism malalignment (tangential views); chondral wear of femoral and tibial joints (varus and valgus radiographs); varus and valgus knees instability (varus and valgus radiographs). The results are extremely satisfactory: this protocol allowed correct gonarthrosis grading and the evaluation of such associated lesions as lateral instability. The surgeon is thus provided with the essential elements for the choice of the correct treatment.

Extraarticular reconstruction in the treatment of chronic lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The authors report the results of 40 patients treated with Lemaire extraarticular reconstruction for chronic anterior instability of the knee. The rate of success was 80%. The negative results did not have one single explanation, but were caused by either objective or subjective factors depending on the case. In evaluating the results in relation to the follow-up, a deterioration of the good results over time was observed (62.5% after 5 years). The Lemaire reconstruction is recommended for patients over 40 with moderate laxity who occasionally take part in athletic activity.

The use of scintigraphy with Tc 99 pyrophosphate for the evaluation of meniscal lesions.

The preliminary results obtained in a study of the use of scintigraphy with Tc 99 PYP for the evaluation of meniscal lesions of the knee are presented. Three different captation curves are described. Those with an elevated peak and a restricted base are characteristic of meniscal lesions. The use of this method in a series of 50 patients in whom meniscal lesions were suspected demonstrated a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity with regard to the presence of the lesion, but not to its type.

Massive discoid medial meniscus. A case report.

Only eight cases of massive discoid meniscus have previously been published in the English literature. Our case had a tear and was diagnosed by arthroscopy.