[Intertrochanteric osteotomy of the hip. Retrospective (10-18 years) clinical and radiologic study of 30 interventions]. / Osteotomia intertrocanterica dell'anca. Revisione clinica e radiologica a distanza (10-18 anni) di 30 interventi.

The authors report on 28 patients with degenerative arthritis of the hip who underwent intertrochanteric osteotomy of the femur between 1970 and 1978. Two subjects were operated on bilaterally, bringing the total number of hips to 30. The follow-up period averaged 11.8 years. All patients underwent thorough clinical and radiographic examination as well as basography and computed electrogoniometry. The basographic examination consists of analysis of the temporal phases of gait, revealing angular abnormalities of the various joint components of the lower limbs which occur during walking. Processing the data by computer shows any anomaly present in the lower limbs. The results of treatment were good for the most part, and thorough functional examination by computer often revealed a poor radiographic result corresponding to a better clinical result.

Effect of low frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields on skin ulcers of venous origin in humans: a double-blind study.

The effect of an electromagnetic field on the healing of skin ulcers of venous origin in humans has been investigated in a double-blind study. Forty-four patients have been admitted to the study; one-half were exposed to active stimulators (experimental group) and the remaining to dummy stimulators (control group). The stimulation was scheduled to last a maximum of 90 days. The success rate was significantly higher in the experimental group both at day 90 (p less than 0.02) and in the follow-up period (p less than 0.005). The data suggest that the effect of the electromagnetic field lasts even when the stimulation is over. No ulcers worsened in the experimental group, while four worsened in the control group. Twenty-five percent of the patients in the experimental group and 50% in the control group experienced recurrence of the ulcer. It is concluded that stimulation with an electromagnetic field is a useful adjunctive therapy in the management of these patients.

Electrical stimulation of human femoral intertrochanteric osteotomies. Double-blind study.

Low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are being used in nonunion healing at several centers around the world. Much debate exists about quantification of PEMF effects, especially in humans where no randomized studies have been performed. The results of a double-blind treatment of 32 consecutive patients treated with femoral intertrochanteric osteotomy for hip degenerative arthritis are reported. Roentgenographic evaluation and callus density measurements performed with an image analyzer showed a statistically significant difference between controls and stimulated patients (p less than 0.01). In this extremely homogeneous patient population, PEMF stimulation favored osteotomy healing.