Glomus tumours are rare tumours accounting for only 1-5% of soft tissue tumours of the hand. They are described classically in the subungual region. We present the case of a 32-year-old woman with a late diagnosis of a glomus tumour that had caused her excruciating pain. Clinical examination was positive for Hildreth's sign and the Love test. Magnetic resonance imaging delineated the tumour, which was excised and confirmed histologically. This case highlights the continued delay in diagnosis of glomus tumours as well as the use of imaging in diagnosis and planning of surgery.

This is a review of 77 partial replacement and interposition arthroplasties in which Silastic implants were used. The operations were carried out between 1971 and 1977 on the metatarsophalangeal joints of the great toes of62 patients. Twenty-six ofthe operations were for painful hallux rigidus and 51 for hallux valgus. The patients were reviewed 12 to 92 months after operation, the average follow-up being 60 months. The analysis ofresults indicated that whik the procedure may be suitable for hallux rigidus its use for hallux valgus is not fully satisfactory

Between 1971 and 1976 eight patients underwent excision of the carpal lunate for pain from Kienbock's disease. The bone was replaced by a silicone rubber implant. An average of 84 months had elapsed when they were reviewed in December 1980. All eight were very satisfied with their operations. Objectively, the clinical results were good, but radiographs showed the presence of degenerative change in the region of the wrist and alteration of the position of the prosthesis on ulnar deviation of the hand. No implant has had to be removed.