No abstract

This paper presents a short study of 17 cases of tuberculosis of the greater trochanter seen during a period of 19 years at the National Orthopaedic Institute in Tunis. The onset of the infection is slow with patients presenting at a mean of 7 years after initial symptoms. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy and culture of the organism. Management is based on treatment with antituberculous drugs, although surgical excision of the lesion is sometimes required. Successful resolution of the symptoms is usually achieved unless the hip joint becomes involved. Our patients showed good results at a mean follow up of 5 1/2 years.

Osteoid osteoma of the acetabulum can be expected to cause nonspecific symptoms of hip inflammation. In a sixteen year old girl, investigation by routine radiographs and a bone scan suggested a focus of inflammation with a nidus and sclerosis of the acetabulum and overgrowth of the head and neck of the femur. Removal of the lesion by an anterior approach with dislocation of the hip gave excellent results when seen after three years with a normal gait and normal hip motion.

Level 4.

The surgical and prosthetic treatment of longitudinal lower limb deficiency is described and discussed, in the light of cultural and social requirements. Those with upper limb deficiencies are not fitted with prostheses.