Background: Trochanteric fractures are extra-joint fractures, account for 55% of femoral proximal fractures. They often happen in the elderly with increased frequency due to age. Treatment experiences at 7A Military Hospital showed increased trochanteric fracture cases. To properly assess treatment effectiveness and select proper treatment methods, the study of “Evaluation of initial treatment of trochanteric fractures using gamma nails at 7A Military Hospital and made the conclusions of indications and applied techniques” was carried out. The study objectives are evaluating the initial treatment of trochanteric fractures using gamma nails at 7A Military Hospital and made the conclusions of indications and applied techniques. Methods and findings: nineteen patients diagnosed with traumatic trochanteric fractures and surgically treated with Gamma nails were monitored and evaluated for bone fusion, bone union, range of motion, limb shortening, and functional rehabilitation according to Merle D'Aubigné scale. Fourteen patients (82.35%) achieved proper bone union with the femoral neck-shaft angle of 1250 - 1300, three patients (17.65%) got slightly deviated bone union. Amongst patients aged under 60, 14/17 cases (82.35%) achieved “good” and “very good” functional rehabilitation, scored over 15 points according to Merle D΄aubigne Index; 3/17 cases (17.65%) got “average” recovery. Hip range of motion in 14 cases (82.35%) achieved “very good” (normal movement) or “good” (over 10% movement limitation) outcome, 3 cases had “average” movement (17.65%). Limb shortening of below 1cm took place in 10 patients (58.82%), 1 – 2 cm in 4 patients (23,53%) and over 3 cm in 3 patients (17.65%). Conclusions: The surgical treatment of trochanteric fractures using gamma nails yielded positive outcomes. Keywords: Gamma nails, trochanteric fractures, elderly, extra-joint.

Background: Medical facilities in Vietnam both use Methylprednisolone acetate and Hydrocortisone acetate in treatment with different administrations. This study aimed to evaluate of effects and side-effects of epidural injection of Methylprednisolone acetate and Hydrocortisone acetate in the treatment of herniated lumbar disc sciatica. Methods and findings: Cross-sectional descriptive study on 80 herniated lumbar disc sciatica patients treated at Department of Orthopedic, 7A Military Hospital, Hochiminh City, VietNam. The patients were divided into two groups in coupling fashion based on the VAS score of pain. Study results showed that both corticosteroid drugs (Methylprednisolone acetate and Hydrocortisone acetate) yielded good outcomes on all investigated parameters and there was no significant difference between the two medications (p < 0.05); administration of Methylprednisolone acetate reduced VAS score of 1.98 ± 1.33 points and Hydrocortisone acetate reduced of 2.13 ± 1.17 points. Lasegue test score in Methylprednisolone acetate administered patients raised from 74.630 ± 18.820 to 80.750 ± 15.870 and in Hydrocortisone acetate patients from 71.250 ± 10.110 to 81.630 ± 8.350). Treatment methods were safe, and there was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. The direct and indirect cost of Hydrocortisone acetate administration was three times higher than Methylprednisolone acetate. Conclusion: It was safe and effective to administrate both Methylprednisolone acetate and Hydrocortisone acetate in the treatment of herniated lumbar disc sciatica. Methylprednisolone acetate administration was more economical than Hydrocortisone acetate. Keywords: Sciatica, epidural injection, Methylprednisolone acetate, Hydrocortisone acetate