The activity of cytochrome-c oxidase [E.C. 1.9.3.1] and b-c(1) complex [E.C. 1.10.2.2.] and the content of cytochromes 6, c + c(1) and a + a(3) in human skeletal muscle mitochondria from orthopaedic patients (108 women and 68 males), of age ranging between 10 and 90 years, have been analyzed. The activity of cytochrome c-oxidase declines with age both in females and males, The activity of b-c(1) complex, which in young females is significantly higher than in young malts, declines sharply in females, but not in males, with ageing. These results reveal that the content of active b-c(1) complex in muscle mitochondria is specifically controlled by female sex hormones

We report the results oflow friction arthroplasty in 72 old tuberculous hips and 42 hips with old quiescent septic arthritis. Follow-up was for a minimum oftwo years. Recrudescence oftuberculosis was seen in only one patient, but deep infection occurred in four of the hips with previous septic arthritis. The reasons for this are discussed. It is recommended that patients with old tuberculous hips should have a course of anti-tuberculous drugs before operation, that patients with previous septic infection should have prophylactic antibiotics and antibiotic-loaded cement and that the operation should be performed by an experienced surgeon.

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The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) in evaluating the morphology of normal trochlea, especially the sulcus angle and the trochlear depth, in comparison with computed tomography (CT) (gold standard). The knees of 11 asymptomatic volunteers were subjected to US and CT evaluation of the same section planes and the results were compared. For statistical evaluation Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis was used. A statistically significant correlation was found between the two diagnostic procedures (sulcus angle: r = 0.820; trochlear depth: r = 0.802; Spearman's correlation coefficient) and the intra-observer variability for the US measurements (sulcus angle: r = 0.966; trochlear depth: r = 0.914; Spearman's correlation coefficient). The mean value of sulcus angle and trochlear depth was 132 degrees and 5.6 mm, respectively, similar to those reported in the literature. We conclude that evaluation by US of both sulcus angle and trochlear depth is as reproducible and sensitive as that performed with CT.

Treatment of peritrochanteric fractures involves reduction and synthesis using reconstruction plates and screws, intramedullary or cephalomedullary nails, or external fixators. A new cephalomedullary nail, Endovis BA (Citieffe, Italy), made of titanium alloy implanted without reaming and is fixed with 2 cephalic screws was used to treat 1091 patients with lateral fractures of the femoral neck (AO class 31-A). The patients had a mean age of 75 years (range, 48-99 years), and 83% had one or more systemic comorbidities. Mean operative time was 35 min (range, 20-100 min), and 483 patients (44.3%) required transfusion of one or more units of blood. The nail was implanted without distal blockage in 886 patients (81.2%) and without reaming in 1081 patients (99.1%). Intra-operative complications were recorded in 28 patients (2.6%). At the 6-month follow-up, 128 patients (12%) had died from causes unrelated to the surgery. Of the remaining 963 patients, 632 (65.6%) could walk independently, 249 (25.9%) could walk with assistance, and 82 (8.5%) could not walk. Postoperative complications were recorded in 38 patients (3.5%); most common complications were cut-out (10 cases), loss of reduction (8 cases) and prominent screws (6 cases). In conclusion the Endovis BA nail seems to be a reliable choice for the treatment of lateral fractures of the femoral neck, especially considering the short operating time and low rate of complications.