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EMG-biofeedback therapy was attempted in five cases of EPL tendon rupture with residual postoperative functional disabilities such as weakness of extension or extension lag of the thumb, and improvement was obtained in muscle strength, range of motion, and performance of daily activities. EMG-biofeedback therapy is a method which, utilizing visual or auditory information, supplements and facilitates the intrinsic feedback mechanism in the human body. This method is applied as a treatment to improve motor dysfunction. The effectiveness of the therapy is elucidated by a neural motor control theory based on the sensory-motor feedback loop.

Preliminary trials with computer tomography in the diagnosis and evaluation of dysplastic hips have brought the following results:(1)The figures closely resemble the x-rays and are as easily read, however, the amount of radiation is much less.(2)Cartilage form and borders are visible so that diagnosis is possible prior to the age of 3 months.(3)Since soft tissue contoures are visible, it is expected that arthrography would be superfluous, thereby resulting not only in less x-ray exposure for the small child or infant but also reduction in risk due to anaesthesia and of joint puncture with its risk of infection (though minimal).

Summary A new type of compression instrumentation for posterior spondylodesis in scoliosis is presented.

Summary The isolated rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is possible. 5 own cases are described and compared with those of other authors. The mechanism of the injury is a forced inward rotation- and varus stress of the knee joint under full pressure as a deceleration-twisting motion. Our own experimental measurements on the ligaments of the knee joint with strain gauges are proving this fact. The suspected diagnosis of an isolated rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is strengthened by a painful snapping or popping within the knee joint in the moment of the injury, a fast increasing swelling of the joint and a feeling of instability. Normaly an anterior dawer sign is not found. The treatment of choice is the suture of the ligament because unrepaired isolated anterior cruciate ligaments can lead to an increasing instability of the knee joint with time.

Summary Creep, hysteresis, stability, elongation capability and repeatability of butylcyanoacrylate as a proper adhesive for bonding strain gages to non-fixed tissues have been tested with good results. Due to its excellent bonding performance butylcyanoacrylate provides the only means for bonding electrical resistance foil strain gages to biological materials for the time being. This opens new aspects for strain measurements with strain gages in the biomechanical field.

A new femur distractor for operative leg lengthening has been developed. The new instrument consists of an electronically controllable distractor set including a power unit and a two-part guide rail. The whole system can be implanted totally and gives rigid fixation throughout the period of distraction. The operations “forward motion”, “stop” and “backward motion” can be regulated transcutaneously by radio control. A prototype especially developed for animal experiments has been tested successfully in sheep.

45 Walldius knee joints have been reevaluated an average of 3 years after implantation. 75% were considered good to excellent when compared with the preoperative situation. Most failures were due to infection (11%). The end result depends largely on the condition of adjacent joints which frequently prevent a major improvement in walking ability inspite of a successful implantation of a Walldius prosthesis. The Walldius hinge joint was prefered over other designs because of its large weight-bearing flanges. It can absorb static forces better without sinking into the tibial or femoral shafts. Inspite of a resection of 3 cm, a fusion is still possible if necessary. The use of cement is emphasised to prevent migration of the prosthesis and fracture of the shafts.

Reduplication of femur has been reported previously in literature only in 11 cases. Two more cases are described and the etiology of this disease is discussed.

In advanced injuries of the proximal carpal row there is a therapeutic alternative to other methods of treatment—the Transnaviculo-Lunar Resection Arthroplasty of J. Steinhäuser.

To prevent tendons from postoperative proliferation and adhesion to surrounding structures is still a main problem in handsurgery. In addition to numerous modifications of atraumatic handsurgical techniques which have been developed some sporadic attempts are made by animal experiments and clinical trials in order to avoid postoperative adhesive tenosynovitis by hormone therapy. Because of the high doses of cortisone which are required this method of treatment is generally not accepted.

One possibility to correct a chronic anteromedial instability of the knee joint is the osseous reinsertion and tightening of the medial collateral ligament. In experiments with a string model and strain gauges attached to the ligaments we investigated the advantages and/or disadvantages of the femoral and tibial reinsertion.

A new femur distractor has been developed, lengthening the leg. This instrument is electronically controllable and can be implanted totally. It is possible to regulate transcutaneously by radio control the operation “forward motion”, “stop” and “backward motion”. After testing this instrument in sheep, the lengthening of human femur by this system can be introduced.

41 cases with non union or delayed union of long bone fractures treated either by internal plate fixation or by autogenous cortico-cancellous bone graft combined with internal plate fixation have been reviewed. Failure of union occurred in two cases which are analyzed: In one case the patient refused any cooperation and did not observe the medical instructions. A formerly infected pseudarthrosis underwent suppurative fistulisation postoperatively preventing union in a second case. A refined indication for different methods of treatment is given and the indication for internal plate fixation and for autogenous bonegraft combined with internal plate fixation is worked out. It seems to be important that improvement of joint mobility after osseous union has been observed in 30 cases.

The treatment of fractures of the femoral head has been improved by replacement of the hip-joint. 11 cases are presented and the different methods of conservative and operative treatment are discussed.

Management and follow-up results of supracondylar, bicondylar and dicondylar fractures of the femur are reported. Conservative treatment of supracondylar and dicondylar fractures can produce good results. Rigid internal fixation is the method of choice for treatment of bicondylar fractures. Patients with bicondylar fractures who cannot undergo maior surgery because of bad physical conditions should be treated by percutaneous internal fixation using Kirschner wires or cancellous screws combined with skeletal traction through the upper end of the tibia.