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Between 1995 and 1999, 12 patients aged 65 years or more (mean 70.2) with lumbar disc herniation, underwent partial laminectomy and nucleotomy. The results were compared with those of 25 younger patients aged between 20 and 40 years (mean 30.1), who underwent the same surgical procedure. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was used to assess the clinical outcome. The minimum follow-up was 12 months. The pre- and post-operative total JOA scores and the rate of improvement of the JOA score were not significantly different between the elderly (11.1, 24.3 points, and 74.1%), and the younger group (11.6, 26.4 points and 84.5%). The results of this study indicate that the outcome of lumbar discectomy in elderly patients is as good as in younger patients.

The functional and anatomical results of distal end of radius fractures with severe displacement in 22 elderly patients are reviewed in this retrospective study. The mean age of the patients was 69.4 years (range, 60-88 years) and the mean follow-up period was 24 months (range, 12-53 months). According to the sum of demerit points (Saito, 1983), the latest follow-up functional end results were excellent in 64% of fractures and good in 36%. As for the anatomical results at follow-up, the average radial tilt was 20.7 degrees, ulnar variance was 4.0 mm, and palmar tilt was -2.7 degrees respectively. Though most of the patients had satisfactory outcome and the functional results did not correlate with the radiographic evidence of minor deformities, the functional results of the patients with radial shortening of 6 mm or over were poor. Furthermore, the grip power was the most significant factor related to subjective evaluation and did not improve significantly in patients with the non-dominant hand injured.

The healing process of Little Leaguer's shoulder advanced from medial to lateral, and healing was achieved about 5 months after initial examination.

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