Fifty-three ununited fractures with a median time since injury of 28 months were treated by electrical stimulation using pulsing electromagnetic fields. Union was achieved in 38 cases (71.7 per cent) in a median time of six months. For ununited fractures of the tibia the success rate was higher at 86.7 per cent. Previous or active sepsis, the presence of plates or nails, the age of the patient or the time since the injury did not affect the results. Analysis of the failures suggests that inadequate immobilisation, a fracture gap of more than five millimetres or the presence of a screw in the fracture gap was responsible. In four patients no cause of failure could be determined.

A patient with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome complicated by tetraplegia secondary to cervical spondylolisthesis is reported. The abnormalities presenting in this condition are reviewed.

Eleven patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita neurologica have been reviewed. Distinct patterns of deformity and muscle activity were identified which have been correlated with specific levels of segmental neurological motor deficit without sensory loss. The clinical picture was consistent with localised lesions of the anterior horn cell cell columns. This finding agreed with the recorded pathological lesions. Orthopaedic treatment should take account of the paralytic nature of the deformities.