Pig calcitonin in the treatment of localised osteoporosis

On the basis of positive results obtained in the treatment of Sudeck's atrophy with calcitonin, the authors extended their investigation to other forms of localised osteoporosis. Six patients were examined affected by osteoporosis secondary to immobilisation, three patients with osteoporosis of the lower limbs from paralysis of the sciatic nerve and six patients with migrant osteoporosis. Treatment was as follows: pig calcitonin (Calcitar) in doses of 160 u MRC/daily + calcium gluconate in doses of 3 gr/daily. The duration of treatment averaged forty five days. In osteoporosis from immobilisation and nerve lesions the calcitonin treatment did not influence the condition and there was no change in radiographic appearances nor was there any analgesic action. On the other hand, the results were clearly positive in migrant osteoporosis: in all the patients treated there was complete regression of pain, cutaneous trophic changes, and functional loss. At a later stage, normal radiographic appearances were restored.