Aims

Temporary epiphysiodesis (ED) is commonly applied in children and adolescents to treat leg length discrepancies (LLDs) and tall stature. Traditional Blount staples or modern two-hole plates are used in clinical practice. However, they require accurate planning, precise surgical techniques, and attentive follow-up to achieve the desired outcome without complications. This study reports the results of ED using a novel rigid staple (RigidTack) incorporating safety, as well as technical and procedural success according to the idea, development, evaluation, assessment, long-term (IDEAL) study framework.

Premature growth arrests are an infrequent, yet a significant complication of physeal fractures of the distal radius in children and adolescents. Through early diagnosis, it is possible to prevent clinical repercussions of the anatomical and biomechanical alterations of the wrist. Their true incidence has not been well established, and there exists no consensual systematic monitoring plan for minimising its impacts. The main objective was to evaluate the prevalence of growth arrests after a physeal distal radius fracture. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors in order to better guide clinicians for a systematic follow-up. All patients seen between 2014–2016 in a tertiary orthopaedic clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were (one) a physeal fracture of the distal radius (two) adequate clinical/radiological follow-up. Descriptive, Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out using SPSS software. One hundred ninety patients (mean age: 12 ± 2.8 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Forty percent (n=76) of the fractures were treated by closed reduction. Premature growth arrest was seen in 6.8% (n=13) and diagnosed at a mean of 10 months post trauma. The logistic regression showed that the initial translation percentage (>30%) (p 25) (p increase the risk of growth arrest. After adjusting for concomitant ipsilateral ulnar injuries, a positive association between physeal complications and fracture manipulation was detected (76.9%, p=0.03). A non-significant trend between premature growth arrest and associated ulnar injury was observed (p=0.054). No association was identified for trauma velocity, fracture type, gender and age, and growth complications. A prevalence of 6.8% of growth arrest was found after a physeal fracture of the distal radius. Fractures presenting with an initial coronal translation > 30% and/or angulation > 25 from normal, as well as those treated by manipulation, have been shown to be at risk for a premature growth arrest of the distal radius. This study highlights the importance of a systematic follow-up after a physeal fracture of the distal radius especially for patients with a more displaced fracture who had a closed reduction performed. An optimal follow-up period should be over 10 months to optimize the detection of growth arrest and treat it promptly, thereby minimizing negative clinical consequences

Fractures through the physis account for 18–30% of all paediatric fractures, leading to growth arrest in 5.5% of cases. We have limited knowledge to predict which physeal fractures result in growth arrest and subsequent deformity or limb length discrepancy. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with physeal growth arrest to improve patient outcomes. This prospective cohort study was designed to develop a clinical prediction model for growth arrest after physeal injury. Patients < 1 8 years old presenting within four weeks of injury were enrolled if they had open physes and sustained a physeal fracture of the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia or fibula. Patients with prior history of same-site fracture or a condition known to alter bone growth or healing were excluded. Demographic data, potential prognostic indicators and radiographic data were collected at baseline, one and two years post-injury. A total of 167 patients had at least one year of follow-up. Average age at injury was 10.4 years, 95% CI [9.8,10.94]. Reduction was required in 51% of cases. Right-sided (52.5%) and distal (90.1%) fractures were most common. After initial reduction 52.5% of fractures had some form of residual angulation and/or displacement (38.5% had both). At one year follow-up, 34 patients (21.1%) had evidence of a bony bridge on plain radiograph, 10 (6.2%) had residual angulation (average 12.6°) and three had residual displacement. Initial angulation (average 22.4°) and displacement (average 5.8mm) were seen in 16/34 patients with bony bridge (48.5%), with 10 (30.3%) both angulated and displaced. Salter-Harris type II fractures were most common across all patients (70.4%) and in those with bony bridges (57.6%). At one year, 44 (27.3%) patients had evidence of closing/closed physes. At one year follow-up, there was evidence of a bony bridge across the physis in 21.1% of patients on plain film, and residual angulation and/or displacement in 8.1%. Initial angulation and/or displacement was present in 64.7% of patients showing possible evidence of growth arrest. The incidence of growth arrest in this patient population appears higher than past literature reports. However, plain film is an unreliable modality for assessing physeal bars and the true incidence may be lower. A number of patients were approaching skeletal maturity at time of injury and any growth arrest is likely to have less clinical significance in these cases. Further prospective long-term follow-up is required to determine the true incidence and impact of growth arrest

In Clinical practice damage to the growth plate is usually caused by trauma. In neonates and infants, sepsis involving the growth plate may lead to very severe deformities as well as limb length discrepancy. The management for the child with physeal growth arrest depends on the age of the child, the site and the extent of involvement of the physis. The assessment of the extent of involvement of the physis can be made by plain x-rays, tomograms and magnetic resonance imaging. In younger children epiphysiolysis with or without an osteotomy is usually performed. In cases where is there is severe limb length discrepancy additional treatment with limb lengthening is carried out. Children towards the end of growth benefit from a corrective osteotomy. Hemichondrodiatasis is not recommended in younger children as there is a risk of physeal fracture leading to further growth arrest. However it can be used for selected cases towards the end of growth. Epiphysiolysis with the use of interposition materials such as fat, silastic or cement has been shown to be successful for bony bars occupying less than 30 % of the entire physis. In cases where the physeal injury is more extensive recent experimental work has shown that the use of tissue engineering techniques involving the transfer of cultured chondrocytes or mesenchymal stem cells may produce better results than conventional methods

Introduction: Infection with Neisseria Meningitidis remains one of the most devastating illnesses in paediatrics. Affected patients can progress from a mild viral-like illness to septicaemia and death within a matter of hours. We present our clinical experience in identifying and managing the orthopaedic complications associated with meningococcal septicaemia and highlight the long-term problems of physeal growth arrest especially after limb amputation. Methods: Between August 1997 and June 2005, 88 consecutive children aged from 1 month to 17 years were admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit with meningococcal septicaemia. These patients were retrospectively assessed for orthopaedic manifestations. Results: During the acute phase of the disease, there were six deaths and 22 patients suffered tissue loss from amputations. Twenty digits were allowed to demarcate and were subsequently amputated. Ten Limb amputations were performed in 6 patients, all of which developed physeal growth arrests proximal to the level of amputation. Four patients had a substantial rise in lower leg compartmental pressures but only two patients underwent fasciotomies, one of which required bilateral below knee amputations. Conclusions: Meningococcal septicaemia is a potentially lethal paediatric disease. In the acute phase, 22 patients needed orthopaedic input to address complications related to tissue loss, vascular and ischemic problems. Limb amputations due to meningococcal septicaemia will invariably result in physeal damage and our recommendation is that patients should always be screened for this late sequela after index admission. Additionally, early compartment decompression does not appear to improve limb survival

Introduction: Infection with Neisseria Meningitidis remains one of the most devastating illnesses in paediatrics. Affected patients can progress from a mild viral-like illness to septicaemia and death within a matter of hours. We present our clinical experience in identifying and managing the orthopaedic complications associated with meningococcal septicaemia and highlight the long-term problems of physeal growth arrest especially after limb amputation. Methods: Between August 1997 and June 2005, 88 consecutive children aged from 1 month to 17 years were admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit with meningococcal septicaemia. These patients were retrospectively assessed for orthopaedic manifestations. Results: During the acute phase of the disease, there were six deaths and 22 patients suffered tissue loss from amputations. Twenty digits were allowed to demarcate and were subsequently amputated. Ten lower limb amputations were performed in 6 patients, all of which developed physeal growth arrests proximal to the level of amputation. Four patients had a substantial rise in lower leg compartmental pressures but only two patients underwent fasciotomies, one of which required bilateral below knee amputations. Conclusions: Meningococcal septicaemia is a potentially lethal paediatric disease. In the acute phase, 22 patients needed orthopaedic input to address complications related to tissue loss, vascular and ischemic problems. Limb amputations due to meningococcal septicaemia will invariably result in physeal damage and our recommendation is that patients should always be screened for this late sequela after index admission. Additionally, early compartment decompression does not appear to improve limb survival

Purpose of Study. To assess the radiological outcomes of medial screw epiphyseodesis of the proximal femoral physis in the management of lateral growth arrest following treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Methods. We identified 10 patients noted to have lateral growth disturbance of the proximal femoral physis, 9 of which were managed with medial screw epiphyseodesis. Serial radiographs were reviewed. A new technique was employed to monitor progression of lateral growth arrest and also to assess the role of screw epiphyseodesis in preventing further deterioration or indeed allowing for improvement. This method involved calculating the tilt angle (angle formed between a horizontal reference line and a line joining medial and lateral points of physis) and following its progression with increasing age. Results. 10 patients were included in the study, 7 females and 3 males. 1 patient did not have screw epiphyseodesis performed and is used as a control. The left hip was affected in 8 and the right hip in 2 patients. Average age at surgery (medial screw epiphyseodesis) was 12 years. 5 of the 9 patients that had screw epiphyseodesis demonstrated improvement in tilt angles (i.e. correction of deformity) with sequential follow up. 2 patients failed to improve. 2 demonstrated no change. In the control case, rapid deterioration was seen in the tilt angle following 9 years of age although this reached a plateau at age 11. Conclusion. Although the numbers in this series are modest, our results do give support for the role of medial screw epiphyseodesis in the presence of lateral growth arrest for guided growth of the proximal femoral physis. Our results suggest that screw epiphyseodesis should be performed at approximately 9 years of age to optimise potential for guided growth and to prevent further deterioration

A Ring Fixator (Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF); Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN), was used in the treatment of 5 patients (ages 11 to 16 years) with proximal tibial growth arrest following trauma. The mean corrections were 14.20 (max 280, min 00) in the saggital plane and 140 (max 380, min 20) in the coronal plane. Leg length discrepancy was also corrected (max 1 cm). The average time in frame was 17.8 weeks, with an average correction time of 29.8 days. Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSCRS) scores post operatively ranged from 95 to 100. All patients returned to full activity, and would accept the same treatment if offered again. The circular fixator is an effective, minimally invasive method of treatment for post-traumatic proximal tibial deformity. Patients remain active during treatment encouraging a rapid return to school/work activities

Methods: A Ring Fixator (Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF); Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN), was used in the treatment of 5 patients (ages 11 to 16 years) with proximal tibial growth arrest following trauma. Results: The mean corrections were 14.2° (max 28°, min 0°) in the saggital plane and 14° (max 38°, min 2°) in the coronal plane. Leg length discrepancy was also corrected (max 1cm). The average time in frame was 17.8 weeks, with an average correction time of 29.8 days. Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSCRS) scores post operatively ranged from 95 to 100. All patients returned to full activity, and would accept the same treatment if offered again. The circular fixator is an effective, minimally invasive method for treating the complex deformities arising from this rare injury. Patients remain active during treatment, encouraging a rapid return to school/work activities

Physeal bar resection for partial growth plate arrest was first described by Langenskjold in 1967. The initial enthusiasm by Peterson (1989) who found that 83% of patients resumed physeal growth was tempered by Birch (1992) who only had 33% success. Poor results were due to failure to resume growth or premature growth arrest. We retrospectively reviewed 21 physeal bar resections performed in 19 children from 1987 to 2003. The average age at surgery was 8.2 years (range 3–12 years). The aetiology of the physeal arrest was : growth plate fracture (8), meningococcal septicaemia (5), osteitis (3; 2 neonatal), dysplasia (3), gunshot (1) and idiopathic (1). The commonest site was the distal femur (12; 5 due to growth plate fracture), followed by the proximal tibia (5; 3 due to meningococcal septicaemia), and the distal tibia (4; 2 due to growth plate fractures). Assessment of the size and location of the bar was with biplanar tomography in 7, MRI in 5 and both in 7. We found equal accuracy with both modalities, but currently prefer MRI. The bar was plotted on an anterior-posterior and lateral map of the growth plate. The average size of the bar was 25% (range 15 to 50%) of the area of the growth plate. Only 3 bars were larger than 30%. Fifteen of the bars were peripheral, 5 linear and 1 central. Results were classified poor if there was no resumption of growth or if premature growth plate arrest occurred, good if there was resumption of growth which continued to maturity or to follow-up, and excellent if the growth exceeded the expected growth. There were 5 (24%) poor results; all failed to resume growth. Three bars exceeded 30% and 2 were due to meningococcal septicaemia. The remaining 16 bars were followed up for a range of 2 to 12 years; 10 to maturity. Four (19%) had an excellent and 12 (57%) had a good result. The authors conclude that physeal bar resection is a worthwhile procedure if the size of the bar is equal to or less than 30% of the area of the growth plate. In growth arrest due to meningococcal septicaemia we only had a 60% success rate

Aim: To review the outcome following growth plate arrest in distal femur and proximal tibia of different aetiology in adults. Materials and methods: We have reviewed, retrospectively, eight adult patients with lower leg deformity in the distal femur and proximal tibia, as a sequelae of growth plate arrest of different aetiology. These patients underwent tibial and femoral, correction and lengthening. The total number was 8 patients, there were 6 male and 2 female, with an average age of 22.8 years (17–34.8) The average follow up was 32.9 months (7.9–51.4). Results: Four patients had growth plate arrest following trauma (two patients were involved in road traffic accidents, one had Salter-Harris type V fracture of the proximal tibia and one had sport injury), two patients had iatrogenic growth plate arrest after internal fixation of tibial spine in one patient and after internal fixation of a popliteal muscle rupture in the other, one patient had Osgood Schlater disease, one patient had childhood osteomyelitis and one unknown pathology. The average shortening was 34.8 mm (8–60), the average maximum deformity in any one plane was 19.8 degree (6–40). All the patient underwent corrective surgery and lengthening, five patients had Sheffield Ring Fixator, two had Limb Reconstruction System and one had percutaneous osteotomy on Albizzia nail. The patients who underwent SRF and LRS stayed in the frame for an average 258 days (150–435). The residual leg length discrepancy was 5.5 mm (0–12). There was three grade one complications, three grade two complications, and one patient had grade IV complication following compartment syndrome. Four patients had grade two pin site infection and three patients had grade one. Conclusion: Growth plate arrest of the distal femur and proximal tibia can cause severe deformity and shortening of the lower limb in adult, and this deformity is amenable to correction in the end of growth using different techniques. We used Sheffield ring fixator in complex cases, to address both deformities and lengthening, while other techniques were used in less complex cases

Survivors of infantile meningococcal septicaemia often develop progressive skeletal deformity as a consequence of physeal damage at multiple sites, particularly in the lower limb. Distal tibial physeal arrest typically occurs with sparing of the distal fibular physis leading to a rapidly progressive varus deformity. Isolated case reports include this deformity, but to our knowledge there is no previous literature that specifically reports the development of this deformity and potential treatment options.

We report our experience of 6 patients (7ankles) with this deformity, managed with corrective osteotomy using a programmable circular fixator.

Survivors of meningococcal septicaemia often develop progressive skeletal deformity secondary to physeal damage at multiple sites, particularly in the lower limb. Distal tibial physeal arrest typically occurs with sparing of the distal fibular physis leading to a rapidly progressive varus ankle deformity. There is no previous literature reporting this ankle deformity following meningococcal septicaemia.

We report the management of this deformity in 13 ankles in 10 consecutive patients 36 months after meningococcal septicaemia. Plain radiographs and MRI were used to define the deformity and the extent of growth plate involvement.

The Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) with a distal tibial metaphyseal osteotomy was used to restore the distal tibio-fibular joint. Distal fibular epiphysiodesis was performed in all ankles at the initial procedure. Distal tibial epiphysiodesis was performed at the time of fixator removal.

The age at operation ranged from 3–14 years (mean 8). The preoperative ankle varus deformity ranged from 9–29 degrees (mean 19). The differential shortening of the tibia with respect to fibula was on average 1.2 cms. The mean time in frame was 136 days. After a mean follow-up of 1.7 years results were excellent in all patients with complete correction of deformity and shortening. Mechanincal axis was corrected in all patients.

Complications included, 4 superficial pin site infections, 1 lateral peroneal nerve palsy which recovered completely. There were no major nerve or vascular complications.

We consider that this approach provides a powerful method of correction for this difficult group of patients.

Salter-Harris II fractures of the distal tibia affect children frequently, and when they are displaced present a treatment dilemma. Treatment primarily aims to restore alignment and prevent premature physeal closure, as this can lead to angular deformity, limb length difference, or both. Current literature is of poor methodological quality and is contradictory as to whether conservative or surgical management is superior in avoiding complications and adverse outcomes. A state of clinical equipoise exists regarding whether displaced distal tibial Salter-Harris II fractures in children should be treated with surgery to achieve anatomical reduction, or whether cast treatment alone will lead to a satisfactory outcome. Systematic review and meta-analysis has concluded that high-quality prospective multicentre research is needed to answer this question. The Outcomes of Displaced Distal tibial fractures: Surgery Or Casts in KidS (ODD SOCKS) trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, aims to provide this high-quality research in order to answer this question, which has been identified as a top-five research priority by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(5):471–473.

Summary Statement. The implantation of scaffold-free CTE from suspension culture into growth-plate defects resulted in a significant reduction in growth arrest of the rabbit tibia. Introduction. In childhood and adolescence, the growth plate injury can cause partial premature arrest of growth plate, which can make problems such as leg length discrepancy and angular deformity. Bone bridge resection and variable implantation materials such as fat, bone wax, silastic and craniopalst has been investigated. However, those procedures may show limitations including the control of bone growth and long term safety of implant materials in vivo. As an alternative, homogeneous or heterogeneous cartilage cells and stem cell transplants have been tried. In this method, scaffold for cell transplantation is needed. But, so far the most suitable scaffold has not been established. Recently, some authors generated a cartilage tissue equivalent (CTE) using a suspension culture with biophysical properties similar to native hyaline cartilage. Therefore we are able to transplant the CTE without scaffold to the physeal defect. The purpose of this study was to investigated the effects of a transplantation of a vitro-generated scaffold-free tissue-engineered cartilage tissue equivalent (CTE) using a suspension chondrocyte culture in a rabbit growth arrest model. Material and Method. Cartilage tissue equivalent culture. The CTE was generated by the suspension culture of chondrocytes (2 × 10. 7. /well/1 mL) which was isolated from articular cartilage of 5 weeks New Zealand white rabbit on a 24-well plate (2.4 cm. 2. /well) treated with poly HEMA (nunc, Roskide, Denmark) for up to 8 and 16 weeks. (2)Partial growth arrest animal model. An experimental model for growth arrest was created by excising the growth plate at the proximal medial side of tibia with the 4 mm in diameter and 4 mm in depth from 6-week-old New Zealand white rabbits. Two experimental groups were set to evaluate CTE implantation; group I, no implantation as controls; group II, implantation of CTE. (3) Evaluation of effect of the transplantation of CTE. Serial plain radiographs were performed at one week. The medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) was measured for assessing the degree of angular deformity. Histologic examination using HE stain, Alcian bule and immunohistochemistry was done at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Results. Radiographic results: In group I, all damaged growth plates were arrested and angular deformities appeared 4 weeks later. In groups II, angular deformities were much less than in the control group. Histologic result: In group I, bone bridge formation was shown at the damaged growth plate at 4 weeks after surgery. In group II, regeneration of growth plates was recognised at 4 and 8 week after surgery. However, the thickness of regenerated growth plate at 8 weeks specimen was thinner than that of 4 weeks specimen. Discussion and Conclusion. The implantation of scaffold-free CTE from suspension culture into growth-plate defects resulted in a significant reduction in growth arrest of the rabbit tibia

Introduction. Genu valgum is a common presentation in paediatric patients with congenital limb deformities. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of guided growth surgery in paediatric patients referred via our physiotherapy pathway with isolated genu valgum and associated patellar instability. Materials & Methods. Patients were identified from our prospective patellar instability database. Inclusion criteria was acquired or congenital genu valgum associated with patellar instability in skeletally immature patients. The mechanical lateral-distal femoral angle was assessed on long leg alignment radiographs (mLDFA <85 degrees). Surgical treatment was the placement of a guided growth plate (PediPlate, OrthoPediatrics, USA) on the medial distal femoral physis (hemi-epiphysiodesis). KOOS-child scores were collected pre-operatively and post-operatively (minimum at 6 months). Results. Eleven patients (seven female) with mean age of 12(range 5–15) were identified. Five patients had congenital talipes equinovarus(CTEV), one fibular hemimelia, one di-George syndrome, one septic growth arrest and three had idiopathic genu valgum. Pre- and post-operative KOOS-child scores showed overall improvement: 58(range 36–68) to 88(65–99) and knee symptoms subscores: 64(43–71) to 96(68–100) p<0.01, t-test. Mean follow-up was 10 months (range 3–23). No subsequent dislocations/subluxations occurred during follow-up. Conclusions. Guided growth surgery is an effective way of treating symptomatic patellar instability in skeletally immature patients with genu valgum in the absence of other structural pathology. It was most common in our cohort in patients with unilateral CTEV. We would recommend to screen syndromic and congenital limb deformity patients for patellar instability symptoms in the presence of genu valgum

Paediatric bone and joint infections remain common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to determine the complication rate and incidence of disseminated infection in paediatric bone and joint infections in an LMIC setting. Secondly, we aimed to elucidate factors associated with complications and disseminated disease. We retrospectively reviewed our database for children that presented with bone and joint infections between September 2015 and March 2019. Data were extracted to identify factors that were associated with development of complications and disseminated infection. We analysed 49 children. The median age at presentation was 6 years (range 1 month to 12 years). Locally advanced disease was present in 13 children (27%). The remaining 36 children were evenly divided (18/49 each, 37%) between isolated AHOM and SA, respectively. Disseminated disease was present in 16 children (33%) and was associated with locally advanced disease, an increase in number of surgeries and an increased length of stay. Twenty-six complications were documented in 22 (45%) children. Chronic osteomyelitis developed in 15/49 (31%) cases, growth arrest in 5/49 (10%), and pathological fracture, DVT and septic shock in 2/49 (4%) each. Complicated disease was associated with locally advanced disease, a higher number of surgeries, disseminated disease and an increased length of stay. Sixty five percent of cases cultured Staphylococcus aureus, while 25% (12/49) were culture negative. The median time from admission to surgery was one day, and the median time from onset of symptoms to surgery was seven days. We found a high complication rate. One third of patients had locally advanced disease, and this was associated with the development of complications and disseminated disease. Further studies are needed to be able to predict which children will have poor outcomes

Open tibia fractures are common injuries in our paediatric population and are often associated with high-energy trauma such as pedestrian-vehicle accidents. At our institution, these injuries are routinely treated with debridement and mono-lateral external fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of open tibia fractures treated according to this protocol, as well as the complication rate and factors contributing to the development of complications. We performed a retrospective folder review of all patients with open tibia fractures that were treated according to our protocol from 2015–2019. Patients treated by other means, who received primary treatment elsewhere, and with insufficient data, were excluded. Data was collected on presenting demographics, injury characteristics, management, and clinical course. Complications were defined as pin tract infections, delayed- or non-union, malunion, growth arrest, and neurovascular injury. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. One-hundred-and-fifteen fractures in 114 children (82 males) with a median age of 7 years (IQR 6–9) were included in the analysis. Pedestrian vehicle accidents (PVA's) accounted for 101 (88%) of fractures, and the tibial diaphysis was affected in 74 cases (64%). Fracture severity was equally distributed among the Gustillo-Anderson grades. The median Abbreviated Injury Score was 4 (IQR 4;5). Ninety-five fractures (83%) progressed to uneventful union within 7 weeks. Twenty patients (17%) developed complications, with delayed union and fracture site infections being the most common complications. Gustillo-Anderson Grade 3 fractures, an increased Abbreviated Injury Score, and the need for advanced wound closure techniques were risk factors for developing complications. Surgical debridement and external fixation in a simple mono-lateral frame is an effective treatment for open tibia fractures in children and good outcomes were seen in 83% of patients. More severe injuries requiring advanced wound closure were associated with the development of complications

Introduction and Aims: To determine the optimum management of growth arrests secondary to meningococcal septicaemia. Method: A retrospective study of 28 children treated in children’s hospitals in the UK for long bone deformities caused by growth plate arrests secondary to meningococcal septicaemia. Results: 28 children (age range four to eight years) with growth arrests of the long bones following meningococcal septicaemia were treated for their bony deformities (a limb length discrepancy or a progressive angular deformity of the upper or lower limb) using the Ilizarov technique. Resection of bony blocks was ineffective in preventing progressive deformities. Limb length discrepancies were treated satisfactorily with equalisation of limb lengths. Angular deformities required ablation of the remaining part of the affected growth plate in order to prevent recurrence. Distal tibial deformities were treated satisfactorily with a transepiphyseal osteotomy. In the upper limb lengthening of either the radius or ulna restored alignment to the wrist. One patient with a growth arrest affecting a tibial amputation stump underwent satisfactory stump realignment and lengthening. Limb lengthening will need to be repeated in younger children, as the deformity will recur with growth until skeletal maturity. Conclusion: The Ilizarov technique enables satisfactory treatment of growth deformities secondary to meningococcal septicaemia. With peripheral growth plate arrests causing an angular deformity the remaining open growth plate needs to be ablated to prevent recurrence of the angular deformity. Any recurrence will then be a shortening only, which can be treated by further lengthening if required

Meningococcal septicaemia from meningococcal infection is a devastating illness affecting children. Advances in medical management have reduced the mortality rate to approximately 15 to 20% and children who survive can develop late orthopaedic sequelae from growth plate arrests with resultant complex deformities. Our aim in this study was to review and analyze the case histories of a series of patients with late orthopaedic sequelae, all treated by the senior author. We describe a treatment strategy to address the multiple deformities that may occur in these patients. Methods & Results Between 1990 and 2009, 12 patients were treated for late orthopaedic sequelae after meningococcal septicaemia by the senior author. There were 8 girls and 4 boys. All patients had lower limb involvement. 1 patient had involvement of the upper limb requiring treatment. Each patient had had a mean of 3 operations (range from 2 to 9). Methods of treatment included a combination of angular deformity correction, limb lengthening and epiphysiodesis. At final follow-up 9 of the 12 patients were skeletally mature. In 9 patients limb length discrepancy in the lower limb was corrected to within 1 cm, with normalization of the lower limb mechanical axis. Conclusion. Meningococcal septicaemia can lead to late orthopaedic sequelae due to growth plate arrests. Central growth plate arrests leads to limb length discrepancy, and partial growth plate arrests leads to an angular deformity. In addition, limb amputations may occur and there may be altered growth of the stump requiring further surgery. In cases of central growth arrest with limb shortening alone, limb equalisation is performed with limb lengthening procedures. In cases of partial growth arrests, angular correction is performed together with ablation of the affected growth plate. We recommend ablation of the affected growth plates at the initial surgery to prevent recurrence of angular deformity. Angular correction can be performed acutely, with a dome or transphyseal osteotomy; or gradually, with application of Ilizarov or Taylor Spatial frames. Severe deformities of the tibial plateau are treated by plateau elevation with bone graft augmentation. With the appropriate strategy deformities can be corrected and further lengthening procedures can be undertaken if necessary. Long-term follow-up of these patients is essential to recognise and treat any recurrence of deformity