Guided growth is commonly performed by placing an extra-periosteal two-hole plate across the growth plate with one epiphyseal and one metaphyseal screw. Recent work by Keshet et al. (2019) investigated the efficacy of the removal of the metaphyseal screw only (“sleeper plate”) after correction. They concluded the practice to be unnecessary as only 19% of patient show recurrence of deformity. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence of rebound and undesired bony in-growth of the plate (“tethering”) after metaphyseal screw removal only. In this retrospective case series, patient data on 144 plates inserted around the knee was obtained. Plates still in situ (n=69) at time of study and full hardware removal (n=50) were excluded. The remaining 25 plates had a metaphyseal screw only removed after deformity correction. We analyzed the rate of re-bound, tethering and maintenance of correction in two age groups at latest follow-up for a mean of 3.5 years (1.25 to five). Fisher's exact test with Freeman-Halton extension was used to analyze the two by three contingency table. Twenty-five plates were identified as “sleeper plates” in our series. 13 plates (52%) maintained the achieved correction after a mean of 21 months (four to 39), nine plates (36%) required screw re-insertion due to rebound after a mean of 22 months (12-48) from screw removal, and four plates (16%) showed tethering with undesired continuation of guided growth after a mean of 14 months (seven to 22) from screw removal. Younger patients (years at time of plate insertion) had higher rates of rebound and tethering (p=.0112, Fisher's exact test). All Tethering occurred in titanium plates, none occurred in steel plates. The sleeper plate is an acceptable treatment strategy for coronal deformities around the knee. Rebounding and tethering are potential outcomes that occur in younger patients and should be disclosed to patients; titanium plates may increase the risk of tethering, however further long-term follow-up is needed. We stress the importance of close post-operative follow up to identify tethering early and prevent over correction. The sleeper plate technique is a viable option in younger children with
Osteoarthritis (OA) is mainly caused by ageing, strain, trauma, and
Treatment of large bone defects represents a great challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The main causes are
Complex congenital foot deformities pose a challenge to the surgeon due to poor results after extensive surgery. We report the clinical outcomes of children with complex congenital foot deformities treated with UMEX® (Universal mini-external fixator System) frames. This is a prospective review of our experience in patients treated in this way, from 2004 to 2011. The indications for treatment included resistant/recurrent Congenital Talipes Equino Varus (CTEV), cavo-varus deformity secondary to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, arthrogryposis, fibular hemimelia and other
We report the clinical outcomes of children with complex congenital foot deformities treated with UMEX® mini-external fixators. This is a prospective review of our experience in patients treated in this way, from 2004. The indications for treatment were resistant/recurrent Congenital Talus Equina Varus(CTEV), cavo-varus deformity secondary to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, arthrogryposis, fibular hemimelia and other
Background: The incidence of intra-spinal
Incidence of Congenital talipes equino varus [CTEV] is 1 to 2 per 1000 birth, Out of all cases 20% cases are Non-idiopathic. The management of non-idiopathic CTEV, however, continues to be challenging due to Rigidity, Poor skin condition, Bony changes, Vascularity and Associated
Clubfoot is one of the commonest
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing across many domains, of which the medical field is no exception. AI is an umbrella term defining the practical application of algorithms to generate useful output, without the need of human cognition. Owing to the expanding volume of patient information collected, known as ‘big data’, AI is showing promise as a useful tool in healthcare research and across all aspects of patient care pathways. Practical applications in orthopaedic surgery include: diagnostics, such as fracture recognition and tumour detection; predictive models of clinical and patient-reported outcome measures, such as calculating mortality rates and length of hospital stay; and real-time rehabilitation monitoring and surgical training. However, clinicians should remain cognizant of AI’s limitations, as the development of robust reporting and validation frameworks is of paramount importance to prevent avoidable errors and biases. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI and its subfields, as well as to delineate its existing clinical applications in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Furthermore, this narrative review expands upon the limitations of AI and future direction. Cite this article:
Background. The incidence of scoliosis is 2/1000 population in the UK with 80% being idiopathic. In the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast there are approximately 25 scoliosis operations per year, the majority are for idiopathic causes and are limited to posterior instrumentation and fusion. It is current practice in this hospital to use a cell salvage machine for every case managed by nursing staff. Objective. To ascertain the requirement for and the economical viability of cell salvage during posterior instrumented scoliosis surgery. Method. Retrospective study looking at 35 charts of patients who had undergone scoliosis surgery (4 were excluded – 3 fracture patients and 1 patient aged 59). We looked at pre-operative haemoglobin, intra-operative blood loss and the need for post-operative transfusion. Results. Average age of patient 15.4 years; 28/31 causes were idiopathic; average blood loss 1282 mls (only 11 charts had it recorded); average pre-operative Hb 13.9; 7 patients required transfusion, 3 of which received cell salvaged blood only (average volume of cell salvaged blood was 148mls) and 2 out of 3 patients with neuromuscular disorders required blood transfusion. To make cell salvage economically viable it has been calculated that approximately 400 cases need to be performed– in our unit this would equate to 16 years assuming each patient yielded 1 unit of blood. Conclusion. This study does not support the routine use of a Cell Saver in posterior instrumented fusion scoliosis surgery in the population group. However, in patient with underlying neuromuscular and
Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is a rare
Aim: Assessment of unilateral Sprengel’s deformity using CT scan with 3-D reconstruction in order to determine if there are sub-groups in which different procedures maybe appropriate. Materials and Methods: Between 1996 and 2002, 14 consecutive patients with unilateral Sprengel’s deformity were assessed using CT scanning with 3-D reconstruction. Size, shape, elevation and rotation of the scapulae and glenoid were measured. The incidence of omovertebral connections and
Introduction: The UMEX system of external skeletal fixation has been widely used on the Indian subcontinent since its development by Dr. B.B. Joshi of Mumbai. The system employs a method of gradual distraction with manual correction of deformity. It has applications to both the upper and lower limbs, both in Orthopaedic and Traumatic conditions. This paper aims to introduce the system to members of B.S.C.O.S. as an alternative method of correction of the relapsed clubfoot. It has a use in other Paediatric and Adult foot deformities. The system is light and easy to apply, and unlike some other methods of external fixation is cheap and well tolerated by patients and their parents. Results: This paper will describe the use of the device in the first 3 patients with club foot and with 2 others, one with deformity secondary to neurological abnormality, one patient with
The aim of this study was to ascertain the results and effectiveness of targeted screening of babies. All the newborn babies (30585 births from 1997 to 2002) in the geographical area served by our trust were assessed by the paediatricians (neonatologists) and general practitioners (GP). They were assessed for abnormal hip examination finding including clinical instability and risk factors for DDH. The risk factors were positive family history, abnormal lie or presentation other than vertex during pregnancy or at birth, oligohydramnios or other
Aims: The purpose of this study is the evaluation of the ultrasound screening process for DDH in a population of neonates from the prefecture of Chania, in Western Crete, an area with a history of excessively high incidence of DDH. Methods: Within the period between 1/7/99 and 1/7/01 (24 months) 1247 neonates (2494 hips) were examined clinically and ultrasonograþcally (transverse, oblique, dynamique views), all babies whose parents both descend from this area for generations. They were referred by a paediatrician for one or more of the following reasons: limited hip abduction (48%), hip laxity (6%), positive family DDH history (27%), musculoskeletal
From mid-1992 to 2000 and in conjunction with our paediatric department, we have run a screening program to detect
Tissue engineering can be deþned as any effort to create or induce the formation of a speciþc tissue in a speciþc location through the selection and manipulation of cells, matrices, and biologic stimuli. The biologic concepts and the biochemical and biophysical principles on which these efforts are based have become a rapidly evolving þeld of biomedical research. More importantly, tissue engineering is becoming a clinical reality in the practice of orthopaedic surgery, providing patients and physicians with an expanding set of practical tools for effective therapy. The efþcacy of all current clinical tools depends entirely on the cells in the grafted site, particularly the small subset of stem cells and progenitor cells that are capable of generating new tissue. The current author reviews a series of key biologic concepts related to the rational design and selection of cells in contemporary bone grafting and tissue engineering efforts. The functional paradigms of stem cell biology are reviewed and sources for autogenous stem cells for connective tissues are discussed. Finally a technique to obtain stem cells for the treatment of non unions is described. We included 48 patients: 38 cases of post-traumatic non union (12 of them with infection); 4 non unions following arthrodesis (3 knees, 1 tibiotarsal); 4 cases with Illizarov technique; 2 patients with
Tissue engineering can be defined as any effort to create or induce the formation of a specific tissue in a specific location through the selection and manipulation of cells, matrices, and biologic stimuli. The biologic concepts and the biochemical and biophysical principles on which these efforts are based have become a rapidly evolving field of biomedical research. More importantly, tissue engineering is becoming a clinical reality in the practice of orthopaedic surgery, providing patients and physicians with an expanding set of practical tools for effective therapy. The efficacy of all current clinical tools depends entirely on the cells in the grafted site, particularly the small subset of stem cells and progenitor cells that are capable of generating new tissue. The current author reviews a series of key biologic concepts related to the rational design and selection of cells in contemporary bone grafting and tissue engineering efforts. The functional paradigms of stem cell biology are reviewed and sources for autogenous stem cells for connective tissues are discussed. Finally a technique to obtain stem cells for the treatment of non unions is described. We included 48 patients: 38 cases of posttraumatic non union (12 of them with infection); 4 non unions following arthrodesis (3 knees, 1 tibiotarsal); 4 cases with Illizarov technique; 2 patients with
We reviewed 19 patients (30 feet) with congenital vertical talus treated surgically between 1987 and 1999, 22 of them by the same surgeon. The etiological diagnosis was idiopathic in seven patients. Six patients had associated
Prolonged survival have been reached in the last two decades in patients with Ewing’s sarcoma due to combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We report the analysis of 493 patients treated according to 4 different protocols in 23 years (Jan1983- Dec 2006).Aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of late toxicities as Second Malignant Neoplasms (SMN), Cardiomyopathies and sterility. Methods: We reviewed our database to find out all those patients aged from 1 to 40 yrs with localized Ewing’s sarcoma who were treated with chemotherapy according to 4 different protocols from 1983 to December 2006. Data were updated at Dec 2008. Results: 493 patients had adequate follow up and meet the eligibility criteria. Median age was 16 yrs (1–40) female/male: 183/310.Median overall survival 69 ms (4–302).220 patients died and 273 are alive. 44 pts received HDCT + PBSCR.Eleven SMN were found : 2 AMLeukemia, 2 parotid adenocarcinoma, 1 melanoma, 1 thyroid cancer and 5 radioinduced osteosarcoma. The interval between Ewing’s sarcoma diagnosis and leukaemia diagnosis was shorter then interval between Ewing’s sarcoma and RT osteosarcoma. Six patients reported a Cardiomyopathy : in 4 cases it was mild and pts are well compensated,2 patients needed heart transplant,. One of these two pts received also a kidney transplant due to chronic renal failure due to previous chemotherapy. Fertility: 17 women became pregnant after chemotherapy, 20 women experienced postTx amenorrea: 7 pts received RT in pelvic area, 9 did HDCT, 3 pts were over 30 yrs old. 9 male became father. 8 male patients did sperm analysis 3 azospermia, 4 oligospermia and 1 normal sperm count. No