Aims. To systematically review the efficacy of split tendon transfer surgery on gait-related outcomes for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and spastic equinovarus foot deformity. Methods. Five databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) were systematically screened for studies investigating split
Specific brace-fitting complications in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) have been rarely described in published series, and usually focus on non-compliance. Our primary aim was to compare the rate of persistent pressure sores in patients fitted with Markell boots and Mitchell boots. Our additional aims were to describe the frequency of other brace fitting complications and identify age trends in these complications. A retrospective analysis of medical files of 247 idiopathic CTEV patients born between 01/01/2010 - 01/01/2021 was performed. Data was collected using a REDCap database. Pressure sores of sufficient severity for clinician to recommend time out of brace occurred in 22.9% of Mitchell boot and 12.6% of Markell boot patients (X. 2. =6.9, p=0.009). The overall rate of bracing complications was 51.4%. 33.2% of parents admitted to bracing non-compliance and 31.2% of patients required re-casting during the bracing period for relapse. For patients with a minimum follow-up of age 6 years, 44.2% required
Ponseti method has become the most common and validated initial non-operative and/or minimally invasive treatment modality of idiopathic clubfoot regardless of the severity of the deformity worldwide. Despite hundreds of publications in the literature favoring Ponseti method, the data about secondary procedures performed in the follow-up period of clubfoot and their incidence remains sparse and given as small details in the articles. The objective of this study was to analyse our incidence of secondary procedures performed in the midterm followup period of idiopathic clubfoot patients treated with Ponseti method and review of the relevant literature. For this purpose 86 feet of 60 patients with idiopathic clubfoot who were treated with original Ponseti method were enrolled in this retrospective case control study. Unilateral ankle foot orthosis (AFO) was used rather than standart bar-connected foot abduction orthosis varying from 12 months to 25 months in the follow-up period and 74 of 86 (86%) feet required percutaneous achilles tenotomy. The average age of initial cast treatment was 12.64 days (range 1 to 102 days). The mean follow-up time was 71 months (range 19 to 153 months). Thirty seven feet of 24 patients recieved secondary procedures (43%) consisting of; supramalleolary derotational osteotomy (SMDO) (1 patient/2 feet), complete subtalar release (3 patients/5 feet), medial opening lateral closing osteotomy (double osteotomy) (2 patients/3 feet), double osteotomy with transfer of
Purpose of study and background. Psychological factors are considered to play a role in development and maintenance of chronic low back pain (CLBP). Stress or anxiety can change pain sensitivity; however, this has predominantly been studied in healthy individuals with limited work in individuals with musculoskeletal pain. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of acute exposure to a psychosocial stressor on mechanical pain sensitivity in individuals with and without CLBP. Summary of methods and results. Six individuals with CLBP and 10 individuals without CLBP performed a 10-minute computer task under conditions of low and high psychosocial stress. Psychosocial stress was manipulated using mental maths and memory tasks combined with social evaluative threat. The effect of the stressor was evaluated using blood pressure, heart rate and the state anxiety component of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Index. Mechanical pressure pain threshold (PPT) was recorded on the
Introduction: Activated platelets release various growth factors, some ot which are recognize to improve nerve regeneration. The present study evaluated the effect of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) in end to end neurorraphy. Material and method: A total of 38 Spragle-Dawley rats were used. The PRP was obteined from each rat and applicated to the same rat. The left hind limb were used as experimental, with the right as control. The animals were treated in two grups. In both groups the sciatic nerve was dissected from the sciatic notch to the bifurcation. The nerve was transected an repaired with epineural suture (ethilon 9–0). Group A (n=12): suture without PRP. Group B (n=15) suture with PRP. The rats were anestherized and electromyographic studie was performed after the following, 120,5 days for group A and 125,86 for group B. Prior to sacrifice muscular and nerve tissue harvesting was performed. The amplitude was expressed as the amplitude at the experimental sde divided by the amplitude at the contralateral, untreated side, multiplied by 100%. Recording was done in gastrocnemius and
Purpose. This study aimed to objectively define gait derangements and changes before and after Tibialis Anterior Tendon Transfer surgery in a group of patients treated using the Ponseti method. Methods. 21 feet in 13 patients with Ponseti treated clubfoot who showed supination in swing on clinical examination, underwent gait analysis before, and approximately 12 months after, Tibialis Anterior Tendon transfer. 3–4 weekly casts were applied prior to the surgery, which was performed by transfer of the complete TA tendon to the lateral cuneiform. A parental satisfaction questionnaire was also completed. Results. In all but one patient, increased supination in swing phase was confirmed on pre-operative gait analysis, with EMG evidence of poor Tibialis Anterior modulation through-out the gait cycle. Post-operatively all patients showed improved positioning at initial contact, with heel strike and an absence of supination, and a decrease in swing phase supination. In all patients, knees were overly flexed at initial contact, some continuing through stance phase; there was no change seen postoperatively. All parents reported marked improvements in gait and activity level post-operatively. Conclusion. Gait analysis can be useful to confirm the need for
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 congenital abnormalities (four arthrogryposis, two digitotalar dysmorphism) and six had associated neurological abnormalities (three microcephalic, three spinal dysraphism). Only two patients had surgery after the age of 18 months. The mean age at surgery was 14.7 months (6 to 51). In 15 feet a two-stage procedure was performed. Lengthening of the extensor tendons, notably
Introduction: Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) children are often treated with ankle-foot orthoses (AFO′s) in order to resist abnormal motion patterns and to restore normal function. It has been shown that AFOs are successful in improving pre-positioning of the foot for initial heel strike in CP patients. The myoelectric signal (EMG) during gait provides valuable information with respect to timing of muscular activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in timing of muscle activation in children with hemipelegic CP during gait with and without wearing AFOs. Patients/Materials and Methods: Eight Children (5 boys, 3 girls; mean age 9.5±1.4 years) with mild to moderate hemiplegic CP and no prior surgeries or fixed contractures were studied. The children were tested barefoot and wearing a hinged AFO and shoes. Only children with an initial toe-strike barefoot and a physiological heel-strike with the AFO were included. All children performed a 3-dimensional gait analysis. At least six trials with clear forceplate data have to be collected for each of the two testing condition. Frontal and sagittal video recording took place. A sSurface EMG of vastus medialis/lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps fem-oris, semimembranosus/semitendinosus, gastrocnemius lateralis (only barefoot), and
Aim. 10 years after the introduction of the Ponseti casting regimen as standard treatment for idiopathic clubfoot at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, we reviewed the mid-term outcomes of the initial 2-year cohort (treated from 2002–2004). Method. 100 feet were treated in 66 patients. 61 of the 100 feet have been prospectively reviewed on an annual/ bi-annual basis since successful correction, with outcomes of the remaining feet obtained by retrospective analysis. Results. 96 feet responded to initial casting; of these, 31 had a recurrence within the first 2 years (16 of which were successfully treated by repeat casting and/or tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of
Aim. To compare outcomes for children treated for idiopathic clubfeet with the Ponseti regimen before (2002–2004) and after (2005–2006) implementation of a dedicated Ponseti service. Method. A retrospective analysis of outcomes for all patients with idiopathic clubfeet treated in the 2 years before and after implementation of a dedicated Ponseti service was undertaken. Results were statistically analysed using Fisher's exact t-test. Results. In the original cohort treated between 2002–2004, with an ad-hoc service where children were treated in general paediatric orthopaedic clinics by a number of different consultants, 100 feet in 66 children were treated. 96 feet (96%) responded to initial casting. 85 feet (85%) required tendo-achilles tenotomy. 31 feet had a recurrence within the first 2 years (16 of which were successfully treated by repeat casting and/or tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of
Introduction. Shoes with a rocker sole are commonly prescribed following forefoot surgery to redistribute pressure towards the heel. By shifting the body weight backwards, does the rocker shoe adversely effect balance and so disturb normal muscle activity? This study investigated the effects of the Darco post-operative shoe, and the impact of a contralateral shoe raise, on forefoot pressure, posture and balance. Materials and Methods. Fourteen healthy volunteers were investigated (age 36 ±10.8 yrs 11 females) either wearing (1) left Darco shoe and right standard shoe with/without a 5cm temporary shoe raise (Algeos Ltd) (2) two standard shoes. Postural sway was measured while standing with eyes open/closed and on/off a foam block. Dynamic balance was measured while stepping forwards/backwards and walking. Measurements of foot pressure (TECSKAN Inc USA), 3D body motion (Codamotion, UK) and surface electromyography of lower limb muscles were taken. Results were analysed using a repeated measures ANOVA. Results. The rocker shoe was associated with a 84% (±14) decrease in mean peak medial forefoot pressure a posterior shift of 0.9 cm (±1) in the centre of pressure (COP) and a 223% (±127) increase in
We assessed three children who had limb salvage surgery for sarcomata of the proximal fibula. Their ages ranged from 6 to 13 years. MRI showed involvement of the anterior, lateral and deep posterior compartments. Incisional biopsy showed two osteoblastic osteosarcomata and one Ewing’s sarcoma. Preoperative angiogram confirmed that the tibialis posterior artery was the main blood supply to the foot. The surgical technique was as described by Malawer (1984): via an anterolateral incision, the anterior, lateral and deep posterior compartments were excised en bloc with the proximal fibula. The peroneal artery was sacrificed in all three patients, and the common peroneal nerve and
Purpose: The use of allografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has gained increased popularity. The major benefits of allograft for ACL replacement include decreased morbidity, easier patient rehabilitation and include ease of surgical procedure, decreased harvest site morbidity and easier patient rehabilitation. Further, allografts have improved appeal because of better sterilization techniques, improve graft availability and decreased hospital costs.|The objective of this study was to perform mechanical testing on various types of allograft. Specimens for allograft reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament included
We evaluated 28 patients, 52 feet with flaccid paraparesis (27 MMC, 1 neonatal paraplegia) in which a posterior transference of the
Introduction. It has been postulated that a mild clubfoot does better than a severe clubfoot no matter what treatment course is taken. There have been previous efforts to classify clubfoot. For units worldwide that use the Ponseti Method of clubfoot management, the Pirani scoring system is widely used. This scoring system has previously been shown to predict the number of plasters required to gain correction. Our study aimed to investigate whether the Pirani score gave an indication of longer-term outcome using
Introduction. The rate of total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery continues to dramatically rise in the United States, with over 300,000 procedures performed in 2010. Although a relatively safe procedure, THA is not without complications. These complications include acetabular fracture, heterotopic ossification, implant failure, and nerve palsy to name a few. The rates of neurologic injury for a primary THA are reported as 0.7–3.5%. These rates increase to 7.6% for revision THA. The direct anterior total hip arthroplasty (DATHA) is gaining popularity amongst orthopedic surgeons. Many of these surgeons elect to use the Hana® table during this procedure for optimal positioning capability. Although intraoperative mobility and positioning of the hip joint during DATHA improves operative access, select positions of the limb put certain neurologic structures at risk. The most commonly reported neurologic injuries in this regard are to the sciatic and femoral nerves. To our knowledge, the use of neuromonitoring during DATHA, especially those using the Hana® table, has not been described in the literature. Methods. The patient was a 60-year-old male with long standing osteoarthritis of the right hip and prior left THA. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) leads were placed bilaterally into the hand (ulnar nerve) as well as the popliteal fossae (posterior tibial nerve). Unilateral electromyography leads were placed into the vastus medialis obliquus, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius,
Background. Administration of Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in patients with spastic cerebral palsy aims to improve mobility by increasing joint range of motion and decreasing passive resistance. However, our recent animal experiments indicated that BTX-A can decrease muscle”s length range of force exertion (Lrange), and increase its passive forces and extracellular matrix (ECM) collagen content. Moreover, BTX-A injected into the
To evaluate the outcome of combined
There are numerous causes of cavovarus feet, the most common of which are the hereditary motor and sensory peripheral neuropathies. Regardless of the underlying aetiology, cavovarus feet are caused by muscle imbalance. Often the imbalance is between a relatively strong tibialis posterior acting against a weaker peroneus brevis, and a relatively weak
To assess outcomes following a radical approach to cases of compartment syndrome in which a significant degree of muscle necrosis is found, 4 paediatric and adolescent patients with a delayed diagnosis of compartment syndrome in which muscle necrosis in single or multiple compartments were treated by radical debridement of necrotic tissue and reconstruction of the anterior compartment through transfer of peroneus brevis to extensor digitorum and hallucis longus tendons. Where suitable, a free vascularised and innervated gracilis muscle transfer to the