We report the results of a retrospective review of patients that underwent distal tibial deformity correction with transphyseal or supramalleolar osteotomy with or without tibial lengthening. The aims of the procedures performed were to obtain equal leg length, restore the alignment of the ankle joint and tibio—fibular relationship. Supramalleolar osteotomy enables deformity correction, can be combined with lengthening and is appropriate where the tibio—fibular relationship is normal. When the tibio—fibular relationship is abnormal, as is often the case with bone dysplasias, differential tibio—fibular lengthening can be performed. If physeal arrest has occurred, for example after sepsis, deformity correction can be achieved with a transphyseal osteotomy allowing correction and ensuring epiphysiodesis. When the fibular length is excessive, transphyseal osteotomy can be combined with a fibular shortening. Our review encompassed 12 patients over a period of 10 years with 5 having deformity after previous meningococcal septicaemia, 4 with fibular hemimelia, 2 with a history of previous trauma and 1 with deformity occurring after a compartment syndrome as a consequence of snake bite. Seven transphyseal osteotomies were performed in 5 patients (2 bilateral), 4 with deformity secondary to meningococcal septicaemia and 1 with deformity secondary to previous trauma. After 1 transphyseal osteotomy there was recurrent distal tibial deformity (14%) which occurred within 1 year requiring a later supramalleolar dome osteotomy. Of the other 6 transphyseal osteotomies all healed with no residual leg—length inequality or deformity. Seven patients underwent supramalleolar osteotomies with all healing and recurrent deformity occurring in 1 patient (14%). Future lengthening is required in 2 patients and 1 patient will undergo a subtalar joint arthrodesis for a painful valgus hindfoot. Distal tibial deformity correction is challenging but our results show that providing the stated principles are adhered to, successful management with an acceptable recurrent deformity rate is possible.

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.

Purpose

To document the incidence and nature of complications associated with hemiepiphysiodesis using a screw and plate device (8-plate, Orthofix).

Purpose: The Ponseti method of clubfoot treatment has revolutionised the management of this condition. Prior to the introduction of the Ponseti regime to the UK in the late 1990’s children were frequently treated by open surgical releases. The aim of our study is to compare the patient’s perspective of outcome following Ilizarov treatment against the long-term outcome generated by the formal scoring systems.

Method: We identified nine patients and 14 feet from the theatre logbooks, treated by the senior author (CB), with recurrent deformity of idiopathic clubfeet, using an ilizarov external fixator between 1994 and 1996. A variety of objective and subjective scoring systems were used to compare the results following Ilizarov treatment.

Results: International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) scores on six patients gave two excellent feet, one good foot, four fair feet and one poor foot. Giving an excellent/ good rate of only 37.5% with a mean follow up of 13.5 years. The Reinker & Carpenter scoring system resulted in five feet graded as excellent, one as good and two were rated poor. Giving an excellent/good rate of 75%. Functional questioning was also undertaken, six of seven (85%) patients deemed their treatment a success and were glad to have undergone treatment with an ilizarov frame. All but one patient is in higher education pursuing a vocational career or are in full time employment.

Conclusion: Our results show that 85% of our patients who were treated with an Ilizarov frame for correction of a relapsed clubfoot were happy with their long term outcome. Thus the patient’s perspective of the long term results of Ilizarov treatment for relapsed club foot are very encouraging. These results do not appear to correlate well with the International Clubfoot Study Group scores.

We report the our experience of using the Sheffield intra-medullary telescoping nail system for managing recurrent fractures and deformity problems in the long bones of the lower limbs. 15 children with conditions like osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia and neurofibromatosis were operated from the years 1993 to 2001 and followed up for a mean period of five years nine months. The average age at the time of the initial nailing was six years. In all, 21 femurs and 10 tibiae were nailed.

A total of thirteen complications were noted in seven patients, including re-fractures with the nail-in-situ in seven bones, migration of the rods in four bones, fracture of the nail and one sub-clinical infection after femur nailing. Nine revision operations were necessary to address these problems including removal of the infected nail. All these revisions were successful. The estimated 5 year cumulative survival rate was 73% for femur and 75% for tibia. We have not experienced any evidence of epiphyseal damage after the procedure. All our patients can ambulate independently now.

Elongating intramedullary rods are ideal in children with any condition that can cause recurrent fractures or limb deformity as they improve walking capability and prevent further deformity.

Introduction: Fibular hemimelia (FH) is a congenital limb reduction deficiency characterised by partial or complete absence of the fibula and a spectrum of associated anomalies. For children with a major anticipated limb length discrepancy and severe foot deformity, management (amputation or limb reconstruction) is controversial.

Materials and Methods: 8 children who are now adults (average age 28 years) underwent limb reconstruction as children in one of two UK centres for severe fibular hemimelia. All 8 participants were recalled to our institution for instrumented gait analysis. The SF-36 and lower limb domains of the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) questionnaires were also administered.

Results: Partcipants scored well for general health but had functional limitations reflected in lower TESS scores. Kinematic analysis revealed decreased sagittal knee motion and valgus knee alignment. Also ubiquitous were anterior pelvic tilt and obliquity with incomplete hip extension and reduced range of hip abduction. Kinetic analysis showed reduced peak plantar flexion moment with reduced push-off power and an internal hip adduction moment in late stance. These parameters are compared to control data for below knee amputees.

Discussion and conclusions: Although the number of participants is small, this is the first study to use instrumented gait analysis for severe fibular hemimelia managed with limb reconstruction. The results add objective data to the debate over limb reconstruction or amputation in this group of children.

We present a review of 195 patients attending hip ultrasound clinic from June 2005–2006 to assess for hip dysplasia. 51 dysplastic hips were identified and if appropriate were treated with a Pavlik harness. Follow up was continued until ultrasound was normal. However three cases (7%) were found to be dysplastic on further follow up. Whilst this study does not prove the existence of ‘late’ dysplasia occurring in hips that were normal at birth, it does show that hips treated to normality in the first six months of life can develop recurrent dysplasia. It suggests that weaning from Pavlik harness maybe appropriate and highlights the need for long term follow up for dysplastic hips with pelvic x-ray at 5 months.

Purpose of study: To report the use of a forearm fascial strip to repair the annular ligament and treat late diagnosed or irreducible Monteggia fracture.

Methods: Through Boyd’s approach nineteen patients with Monteggia fractures were treated with a technique to reconstruct the annular ligament using forearm fascia, retaining its proximal attachment to the ulna. The radial head was dislocated and the fascial strip wound around the neck of the radius. After reducing the radial head, forearm rotation was checked. The strip was sutured to the residual annular ligament on the proximal ulna after correction of any ulna deformity. In late diagnosis, the ulna deformity was managed with ulna lengthening of approximately 0.5 cm and stabilization with a 4- or 5- hole semi-tubular AO plate. The stability of the radial head was then assessed using intra-operative fluoroscopy.

Results: Stability of the radial head was achieved in all cases. According to the Anderson classification, the final outcome was excellent in ten cases satisfactory in eight cases and unsatisfactory in one late diagnosed patient with an associated radioulnar synostosis secondary to a compartment syndrome. There were no failures. Two radiocapitellar K-wires broke while in plaster in the initial period, so the use of a K wire was subsequently abandoned.

Conclusions: We have found this technique to be reliable for stabilizing the proximal radioulnar joint. The length of the incision is less than that required for the Bell Tawse (triceps tendon) technique and permits a tourniquet on the upper arm. Poorer results were achieved with delay in diagnosis beyond 6 months.

Patients must be warned of potential reduction of forearm rotation.

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.

Introduction: Meningococcal septicemia is a devastating illness that primarily affects children. Late orthopaedic sequelae, though rare, are being seen more frequently as acute medical management has reduced the initial mortality rate.

Aims: To review the case histories and discuss the management of these children.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical notes and radiographs was undertaken at the participating hospitals. Outcomes assessed included clinical & radiologic outcome, limb length equalization and correction of the mechanical axis.

Results: Between 1990 and 2000, twenty patients aged 2 to7 years presented to the orthopaedic departments of the participating hospitals with late sequelae. On average presentation wasf 4 years (2 – 6) after the acute phase of the disease. The reasons for referral included angular deformity, limb length discrepancy, joint con-tracture or problems with prosthetic fitting. The lower limbs were involved more frequently than the upper limbs. In fourteen children multiple growth plates were affected. Partial growth arrest was the cause of the angular deformity and limb length discrepancy. All twenty children underwent operations for realignment of the mechanical axis and equalization of limb length. Recurrence of the angular deformity was almost universal.

Conclusion: Children who survive meningococcal septicaemia are at risk for developing late orthopaedic sequelae. Lower limbs are more commonly affected with deformities of limb length and axis. We recommend complete ablation of the affected growth plates at the initial surgery to prevent recurrence of the angular deformity. Further limb length equalization procedures can be anticipated. Early recognition and orthopaedic follow-up to skeletal maturity is essential for minimizing the effects of these sequelae.

This study assessed the role of Ilizarov technique, using soft tissue distraction, in correction of radial club hand deformities.

Five patients (6 deformities) with grade IV radial hemimelia (radial aplasia) were studied. There were three boys and two girls aged 2 to 8 years. One boy had bilateral involvement with TAR syndrome. One girl had bilateral involvement with VATER syndrome. One other boy had unilateral involvement with Holt Oram syndrome. The thumb was absent in three cases and hypoplastic in one case. The preoperative deformity measured 95 degrees (range 60–105 degrees). This was corrected using gradual soft tissue distraction with an Ilizarov fixator. Complete correction of the hand deformity was achieved over a period of 4–6 weeks. In two hands, rebalancing tendon transfers were performed in order to try and maintain correction. Following frame removal in both these patients, the deformity recurred despite splintage. Subsequently, four hands were treated with tendon transfers along with wrist stabilisation using intramedullary K-wires. The correction was maintained in all these cases.

It is concluded that the Ilizarov technique can be used to achieve complete correction of radial club hand deformity but that correction can only be maintained by intramedullary stabilisation. The technique is well tolerated by patients and is more physiological when compared to the conventional treatment with wrist centralisation.