Introduction

Through the paediatric LCP Hip plating system, the highly successful technique of the locking compression plate used in adult surgery, has been incorporated in a system dedicated to paediatrics. The purpose of this study was to review the outcome of the paediatric LCP Hip plate use in children, both with and without neuromuscular disease, for fixation of proximal femoral osteotomy for a variety of indications.

Through the paediatric LCP Hip plating system (Synthes GmBH Eimattstrasse 3 CH- 4436 Oberdorff), the highly successful technique of the locking compression plate used in adult surgery, has been incorporated in a system dedicated to pediatrics. We are presenting the outcome of the paediatric LCP hip plating system used for a variety of indications in our institution.

We retrospectively reviewed the notes and radiographs of all those children who have had Paediatric LCP Plate for the fixation of proximal femoral osteotomy and proximal femur fractures in our institution, between October 2007 and July 2010, for their clinical progress, mobilization status, radiological healing and any complications.

Forty-three Paediatric LCP hip plates were used in forty patients (24 males and 13 females) for the fixation of proximal femoral osteotomies (n=40) and proximal femur fractures (n=3). The osteotomies were performed for a variety of indications including Perthes disease, developmental dysplasia of hip, Cerebral Palsy, Down's syndrome, coxa vara, Leg length discrepancy and previous failed treatment of Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis.

Twenty-five children were allowed touch to full weight bearing post operatively. Two were kept non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. The remaining 13 children were treated in hip spica due to simultaneous pelvic osteotomy or multilevel surgery for cerebral palsy.

All osteotomies and fractures radiologically healed within 6 months (majority [n=40] within 3 months). There was no statistically significant difference (p= 0.45) in the neck shaft angle between the immediately postoperative and final x-rays after completion of bone healing.

Among the children treated without hip spica, 1 child suffered a periprosthetic fracture. Of the children treated in hip spica, 2 had pressure sores, 3 had osteoporotic distal femur fractures and 2 had posterior subluxations requiring further intervention.

There were no implant related complications.

The Paediatric LCP Hip Plate provides a stable and reliable fixation of the proximal femoral osteotomy performed for a variety of paediatric orthopaedic conditions.

Aim

To assess the risk of hip dislocations in children with cerebral palsy (CP) attending special schools, and the effects of preventative soft tissue surgery (psoas and adductor tenotomy).

Aim To assess the reliability of Stainsby’s operation for dislocated lesser toe metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints.

Method Seventy-four patients underwent this operation between 1998–2003. Sixty-nine patients (93%) were reviewed at mean follow up of 32 months (range 10–67) post-operatively. Forty-eight patients had rheumatoid arthritis, two had psoriatic arthropathy, 19 had other causes. Ninety-four feet were reviewed, 73 had had multiple lesser toe operations, 21 had single lesser toe operations, 52 feet had surgery to the hallux. Assessments were made of pre- and post-operative pain, shoe problems, callosities, alignment and function.

Results Out of 94 feet, 89 (95%) had severe or moderate pain pre-operatively. Only 19 (20%) had significant pain at review. Pain under operated toes was relieved in 78 feet (83%). Tender plantar callosities were reduced from 76 feet pre-operatively (81%) to 31 feet (33%) at review, these mainly under un-operated metatarsal heads. Shoe problems were reduced from 89 feet (95%) pre-operatively to 61 feet (65%) at review. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot scores were increased from a mean of 19 pre-operatively to 52 at review.

Residual valgus of big toe more than 25 degrees persisted in 33 feet (35%). Corrective osteotomy of 44 first metatarsals failed to prevent recurrent valgus in 16 feet (36%).

Conclusions The Stainsby operation was effective in relieving pain and skin callosities from under dislocated lesser metatarsal heads, and in reducing shoe problems but we found that varus osteotomy was unreliable in correcting valgus of the big toe. This was probably due to stretching of the repaired medial ligament.

Aim: To review the effectiveness of ipsilateral þbular transfer with its vascular pedicle mobilised in bridging defects in the tibial shaft. Method & Results: This operation was performed in 8 patients with segmental tibial defect following injury. We reviewed these cases with a minimal follow up of 2.5 years. All the tibial defects were the result of severe open fractures (Gustilo Grade III) and either bone loss or infected non-union, and ranged in size from 1 to 12 cm. The patients had an average of seven procedures and a delay of 33 months before þbular transfer. The procedure was successful in achieving fracture union in all cases, with an average time to union of 15 months (range, 5–33 months). Shortening of up to 3 cm and some residual ankle stiffness was found but all patients were ambulating bearing full weight and six had returned to their previous occupation by their þnal follow up. Only one patient had signiþcant pain affecting function. Conclusion: This is a successful and relatively simple method of reconstructing segmental tibial defects with relatively avascular beds, and avoids the problems of tibial transport and of microvascular anastomoses.