Purpose

Flat feet are an important cause of foot problems in children. The flexible flat foot is the most common form and is normally physiological and asymptomatic. Further assessment is necessary when a symptomatic flat foot persists. Surgical interventions are indicated when conservative therapies have failed. The Kalix arthroereisis is a surgical option and is placed in the subtalar joint of the foot, thereby preventing hyperpronation, and stabilizes the foot against excessive movements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of pediatric patients who had undergone a Kalix implantation for the treatment of a symptomatic flexible flat foot.

Total ankle replacement (TAR) is increasingly used in the treatment of end-stage ankle arthropathy, but much debate exists about the clinical result. The goals of present study are: 1) to provide an overview of the clinical outcome of 58 TAR's in a single centre and 2) to assess the association between radiological characteristics and clinical outcome.

We reviewed a prospective included cohort of 58 TAR's in 54 patients with a mean age of 66.9 (range 54–82) and a mean follow-up of 21.6 months (range 1.45–66.0). The TAR's where performed by a single surgeon in a single centre (MUMC) between 2010 and 2015, using the CCI ankle replacement. A standard surgical protocol and standardized post-op rehabilitation was used. Patients were followed-up pre-op and at 1 day, 6 weeks, 3–6–12 months and yearly thereafter post-op. The AOFAS and range of motion (ROM) were assessed and all complications, re-operations and the presence of pain were recorded. Radiographic assessment consisted of the estimation of prosthesis alignment, migration, translation and radiolucent lines using the Rippstein protocol (1). The clinical outcome was compared with a systematic review of TAR outcome.

Ten intra-operative complications occurred and 9 were malleolar fractures. Post-operative complications occurred in 20 out of the 54 patients (37.0%). Impingement (5/54 patients), deep infection (4/54 patients), delayed wound healing (3/54 patients) and minor nerve injuries (3/54 patients) were the most frequently recorded. 18 patients (31.0%) underwent one or more re-operations and 12 of these 18 patients underwent a component revision (mostly the PE insert) or a conversion to arthrodesis. Despite the complications and revisions, the functional outcome improved. Radiologically 15.8% of the TAR's were positioned in varus and 1.8% in valgus. Migration in the frontal and sagittal plane is seen in 3 and 2 TAR's respectively. Radiolucency is significantly increasing with the follow-up time (p=0.009). Migration in the frontal plane is significantly associated with conversion to arthrodesis (p=0.005) and migration in the sagittal plane to revision of a component or conversion to arthrodesis (p=0.04). Finally, pain is significantly associated with re-operations (p=0.023) and complications (p=0.026). Remarkable is that the clinical outcome is independent of the direct post-op alignment of the TAR.

The complication-, re-operation and revision or conversion to arthrodesis rates makes the clinical outcome of TAR still questionable favourable. Especially the complication and re-operation incidences are greater than found in the systematic review. However, it is remarkable that the minor complications and re-operations not related to the TAR are not often mentioned in the literature. Radiographic characteristics could be of value in predicting this clinical outcome and thereby influence the post-operative handling. In conclusion, our results show relatively high incidences of complications (37.0%) and re-operations (31.0%) when minor complications and re-operations are included. TAR clinical outcome can be predicted by radiographic migration characteristics and pain.

Summary Statement

An alternative way to assess three dimensional skin motion artefacts of kinematic models is presented and applied to a novel kinematic foot model. Largest skin motion is measured in the tarsal region.

Introduction: Ponseti and Friedman suggest that curve type is genetically determined and that curve types do not change throughout its course. In current clinical practice scoliosis is seen as a more dynamic process. Therefore we like to postulate that the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis can change during growth when left untreated.

Aim of the Study: This study focused on the shift of curve patterns as result of age, especially in patients younger than ten years. It was assessed whether age is a factor in the dynamic progression of idiopathic scoliosis. We evaluated patients records as well as radiographic images and clinical measures.

Materials and Methods: 48 Patients with idiopathic scoliosis who visited the scoliosis team between 1990 and 2007 were included. The criteria for inclusion were a curve less than 30° and not treated with brace or operative procedures. Curve pattern changes were classified according to the Scoliosis Research Society classification and the Lenke classification.

Results: The forty-eight patient records demographics consisted of eleven males and thirty-seven females. Their mean age at the start of follow-up was 11,2 years (range 4–17). Mean follow-up lasted 3,4 years (range 1–11,2). Thirteen patients were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and thirty-five patients were diagnosed with an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Eight from the forty-eight patients, showed curve pattern changes according the SRS classification: six females and two males. Six of the thirtteen patients with juvenile scoliosis showed a shift of the scoliosis curves (46%). Two of the thirty-five patients with the adolescent scoliosis showed a shift of the scoliosis curves (6%; p< 0,05).

In eleven patients with juvenile scoliosis(84,6%) there was a shift in the Lenke classification, while this only occurred in eighttteen patients with adolescent scoliosis(51,4%) (p< 0,05). No curve pattern changes occurred in two patients with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis(15,4%) and in twelve patients of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(34,3%) (p< 0,05).

Conclusion: There is evidence that idiopathic scoliosis has an genetic origin, but not all elements of the scoliosis formation can be explained. We found changes in curve patterns which suggest that idiopathic scoliosis is not a fixed deformity, but a dynamic process especially in patients younger than 10 years.