Purpose: From 1985 to 2001, 31 total knee arthroplasties were performed for 17 adolescents or young adults with idiopathic juvenile osteoarthritis. The purpose of this work was to evaluate functional and radiological outcome.

Material and methods: Overall functional outcome was assessed with the Steinbrocker classification. Knee function was evaluated with the IKS score. Several types of prostheses were implanted: constrained GSB (n=14), cemented semi-constrained tri-CCC tri-compartment with a rotatory platform (n=10), non-cemented semi-constrained ROCC (n=1), LCS (n=2) including non-cemented, and FINN (n=2) (two custom-made rotation hinge prostheses implanted in the same patient). Fourteen prostheses involved bilateral implants, including three dual implantation procedures.

Results: Mean age at implantation was 20 years five months (14–29). There were fourteen girls and three boys. Eight had systemic idiopathic juvenile osteoarthritis and nine a polyarticular form. The Steinbrocker staging was: II (n=5,) III (n=6), IV or bedridden (n=4). Ten patients had two hip prostheses before bilateral knee arthroplasty. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years (1–12). Among the 31 operated knees, 16 were pain free, 14 minimally painful, and one painful due to loosening. The joint score was very good (n=18), good (n=4), and poor (n=5). Radiographically, normal alignment was found for 29 knees. Lucent lines were observed for 10 of the 14 GSB constrained prostheses. We did not observe any evidence of lucent lines for the non-cemented tri-compartment prostheses. Complications were: limited skin necrosis (n=1), bilateral supracondylar fracture one year after implantation (n=1).

Discussion: Outcome has been encouraging for total knee prostheses in patients with idiopathic juvenile osteoarthritis. These arthroplasties allow spectacular functional improvement. The few series reported have also reported very good results. Cemented tri-compartment semi-constrained implants appear to provide better stability at five years. Biologically sealed tri-compartment prostheses would be a very satisfactory solution due to the preservation of bone stock.

Introduction: The management of a hip destroyed by infection during growth is difficult and controversial. Two clinical cases illustrate differing management options and question what might be the best solution for this problem.

Case 1: A 12-year-old girl presented with a Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis of the left hip. She underwent an arthrodesis of the hip one-year later because of a poor position of the hip. She had 20mm of shortening of the left lower limb. After 6 years of “normal” life she received a total hip replacement when aged 19 years. Since then she has no pain and has 12 mm of shortening of her left lower limb and a mobile left hip (100/0, 40/30, 30/30) and works as a cashier.

Case 2 A 2-year-old boy presented with a Salmonella septicaemia and septic arthritis of the right hip. The hip deteriorated but the parents refused a hip arthrodesis. He underwent a Colonna procedure in 1994. Five years later he had developed 50mm of shortening in the right lower limb and he had an epiphysiodesis of the left knee. He is now 17 years old, has a painless hip, satisfactory range of movement (90/0, 0/15, 5/5), a slight limp, equal leg length and enjoys normal teenager activities. Radiographs suggest that he would benefit from a hip replacement.

Introduction: The aim of the study is to assess the complication rate in lengthening of the femur and to analyze the main factors inducing complications.

Materials & method: A retrospective study of 151 cases of lengthening with different methods (External Fixator of Judet 9, Callotasy with Orthofix :89, Ilizarov 9, External Fixator of Wagner 9, Lengthening Albizzia Nail 29) was investigated. The mean age was 13, 21 years (ET : 4,82, max : 38, min : 4). The aetiologies of femoral length discrepancy were congenital in 85 cases, post traumatic in 30, Post infectious in 22 and neurologic in 13 cases. One girl had Still’s Disease. The mean elongation was 55,17mm (ET : 17,3, Max ; 130, min : 20) except with the Ilizarov method with a mean lengthening of 91,8 mm. The mean percentage of elongation was 21 %

Classification of the Complications was in three grades :

- I : Benign complication without any unexpected surgery or anaesthesia

The complications were recorded in four periods: surgery, elongation, consolidation and late complications

Results: There were 151 complications (78 Grade I, 59 grade III, 14 grade III). There were only three complications during first surgical procedure, 95 during elongation 49 during consolidation and 4 late complications. Analysis of the different pathologies shows that the rate of complications is the same for each etiology (around 100%) but the rate of complications of grade 2 and 3 shows a significant difference with a higher rate for neurological and congenital aetiologies. Benign complications are found in the post infection group. Analysis of the different methods used shows the same rate of complications in benign conditions except for the Albizzia Nail with a significant lower rate. Complications of grade 2 are seen in the ancient Judet method and in the Albizzia Nail due to the multiple general anaesthesia . Complications of grade 3 are seen in the Wagner method due to a high rate of congenital pathology and to a mean lengthening of 35 % of femoral initial length.

Articular complications do not show any significant difference between the different methods. The main complications are seen in neurological and post infectious diseases. The mean percentage of lengthening in these complications is not different of the mean percentage of the series.

Conclusion: Lengthening of the femur is still a difficult problem with a mean rate of complications of 100 % The type of method used is not the main determinant in the appearance of these complications. We want to emphazise the difficulties in performing lengthenings in neurological and congenital pathologies.

Purpose: Tillaux fractures correspond to type III joint fractures involving the anterolateral tubercle of the inferior tibia in the Salter and Harris classification. These fractures generally occur by external rotation in children about 13 years old at the time the medial part of inferior growth cartilage of the tibial epiphysis has fused. The purpose of the present study was to analyse long-term outcome in a retrospective series of twenty children.

Material and methods: All twenty patients underwent physical examination and a standard radiographic work-up at last follow-up. Results were classed into three categories: good (free of pain, stiffness, gait impairment, joint degeneration), faire (moderate pain and/or stiffness and/or gait impairment without joint degeneration), poor (severe pain and/or severe stiffness and/or limping and/or joint degeneration).

Results: This series included eight boys and twelve girls, mean age 12.8 years (range 3.4 – 14.9). Mean follow-up was three years eleven months (range 12 months – 8 years 9 months). Eleven patients underwent surgical treatment and nine orthopaedic treatment. The lateral segment of the growth cartilage was open in all cases but the medial segment was open in two and completely closed in six. A computed tomography scan was required in one patient to assess displacement. Outcome was considered good in eighteen patients and fair in two. These two patients had persistent pain without functional impairment at about one year follow-up.

Discussion: Overall, the long-term outcome is good for Tillaux fractures if they are correctly identified and evaluated, with computed tomography if necessary, to enable appropriate surgical or orthopaedic treatment. Inappropriate management of this joint fracture can lead to joint incongruency and secondary degeneration. Most of these fractures occur in adolescents and secondary growth impairment is negligible. This type of fracture may also occur in adults. Prognosis is excellent with adapted treatment.

Purpose of the study: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is rare, only 200 cases having been reported. Based on 25 personal cases and an overview of the literature, we try to explain the etiology of this condition and the different kinds of treatment.

Material and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on twenty-five children (16 females, 9 males, mean age at the end of the follow up – 11.5 yrs) from three different centers. We assessed the outcome of surgical and nonsurgical procedures, based on pain, functional ability, cosmetic results, and x-ray examination.

Results: A family background was noted in three children. The lesion always involved the right side. Twenty patients presented a bump over the middle third of the clavicle, thirteen a foreshortened shoulder girdle, three complained of discomfort. In two cases, palpation of the clavicular area was painful. No neurovascular compressive syndrome was reported. None of the patients complained of a decrease in the range of motion or in the strength of the upper limb. X-rays showed a middle third defect. In five cases we found abnormal first ribs.

Seventeen patients underwent surgery, at a mean age of 6 years and 4 months. The procedure always included excision of the pseudarthrosis at both ends and internal fixation with a wire or a plate. In only eight cases a bone graft was used. Healing was achieved in fourteen patients. Three patients needed a second surgical procedure. In these 3 cases we had not used bone grafting. All patients had a normal range of shoulder motion, except a twelve year old girl who complained of discomfort of the right upper limb. The cosmetic result was good in eleven cases, one surgical wound was noted as hypertrophic, and one developed a keloid. An asymmetry of the trunk was still noted in seven cases. The x-rays showed symmetric clavicles in ten cases.

Eight patients were treated conservatively. All of them had a normal range of motion of the shoulder, six had a good cosmetic result and two cases a poor one.

Discussion

According to Alldred, the anomaly results from the failed coalescence of the two primary ossification centers of the clavicle. The overview of the literature and our findings (in one case) confirm that the cartilage which covers both ends of the bone is made of growth cartilage. However, the true mechanism of the nonunion is still unknown. The three familial cases of our work suggest a possible genetic transmission of the disease.

The diagnosis is based on the following criteria: right side lesion, found in infancy, without previous fracture, increasing size with growth, without major functional consequences, without neurofibromatosis or cleidocranial dysostosis symptom. X-rays or histologic examination will confirm the diagnosis showing the usual findings described above.

Complications of the pseudarthrosis of the clavicle are rare and late. Conservative management appears to give good results as seen with our eight patients. However surgical treatment ensures symmetrical shoulder girdles and good function with few complications. Therefore, we recommend performing an excision of the cartilaginous caps, followed by an iliac bone graft and an internal fixation with wire. Surgical management will be preferred in symptomatic patients, in the case of major or increasing deformity, or on parental request.