In 2017, the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery engaged the profession and all relevant stakeholders in two formal research prioritization processes. In this editorial, we describe the impact of this prioritization on funding, and how research in children’s orthopaedics, which was until very recently a largely unfunded and under-investigated area, is now flourishing. Establishing research priorities was a crucial step in this process. Cite this article:
The aim of this study was to determine the consensus best practice approach for the investigation and management of children (aged 0 to 15 years) in the UK with musculoskeletal infection (including septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pyomyositis, tenosynovitis, fasciitis, and discitis). This consensus can then be used to ensure consistent, safe care for children in UK hospitals and those elsewhere with similar healthcare systems. A Delphi approach was used to determine consensus in three core aspects of care: 1) assessment, investigation, and diagnosis; 2) treatment; and 3) service, pathways, and networks. A steering group of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons created statements which were then evaluated through a two-round Delphi survey sent to all members of the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS). Statements were only included (‘consensus in’) in the final agreed consensus if at least 75% of respondents scored the statement as critical for inclusion. Statements were discarded (‘consensus out’) if at least 75% of respondents scored them as not important for inclusion. Reporting these results followed the Appraisal Guidelines for Research and Evaluation.Aims
Methods
Acute bone and joint infections in children are serious, and misdiagnosis can threaten limb and life. Most young children who present acutely with pain, limping, and/or loss of function have transient synovitis, which will resolve spontaneously within a few days. A minority will have a bone or joint infection. Clinicians are faced with a diagnostic challenge: children with transient synovitis can safely be sent home, but children with bone and joint infection require urgent treatment to avoid complications. Clinicians often respond to this challenge by using a series of rudimentary decision support tools, based on clinical, haematological, and biochemical parameters, to differentiate childhood osteoarticular infection from other diagnoses. However, these tools were developed without methodological expertise in diagnostic accuracy and do not consider the importance of imaging (ultrasound scan and MRI). There is wide variation in clinical practice with regard to the indications, choice, sequence, and timing of imaging. This variation is most likely due to the lack of evidence concerning the role of imaging in acute bone and joint infection in children. We describe the first steps of a large UK multicentre study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, which seeks to integrate definitively the role of imaging into a decision support tool, developed with the assistance of individuals with expertise in the development of clinical prediction tools. Cite this article:
A national screening programme has existed in the UK for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) since 1969. However, every aspect of screening and treatment remains controversial. Screening programmes throughout the world vary enormously, and in the UK there is significant variation in screening practice and treatment pathways. We report the results of an attempt by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) to identify a nationwide consensus for the management of DDH in order to unify treatment and suggest an approach for screening. A Delphi consensus study was performed among the membership of BSCOS. Statements were generated by a steering group regarding aspects of the management of DDH in children aged under three months, namely screening and surveillance (15 questions), the technique of ultrasound scanning (eight questions), the initiation of treatment (19 questions), care during treatment with a splint (ten questions), and on quality, governance, and research (eight questions). A two-round Delphi process was used and a consensus document was produced at the final meeting of the steering group.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to gain an agreement on the management of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) up to walking age in order to provide a benchmark for practitioners and guide consistent, high-quality care for children with CTEV. The consensus process followed an established Delphi approach with a predetermined degree of agreement. The process included the following steps: establishing a steering group; steering group meetings, generating statements, and checking them against the literature; a two-round Delphi survey; and final consensus meeting. The steering group members and Delphi survey participants were all British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) members. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of the Delphi survey results. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation checklist was followed for reporting of the results.Aims
Methods
To compare changes in gait kinematics and walking speed 24 months after conventional (C-MLS) and minimally invasive (MI-MLS) multilevel surgery for children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). A retrospective analysis of 19 children following C-MLS, with mean age at surgery of 12 years five months (seven years ten months to 15 years 11 months), and 36 children following MI-MLS, with mean age at surgery of ten years seven months (seven years one month to 14 years ten months), was performed. The Gait Profile Score (GPS) and walking speed were collected preoperatively and six, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Type and frequency of procedures as part of MLS, surgical adverse events, and subsequent surgery were recorded.Aims
Methods
High-quality clinical research in children’s orthopaedic surgery
has lagged behind other surgical subspecialties. This study used
a consensus-based approach to identify research priorities for clinical
trials in children’s orthopaedics. A modified Delphi technique was used, which involved an initial
scoping survey, a two-round Delphi process and an expert panel formed
of members of the British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery.
The survey was conducted amongst orthopaedic surgeons treating children
in the United Kingdom and Ireland.Aims
Methods
There is increasing evidence that flexible flatfoot (FF) can
lead to symptoms and impairment in health-related quality of life.
As such we undertook an observational study investigating the aetiology
of this condition, to help inform management. The hypothesis was
that as well as increased body mass index (BMI) and increased flexibility of
the lower limb, an absent anterior subtalar articulation would be
associated with a flatter foot posture. A total of 84 children aged between eight and 15 years old were
prospectively recruited. The BMI for each child was calculated,
flexibility was assessed using the lower limb assessment scale (LLAS)
and foot posture was quantified using the arch height index (AHI).
Each child underwent a sagittal T1-weighted MRI scan of at least
one foot. Aims
Patients and Methods
We developed the Oxford ankle foot questionnaire to assess the disability associated with foot and ankle problems in children aged from five to 16 years. A survey of 158 children and their parents was carried out to determine the content, scaling, reliability and validity of the instrument. Scores from the questionnaire can be calculated to measure the effect of foot or ankle problems on three domains of children’s lives: physical, school and play, and emotional. Scores for each domain were shown to be internally consistent, stable, and to vary little whether reported by child or parent. Satisfactory face, content and construct validity were demonstrated. The questionnaire is appropriate for children with a range of conditions and can provide clinically useful information to supplement other assessment methods. We are currently carrying out further work to assess the responsiveness of questionnaire scores to change over time and with treatment.
We present simple but effective retractors used in pairs to expose the sciatic notch during Salter innominate osteotomy. We have found them to be useful for a wide range of procedures requiring similar exposure. We present them here in tribute to the memory of the designer Mercer Rang.
