The Ilizarov method for leg lengthening was used for cosmetic reasons in 54 patients with constitutional short stature. A mean lengthening of 7 cm with a low rate of complications produced an excellent or good outcome in all the patients, including improvement in psychological disturbances related to short stature. Those who undergo the procedure must be highly motivated, fully informed and understand the technique and possible complications. We suggest that the Ilizarov method for cosmetic limb lengthening is a technique without major complications. However, it requires careful follow-up, and the involvement of orthopaedic surgeons who are familiar with use of the circular frame and are experienced in limb lengthening and correction of deformity for pathological conditions

The outcome of 56 children (61 shoulders) treated surgically at the Rizzoli Institute between April 1975 and June 2010 for congenital elevation of the scapula is reported. There were 31 girls and 25 boys with a mean age at surgery of 6.4 years (2 to 15). The deformity involved the right shoulder in 20 cases, the left in 31 and was bilateral in five. The degree of the deformity was graded clinically and radiologically according to the classifications of Cavendish and Rigault, respectively. All patients underwent a modified Green procedure combined, in selected cases, with resection of the superomedial portion of the scapula and excision of any omovertebral connection. After a mean follow-up of 10.9 years (1 to 29.3), there was cosmetic improvement by at least one Cavendish grade in 54 shoulders (88.5%). The mean abduction of the shoulder improved from 92° (50° to 155°) to 112° (90° to 170°) and the mean flexion improved from 121° (80° to 160°) to 155° (120° to 175°). The unsatisfactory cosmetic result in seven shoulders was due to coexistent scoliosis in two cases and insufficient reduction of the scapular elevation in the other five. An incomplete upper brachial plexus palsy occurred post-operatively in three patients but resolved within seven months. We suggest that a modified Green procedure combined with resection of the superomedial portion of the scapula provides good cosmetic and functional results in patients with Sprengel’s shoulder

We report 12 consecutive cases of vertical scapular osteotomy to correct Sprengel’s deformity, performed during a 16-year period, with a mean follow-up of 10.4 years. The mean increase in abduction of the shoulder was 53°. The cosmetic appearance improved by a mean of 1.5 levels on the Cavendish scale. Neither function nor cosmesis deteriorated with time. We recommend the procedure for correction of moderate deformities with a functional deficit

A retrospective study was performed in 18 patients with achondroplasia, who underwent bilateral humeral lengthening between 2001 and 2013, using monorail external fixators. The mean age was ten years (six to 15) and the mean follow-up was 40 months (12 to 104). . The mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score fell from 32.3 (20 to 40) pre-operatively to 9.4 (6 to 14) post-operatively (p = 0.037). A mean lengthening of 60% (40% to 95%) was required to reach the goal of independent perineal hygiene. One patient developed early consolidation, and fractures occurred in the regenerate bone of four humeri in three patients. There were three transient radial nerve palsies. Humeral lengthening increases the independence of people with achondroplasia and is not just a cosmetic procedure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1577–81

We report our experience of the use of callus distraction with a monolateral fixator for the treatment of acquired radial club-hand deformity after osteomyelitis. Between 1994 and 2004, 13 patients with a mean age of eight years (4 to 15) were treated by callus distraction with a monolateral fixator after a preliminary period of at least four weeks in a corrective short-arm cast. All patients achieved bony union and were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic outcome. There were no major complications, but three patients required cancellous bone grafting at the docking site for delayed union. Local treatment and oral antibiotics were required for pin-site infection in six patients. There were no deep infection or recurrence of osteomyelitis

Forearm fractures in children have a tendency to displace in a cast leading to malunion with reduced functional and cosmetic results. In order to identify risk factors for displacement, a total of 247 conservatively treated fractures of the forearm in 246 children with a mean age of 7.3 years (. sd. 3.2; 0.9 to 14.9) were included in a prospective multicentre study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for displacement of reduced or non-reduced fractures in the cast. Displacement occurred in 73 patients (29.6%), of which 65 (89.0%) were in above-elbow casts. The mean time between the injury and displacement was 22.7 days (0 to 59). The independent factors found to significantly increase the risk of displacement were a fracture of the non-dominant arm (p = 0.024), a complete fracture (p = 0.040), a fracture with translation of the ulna on lateral radiographs (p = 0.014) and shortening of the fracture (p = 0.019). Fractures of both forearm bones in children have a strong tendency to displace even in an above-elbow cast. Severe fractures of the non-dominant arm are at highest risk for displacement. Radiographs at set times during treatment might identify early displacement, which should be treated before malunion occurs, especially in older children with less potential for remodelling. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:689–93

Aims

The aim of this study is to develop a core set of outcome domains that should be considered and reported in all future trials of childhood limb fractures.

We report the radiological outcomes, and short-term clinical results, of 47 periacetabular osteotomies undertaken through both the traditional bikini incision, and a minimally invasive approach. 47 periacetabular osteotomies have been undertaken in 45 patients, by the senior author, between 2005 and 2013. There were 10 male and 35 female patients. The mean age at operation was 28.2 years. Since 2010 surgery has been performed through a 7-cm skin incision (31 hips), an incision coined as minimally invasive by Søballe et al when they described their trans-sartorial approach for acetabular surgery. Clinical data was collected prospectively; primary outcome measures included the young adult hip score and the hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score. Pre- and post-operative radiographs were analysed for achieved acetabular reorientation. At the time of follow-up the median young adult hip score had improved significantly from pre-operative values. Mean scores were 35.4 pre-operatively, and 64.25 post-operatively. Improvement in the anterior and lateral centre-edge angle was 32 and 32.9 degrees respectively through a traditional incision, and 27.1 and 30 degrees through the minimally invasive approach (p>0.05). No major complications occurred in any patient. Four patients complained of lateral cutaneous nerve hypoaesthesia, in two patients there was delayed union of the pubic osteotomy and in one non-union. Two patients have gone on to total hip replacement. The minimally invasive approach is safe and allows for accurate reorientation of the acetabulum whilst minimizing tissue damage. The scar is cosmetically appealing to patients, especially the predominantly female group treated with this condition. We did not see the evidence of reduced surgical stay that has been reported by other groups utilizing a minimally invasive approach. Level of evidence: II

Purpose of the Study. A cooled, side cutting burr designed for use in adult foot surgery has been used as a primary bone cutting device in children to facilitate a truly percutaneous method of performing osteotomies. Stabilisation of the femur was using a percutaneous locked nail and for the tibia percutaneous K-wires. The author describes the advantages and disadvantages of this method with results from the first cohort of patients treated. Method. Patients under going osteotomy of the femur, tibia and fibula using a 2 mm × 20 mm side cutting burr were followed prospectively and assessed for scar size, bone healing time and complications. Results. Thirty six osteotomies were performed in the femur and tibia in 25 patients. A fibula osteotomy was always performed with a tibial osteotomy. Scar size for the femoral osteotomy was <15 mm and for the nail insertion <25 mm. For the tibia & fibula the scar size was <10 mm. Healing time was by 6 weeks in the tibia and in the femur was within 16 weeks in non-lengthening cases in all but 1 case of non-union (associated with Vitamin D insufficiency). Three burr bits broke during the learning curve including 2 in tibial osteotomies and 1 in the femur. Cortical thickness and slow burr speeds were associated with burr breakage. All wounds healed without infection. The optimum speed for the burr at 50 Nm of torque was established as 200 rpm in children under the age of 13 yrs. The initial recommended speed of 300 rpm increases healing time when performing osteotomies in children. Conclusion. Truly percutaneous surgery can be performed to osteotomise the femur and tibia using a cooled, side cutting burr with a locked femoral nail and crossed tibial wires with excellent cosmetic results and minimal complications. Level of Evidence IV

Purpose of Study. To evaluate the results of using external fixation to stabilise femoral derotation osteotomy involved in DDH surgery. Methods and results. A retrospective analysis was performed on 44 patients undergoing 48 femoral osteotomies for DDH surgery between the years 2001 and 2009 by a single surgeon (senior author MC). The external fixator was used either during the primary procedure involving femoral shortening to aid in hip reduction (4 patients) or to correct femoral malrotation in a reduced hip as a secondary procedure(40 patients). As the external fixator frame was within the hip spica it was not a cause of concern to the parents or the child. There was no evidence of any pin tract infection and all patients eventually progressed to satisfactory bony union. One patient had delayed union which was treated successfully with conservative management and one patient had a malunion requiring a further osteotomy and extended treatment with the external fixator. Conclusion. External fixation is a viable alternative for the traditional internal fixation used for femoral osteotomy involving DDH Surgery. Our study has shown that it produces satisfactory results with minimal complications. Apart from minimising tissue scarring in the muscle and subcutaneous planes, it gives a cosmetically better scar. If there is further need for revision surgery it provides healthy tissue planes for dissection. Furthermore it eliminates the need for additional surgery required for removal of plates

Aim. To review the natural history of upper limb osteochondromas and assess their functional effect. Materials. We performed a retrospective casenote review of a consecutive patient cohort presenting between 1997–2012 with upper limb osteochondromas. Indications for surgical intervention were noted and considered to be cosmetic, functional (including pain relief) and ‘prophylactic’ in terms of deformity prevention. All patients were invited to complete questionnaires for the PODCI, DASH, OSS and MHS scores. Results. We identified 102 patients (62 male: 40 female; mean age = 13.3 years; range 3–31 years). 84 patients had multiple exostoses whilst 18 had a solitary lesion. 52 patients had shoulder girdle involvement (scapula, clavicle and proximal humerus), 51 forearm (Masada I (n=31) Masada II (n=9) Masada III (n=11)), and 38 hand involvement. 46/102 patients had concurrent lower limb lesions. 56 operative procedures were performed primarily for functional benefit. Shoulder girdle procedures (n=21) improved pressure related pain, scapular pseudowinging/dyskinesia and cuff impingement. Forearm procedures (n=35) were performed for functional and prophylactic reasons and involved excision with ulnar lengthening and radial deformity correction (n=15, Masada I), realignment osteotomy or radial head excision for subluxation (n=7, Masada II) and excision with internal fixation of concomitant osteotomy (n=13, Masada I/III). No hand surgery was performed. Radial head dislocations are associated with large ulnar lesions causing shortening > 0.15 total ulnar length. Osteochondromas of the upper limb are generally well tolerated: functional effects were most commonly present in lesions involving the forearm but significant patient benefit was noted following shoulder girdle procedures. The scoring systems used failed to discriminate well between the various procedures used and the perceived benefit. Conclusion:. Patient outcomes are related to surgical indications. Currently available PROMs are either inappropriate Qs (DASH) and/or non-validated (OSS, MHS) and/or non-specific (PODCI*) only 8 parameters for the upper extremity. Better-validated measures may be required. Level of evidence: IV

We report the results of the treatment of 23 patients with macrodactyly. Eighteen had a two-stage bulk-reducing (defatting) procedure; phalangectomy was used to shorten the digits. At a mean follow-up of nine years (2 to 12), two patients had been lost to follow-up, and three await a second-stage procedure. Good cosmetic correction was achieved in 12 patients, with satisfactory results in seven; two patients had poor results and required amputation

Aims

Open tibial fractures are limb-threatening injuries. While limb loss is rare in children, deep infection and nonunion rates of up to 15% and 8% are reported, respectively. We manage these injuries in a similar manner to those in adults, with a combined orthoplastic approach, often involving the use of vascularised free flaps. We report the orthopaedic and plastic surgical outcomes of a consecutive series of patients over a five-year period, which includes the largest cohort of free flaps for trauma in children to date.

We reviewed eight children (ten shoulders) who had suffered neonatal sepsis, after a mean follow-up of 14 years (11 to 15). The delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was one day in five patients, two days in three and seven days in one. All ten shoulders were treated by aspiration, followed by arthrotomy in two. At follow-up, five of the ten shoulders had a full range of movement and the others had minimal restriction of external rotation. Shortening of 10 cm was present in one patient, while two with bilateral involvement had disproportionally short humeri. Early diagnosis and treatment favour the outcome in septic arthritis of the shoulder. With late diagnosis, deformation of the humeral head and shortening of the humerus cause marked cosmetic abnormality but negligible functional loss

We report the results of 116 consecutive displaced extension supracondylar fractures of the elbow in children treated during the first two years after the introduction of the following protocol; closed reduction under general anaesthesia with fluoroscopic control and lateral percutaneous pinning using two parallel pins or, when closed reduction failed, open reduction and internal fixation by cross-pinning. Eight patients were lost to follow-up during the first postoperative year. The mean follow-up for the remaining 108 was 27.9 months (12 to 47, median 26.5). At the final follow-up, using Flynn’s overall modified classification, the clinical result was considered to be excellent in 99 patients (91.6%), good in five (4.6%) and poor in four (3.7%). All the poor results were due to a poor cosmetic result, but had good or excellent function. Technical error in the initial management of these four cases was thought to be the cause of the poor results. The protocol described resulted in good or excellent results in 96% of our patients, providing a safe and efficient treatment for displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus even in less experienced hands

Conventional surgical treatment of relapsed or neglected club foot deformities is not always successful or easy to apply. The presence of shortened neurovascular structures and unhealthy skin may preclude the surgical interference. Bone resection in severe deformities results in short foot which is not satisfactory functionally and cosmetically. Objectives. In this study we evaluate the use of the bloodless technique for management of relapsed or neglected club foot deformities. Methods. From Jan 2000–2006, 64 cases older than 2 years with relapsed or neglected club foot deformities were referred to our center. Four cases were excluded because of inadequate follow up data. This thesis based on 60 consecutive cases (67 feet). The patients average age was 8 years and 4 months (range, 2–16 years). Seven cases were bilateral, 20 Left sides, and 34 Right sides. There were 57 relapsed club foot (5 bilateral), and 3 cases were neglected (2 bilateral). Patients with relapsed club foot had average 3 previous operations (range, 1–8 operations). There was no preoperative assembling of the apparatus. The construct was designed according to the condition of deformity: equinus, varus forefoot etc. Additional procedures, elongation of tendoachilis was done concomitantly with the original procedure in 10 cases. The patients were discharged from the hospital the same day of the operation. Results. The range of operative time was 1–3 hours with an average of 1.5 hours. Average time in the fixator was 19.6 weeks (range, 10 weeks–38 weeks). After fixator removal cast was applied for 2 months, followed by night splint and special shoes for their daily activities. The average follow-up period was 30.6 months (range, 12–84 months) after fixator removal. The results were good in 55 feet, fair in 9, bad in 3. Complications. All cases suffered from some sort of pin tract inflammation. For 8 cases: one of the wires had to be removed without anaesthesia due to persistent infection. For 3 cases: replacement of wires under general anaesthesia was performed. Oedema developed in the leg and dorsum of the foot or the ankle in 34cases. Frame adjustment under general anaesthesia in 3 cases. There are others such as: migration of the calcanean wire, 2 cases; over correction with valgus heel, two cases; flatfoot, 4 cases; talar subluxationin, 2 cases; talonavicular subluxation, one case; first metatarsophalangeal subluxation, 2 cases; flat topped talus, one case; broken wire, 2 cases and recurrence in 2 cases. Discussion. It seems logic that osteotomy of the tarsus must be carried out whenever skeletal growth of the foot is at such an advanced stage that correction can not be established by means of articular repositioning and remodeling. However, equinovarus deformity of the foot in 65 adults (38 feet) was treated by external fixator without open procedure (Oganesyan et al, 1996). After an average follow-up 10 years, satisfactory results were obtained in all feet except four. Conclusion. Ilizarov Treatment is lengthy, difficult, fraught with complications, and a technically demanding procedure. However, the complications did not affect the final outcome too much. Ilizarov method also offers the advantage of performing many additional procedures for other associated lower limb deformity. We believe that the bloodless technique using Ilizarov external fixator is an effective method in treating relapsed or neglected club foot deformities

A small proportion of children with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fracture (SCHF) experience troubling limited or delayed recovery after operative treatment. We hypothesised that the fracture level relative to the isthmus of the humerus would affect the outcome.

We retrospectively reviewed 230 children who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) for their Gartland type III SCHFs between March 2003 and December 2012. There were 144 boys and 86 girls, with the mean age of six years (1.1 to 15.2). The clinico-radiological characteristics and surgical outcomes (recovery of the elbow range of movement, post-operative angulation, and the final Flynn grade) were recorded. Multivariate analysis was employed to identify prognostic factors that influenced outcome, including fracture level. Multivariate analysis revealed that a fracture below the humeral isthmus was significantly associated with poor prognosis in terms of the range of elbow movement (p < 0.001), angulation (p = 0.001) and Flynn grade (p = 0.003). Age over ten years was also a poor prognostic factor for recovery of the range of elbow movement (p = 0.027).

This is the first study demonstrating a subclassification system of Gartland III fractures with prognostic significance. This will guide surgeons in peri-operative planning and counselling as well as directing future research aimed at improving outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:134–40.

In this study we evaluated the results of midtarsal release and open reduction for the treatment of children with convex congenital foot (CCF) (vertical talus) and compared them with the published results of peritalar release. Between 1977 and 2009, a total of 22 children (31 feet) underwent this procedure. In 15 children (48%) the CCF was isolated and in the remainder it was not (seven with arthrogryposis, two with spinal dysraphism, one with a polymalformative syndrome and six with an undefined neurological disorder).

Pre-operatively, the mean tibiotalar angle was 150.2° (106° to 175°) and the mean calcaneal pitch angle was -19.3° (-72° to 4°). The procedure included talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joint capsulotomies, lengthening of tendons of tibialis anterior and the extensors of the toes, allowing reduction of the midtarsal joints. Lengthening of the Achilles tendon was necessary in 23 feet (74%).

The mean follow-up was 11 years (2 to 21). The results, as assessed by the Adelaar score, were good in 24 feet (77.4%), fair in six (19.3%) and poor in one foot (3.3%), with no difference between those with isolated CCF and those without. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society midfoot score was 89.9 (54 to 100) and 77.8 (36 to 93) for those with isolated CCF and those without, respectively. At the final follow-up, the mean tibiotalar (120°; 90 to 152) and calcaneal pitch angles (4°; -13 to 22) had improved significantly (p < 0.0001). Dislocation of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints was completely reduced in 22 (70.9%) and 29 (93.6%) of feet, respectively. Three children (five feet) underwent further surgery at a mean of 8.5 years post-operatively, three with pes planovalgus and two in whom the deformity had been undercorrected. No child developed avascular necrosis of the talus.

Midtarsal joint release and open reduction is a satisfactory procedure, which may provide better results than peritalar release. Complications include the development of pes planovalgus and persistent dorsal subluxation of the talonavicular joint.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:837–44.

Aims

We wished to examine the effectiveness of tibial lengthening using a two ring Ilizarov frame in skeletally immature patients. This is a potentially biomechanically unstable construct which risks the loss of axial control.

We describe a method of pinning extension supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Following closed reduction, a posterior intrafocal wire is inserted and a second lateral wire added when needed for rotational stability. Between May 2002 and November 2005 we performed this technique in 69 consecutive patients. A single posterior wire was used in 29 cases, and two wires in 40. The mean follow-up was two years (21 to 30 months). The results were assessed according to Flynn’s criteria. In the single-wire group there were 21 excellent, five good and one poor result. Two patients were lost to follow-up. In the two-wire group there were 32 excellent, two good and three poor results. Three were lost to follow-up. The poor results were due to a failure to achieve adequate reduction, fixation or both.

We conclude that the intact posterior periosteal hinge can be used successfully in the clinical situation, giving results that compare well with other techniques of pinning. The posterior route offers an attractive alternative method for fixation of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.