We analysed retrospectively the risk factors leading to femoral overgrowth after flexible intramedullary nailing in 43 children (mean age 7.1 years (3.6 to 12.0)) with fractures of the shaft of the femur. We reviewed their demographic data, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, the type and location of the fractures, the nail–canal diameter (NCD) ratios and femoral overgrowth at a mean follow-up of 40.7 months (25.2 to 92.7). At that time, the children were divided into two groups, those with femoral overgrowth of < 1 cm (Group 1), and those with overgrowth of ≥ 1 cm (Group 2). The mean femoral overgrowth of all patients was 0.6 cm at final follow-up. Overgrowth of ≥ 1 cm was noted in 11 children (25.6%). The NCD ratio was significantly lower in Group 2 than in Group 1, with an odds ratio of 30.0 (p = 0.003). We believe that a low NCD ratio is an indicator of an unstable configuration with flexible intramedullary nailing, and have identified an association between a low NCD ratio and femoral overgrowth resulting in leg-length discrepancy after flexible intramedullary nailing in paediatric femoral shaft fractures. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:254–8

Introduction. Paediatric tibial fractures, unlike femoral fractures do not have much potential for overgrowth. In simple factures of the tibial shaft treated non-operatively the major problems are shortening and malunion. In complex injuries with extensive soft tissue disruption and bone loss, the long-term aim of reconstruction is to achieve union with a fully functional limb without limb-length inequality. Methods. Four children (Age range 6-12 years) who sustained high-energy grade III open fractures of the tibia were treated with acute shortening and bone transport. Any soft tissue reconstructive and secondary grafting procedures for delayed union were recorded. The children were prospectively followed up to fracture union. Distraction ostegenesis proceeded until limb length equality was achieved and the regenerate allowed to consolidate. Results. Three children had grade 3B injuries, 2 requiring flap reconstruction. One had a grade 3A injury. Mean acute shortening was 4.4cm (Range 2-9cm). Distraction osteogenesis was used to achieve limb-length equalisation. 2 children required secondary bone graft procedures to achieve union. At 3 years from injury, all children had overgrowth of the injured leg averaging 2cm. Discussion. Despite achieving equal limb lengths at the end of distraction osteogenesis the injured tibia overgrew by a mean of 2cm at three years post injury. This would suggest that even in the presence of extensive soft tissue trauma, as seen in these high energy injuries, the increased blood flow associated with metaphyseal corticotomy stimulates epiphyseal activity resulting in overgrowth. The value of stopping adjustments just short of achieving limb length equality to allow for expected overgrowth in the injured tibia merits further investigation

Purpose of study: Long bone chronic osteomyelitis may result in limb length discrepancy by shortening of the affected bone when the physis is damaged. Little is known about the rates of overgrowth of infected long bones. This study documents the relative rates of overgrowth and undergrowth in a large series of chronic osteomyelitis patients. Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients presenting to our unit with chronic osteomyelitis of a long bone were included. There were no exclusion criteria. The mean age at presentation was 10.3 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 18.2 months prior to presentation. For 37 (88%) of patients the cause of osteomyelitis was haematogenous. Results: Three (7%) patients had shortening of the long bone compared to the unaffected side (average 2.5cm), whilst 13 (31%) patients had overgrowth of the affected bone (average overgrowth 2.2cm). The tibia was most commonly affected (20/42, 48%), followed by the femur (8/42, 19%) and the humerus (6/42, 14%). The average proportion of long bone involved on X-ray was 59%. At least one physis was affected in 8/42 (12%) patients (2 had undergrowth, 1 overgrowth). Conclusions: This large prospective series of patients shows the effect of osteomyelitis on the growth of long bones, in particular an overgrowth rate of 31%. The mechanism for this is probably related to the duration of symptoms. In areas of the world with poor access to health care, there is consequently a prolonged period of increased blood supply as a result of inflammation. This increased blood supply may make overgrowth limb length discrepancy more likely than undergrowth

Twenty-six children conservatively treated for fracture of the femoral shaft have been reviewed with regard to differences in limb length seven to ten years after the injury. In nine patients the clinical measurements were checked against radiographic measurements of both femora and tibiae. The following conclusions were reached. Nearly two-thirds of the patients had overgrowth of the femur of 10 millimetres or more. Shortening of 15 to 20 millimetres at the fracture site was well compensated for by accelerated growth. Growth acceleration seemed to take place during the healing period and the difference at the end of healing was permanent. Overgrowth was promoted by comminuted and long oblique fractures and by overriding of the fracture ends, but was not influenced by the age at fracture, the duration of treatment or the level of fracture of the shaft. Growth of the tibia was not affected by the femoral fracture

Introduction: Paediatric tibial fractures, unlike femoral fractures do not have much potential for overgrowth. In simple factures of the tibial shaft treated non-operatively the major problems are shortening and malunion. In complex injuries with extensive soft tissue disruption and bone loss, the long-term aim of reconstruction is to achieve union with a fully functional limb without limb-length inequality. Methods: Four children who sustained high-energy grade III open fractures of the tibia were treated with acute shortening and bone transport. Any soft tissue reconstructive and secondary grafting procedures for delayed union were recorded. The children were prospectively followed up to fracture union. Distraction ostegenesis proceeded until limb length equality was achieved and the regenerate allowed to consolidate. Discussion: Despite achieving equal limb lengths at the end of distraction osteogenesis the injured tibia overgrew by 1–2cm at three years post injury. This would suggest that even in the presence of extensive soft tissue trauma, as seen in these high energy injuries, the increased blood flow associated with metaphyseal corticotomy stimulates epiphyseal activity resulting in overgrowth. The value of stopping adjustments just short of achieving limb length equality to allow for expected overgrowth in the injured tibia merits further investigation

Forty-four children, treated conservatively for fracture of the shaft of a femur, were studied radiographically to assess the consequent increase in longitudinal growth of the bone. Overgrowth averaged 8.1 mm and was shown to be significantly greater in boys than in girls. Overgrowth did not appear to be influenced by the age of the patient, the type of injury, the type or site of the fracture, the amount of overlap of the fragments or by the handedness of the patient

Autologous stump capping is a procedure designed to prevent bony overgrowth in skeletally immature amputation stumps. All 19 capping procedures in the lower extremities were successful after an average follow-up of 7.3 years. All patients use their prostheses, and no secondary operations have been needed for stump problems. Of the 31 cap-plasties of the humerus, six required re-operation. The overall failure rate of 12% is low compared with the failure rate of re-amputation

Aim:. Right-Handed Girls With Rt-Ais Measured Using Holtain Equipment Have Upper Arm Length Asymmetry (Right-Minus-Left) Which Is: 1) Relatively Longer On Scoliosis Curve Convexity; 2) Significantly Associated With Scoliosis Curve Severity (Cobb Angle And Apical Vertebral Rotation); And 3) Transient, Decreasing With Age And Years After Menarche [1,2]. The Aim Is To Test Whether The Right Upper Arm Length Relative Overgrowth And Spinal Deformity Severity Were Associated With Right Or Left Upper Arm Length Size-For-Age. Method:. 94 Right-Handed Girls With Rt-Ais, Age 11–18 Years, (Mean Cobb Angle 46 Degrees, Range 10–102 Degrees), Were Evaluated Using A Harpenden Anthropometer For Upper Arm Length Asymmetry, Plotted Against Right And Left Upper Arm Length Standard Deviation Scores (Sds), Calculated From 378 Normal Girls, Age 11–18 Years. Results:. The Findings Show That Upper Arm Length Asymmetry Correlates Significantly With Right, But Not Left, Upper Arm Length Sds (Right Arm Spearman's Rho=0.330 P=0.001; Left Arm Rho=−0.013 P=0.902), And With No Other Limb Or Trunk Skeletal Region Sds. Cobb Angle And Avr Also Correlate Significantly With Right, But Not Left, Upper Arm Length Sds. Discussion:. The Abnormal Asymmetry Of Upper Arm Lengths Results From Relative Overgrowth Of Right Upper Arm. We Suggest This Asymmetry Results From An Abnormal Asymmetry Process (Eg Neurogenic) With Growth Velocity That Together Also Initiate The Trunk Deformity, Wherein Additional Factors Contribute To Scoliosis Progression Such As Upright Posture, Melatonin-Signalling Dysfunction And Osteopenia. The Right Upper Arm Length Overgrowth May Provide A Sentinel Of The Relative Anterior Spinal Overgrowth. Conflict Of Interest Statement: No conflict of interest

We undertook a comparative study of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vertebral morphometry of thoracic vertebrae of girls with adolescent idiopathic thoracic scoliosis (AIS) and age and gender-matched normal subjects, in order to investigate abnormal differential growth of the anterior and posterior elements of the thoracic vertebrae in patients with scoliosis. Previous studies have suggested that disproportionate growth of the anterior and posterior columns may contribute to the development of AIS. Whole spine MRI was undertaken on 83 girls with AIS between the age of 12 and 14 years, and Cobb’s angles of between 20° and 90°, and 22 age-matched controls. Multiple measurements of each thoracic vertebra were obtained from the best sagittal and axial MRI cuts. Compared with the controls, the scoliotic spines had longer vertebral bodies between T1 and T12 in the anterior column and shorter pedicles with a larger interpedicular distance in the posterior column. The differential growth between the anterior and the posterior elements of each thoracic vertebra in the patients with AIS was significantly different from that in the controls (p < 0.01). There was also a significant positive correlation between the scoliosis severity score and the ratio of differential growth between the anterior and posterior columns for each thoracic vertebra (p < 0.01). Compared with age-matched controls, the longitudinal growth of the vertebral bodies in patients with AIS is disproportionate and faster and mainly occurs by endochondral ossification. In contrast, the circumferential growth by membranous ossification is slower in both the vertebral bodies and pedicles.

A special surgical technique and consideration is necessary in the total hip arthroplasty for dysplastic osteoarthritis after Kalamchi and MacEwen Type III or IV deformity (so called “Perthes-like-deformity”). There have been few reports concerning the total hip arthroplasty for “Perthes-like-deformity”. We evaluated the clinical and radiological outcome of 52 uncemented hip arthroplasties for the lesion.

We have performed 106 hips of uncemented total hip arthroplasty for dysplastic osteoarthritis after Kalamchi and MacEwen Type III or IV deformity. Among them, 52 hips of 47 patients (11 males and 41 females) were evaluated with minimum of three years follow-up. The average age at the surgery was 52 (28 to 65). The average follow-up period was 4.8 (3 to 8.1) years. Against the developmental dysplasia or dislocation, 29 hips of 26 patients had been treated by casting or surgery in infancy. Thirteen hips of 11 patients had no previous treatment before the arthroplasty. Spongiosa metal cup (GHE: ESKA implants, Lübeck, Germany) was used for 33 hips of 28 patients and Zweymüller type cup (Allo-classic cup: Zimmer Inc., Warsaw, IN, Bicon cup: Smith & Nephew Orthopedics AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) for 19 hips of 19 patients. Spongiosa Metal stem (GHE: ESKA implants) was used for 23 hips of 19 patients and Zweymüller type stem (Alloclassic stem: Zimmer Inc., SL stem: Smith & Nephew Orthopedics AG) for 29 hips of 28 patients. The average operative time was 108 (53 to 233) minutes. The average blood loss during the surgery was 731(150 to 1749) milliliters. The adductor tendon release was added in 28 hips of 26 patients against the severe contracture. The patients were evaluated clinically (pre-surgical history, hip score, leg length discrepancy, Trendelenburg sign, and gait function) and radiologically (ATD before the surgery, alignment, and stability of implants). Average ATD before the surgery was −2.2 (−28 to 17) millimeters. The average leg length discrepancy was 1.9 (0 to 7) centimeters before the surgery and was improved to 0.1 (0 to 1) centimeters after the surgery. The average hip score was 54 (23 to 80) before the surgery and was improved to 90 (69 to 100) after the surgery. At the final follow-up, Trendelenburg sign was positive in 14 hips of 14 patients (26.9%) and the limping was not obvious in 38 hips of 33 patients (73.1%). All implants were stable at the final follow-up.

“Perthes-like-deformity” often has the severe deformity. It has a shortening or an absence of the neck and an excessive antetorsion of the femur. When it has the coxa magna, the acetabulum is shallow, has the narrow anteroposterior diameter, and has the thin wall like the osteophyte. It is frequently accompanied by shortening of leg and contracture, as the lesion arises from the development disorders. Thus, the total hip arthroplasty, especially uncemented one, is complicated. However, the satisfactory result can be obtained by careful consideration and surgical procedure such as a provision against the bleeding and the soft tissue release.

Genu varum in the achondroplastic patient has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. There is little mention in the literature of the role of fibular overgrowth. Using the ratio of fibular to tibial length as a measurement of possible fibular overgrowth, we have related it to the development of genu varum. Full-length standing anteroposterior radiographs of 53 patients with achondroplasia were analysed. There were 30 skeletally-immature and 23 skeletally-mature patients. Regression analysis was performed in order to determine if there was a causal relationship between fibular overgrowth and the various indices of alignment of the lower limb. Analysis showed that the fibular to tibial length ratio had a significant correlation with the medial proximal tibial angle and the mechanical axial deviation in the skeletally-immature group. We conclude that there is a significant relationship between fibular overgrowth and the development of genu varum in the skeletally-immature achondroplastic patient

Recurrent patellar instability is a common problem and there are multiple demographic and pathoanatomic risk factors that predispose patients to dislocating their patella. The most common of these is trochlear dysplasia. In cases of severe trochlear dysplasia associated with patellar instability, a sulcus deepening trochleoplasty combined with a medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) may be indicated. Unaddressed trochlear pathology has been associated with failure and poor post-operative outcomes after stabilization. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical outcome of patients having undergone a trochleoplasty and MPFLR for recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability in the setting of high-grade trochlear dysplasia at a mean of 2 years follow-up. A prospectively collected database was used to identify 46 patients (14 bilateral) who underwent a combined primary MPFLR and trochleoplasty for recurrent patellar instability with high-grade trochlear dysplasia between August 2013 and July 2021. A single surgeon performed a thin flap trochleoplasty using a lateral para-patellar approach with lateral retinaculum lengthening in all 60 cases. A tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) was performed concomitantly in seven knees (11.7%) and the MPFLR was performed with a gracilis tendon autograft in 22%, an allograft tendon in 27% and a quadriceps tendon autograft in 57% of cases. Patients were assessed post-operatively at three weeks and three, six, 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was the Banff Patellar Instability Instrument 2.0 (BPII 2.0) and secondary outcomes were incidence of recurrent instability, complications and reoperations. The mean age was 22.2 years (range, 13 to 45), 76.7% of patients were female, the mean BMI was 25.03 and the prevalence of a positive Beighton score (>4/9) was 40%. The mean follow-up was 24.3 (range, 6 to 67.7) months and only one patient was lost to follow-up before one year post-operatively. The BPII 2.0 improved significantly from a mean of 27.3 pre-operatively to 61.1 at six months (p < 0 .01) and further slight improvement to a mean of 62.1 at 12 months and 65.6 at 24 months post-operatively. Only one patient (1.6%) experienced a single event of subluxation without frank dislocation at nine months. There were three reoperations (5%): one for removal of the TTO screws and prominent chondral nail, one for second-look arthroscopy for persistent J-sign and one for mechanical symptoms associated with overgrowth of a lateral condyle cartilage repair with a bioscaffold. There were no other complications. In this patient cohort, combined MPFLR and trochleoplasty for recurrent patellar instability with severe trochlear dysplasia led to significant improvement of patient reported outcome scores and no recurrence of patellar dislocation at a mean of 2 years. Furthermore, in this series the procedure demonstrated a low rate (5%) of complications and reoperations

Aims. This case series aims to describe the clinical consequences of juxta-physeal sub-acute osteomyelitis in children, specifically growth and limb deformity. Methods. All children diagnosed with osteomyelitis between 2014 and 2016 at a single University Teaching Hospital in the UK were included. Juxta-physeal sub-acute osteomyelitis was identified using magnetic resonance imaging obtained within 48-hours of presentation. These cases were followed up prospectively on a regular basis in the outpatient clinic. Any clinical evidence of limb or growth deformity was evaluated using long-leg standing radiographs. Results. During the study period, 63 paediatric osteomyelitis cases were identified and four of these (6%) had juxta-physeal sub-acute osteomyelitis. All bone infections were located either in the distal femur or proximal tibia. All cases were treated with six weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone and three children underwent surgical procedures. All four cases developed a growth deformity in the affected limb. Conclusions. A variety of growth disturbances can occur following sub-acute osteomyelitis which could be secondary to physeal stimulation and overgrowth. In this series, overgrowth occurred in the physis immediately adjacent to the Brodie's abscess. Subsequently, the presence of a medial abscess caused a valgus deformity and a lateral abscess caused a varus deformity. This phenomenon has not been well-described in the literature. The tibial and femoral physes are amongst the most active in the body, which may explain the reason for the observed overgrowth deformity in these cases. The age of the patient and the method of treatment did not appear to influence the emergence of the growth deformity. None of our patients had recurrence or development of chronic osteomyelitis within the measured time period. In view of these findings, we recommend regular follow-up including assessment for limb deformity for a minimum of 3-years following the treatment of sub-acute osteomyelitis

Introduction. Amputation or disarticulation is a reliable option for management of severe foot deformities and limb-length discrepancies, the surgical restoration of which are unpredictable or unfavourable. Of the various surgeries involving foot ablation, Syme's amputation is preferred for congenital deformities as it provides a growing, weight bearing stump with proprioception and cushioning. Materials and Methods. We reviewed data of all children who underwent Syme's amputation over the past 13 years at our institution. Surgical technique followed the same principles for Syme's but varied with surgeons. Results. Ten boys and ten girls, with an average age of 18 months and average follow up of 70 months were included in the study. The most common indication was fibular hemimelia. Wound complications were reported in three children, phantom pain in one, heel pad migration in two. None had wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, stump overgrowth, or calcaneal regrowth. None of this required surgical intervention. One child required an amputation at a higher-level secondary to a congenital malformation of nervous tissue in the affected leg. Prosthetic compatibility was 94.7 % and none used mobility aids. Six children participated in sports. Conclusions. Syme amputation is a safe and potentially advantageous procedure in children, with a low incidence of complications to offer patients with non-salvageable foot conditions. It offers good prosthetic use with minimal risk of complications and can offer patients a functional solution with only one surgical intervention throughout their childhood

Purpose:. Despite advances in limb reconstruction, there are still a number of young patients who require trans-tibial amputation. Amputation osteoplasty is a technique described by Ertl to enhance rehabilitation after trans-tibial amputation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the results of the original Ertl procedure in skeletally immature patients, and to assess whether use of this procedure would result in a diminished incidence of bony overgrowth. Methods:. Four consecutive patients (five amputations) treated between January 2005 and June 2008 were reviewed. Clinical evaluation consisted of completion of the prosthesis evaluation questionnaire (PEQ) and physical examination. Radiographic analysis was performed to evaluate bone-bridge healing, bone overgrowth and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). Results:. The best mean PEQ result in the Question section was 91.8 (Range 74–100) for ‘Well being’ and the worst mean score was 66.6 (Range 50–78) for the sub-section ‘Residual limb health’. Examination of the residual limbs revealed no bursae were present and all knees were stable with full range of movement. All bony bridges united at an average age of 1.7 months (Range 1–2). One case required stump revision for bony overgrowth, and one case developed asymptomatic mild genu varum. Conclusions:. In this series, the original Ertl osteomyoplasty shows good functional and prosthetic use with only one bony overgrowth requiring revision surgery

Aim. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is often propagated as treatment option for fracture-related infection (FRI). After surgical debridement and repeated NPWT dressing changes, the wounds are often closed by free flaps. Sometimes even healing by secondary intention seems an alternative. Recently, concerns have been raised on the long-term use of NPWT as it could be related to bacterial overgrowth and possible re-infection. The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective evaluation of the influence of long-term NPWT on tissue culture results and outcome in FRI patients. Method. Between January 1. st. , 2015 and December 31st, 2018, a total of 852 patients were treated with NPWT for different indications on the Department of Trauma Surgery. Inclusion criteria for this study were patients with a closed fracture, stabilized with osteosynthetic fixation and complicated with a confirmed FRI according to the FRI consensus definition. Patients were included when they received at least three NPWT dressing changes in the operating room. Exclusion criteria were patients younger than 18 years, or the absence of cultures results from dressing changes. Results. During the study period 23 patients met the inclusion criteria. According to the tripartite classification of Willenegger and Roth, one patient had an early, 14 a delayed and 8 patients a late onset FRI. Overall, 139 NPWT dressing applications were performed, with an average amount of six per patient. In 14 patients (61%) and 57 dressing changes (41%), at least 2 tissue cultures showed the same pathogen or at least one, in case of highly virulent organisms (e.g. S. aureus) during a single dressing exchange. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were present in 33% of the cases, followed by Enterococcus spp. (21%), S. aureus (16%), non-fermentative gram negative bacilli (14%) and Enterobacteriaceae (7%). Furthermore, 17 exchanges showed polymicrobial growth. Five patients had repeatedly significant growth of the same pathogen despite adequate antimicrobial therapy, within this group one patient was immunocompromised. Conclusions. In a large amount of patients (61%), a significant number of positive culture results could be acquired, even in the presence of adequate local and systemic antimicrobial therapy. The clinical relevance of these results remains unclear. This said, it seems important to limit the duration of NPWT as prolonged treatment could increase bacterial overgrowth and possible (re-)infection. Therefore, a rapid definitive soft tissue coverage should be encouraged. Future larger prospective clinical trials are required

A number of series report limb length discrepancy in long bone chronic osteomyelitis, however in most cases, it is shortening of the affected bone. This is thought to be due to damage in the affected growth plate leading to early growth arrest. However, it is known that the inflammatory state of chronic osteomyelitis results in an increased blood supply and, as in other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the increased blood supply results in overgrowth of the affected bone. In order to study the effect of long bone chronic osteomyelitis on limb length, we designed a prospective trial of 42 consecutive patients presenting to our unit with chronic osteomyelitis of a long bone. The inclusion criteria were all patients presenting with a long bone osteomyelitis. There were no exclusion criteria. The mean age at presentation was 10.3 years. The mean duration of symptoms of 18.2 months prior to presentation. For 37 (88%) of patients the cause of osteomyelitis was haematogenous. On examination, 3 (7%) patients had shortening of the long bone compared to the unaffected side (of an average of 2.5cm), whilst 13 (31%) patients had overgrowth of the affected bone (average overgrowth 2.2cm). The most common bone affected was the tibia (20/42, 48%), followed by the femur (8/42, 19%) and the humerus (6/42, 14%). All patients underwent radiographic analysis, and the average percentage of long bone affected was 59%. 8/42 (12%) of patients had at least one physis affected (2 of these patients had undergrowth and 1 had overgrowth). This large prospective series of patients is the first in the world literature to show the effect of osteomyelitis on the growth of long bones, in particular an overgrowth rate of 31%. We suggest that the mechanism for this is related to the duration of symptoms. In areas of the world where there is poor access to health care, there is consequently a prolonged period of increased blood supply as a result of inflammation. This increased blood supply may make limb length discrepancy is more likely to be due to overgrowth rather than undergrowth

Introduction: This study examines the proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures in children and specifically the valgus deformity and leg overgrowth of the tibia. Methods: We examined 27 children with proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Among them, 11 presented with greenstick fractures, 6 with complete, 5 with hairline, 3 with torus and 2 with stress fractures. The mean age was 7 years old (1–14). The average follow up period was 9.5 years. Fifteen children were below the age of 7 while 12 were between 8–14 years old. Twenty five patients were treated conservatively and 2 surgically. Results: Valgus deformity occurred during the follow up period in 73% of the children aged below 7 y.o. and 17% of the older children. The higher values of valgus deformity ranged between 8–18 degrees and were observed at 10–18 months post-traumatically, especially in younger ages and after inadequate reductions. At the time of the final follow up examination, satisfactory spontaneous correction of the deformity, inversely proportional to age was observed in all cases. The degree of final valgus deformity ranged between 1–9 degrees. Overgrowth of the affected extremity was observed in 74% of the cases and ranged between 0, 4 and 1, 5 cm. Tibial overgrowth is not dependent to skeletal age. None of torus and stress fractures developed valgus deformity or longitudinal overgrowth. Compartment syndrome occurred in one case. Conclusion: A high tendency to valgus deformity, especially in younger ages, was observed in proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures, even among undisplaced or surgically treated ones. Approximately two years post-traumatically, the beginning of a progressive spontaneous satisfactory correction of the deformity – inversely proportional to age – was noticed. It is worth mentioning that valgus deformity up to 10 degrees and tibial overgrowth up to 1, 5 cm cause no functional or cosmetic problems. The above observations prevent us from unnecessary surgical correction. Conservative treatment is preferred for the proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Operative treatment is indicated after inadequate reduction, especially in older children and after open fractures

Introduction and Objective. Pectus carinatum is a common congenital anterior chest wall deformity, characterized by outward protrusion of sternum and ribcage resulted from rib cartilage overgrowth. The protrusion may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Pectus carinatum association with mitral valve diseases, Marfan's syndrome, and scoliosis enforces that poor connective tissue development as possible etiological factor. Despite the coexistence of pectus carinatum and scoliosis has attracted the attention of some researchers, the association between pectus carinatum and the other spinal deformities has not been studied comprehensively. The frequency of spinal deformity in patients with pectus carinatum and the mutual relationships of their subtypes are needed to be studied to determine the epidemiological character of the combined deformity and to plan patient evaluation and management. Our study aimed to investigate the association, define the incidence and evaluate the characteristics between different types of spinal deformities and Pectus carinatum. Materials and Methods. Radiological and physical examinations were performed for 117 pectus carinatum patients in Marmara university hospital/Turkey in the years between 2006 and 2013. The incidence of spinal deformity was calculated. Spinal deformities were classified as scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, and spinal asymmetry, whereas pectus carinatum were subdivided into symmetric and asymmetric subgroups. The relationship between spinal deformities and the symmetrical-asymmetric subtype of pectus excavatum was statistically analyzed, Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the association of qualitative data. The significance level was accepted as p <0.05. Lastly, the angular values of the deformities of scoliosis and kyphosis patients were measured using the Cobb method. In this way, the magnitude of the deformity was given as a numerical value. Results. Spinal deformity was detected in 23 (17 symmetrical PE and 6 asymmetrical PE) of 117 pectus excavatum patients. Scoliosis and kyphosis were seen equally in symmetrical pectus carinatum, whereas scoliosis was seen in 33.3% and kyphosis in 50% in asymmetric pectus carinatum patients, respectively. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of scoliosis and kyphosis in patients with symmetrical and asymmetrical PE. Idiopathic scoliosis constituted the most common scoliosis group. Congenital kyphosis was not found in any kyphosis patient. The average Cobb angle of scoliosis patients was 32°, and the mean T2-T12 kyphosis angle of these patients was 55.5°, while the average kyphosis angle of those with kyphosis deformity was 71°. Conclusions. Patients with Pectus carinatum have a higher incidence of spinal deformities than the normal population. Such high concomitant incidence should be taken under consideration in evaluating and treating patients presenting with either deformity

The purpose of this study is to report a unique overgrowth syndrome and discuss the insights into the complex orthopaedic management. Written consent to report this case was granted. The patient's condition, wrongly diagnosed as Proteus syndrome, is characterised by a genetic mutation in PIK3CA, a critical regulator of cell growth. This lead to unregulated cellular division of fibroblasts isolated to the lower limbs. The legs weighed 117 kg, with a circumference of >110 cm. In addition to lower limb overgrowth, numerous musculoskeletal and organ pathologies have been encountered since birth requiring treatment from a wide variety of healthcare specialists and basic scientists. At 32 years, the patient developed septicaemia secondary to an infected foot ulcer. Amputation had been discussed in the elective setting, however the presence of sepsis expedited surgery. The above knee amputation took 9 hours and four assistants including a plastic surgeon. A difficult dissection revealed a deep subcutaneous fatty layer that integrated with deep muscle, massive hypertrophy of cutaneous nerves and the sciatic nerve and ossification within the distal quarter of the quadriceps muscles requiring osteotomy. The lower limb osteology was grossly aberrant. The size of the amputated limb did not permit use of a tourniquet and cell salvage reintroduced 10.5 litres of blood with a further 6 units of red cells intra-operatively. The leg stump successfully took to a split-skin graft. A unique phenomenon was witnessed post-operatively whereby the stump continued to grow due to upregulation of fibroblasts secondary to trauma. Targeted genetic therapies have been successfully developed to suppress this stump growth. This unique and unclassified overgrowth syndrome was caused by a mutation in the PIK3CA gene. Orthopaedic management of the oversized limb was complex requiring multiple surgeons and prolonged general anesthetic. A multi-disciplinary approach to this condition is required for optimizing outcomes in these patients