Salter-Harris II fractures of the distal tibia affect children frequently, and when they are displaced present a treatment dilemma. Treatment primarily aims to restore alignment and prevent premature physeal closure, as this can lead to angular deformity, limb length difference, or both. Current literature is of poor methodological quality and is contradictory as to whether conservative or surgical management is superior in avoiding complications and adverse outcomes. A state of clinical equipoise exists regarding whether displaced distal tibial Salter-Harris II fractures in children should be treated with surgery to achieve anatomical reduction, or whether cast treatment alone will lead to a satisfactory outcome. Systematic review and meta-analysis has concluded that high-quality prospective multicentre research is needed to answer this question. The Outcomes of Displaced Distal tibial fractures: Surgery Or Casts in KidS (ODD SOCKS) trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, aims to provide this high-quality research in order to answer this question, which has been identified as a top-five research priority by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(5):471–473

Fixation by a single screw is considered the current treatment of choice for a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This approach promotes premature physeal closure. The use of a modified, standard, single, cannulated screw designed to maintain epiphyseal fixation without causing premature closure of the physis was reviewed in ten patients. The nine boys and one girl aged between 10.6 and 12.6 years with unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), were markedly skeletally immature (Tanner stage I, bone age 10 to 12.6 years). Clinical and radiological review at a mean follow-up of 44.3 months (36 to 76) showed no difference in the time to physeal closure between the involved and uninvolved side. Measurement of epiphyseal and physeal development showed continued growth and remodelling in all patients. Use of this device provided epiphyseal stability and maintained the capacity for physeal recovery and growth following treatment for both unstable and stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Out of a total of 112 children with displaced forearm shaft fracture treated with Percutaneous Kirschner (K) wire fixation in the past 9 years, 84 cases with fracture of both the radius and ulna were reviewed. 64 (76%) had fixation of both the radius and ulna, 10 (12%) the radius only and the other 10 (12%) the ulna only. In 60 (71%) patients were successful with one stage close reduction and pinning, while in the remaining 24 (29%) a semi- open reduction through a small incision was required. The K-wire was inserted through the radial styloid or the Lister tubercle for the radius, and through the tip of the olecranon for the ulna. All the patients reviewed were found to have good functional results with no non-union, deep infection or premature physeal closure at a mean follow-up of 48 months. Initial pre-operative shortening or translation of the fracture were associated with significantly higher chance of open reduction. We concluded that percutaneous K-wiring for forearm diaphyseal fracture in children is a convenient, effective and safe operation, with minimal complications

Fractures of the hip in children have been associated with a very high rate of serious complications including avascular necrosis (up to 47%) and coxa vara (up to 32%). Over a period of 20 years, we have treated displaced fractures by early anatomical reduction, internal fixation and immobilisation in a spica cast to try to reduce these complications. We have reviewed 18 patients who had a displaced non-pathological fracture of the hip when under 16 years of age. Their mean age at the time of the injury was eight years (2 to 13). They returned for examination and radiography at a mean follow-up of eight years (2 to 17). Each patient had been treated by early (″24 hours) closed or open reduction with internal fixation and 16 had immobilisation in a spica cast. By Delbet’s classification, there was one type-I, eight type-II, eight type-III, and one type-IV fractures. There were no complications in 15 patients. Avascular necrosis occurred in one patient (type-III), nonunion in one (type-II, one of the two patients who did not have a cast) and premature physeal closure in one (type-I). There were no cases of infection or complications as a result of the cast. Our treatment of displaced hip fractures in children by early reduction, internal fixation, and immobilisation in a spica cast gave reduced rates of complications compared with that of large published series in the literature

Purpose of study: To evaluate the results of a consecutive series of displaced intracapsular paediatric femoral neck fractures treated by early closed reduction and Austin Moore Pin fixation. Method: Between 2001 and 2004, 14 paediatric patients with a mean age of 10 years suffering femoral neck fractures were identified. All traumatic epiphyseal, trans-cervical and basi-cervical femoral neck fractures were included. Pathological and intertrochanteric fractures were excluded. There were 11 male and 3 female patients. All patients were treated by reduction and internal fixation using Austin Moore pins. Patients were allowed to mobilize non-weight bearing with crutches for 3 months, followed by partial to full weight bearing. The mechanism of injury, associated injuries, time to reduction and time to union were reviewed. All patients were followed up till union. Mean follow up was 18 months. Patients were assessed clinically for pain, limp, use of walking aid, walking distance, stair climbing, cross leg sitting and squatting. Hip movements and limb length discrepancy were noted. Radiographs were analyzed to determine the adequacy of reduction, fracture healing and changes of avascular necrosis (AVN). Results: Mean injury-operation interval was 38.5 hours. Mean time to union was 16 weeks. All patients had excellent initial reduction which was maintained till healing. All patients’ fractures healed uneventfully. There were no complications in the form of non-union, AVN, premature physeal closure, angular deformity or implant back-out. Conclusions: Paediatric femoral neck fractures can be treated successfully with expeditious reduction and internal fixation. The risk of the devastating complication of AVN can be lessened with urgent surgery and near anatomical reduction

This study evaluated the effect of limb lengthening on longitudinal growth in patients with achondroplasia. Growth of the lower extremity was assessed retrospectively by serial radiographs in 35 skeletally immature patients with achondroplasia who underwent bilateral limb lengthening (Group 1), and in 12 skeletally immature patients with achondroplasia who did not (Group 2). In Group 1, 23 patients underwent only tibial lengthening (Group 1a) and 12 patients underwent tibial and femoral lengthening sequentially (Group 1b). The mean lengthening in the tibia was 9.2 cm (59.5%) in Group 1a, and 9.0 cm (58.2%) in the tibia and 10.2 cm (54.3%) in the femur in Group 1b. The mean follow-up was 9.3 years (8.6 to 10.3). The final mean total length of lower extremity in Group 1a was 526.6 mm (501.3 to 552.9) at the time of skeletal maturity and 610.1 mm (577.6 to 638.6) in Group 1b, compared with 457.0 mm (411.7 to 502.3) in Group 2. However, the mean actual length, representing the length solely grown from the physis without the length of distraction, showed that there was a significant disturbance of growth after limb lengthening. In Group 1a, a mean decrease of 22.4 mm (21.3 to 23.1) (4.9%) was observed in the actual limb length when compared with Group 2, and a greater mean decrease of 38.9 mm (37.2 to 40.8) (8.5%) was observed in Group 1b when compared with Group 2 at skeletal maturity. In Group 1, the mean actual limb length was 16.5 mm (15.8 to 17.2) (3.6%) shorter in Group 1b when compared with Group 1a at the time of skeletal maturity. Premature physeal closure was seen mostly in the proximal tibia and the distal femur with relative preservation of proximal femur and distal tibia. We suggest that significant disturbance of growth can occur after extensive limb lengthening in patients with achondroplasia, and therefore, this should be included in pre-operative counselling of these patients and their parents

Introduction. Paediatric hip fracture accounts for less than one percent of paediatric fractures. Previous studies report complication rates between 20 and 92%. Method. We retrospectively identified patients with fixation for neck of femur fractures at Birmingham Children's Hospital. All patients were under age sixteen. Data were reviewed over a 10 year period (1997-2006). Fractures were classified by Delbet's classification and Ratliff's system to grade avascular necrosis (AVN). Function was assessed using Ratcliff's criteria, incorporating clinical examination and radiographic findings. Results. 15 femoral neck fractures were treated in 14 patients over a ten year period (R=1997-2006). One patient sustained bilateral fractures. Three patients had osteogenesis imperfecta and one osteopetrosis. Mean age at injury was 10.3 years (R=6-14 years). Mean follow-up was 31 months (R=6-110 months). Two fractures were Delbet type-I (13.3%), four type-II (26.7%), six type-III (40%) and three type-IV fractures (20%). Associated injuries included calcaneal fracture, head injury, pubic rami, acetabular and tibial fractures, hip dislocation, and depressed skull fracture with extradural haematoma. Eleven patients were operated on within 24 hours (R=4-19 hours) and four after 24 hours (R=2-11 days). One patient operated on within seven hours had a poor outcome. Premature physeal closure (PPC) occurred in all patients with physeal penetration (Fishers Exact test: p=0.077). The results were ‘good’ in 14 patients (93%) and ‘poor’ in one patient with Ratliff's Type I avascular necrosis (6.7%). This 13 year old male sustained a Delbet type 1 fracture with dislocation of the femoral epiphysis after a road traffic accident. The AVN and PPC rates were 6.7% and 33%. Coxa vara was diagnosed in two patients. One patient developed a significant leg length discrepancy (>2cm). Superficial wound infections occurred in two patients. No non-unions occurred. Conclusion. Complication rates are lower than historical studies

Proximal Radius – Fractures of the proximal radius in children account for slightly more than 1% of all children’s fractures, represent 5 to 10% of all elbow fractures and accounts for 5% of all fractures involving the growth plate. The average age in the literature is 10 years (4 to 16 years) with no difference between boys and girls. The anatomical aspects should be emphasized for the comprehension of this fracture: 1) the radial head of the child only starts to ossify at age 5 so it is very rare to have a fracture before this age since all the head is cartilaginous and therefore more resistant to trauma. At the same time it makes more difficult the diagnosis because of the absence of ossification of the epiphysis. 2) There is a valgus angulation of 12.5° between the radial head and the shaft of the radius in the AP plan and an anterior angulation of 3° on the lateral plane that should not be misinterpreted as fractures. 3) The radial head is intrarticular in a similar way like the femoral head and trauma to this region may lead to AVN as a result of damage to the vascular supply of the epiphysis. 4) The proximal radioulnar joint has a very intimate continuity contributing to exact congruence of the articular surfaces. The axis of rotation lies directly in the center of the radial neck. Any deviation of the epiphysis over the neck has a major reflect over the axis of rotation causing a “cam” effect when the radial head rotates with loss of pronosupination. The mechanism of injury responsible for this injury result from a fall on the outstretched upper extremity in which the elbow is extended and a valgus force is applied to the elbow joint. In more rare cases it result from direct pressure to the radial head during dislocation of the elbow. There are different classifications mostly based on the anatomical lesion or degree of deformity. Wilkins divides this fracture in two major groups: Group I (valgus fracture) subdivided in three types: type A – the Salter-Harris type I and II, type B – Salter-Harris type IV and type C – fractures involving only the proximal radial metaphysis and Group II (fractures associated with elbow dislocation) subdivided in two types: type D – reduction injuries and type E – dislocation injuries. O’Brien divides the common valgus injury in three types according to the degree of angulation between the radial head and the axis of the radius: Type I (0 to 30° angulation) Type II (between 30° and 60°) and Type III (more than 60°). The clinical symptoms may vary according to the magnitude of the injury. The child will mostly complaint of pain and tenderness on the lateral side of the joint. In young children pain may first be referred to the wrist. The pain usually increases with pronosupination and extension of the elbow. The diagnosis relies mostly on the x-ray view (AP and lateral) and the fracture will be easily visualized in either film. In the cases where the fracture line is superimposed over the ulna an oblique view will be necessary. In the young child, whereas the epiphysis is still not ossified, an ultrasound may be helpful differentiating the position of the radial head. An arthrogram may also be of benefit especially during the process of reduction to check the accuracy of the treatment. The prognosis of this lesion depends on several factors. A poor result can be expected if the fracture is associated with other injuries such as elbow dislocation and ulna or medial epicondylar fractures. A residual tilt of the radial head, provided is not superior to 30°, is more tolerable than a translocation of the radial head superior to 4mm. Age is also an important factor since the older the child the less remodeling it will have. The treatment has also an important role in the prognosis of this injury since it is unanimous acceptable that an open reduction is associated with poor results. Therefore the treatment of a young child with an isolated minimal displaced fracture-separation of the proximal radius (less than 30°) should be a simple long arm cast. In a more displaced fracture (more than 30° of tilt) a closed reduction should be performed under general anesthesia as suggested by Patterson. If the maneuver is not successful other attempts should be made with lateral pin compression applied directly to the radial head as suggested by Pesudo or an indirect reduction by an intramedullary kirschner wire as suggested by Metaizeau. Open reduction should be only reserved for dislocated Grade IV Salter-Harris type fractures, incarcerated radial head or in the presence of failure of closed treatment. The incidence of complications especially if associated with a dislocation of the elbow or other fractures can be high. The most common are loss of motion, radial head overgrowth usually with no clinical significance, notching of the radial neck and premature physeal closure. Avascular necrosis of the radial head is most commonly associated with open reduction. Distal Radius – It is the most common fracture separation in children and represent 46% of all fractures involving the growth plate. A fracture of the ulna is associated in 6 to 11% of the injuries. The average age is 12 years with a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 16 years. Although this high incidence it is very uncommon subsequent growth disturbance. The usual mechanism of injury is similar to the proximal radius injury and result from a fall on the outstretched upper extremity with the wrist hyperextended. This type of injury is classified by the Salter-Harris classification for physeal fractures and the most commons are the types I and II. The clinical symptoms vary from mild tenderness over the fracture site to a noticeable deformity most often with the apex volar. Attention should be given to the possibility of vascular and neural injury associated, mostly from the time of the acute deformation, and the diagnosis is made by x-ray view (AP and lateral) with the fracture well visualized. The prognosis is in general good since even in the presence of a markedly displaced fracture it can be expected a remarkably remodeling even in an older child. Treatment in a nondisplaced fracture only requires a below elbow cast for 4 weeks. In a displaced fracture a closed reduction should be performed under hematoma block or general anesthesia (in a young child). The reduction is stable most of the times in a plaster with the wrist in slight flexion. The incidence of complications is very rare

Aims

Fixation techniques used in the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) that allow continued growth of the femoral neck, rather than inducing epiphyseal fusion in situ, have the advantage of allowing remodelling of the deformity. The aims of this study were threefold: to assess whether the Free-Gliding (FG) SCFE screw prevents further slip; to establish whether, in practice, it enables lengthening and gliding; and to determine whether the age of the patient influences the extent of glide.

The April 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Ultrasonography or radiography for suspected paediatric distal forearm fractures?; Implant density in scoliosis: an important variable?; Gait after paediatric femoral shaft fracture treated with intramedullary nail fixation: a longitudinal prospective study; The opioid dilemma: navigating pain management for children’s bone fractures; 12- to 20-year follow-up of Dega acetabuloplasty in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip; Physeal fractures of the distal ulna: incidence and risk factors for premature growth arrest; Analysis of growth after transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children; Management of lateral condyle humeral fracture associated with elbow dislocation in children: a retrospective international multicentre cohort study.

Purposes:. See if permanent damage of the growth plate after physeal distraction is the rule and. Identify factors with influence on the viability of the physis after physeal distraction. Introduction: Surgeons have always been concerned about the fate of the growth plate after physeal distraction and for that reason this technique has usually been considered only in patients nearing maturity. Previous experimental work has shown that the velocity of distraction has an influence on the viability of the growth plate at follow-up (recommended rate: 0.5 mm/day). Clinically, it has also been our observation that the condition of the physis prior to distraction is another important factor related to physeal function in the long term. Patients and methods: Since 1987 we have used low velocity physeal distraction in 43 bone segments of which 37 cases have been followed-up at least for 24 months and this has been the group included in this study. The indications were lengthening (14), angular deformity correction (19) and resection of benign bone tumours (4). Most patients (24) were older than 10 y.o. and 22 of them were followed-up until maturity. We have retrospectively reviewed these patients looking at the radiological morphology and function of the distracted growth plate at follow-up. Results: Out of the 24 children older than 10 y.o., twenty showed a premature complete physeal closure. We looked with interest at the 13 cases younger than 10 y.o. since the repercussions of iatrogenic physeal damage would obviously be bigger in this age group. Five out of the 13 showed premature closure and in the remnant eight an open growth plate was observed at follow-up. All patients with open and/or functioning physes after distraction had no local injuries in the growth plate prior to distraction (4 congenital short femora and 4 normal physes). On the contrary, four out of the five cases with prematurely closed physes, had a local physeal damage prior to distraction (3 bony bridges and one non-union), and the remnant was a congenitally short femur. Growth after distraction was difficult to assess in the congenitally short femora but it has been very satisfactory in the 4 cases of previously normal physes (2 benign tumours and 2 femoral shortenings due to hip disorders). In three cases of congenital short femur in pre-teenagers we were able to repeat distraction twice through the same physis, since it had remained open after the first distraction. Conclusions: Physeal premature closure often follows physeal distraction, but not always. The condition of the physis prior to lengthening is an important factor with influence on its viability after distraction

Aims

Perthes’ disease (PD) often results in femoral head deformity and leg length discrepancy (LLD). Our objective was to analyze femoral morphology in PD patients at skeletal maturity to assess where the LLD originates, and evaluate the effect of contralateral epiphysiodesis for length equalization on proximal and subtrochanteric femoral lengths.

Aims

Guided growth has been used to treat coxa valga for cerebral palsy (CP) children. However, there has been no study on the optimal position of screw application. In this paper we have investigated the influence of screw position on the outcomes of guided growth.

Aims

Preserving growth following limb-salvage surgery of the upper limb in children remains a challenge. Vascularized autografts may provide rapid biological incorporation with the potential for growth and longevity. In this study, we aimed to describe the outcomes following proximal humeral reconstruction with a vascularized fibular epiphyseal transfer in children with a primary sarcoma of bone. We also aimed to quantify the hypertrophy of the graft and the annual growth, and to determine the functional outcomes of the neoglenofibular joint.

Aims

The treatment of late presenting fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children remains controversial.

Two types of fracture, early and late, have been reported following limb lengthening in patients with achondroplasia (ACH) and hypochondroplasia (HCH).

We reviewed 25 patients with these conditions who underwent 72 segmental limb lengthening procedures involving the femur and/or tibia, between 2003 and 2011. Gender, age at surgery, lengthened segment, body mass index, the shape of the callus, the amount and percentage of lengthening and the healing index were evaluated to determine predictive factors for the occurrence of early (within three weeks after removal of the fixation pins) and late fracture (> three weeks after removal of the pins). The Mann‑Whitney U test and Pearson’s chi-squared test for univariate analysis and stepwise regression model for multivariate analysis were used to identify the predictive factor for each fracture. Only one patient (two tibiae) was excluded from the analysis due to excessively slow formation of the regenerate, which required supplementary measures. A total of 24 patients with 70 limbs were included in the study.

There were 11 early fractures in eight patients. The shape of the callus (lateral or central callus) was the only statistical variable related to the occurrence of early fracture in univariate and multivariate analyses. Late fracture was observed in six limbs and the mean time between removal of the fixation pins and fracture was 18.3 weeks (3.3 to 38.4). Lengthening of the tibia, larger healing index, and lateral or central callus were related to the occurrence of a late fracture in univariate analysis. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the shape of the callus was the strongest predictor for late fracture (odds ratio: 19.3, 95% confidence interval: 2.91 to 128). Lateral or central callus had a significantly larger risk of fracture than fusiform, cylindrical, or concave callus.

Radiological monitoring of the shape of the callus during distraction is important to prevent early and late fracture of lengthened limbs in patients with ACH or HCH. In patients with thin callus formation, some measures to stimulate bone formation should be considered as early as possible.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1269–73.

Fractures of the femoral neck in children are rare, high-energy injuries with high complication rates. Their treatment has become more interventional but evidence of the efficacy of such measures is limited. We performed a systematic review of studies examining different types of treatment and their outcomes, including avascular necrosis (AVN), nonunion, coxa vara, premature physeal closure (PPC), and Ratliff’s clinical criteria. A total of 30 studies were included, comprising 935 patients. Operative treatment and open reduction were associated with higher rates of AVN. Delbet types I and II fractures were most likely to undergo open reduction and internal fixation. Coxa vara was reduced in the operative group, whereas nonunion and PPC were not related to surgical intervention. Nonunion and coxa vara were unaffected by the method of reduction. Capsular decompression had no effect on AVN. Although surgery allows a more anatomical union, it is uncertain whether operative treatment or the type of reduction affects the rate of AVN, nonunion or PPC, because more severe fractures were operated upon more frequently. A delay in treatment beyond 24 hours was associated with a higher incidence of AVN.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:135-41.