Aims. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of developing cancer from the exposure to radiation associated with surgery to correct limb deformities in children. Patients and Methods. A total of 35 children were studied. There were 19 girls and 16 boys. Their mean age was 11.9 years (2 to 18) at the time of surgery. Details of the radiological examinations were recorded during gradual correction using a Taylor Spatial Frame. The dose area product for each radiograph was obtained from the Computerised Radiology Information System database. The effective dose in millisieverts (mSv) was calculated using conversion coefficients for the anatomical area. The lifetime risk of developing cancer was calculated using government-approved Health Protection Agency reports, accounting for the age and gender of the child. Results. Correction was undertaken in five femurs, 18 tibiae, and 12 feet. The median duration of treatment was 45 months (11 to 118). The mean effective dose was 0.31 mSv (0.05 to 0.64) for the femur, 0.29 mSv (0.01 to 0.97) for the tibia, and 0.027 mSv (0.001 to 0.161) for the foot. The cumulative exposure gave ‘negligible’ risk in 26 children and ‘minimal’ risk in nine children, according to Public Health England categories. These results are below the mean annual background radiation in the United Kingdom. Conclusion. The lifetime attributable risk of developing cancer from repeated exposure to radiation was negligible or minimal in all children. This is the first study to quantify the exposure to radiation from serial radiographs in children with limb deformities who are treated surgically using circular external fixation, linking this to the risk of developing cancer. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:241–245

Abstract

The medial malleolus, once believed to be the primary stabilizer of the ankle, has been the topic of conflicting clinical and biomechanical data for many decades. Despite the relevant surgical anatomy being understood for almost 40 years, the optimal treatment of medial malleolar fractures remains unclear, whether the injury occurs in isolation or as part of an unstable bi- or trimalleolar fracture configuration. Traditional teaching recommends open reduction and fixation of medial malleolar fractures that are part of an unstable injury. However, there is recent evidence to suggest that nonoperative management of well-reduced fractures may result in equivalent outcomes, but without the morbidity associated with surgery. This review gives an update on the relevant anatomy and classification systems for medial malleolar fractures and an overview of the current literature regarding their management, including surgical approaches and the choice of implants.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:512–521.