Debate currently exists regarding the economic viability for screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants.

A retrospective study of infant hip dysplasia over the period of 1998–2008 (36,960 live births) was performed to determine treatment complexity and associated costs of disease detection and hospital treatment, related to the age at presentation and treatment modality.

179 infants (4.8/1000) presented with hip dysplasia. 34 infants presented late (>3 months of age) and required closed or open reduction. 145 infants presented at <3 months of age, 14 of whom failed early pavlik harness treatment. A detailed cost analysis revealed:

131 early presenters with successful management in a pavlik harness at a cost of £601/child.

34 late presenters who required surgery (36 hips, 19 closed/ 17 open reductions, 1 revision procedure) at a cost of £4352/child.

14 early presenters with failed management in a pavlik harness requiring more protracted surgery (18 hips, 4 closed/ 14 open reductions, 7 revision procedures) at a cost of £7052/ child.

Late detection causes increased treatment complexity and a seven-fold increase in the short-term costs of treatment, compared to early detection and successful management in a pavlik harness. However improved strategies are needed for the 10% of early presenting infants who fail pavlik harness treatment and require the most complex and costly interventions.

Aims

We investigated the local epidemiology of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), in order to define incidence, identify risk factors, and refine our policy on selective ultrasound screening.

Aims

We investigated the local epidemiology of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), in order to define incidence, identify risk factors, and refine our policy on selective ultrasound screening.

Aims

We aimed to examine the true incidence of DDH in our area, and to investigate both known and unknown risk factors for the condition.

Introduction

The standard plane imaging of Graf and the dynamic methods of Harcke are well established methods in assessing hip dysplasia but give limited information in the flexed-abducted treatment position used in the Pavlik harness. The femoral head may sit on the edge of the acetabulum in a flexed position and only reduce when the hips are abducted. This may mean that hips, which reduce when abducted in the Pavlik harness, appear subluxed when scanned in neutral abduction. Harness treatment may thereby be abandoned prematurely due to the failure to confirm reduction. This study identifies ultrasound landmarks on an anterior hip scan which could be used to confirm reduction of the hip in Pavlik Harness.

Our study looked at the short and medium-term results of a new and cost-effective method of bone surface preparation and cement introduction. Early failure and loosening of components in knee arthroplasty has been attributed to inadequate bone-cement and prosthesis- cement interfaces, established at the time of surgery. Cement pressurisation and interosseus suction have been shown to achieve effective cement penetration and interdigitation into cancellous bone.

We have devised a technique of cement pressurisation using a modified 20 ml syringe, combined with interosseus suction. Retrospective evaluation of a series of 50 post-operative radiographs of total knee replacements, undertaken without the use of tourniquet, have shown that even and effective penetration of cement to a depth of 8.0 10.6 mm can be achieved consistently using this technique. Evaluation of post-operative radiographs at a minimum of 5 years follow-up showed 16 knees with minor lucent lines about the tibial component with a maximum Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roentgenographic Score of 2.

In conclusion, we propose that this simple technique of bone surface preparation and cement introduction produces good results in the short and medium term.

Correspondence should be addressed to Major M Butler RAMC, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, Devon.

It is difficult to predict the outcome or likely treatment that will be required for an individual child with a rigid clubfoot deformity at an early stage.

32 Dimeglio grade II, III or IV CTEV feet in 24 infants were treated with weekly serial casts according to Ponseti method. Graphical plots of the improvement obtained in Dimeglio scores during serial cast treatment of CTEV were subsequently analysed to identify characteristic features that would help predict the likely success of casting or the need and extent of surgical release. The rate of change in global Dimeglio score, hindfoot (equinus/heel varus) and midfoot (adduction/derotation) components were specifically studied.

During casting the rate of change over 4 weeks and a “plateauing” of the global Dimeglio score after 4–6 weeks of casting separated those feet that responded to casting alone from those that required additional surgery. Those with “plateauing” and minimal midfoot deformity by 4 weeks (adduction/derotation score < =2) required a posterior release. Failure to correct the mid-foot deformity by 4 weeks (adduction/derotation score > = 3) predicted the need for a combined plantarme-dial and posterolateral release. These parameters were clearly demonstrated by graphical plots that can be easily obtained in a busy clinic setting.

Graphical representation of the rate of change in Dimeglio parameters can predict the likely treatment needed for children with CTEV. A graphical algorithm has been developed that can be used during the first 6 weeks of treatment to guide Ponseti method casting and early surgical intervention.

The standard plane imaging of Graf and the dynamic methods of Harcke are well established methods in assessing hip dysplasia but give limited information in the flexed-abducted treatment position used in the Pavlik harness. The femoral head may sit on the edge of the acetabulum in a flexed position and only reduce when the hips are abducted. This may mean that hips, which reduce when abducted in the Pavlik harness, appear subluxed when scanned in neutral abduction. Harness treatment may thereby be abandoned prematurely due to the failure to confirm reduction. This study identifies ultrasound landmarks on an anterior hip scan which could be used to confirm reduction of the hip in Pavlik Harness.

Hips of a newborn piglet were scanned, imaged with magnetic resonance and x-rayed both before and after anatomical dissection. Radiographic markers delineated the position of the tri-radiate cartilage and potential ultrasound landmarks identified to help confirm hip reduction in the flexed-abducted position. Porcine imaging was then compared with that of a human newborn.

The porcine model corresponded well to human imaging and we were able to establish a landmark, the “Ischial Limb”, which corresponds to the ossification front delineating the posterior ischial edge of the tri-radiate cartilage. This could clearly be seen on anterior hip ultrasound of both the porcine and human hip. This landmark can be used to confirm the hip is reduced by reference to the centre of the femoral head.

We would recommend anterior hip scanning using the “Ischial Limb” as a reference point to confirm hip reduction in Pavlik harness. This simple method is a useful adjunct to conventional ultrasound scanning in the harness treatment of hip instability.

The management of hip instability in the non-ambulant paediatric cerebral palsy (CP) patient is complex. Subluxations and dislocations arise secondary to muscle imbalance caused by strong hip flexors and adductors overpowering weaker hip abductors and extensors. These conditions give rise to sitting problems and can cause debilitating pain making care difficult. Treatment methods include physiotherapy, abduction bracing, muscle releases and transfers, proximal femoral and pelvic osteotomies, proximal femoral excision +/- interpositional arthroplasty, arthrodesis and total hip arthroplasty (THA). THA in the adult CP patient is not uncommon, however dislocation has remained a concern. THA is rarely used in the paediatric patient and to our knowledge the use of a constrained liner, which should prevent dislocation, has never been described. We present the case of a non-ambulant paediatric CP patient with normal intelligence whom by the age 16 had been successfully managed with staged bilateral uncemented THAs using constrained liner technology.

It is difficult to predict the outcome or likely treatment that will be required for an individual child with a rigid clubfoot deformity at an early stage.

32 Dimeglio grade II, III or IV CTEV feet in 24 infants were treated with weekly serial casts according to Ponseti method. Graphical plots of the improvement obtained in Dimeglio scores during serial cast treatment of CTEV were subsequently analysed to identify characteristic features that would help predict the likely success of casting or the need and extent of surgical release. The rate of change in global Dimeglio score, hindfoot (equinus / heel varus) and midfoot (adduction / derotation) components were specifically studied.

During casting the rate of change over 4 weeks and a “plateauing” of the global Dimeglio score after 4–6 weeks of casting separated those feet that responded to casting alone from those that required additional surgery. Those with “plateauing” and minimal midfoot deformity by 4 weeks (adduction /derotation score < =2) required a posterior release. Failure to correct the mid-foot deformity by 4 weeks (adduction /derotation score > = 3) predicted the need for a combined plantar medial and posterolateral release. These parameters were clearly demonstrated by graphical plots that can be easily obtained in a busy clinic setting.

Graphical representation of the rate of change in Dimeglio parameters can predict the likely treatment needed for children with CTEV. A graphical algorithm has been developed that can be used during the first 6 weeks of treatment to guide Ponseti method casting and early surgical intervention.