This article presents an overview of mycetoma and offers guidelines for orthopaedic surgeons who may be involved in the care of patients with this condition.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:420–5.

Aim: To study the adequacy of reduction of DDH postoperatively using MRI.

Method: Ten consecutive children with DDH who underwent open reduction and femoral osteotomy using Coventry stainless steel implants were scanned postoperatively.

Results: MRI gave reliable diagnostic information in all cases. The position of the femoral head in the acetabulum was clearly seen, despite artefact due to the metal. The mean scanning time was 3 minutes 45 seconds (range: 2 minutes 20 seconds – 5 minutes 30 seconds) and the total time in the MRI suite was between 7 and 10 minutes. No child required sedation.

Conclusions: The use of MRI scanning has been described after closed and open reduction of the hip in DDH to check hip position but has not previously been reported after open reduction with femoral osteotomy and the use of metalwork. Satisfactory images, comparable time and cost to CT scanning and the lack of exposure to ionising radiation make MRI an appealing method of imaging. We recommend it as the investigation of choice in this patient group.

In five children, six forearms with a fixed pronation deformity secondary to congenital radioulnar synostosis were treated by a derotation osteotomy of the distal radius and the midshaft of the ulna.

There were three boys and two girls with a mean age of 4.9 years (3.5 to 8.25) who were followed up for a mean of 29 months (18 to 43). The position of the forearm was improved from a mean pronation deformity of 68° (40° to 80°) to a pre-planned position of 10° of supination in all cases. Bony union was achieved by 6.3 weeks with no loss of correction. There was one major complication involving a distal radial osteotomy which required exploration for a possible compartment syndrome.

Children with a mucopolysaccharidosis or mucolipidosis suffer progressive disability of the hands, particularly in relation to dysfunction of the median nerve. This is an increasing problem because bone-marrow transplantation has dramatically improved survival without apparently changing the musculoskeletal manifestations. We have reviewed 48 children with these syndromes who required carpal tunnel decompression, recording symptoms, signs, radiological, electrophysiological and operative findings, histology and upper-limb function. In these children the carpal tunnel syndrome differs from that seen in adults. Symptoms are rare but signs such as decreased sweating, pulp atrophy, thenar wasting and manual clumsiness are much more common. At operation, the flexor retinaculum was thickened and a mass of white tenosynovium engulfed the flexor tendons. Most patients had some definite nerve constriction with a thickened epineurium.

Functional improvement was seen after early decompression, with some benefit from simultaneous tendon release. Regular physiotherapy helped to maintain increased hand movement.

We describe our assessment protocol, the physiotherapy and operative regime and the standard functional review which helps to maximise function in the hands and upper limbs of these children.