The August 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360. looks at: Antibiotic prophylaxis and infection rates in paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures; Clinical consensus recommendations for the non-surgical treatment of children with Perthes’ disease in the UK; Health-related quality of life in idiopathic toe walkers: a multicentre prospective cross-sectional study; Children with spinal dysraphism: a systematic review of reported outcomes; No delay in age of crawling, standing, or walking with Pavlik harness treatment: a prospective cohort study; No value found with routine early postoperative radiographs after implant removal in paediatric patients; What do we know about the natural history of spastic hip dysplasia and pain in total-involvement
Historically, patients undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have been nursed postoperatively in a critical care (CC) setting because of the challenges posed by prone positioning, extensive exposures, prolonged operating times, significant blood loss, major intraoperative fluid shifts, cardiopulmonary complications, and difficulty in postoperative pain management. The primary aim of this paper was to determine whether a scoring system, which uses Cobb angle, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and number of levels to be fused, is a valid method of predicting the need for postoperative critical care in AIS patients who are to undergo scoliosis correction with posterior spinal fusion (PSF). We retrospectively reviewed all AIS patients who had undergone PSF between January 2018 and January 2020 in a specialist tertiary spinal referral centre. All patients were assessed preoperatively in an anaesthetic clinic. Postoperative care was defined as ward-based (WB) or critical care (CC)Aims
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In 2017, the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery engaged the profession and all relevant stakeholders in two formal research prioritization processes. In this editorial, we describe the impact of this prioritization on funding, and how research in children’s orthopaedics, which was until very recently a largely unfunded and under-investigated area, is now flourishing. Establishing research priorities was a crucial step in this process. Cite this article:
Isolated acetabular liner exchange with a highly crosslinked polyethylene (HXLPE) component is an option to address polyethylene wear and osteolysis following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the presence of a well-fixed acetabular shell. The liner can be fixed either with the original locking mechanism or by being cemented within the acetabular component. Whether the method used for fixation of the HXLPE liner has any bearing on the long-term outcomes is still unclear. Data were retrieved for all patients who underwent isolated acetabular component liner exchange surgery with a HXLPE component in our institute between August 2000 and January 2015. Patients were classified according to the fixation method used (original locking mechanism (n = 36) or cemented (n = 50)). Survival and revision rates were compared. A total of 86 revisions were performed and the mean duration of follow-up was 13 years.Aims
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Achieving accurate implant positioning and restoring native hip biomechanics are key surgeon-controlled technical objectives in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The primary objective of this study was to compare the reproducibility of the planned preoperative centre of hip rotation (COR) in patients undergoing robotic arm-assisted THA versus conventional THA. This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 60 patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis undergoing conventional THA (CO THA) versus robotic arm-assisted THA (RO THA). Patients in both arms underwent pre- and postoperative CT scans, and a patient-specific plan was created using the robotic software. The COR, combined offset, acetabular orientation, and leg length discrepancy were measured on the pre- and postoperative CT scanogram at six weeks following surgery.Aims
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Children with spinal dysraphism can develop various musculoskeletal deformities, necessitating a range of orthopaedic interventions, causing significant morbidity, and making considerable demands on resources. This systematic review aimed to identify what outcome measures have been reported in the literature for children with spinal dysraphism who undergo orthopaedic interventions involving the lower limbs. A PROSPERO-registered systematic literature review was performed following PRISMA guidelines. All relevant studies published until January 2023 were identified. Individual outcomes and outcome measurement tools were extracted verbatim. The measurement tools were assessed for reliability and validity, and all outcomes were grouped according to the Outcome Measures Recommended for use in Randomized Clinical Trials (OMERACT) filters.Aims
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The February 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360. looks at: Hip impingement after in situ pinning causes decreased flexion and forced external rotation in flexion on 3D-CT; Triplane ankle fracture patterns in paediatric patients; Improved forearm rotation even after early conversion to below-elbow; Selective dorsal rhizotomy and
The December 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360. looks at: A comprehensive nonoperative treatment protocol for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants; How common are refractures in childhood?; Femoral nailing for paediatric femoral shaft fracture in children aged eight to ten years; Who benefits from allowing the physis to grow in slipped capital femoral epiphysis?; Paediatric patients with an extremity bone tumour: a secondary analysis of the PARITY trial data; Split tibial tendon transfers in
Aims. Hip disease is common in children with
Aims. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and responsiveness to hip surgery of a four-point modified Care and Comfort Hypertonicity Questionnaire (mCCHQ) scoring tool in children with
The August 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360. looks at: DDH: What can patients expect after open reduction?; Femoral head deformity associated with hip displacement in non-ambulatory
The June 2023 Spine Roundup360 looks at: Characteristics and comparative study of thoracolumbar spine injury and dislocation fracture due to tertiary trauma; Sublingual sufentanil for postoperative pain management after lumbar spinal fusion surgery; Minimally invasive bipolar technique for adult neuromuscular scoliosis; Predictive factors for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis; Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae and lumbar fusion surgery at level L4/5; Does recall of preoperative scores contaminate trial outcomes? A randomized controlled trial; Vancomycin in fibrin glue for prevention of SSI; Perioperative nutritional supplementation decreases wound healing complications following elective lumbar spine surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
Aims. Reimers migration percentage (MP) is a key measure to inform decision-making around the management of hip displacement in
Aims. To systematically review the efficacy of split tendon transfer surgery on gait-related outcomes for children and adolescents with
The February 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup360 looks at: Trends in management of paediatric distal radius buckle fractures; Pelvic osteotomy in patients with previous sacral-alar-iliac fixation; Sacral-alar-iliac fixation in patients with previous pelvic osteotomy; Idiopathic toe walking: an update on natural history, diagnosis, and treatment; A prediction model for treatment decisions in distal radial physeal injuries: a multicentre retrospective study; Angular deformities after percutaneous epiphysiodesis for leg length discrepancy; MRI assessment of anterior coverage is predictive of future radiological coverage; Predictive scoring for recurrent patellar instability after a first-time patellar dislocation.
The December 2022 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360. looks at: Immobilization of torus fractures of the wrist in children (FORCE): a randomized controlled equivalence trial in the UK; Minimally invasive method in treatment of idiopathic congenital vertical talus: recurrence is uncommon; “You’re O.K. Anaesthesia”: closed reduction of displaced paediatric forearm and wrist fractures in the office without anaesthesia; Trunk range of motion and patient outcomes after anterior vertebral body tethering versus posterior spinal fusion: comparison using computerized 3D motion capture technology; Selective dorsal rhizotomy for individuals with spastic
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of liner malseating in two commonly used dual-mobility (DM) designs. Secondary aims included determining the risk of dislocation, survival, and clinical outcomes. We retrospectively identified 256 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) that included a DM component (144 Stryker MDM and 112 Zimmer-Biomet G7) in 233 patients, performed between January 2012 and December 2019. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed independently for malseating of the liner by five reviewers. The mean age of the patients at the time of THA was 66 years (18 to 93), 166 (65%) were female, and the mean BMI was 30 kg/m2 (17 to 57). The mean follow-up was 3.5 years (2.0 to 9.2).Aims
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Aims. The Uppföljningsprogram för cerebral pares (CPUP) Hip Score distinguishes between children with
The development of spinal deformity in children with underlying neurodisability can affect their ability to function and impact on their quality of life, as well as compromise provision of nursing care. Patients with neuromuscular spinal deformity are among the most challenging due to the number and complexity of medical comorbidities that increase the risk for severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory at every stage to ensure that all nonoperative measures have been applied, and that the treatment goals have been clearly defined and agreed with the family. This will involve input from multiple specialities, including allied healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists and wheelchair services. Surgery should be considered when there is significant impact on the patients’ quality of life, which is usually due to poor sitting balance, back or costo-pelvic pain, respiratory complications, or problems with self-care and feeding. Meticulous preoperative assessment is required, along with careful consideration of the nature of the deformity and the problems that it is causing. Surgery can achieve good curve correction and results in high levels of satisfaction from the patients and their caregivers. Modern modular posterior instrumentation systems allow an effective deformity correction. However, the risks of surgery remain high, and involvement of the family at all stages of decision-making is required in order to balance the risks and anticipated gains of the procedure, and to select those patients who can mostly benefit from spinal correction.
The aims of this study is to report the clinical and radiological outcomes after pre-, central-, and postaxial polydactyly resection in children from a tertiary referral centre. All children who underwent resection of a supernumerary toe between 2001 and 2013 were prospectively enrolled and invited for a single re-assessment. Clinical parameters and several dedicated outcome scores (visual analogue scale (VAS), Paediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), Activities Scale for Kids (ASK), and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS)) were obtained, as were radiographs of the operated and non-operated feet along with pedobarographs.Aims
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The reduction in mobility due to hip diseases in children is likely to affect their physical activity (PA) levels. Physical inactivity negatively influences quality of life and health. Our aim was to objectively measure PA in children with hip disease, and correlate it with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Mobility Score. A total of 28 children (12 boys and 16 girls) with hip disease aged between 8and 17 years (mean 12 (SD 3)) were studied between December 2018 and July 2019. Children completed the PROMIS Paediatric Item Bank v. 2.0 – Mobility Short Form 8a and wore a hip accelerometer (ActiGraph) for seven consecutive days. Sedentary time (ST), light PA (LPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and vigorous PA were calculated from the accelerometers' data. The PROMIS Mobility score was classified as normal, mild, and moderate functions, based on the PROMIS cut scores on the physical function metric. A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess differences among mobility (normal; mild; moderate) and measured PA and relationships between these variables were assessed using bivariate Pearson correlations.Aims
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Aims. The migration percentage (MP) is one criterion used for surgery in dislocated or displaced hips in children with
Aims. Hip displacement, common in patients with
This study, using a surgeon-maintained database, aimed to explore the risk factors for surgery-related complications in patients undergoing primary cervical spine surgery for degenerative diseases. We studied 5,015 patients with degenerative cervical diseases who underwent primary cervical spine surgery from 2012 to 2018. We investigated the effects of diseases, surgical procedures, and patient demographics on surgery-related complications. As subcategories, the presence of cervical kyphosis ≥ 10°, the presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%, and foraminotomy were selected. The surgery-related complications examined were postoperative upper limb palsy (ULP) with a manual muscle test (MMT) grade of 0 to 2 or a reduction of two grade or more in the MMT, neurological deficit except ULP, dural tear, dural leakage, surgical-site infection (SSI), and postoperative haematoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.Aims
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Aims. To compare changes in gait kinematics and walking speed 24 months after conventional (C-MLS) and minimally invasive (MI-MLS) multilevel surgery for children with diplegic
We aimed to determine hip-related quality of life and clinical findings following treatment for neonatal hip instability (NHI) compared with age- and sex-matched controls. We hypothesized that NHI would predispose to hip discomfort in long-term follow-up. We invited those born between 1995 and 2001 who were treated for NHI at our hospital to participate in this population-based study. We included those that had Von Rosen-like splinting treatment started before one month of age. A total of 96 patients treated for NHI (75.6 %) were enrolled. A further 94 age- and sex-matched controls were also recruited. The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) questionnaire was completed separately for both hips, and a physical examination was performed.Aims
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Aims. To report the mid-term results of a modified self-growing rod (SGR) technique for the treatment of idiopathic and neuromuscular early-onset scoliosis (EOS). Methods. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive patients with EOS treated with an SGR construct at a single hospital between September 2008 and December 2014. General demographics and deformity variables (i.e. major Cobb angle, T1 to T12 length, T1 to S1 length, pelvic obliquity, shoulder obliquity, and C7 plumb line) were recorded preoperatively, and postoperatively at yearly follow-up. Complications and revision procedures were also recorded. Only patients with a minimum follow-up of five years after surgery were included. Results. A total of 16 patients were included. Six patients had an idiopathic EOS while ten patients had a neuromuscular or syndromic EOS (seven spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and three with
To describe the incidence of adverse clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 infection following corticosteroid injections (CSI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. To describe the incidence of positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, positive SARS-COV2 IgG antibody testing or positive imaging findings following CSI at our institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective observational study was undertaken of consecutive patients who had CSI in our local hospitals between 1 February and 30June 2020. Electronic patient medical records (EPR) and radiology information system (RIS) database were reviewed. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing, SARS-COV2 IgG antibody testing, radiological investigations, patient management, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Lung findings were categorized according to the British Society of Thoracic Imaging (BSTI) guidelines. Reference was made to the incidence of lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in our region.Aims
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Aims. Guided growth has been used to treat coxa valga for
As the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic passes, the challenge shifts to safe resumption of routine medical services, including elective orthopaedic surgery. Protocols including pre-operative self-isolation, COVID-19 testing, and surgery at a non-COVID-19 site have been developed to minimize risk of transmission. Despite this, it is likely that many patients will want to delay surgery for fear of contracting COVID-19. The aim of this study is to identify the number of patients who still want to proceed with planned elective orthopaedic surgery in this current environment. This is a prospective, single surgeon study of 102 patients who were on the waiting list for an elective hip or knee procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline characteristics including age, ASA grade, COVID-19 risk, procedure type, surgical priority, and admission type were recorded. The primary outcome was patient consent to continue with planned surgical care after resumption of elective orthopaedic services. Subgroup analysis was also performed to determine if any specific patient factors influenced the decision to proceed with surgery.Aims
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To analyze outcomes reported in trials of childhood fractures. OVID MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched on the eighth August 2019. A manual search of trial registries, bibliographic review and internet search was used to identify additional studies. 11,476 studies were screened following PRISMA guidelines. 100 trials were included in the analysis. Data extraction was completed by two researchers for each trial. Study quality was not evaluated. Outcomes reported by trials were mapped onto domains in the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Function framework.Aims
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The cost of clinical negligence in the UK has continued to rise despite no increase in claims numbers from 2016 to 2019. In the US, medical malpractice claim rates have fallen each year since 2001 and the payout rate has stabilized. In Germany, malpractice claim rates for spinal surgery fell yearly from 2012 to 2017, despite the number of spinal operations increasing. In Australia, public healthcare claim rates were largely static from 2008 to 2013, but private claims rose marginally. The cost of claims rose during the period. UK and Australian trends are therefore out of alignment with other international comparisons. Many of the claims in orthopaedics occur as a result of “failure to warn”, i.e. lack of adequately documented and appropriate consent. The UK and USA have similar rates (26% and 24% respectively), but in Germany the rate is 14% and in Australia only 2%. This paper considers the drivers for the increased cost of clinical negligence claims in the UK compared to the USA, Germany and Australia, from a spinal and orthopaedic point of view, with a focus on “failure to warn” and lack of compliance with the principles established in February 2015 in the Supreme Court in the case of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board. The article provides a description of the prevailing medicolegal situation in the UK and also calculates, from publicly available data, the cost to the public purse of the failure to comply with the principles established. It shows that compliance with the Montgomery principles would have an immediate and lasting positive impact on the sums paid by NHS Resolution to settle negligence cases in a way that has already been established in the USA. Cite this article:
Severe spinal deformity in growing patients often requires surgical management. We describe the incidence of spinal deformity surgery in a National Health Service. Descriptive study of prospectively collected data. Clinical data of all patients undergoing surgery for spinal deformity between 2005 and 2018 was collected, compared to the demographics of the national population, and analyzed by underlying aetiology.Aims
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Aims. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of hip displacement and dislocation in a total population of children with
It is uncertain whether instrumented spinal fixation in nonambulatory children with neuromuscular scoliosis should finish at L5 or be extended to the pelvis. Pelvic fixation has been shown to be associated with up to 30% complication rates, but is regarded by some as the standard for correction of deformity in these conditions. The incidence of failure when comparing the most caudal level of instrumentation, either L5 or the pelvis, using all-pedicle screw instrumentation has not previously been reported. In this retrospective study, we compared nonambulatory patients undergoing surgery at two centres: one that routinely instrumented to L5 and the other to the pelvis. In all, 91 nonambulatory patients with neuromuscular scoliosis were included. All underwent surgery using bilateral, segmental, pedicle screw instrumentation. A total of 40 patients underwent fusion to L5 and 51 had their fixation extended to the pelvis. The two groups were assessed for differences in terms of clinical and radiological findings, as well as complications.Aims
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Rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) is an effective joint-preserving surgical treatment for acetabular dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in muscle strength, gait speed, and clinical outcome in the operated hip after RAO over a one-year period using a standard protocol for rehabilitation. A total of 57 patients underwent RAO for acetabular dysplasia. Changes in muscle strength of the operated hip, 10 m gait speed, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) hip score, and factors correlated with hip muscle strength after RAO were retrospectively analyzed.Aims
Patients and Methods