Aims. To establish cut-off values for lateral pubofemoral distance (PFD) measurements for detecting hip dysplasia in early (four days) and standard care (six weeks) screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods. All newborns, during a one-year period (October 2021 to October 2022), were offered a PFD ultrasound (US) examination in addition to the existing screening programme for DDH. Newborns who were referred for standard care hip US, suspected for DDH, received a secondary PFD US examination in conjunction with the standard care Graf/Harcke hip US examination. Receiver operating characteristic curves and empirically optimal cut-off values were calculated with a true positive defined as a Graf type ≥ IIc hip. Results. We included 2,735 newborns, of whom 758 received both early PFD hip US and standard care Graf/Harcke hip US. For early (four days) PFD screening, the optimal cut-off point was calculated to be 6.2 mm (95% CI 4.7 to 7.7) producing a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI 55% to 100%) and a specificity of 87% (86% to 89%). For PFD screening performed at standard care (six weeks) hip US, the optimal cut-off point was calculated to be 5.6 mm (95% CI 4.9 to 6.3) producing a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 100% to 100%) and a specificity of 96% (95% CI 95% to 97%). Conclusion. PFD US screening produces a high degree of both sensitivity and specificity for detecting DDH. Age-specific cut-off values should be used to heighten the accuracy of PFD US screening. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(2):119–125

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In this study, we aimed to evaluate incidence trends and potential risk factors associated with Perthes’ disease in Denmark, using publicly available data.

Aims. Worldwide controversy exists on the optimal treatment of stable dysplastic hips. The most common treatment options are abduction brace treatment and active surveillance. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of active surveillance in stable hip dysplasia, by investigating the percentage of Graf IIb stable dysplastic hips that recover spontaneously without abduction brace treatment. The second aim was to identify prognostic factors for spontaneous recovery of stable dysplastic hips. Methods. A single-centre, prospective cohort study was conducted at the Máxima Medical Center between 1 March 2019 and 1 March 2023. Infants aged three to 4.5 months at the first outpatient clinic visit, diagnosed with Graf IIb hip dysplasia, and treated with active surveillance were included. Spontaneous recovery was defined as infants who had a normalized hip on ultrasound (α-angle ≥ 60°) after six weeks of active surveillance without receiving abduction brace treatment. Baseline infant characteristics and ultrasound measurements were used as potential predictor variables for spontaneous recovery in logistic regression analyses. Results. A total of 508 infants with Graf IIb stable dysplastic hips were included. Overall, 473 infants (93.1%) recovered spontaneously with active surveillance. Of the remaining 35 infants, 25 infants (4.9%) received six weeks and ten infants (2.0%) received 12 weeks of additional Pavlik harness treatment until hip normalization. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an impaired hip abduction was negatively associated (OR 0.43 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.93); p = 0.033) and being a firstborn child positively associated (OR 2.20 (95% CI 1.04 to 4.63); p = 0.042) with spontaneous recovery. Conclusion. The majority of Graf IIb stable dysplastic hips recover spontaneously in infants aged three to 4.5 months after six weeks of active surveillance. We recommend active surveillance with ultrasound as primary treatment for these infants. However, care must be taken with active surveillance in infants with a limited hip abduction. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2025;107-B(2):261–267

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The primary aims of this study were to determine the time to sonographic correction of decentred hips during treatment with Pavlik harness for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and investigate potential risk factors for a delayed response to treatment.

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It is unclear if a supportive bandage, removable splint, or walking cast offers the best outcome following low-risk ankle fractures in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial to compare these treatments.

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The paediatric trigger thumb is a distinct clinical entity with unique anatomical abnormalities. The aim of this study was to present the long-term outcomes of A1 pulley release in idiopathic paediatric trigger thumbs based on established patient-reported outcome measures.

Aims. Paediatric triplane fractures and adult trimalleolar ankle fractures both arise from a supination external rotation injury. By relating the experience of adult to paediatric fractures, clarification has been sought on the sequence of injury, ligament involvement, and fracture pattern of triplane fractures. This study explores the similarities between triplane and trimalleolar fractures for each stage of the Lauge-Hansen classification, with the aim of aiding reduction and fixation techniques. Methods. Imaging data of 83 paediatric patients with triplane fractures and 100 adult patients with trimalleolar fractures were collected, and their fracture morphology was compared using fracture maps. Visual fracture maps were assessed, classified, and compared with each other, to establish the progression of injury according to the Lauge-Hansen classification. Results. Four stages of injury in triplane fractures, resembling the adult supination external rotation Lauge-Hansen stages, were observed. Stage I consists of rupture of the anterior syndesmosis or small avulsion of the anterolateral tibia in trimalleolar fractures, and the avulsion of a larger Tillaux fragment in triplanes. Stage II is defined as oblique fracturing of the fibula at the level of the syndesmosis, present in all trimalleolar fractures and in 30% (25/83) of triplane fractures. Stage III is the fracturing of the posterior malleolus. In trimalleolar fractures, the different Haraguchi types can be discerned. In triplane fractures, the delineation of the posterior fragment has a wave-like shape, which is part of the characteristic Y-pattern of triplane fractures, originating from the Tillaux fragment. Stage IV represents a fracture of the medial malleolus, which is highly variable in both the trimalleolar and triplane fractures. Conclusion. The paediatric triplane and adult trimalleolar fractures share common features according to the Lauge-Hansen classification. This highlights that the adolescent injury arises from a combination of ligament traction and a growth plate in the process of closing. With this knowledge, a specific sequence of reduction and optimal screw positions are recommended. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):1008–1014

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The gold standard for percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy during the Ponseti treatment for idiopathic clubfoot is a tenotomy with a No. 15 blade. This trial aims to establish the technique where the tenotomy is performed with a large-bore needle as noninferior to the gold standard.

Aims. To investigate the risk factors for unsuccessful radial head reduction (RHR) in children with chronic Monteggia fractures (CMFs) treated surgically. Methods. A total of 209 children (mean age 6.84 years (SD 2.87)), who underwent surgical treatment for CMFs between March 2015 and March 2023 at six institutions, were retrospectively reviewed. Assessed risk factors included age, sex, laterality, dislocation direction and distance, preoperative proximal radial metaphysis width, time from injury to surgery, reduction method, annular ligament reconstruction, radiocapitellar joint fixation, ulnar osteotomy, site of ulnar osteotomy, preoperative and postoperative ulnar angulation, ulnar fixation method, progressive ulnar distraction, and postoperative cast immobilization. Independent-samples t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors associated with unsuccessful RHR. Results. Redislocation occurred during surgery in 48 patients (23%), and during follow-up in 44 (21.1%). The mean follow-up of patients with successful RHR was 13.25 months (6 to 78). According to the univariable analysis, time from injury to surgery (p = 0.002) and preoperative dislocation distance (p = 0.042) were identified as potential risk factors for unsuccessful RHR. However, only time from injury to surgery (p = 0.007) was confirmed as a risk factor by logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and chi-squared test confirmed that a time from injury to surgery greater than 1.75 months increased the rate of unsuccessful RHR above the cutoff (p = 0.002). Conclusion. Time from injury to surgery is the primary independent risk factor for unsuccessful RHR in surgically treated children with CMFs, particularly in those with a time from injury to surgery of more than 1.75 months. No other factors were found to influence the incidence of unsuccessful RHR. Surgical reduction of paediatric CMFs should be performed within the first two months of injury whenever possible. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(7):581–591

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Given the possible radiation damage and inaccuracy of radiological investigations, particularly in children, ultrasound and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) may offer alternative methods of evaluating new bone formation when limb lengthening is undertaken in paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to assess the use of ultrasound combined with SMI in monitoring new bone formation during limb lengthening in children.

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There is a lack of high-quality research investigating outcomes of Ponseti-treated idiopathic clubfeet and correlation with relapse. This study assessed clinical and quality of life (QoL) outcomes using a standardized core outcome set (COS), comparing children with and without relapse.

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Paediatric fractures are highly prevalent and are most often treated with plaster. The application and removal of plaster is often an anxiety-inducing experience for children. Decreasing the anxiety level may improve the patients’ satisfaction and the quality of healthcare. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to effectively distract children and reduce their anxiety in other clinical settings, and it seems to have a similar effect during plaster treatment. This study aims to further investigate the effect of VR on the anxiety level of children with fractures who undergo plaster removal or replacement in the plaster room.

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Radiological residual acetabular dysplasia (RAD) has been reported in up to 30% of children who had successful brace treatment of infant developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Predicting those who will resolve and those who may need corrective surgery is important to optimize follow-up protocols. In this study we have aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of RAD at two years and five years post-bracing.

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The aim of this study is to evaluate the surgical treatment with the best healing rate for patients with proximal femoral unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) after initial surgery, and to determine which procedure has the lowest adverse event burden during follow-up.

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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.

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Abduction bracing is commonly used to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) following closed reduction and spica casting, with little evidence to support or refute this practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of abduction bracing after closed reduction in improving acetabular index (AI) and reducing secondary surgery for residual hip dysplasia.

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We aimed to assess the cumulative risk of total hip arthroplasty (THA) from in situ fixation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) after a follow-up of almost 50 years.

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The Ponseti method is the gold standard treatment for congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), with the British Consensus Statement providing a benchmark for standard of care. Meeting these standards and providing expert care while maintaining geographical accessibility can pose a service delivery challenge. A novel ‘Hub and Spoke’ Shared Care model was initiated to deliver Ponseti treatment for CTEV, while addressing standard of care and resource allocation. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and outcomes of the corrective phase of Ponseti service delivery using this model.

Aims. Triplane ankle fractures are complex injuries typically occurring in children aged between 12 and 15 years. Classic teaching that closure of the physis dictates the overall fracture pattern, based on studies in the 1960s, has not been challenged. The aim of this paper is to analyze whether these injuries correlate with the advancing closure of the physis with age. Methods. A fracture mapping study was performed in 83 paediatric patients with a triplane ankle fracture treated in three trauma centres between January 2010 and June 2020. Patients aged younger than 18 years who had CT scans available were included. An independent Paediatric Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon assessed all CT scans and classified the injuries as n-part triplane fractures. Qualitative analysis of the fracture pattern was performed using the modified Cole fracture mapping technique. The maps were assessed for both patterns and correlation with the closing of the physis until consensus was reached by a panel of six surgeons. Results. Fracture map grouped by age demonstrates that, regardless of age (even at the extremes of the spectrum), the fracture lines consolidate in a characteristic Y-pattern, and no shift with closure of the physis was observed. A second fracture map with two years added to female age also did not show a shift. The fracture map, grouped by both age and sex, shows a Y-pattern in all different groups. The fracture lines appear to occur between the anterior and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligaments, and the medially fused physis or deltoid ligament. Conclusion. This fracture mapping study reveals that triplane ankle fractures have a characteristic Y-pattern, and acknowledges the weakness created by the physis, however it also challenges classic teaching that the specific fracture pattern at the level of the joint of these injuries relies on advancing closure of the physis with age. Instead, this study observes the importance of ligament attachment in the fracture patterns of these injuries. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(11):1226–1232

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Hip disease is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and can decrease quality of life and function. Surveillance programmes exist to improve outcomes by treating hip disease at an early stage using radiological surveillance. However, studies and surveillance programmes report different radiological outcomes, making it difficult to compare. We aimed to identify the most important radiological measurements and develop a core measurement set (CMS) for clinical practice, research, and surveillance programmes.