The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement in interpretation of the quality of the paediatric hip ultrasound examination, the reliability of geometric and morphological assessment, and the relationship between these measurements. Four investigators evaluated 60 hip ultrasounds and assessed their quality based the standard plane of Graf et al. They measured geometric parameters, described the morphology of the hip, and assigned the Graf grade of dysplasia. They analyzed one self-selected image and one randomly selected image from the ultrasound series, and repeated the process four weeks later. The intra- and interobserver agreement, and correlations between various parameters were analyzed.Aims
Methods
There is much debate about the nature and extent of deformities in the proximal femur in children with cerebral palsy. Most authorities accept that increased femoral anteversion is common, but its incidence, severity and clinical significance are less clear. Coxa valga is more controversial and many authorities state that it is a radiological artefact rather than a true deformity. We measured femoral anteversion clinically and the neck-shaft angle radiologically in 292 children with cerebral palsy. This represented 78% of a large, population-based cohort of children with cerebral palsy which included all motor types, topographical distributions and functional levels as determined by the gross motor function classification system. The mean femoral neck anteversion was 36.5° (11° to 67.5°) and the mean neck-shaft angle 147.5° (130° to 178°). These were both increased compared with values in normally developing children. The mean femoral neck anteversion was 30.4° (11° to 50°) at gross motor function classification system level I, 35.5° (8° to 65°) at level II and then plateaued at approximately 40.0° (25° to 67.5°) at levels III, IV and V. The mean neck-shaft angle increased in a step-wise manner from 135.9° (130° to 145°) at gross motor function classification system level I to 163.0° (151° to 178°) at level V. The migration percentage increased in a similar pattern and was closely related to femoral deformity. Based on these findings we believe that displacement of the hip in patients with cerebral palsy can be explained mainly by the abnormal shape of the proximal femur, as a result of delayed walking, limited walking or inability to walk. This has clinical implications for the management of hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy.
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. 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.Aims
Methods
The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess and investigate the safety and efficacy of using a distal tibial osteotomy compared to proximal osteotomy for limb lengthening in children. In this study, there were 59 consecutive tibial lengthening and deformity corrections in 57 children using a circular frame. All were performed or supervised by the senior author between January 2013 and June 2019. A total of 25 who underwent a distal tibial osteotomy were analyzed and compared to a group of 34 who had a standard proximal tibial osteotomy. For each patient, the primary diagnosis, time in frame, complications, and lengthening achieved were recorded. From these data, the frame index was calculated (days/cm) and analyzed.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of guided growth and varus osteotomy in treating Kalamchi type II avascular necrosis (AVN) after open reduction and Pemberton acetabuloplasty for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). This retrospective study reviewed patients undergoing guided growth or varus osteotomy for Kalamchi type II AVN between September 2009 and January 2019. All children who had undergone open reduction and Pemberton acetabuloplasty for DDH with a minimum two-year follow-up were enrolled in the study. Demographic and radiological data, which included the head-shaft angle (HSA), neck-shaft angle (NSA), articulotrochanteric distance (ATD), Sharp angle (SA), and lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA) at baseline, two years, and at the extended follow-up, were compared. Revision rates were evaluated. Clinical outcomes using the Harris Hip Score were assessed two years postoperatively.Aims
Methods
Guided growth has been used to treat coxa valga for cerebral palsy (CP) children. However, there has been no study on the optimal position of screw application. In this paper we have investigated the influence of screw position on the outcomes of guided growth. We retrospectively analyzed 61 hips in 32 CP children who underwent proximal femoral hemi epiphysiodesis between July 2012 and September 2017. The hips were divided into two groups according to the transphyseal position of the screw in the coronal plane: across medial quarter (Group 1) or middle quarter (Group 2) of the medial half of the physis. We compared pre- and postoperative radiographs in head-shaft angle (HSA), Reimer’s migration percentage (MP), acetabular index (AI), and femoral anteversion angle (FAVA), as well as incidences of the physis growing-off the screw within two years. Linear and Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify factors related to HSA correction and risk of the physis growing-off the screw.Aims
Methods
After the initial correction of congenital talipes equinovarus
(CTEV) using the Ponseti method, a subsequent dynamic deformity
is often managed by transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior
(TATT) to the lateral cuneiform. Many surgeons believe the lateral
cuneiform should be ossified before surgery is undertaken. This
study quantifies the ossification process of the lateral cuneiform
in children with CTEV between one and three years of age. The length, width and height of the lateral cuneiform were measured
in 43 consecutive patients with unilateral CTEV who had been treated
using the Ponseti method. Measurements were taken by two independent
observers on standardised anteroposterior and lateral radiographs
of both feet taken at one, two and three years of age.Aims
Patients and Methods
This study compared the long-term results following Salter osteotomy
and Pemberton acetabuloplasty in children with developmental dysplasia
of the hip (DDH). We assessed if there was a greater increase in
pelvic height following the Salter osteotomy, and if this had a
continued effect on pelvic tilt, lumbar curvature or functional outcomes. We reviewed 42 children at more than ten years post-operatively
following a unilateral Salter osteotomy or Pemberton acetabuloplasty.
We measured the increase in pelvic height and the iliac crest tilt
and sacral tilt at the most recent review and at an earlier review
point in the first decade of follow-up. We measured the lumbar Cobb angle
and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Harris hip scores were collected
at the most recent review.Aims
Patients and Methods
Redisplacement is the most common complication
of immobilisation in a cast for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures
of the forearm in children. We have previously shown that the three-point
index (TPI) can accurately predict redisplacement of fractures of
the distal radius. In this prospective study we applied this index
to assessment of diaphyseal fractures of the forearm in children
and compared it with other cast-related indices that might predict
redisplacement. A total of 76 children were included. Their ages,
initial displacement, quality of reduction, site and level of the
fractures and quality of the casting according to the TPI, Canterbury
index and padding index were analysed. Logistic regression analysis
was used to investigate risk factors for redisplacement. A total
of 18 fractures (24%) redisplaced in the cast. A TPI value of >
0.8 was the only significant risk factor for redisplacement (odds
ratio 238.5 (95% confidence interval 7.063 to 8054.86); p <
0.001). The TPI was far superior to other radiological indices, with
a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 97% in successfully predicting
redisplacement. We recommend it for routine use in the management
of these fractures in children. Cite this article:
Cubitus varus is the most frequent complication
following the treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in children.
We investigated data from publications reporting on the surgical
management of cubitus varus found in electronic searches of Ovid/MEDLINE
and Cochrane Library databases. In 894 children from 40 included
studies, the mean age at initial injury was 5.7 years (3 to 8.6)
and 9.8 years (4 to 15.7) at the time of secondary correction. The four
osteotomy techniques were classified as lateral closing wedge, dome,
complex (multiplanar) and distraction osteogenesis. A mean angular
correction of 27.6º (18.5° to 37.0°) was achieved across all classes
of osteotomy. The meta-analytical summary estimate for overall rate
of good to excellent results was 87.8% (95% CI 84.4 to 91.2). No technique
was shown to significantly affect the surgical outcome, and the
risk of complications across all osteotomy classes was 14.5% (95%
CI 10.6 to 18.5). Nerve palsies occurred in 2.53% of cases (95%
CI 1.4 to 3.6), although 78.4% were transient. No one technique
was found to be statistically safer or more effective than any other. Cite this article:
We undertook a randomised clinical trial to compare
treatment times and failure rates between above- and below-knee
Ponseti casting groups. Eligible children with idiopathic clubfoot,
treated using the Ponseti method, were randomised to either below-
or above-knee plaster of Paris casting. Outcome measures were total
treatment time and the occurrence of failure, defined as two slippages
or a treatment time above eight weeks. A total of 26 children (33 feet) were entered into the trial.
The above-knee group comprised 17 feet in 13 children (ten boys
and three girls, median age 13 days (1 to 40)) and the below-knee
group comprised 16 feet in 13 children (ten boys and three girls,
median age 13 days (5 to 20)). Because of six failures (37.5%) in
the below-knee group, the trial was stopped early for ethical reasons.
The rate of failure was significantly higher in the below-knee group
(p = 0.039). The median treatment times of six weeks in the below-knee
and four weeks in the above-knee group differed significantly (p
= 0.01). This study demonstrates that the use of a below-knee plaster
of Paris cast in conjunction with the Ponseti technique leads to
unacceptably high failure rates and significantly longer treatment
times. Therefore, this technique is not recommended. Cite this article:
Survivors of infantile meningococcal septicaemia often develop progressive skeletal deformity as a result of physeal damage at many sites, particularly in the lower limb. Distal tibial physeal arrest typically occurs with sparing of the distal fibular physis leading to a rapidly progressive varus deformity. There have been reports of isolated cases of this deformity, but to our knowledge there have been no papers which specifically describe the development of the deformity and the options for treatment. Surgery to correct this deformity is complex because of the patient’s age, previous scarring and the multiplanar nature of the deformity. The surgical goal is to restore leg-length equality and the mechanical axis at the end of growth. Surgery should be planned and staged throughout growth in order to achieve the best functional results. We report our experience in six patients (seven ankles) with this deformity, who were managed by corrective osteotomy using a programmable circular fixator.
