We used the Ilizarov method in seven patients with severe congenital radial club hands who had had previous wrist surgery, to correct residual shortening and bowing of the ulna together with recurrent wrist deformity. The mean age at operation was 6.5 years. The mean ulnar shortening was 5.3 cm and the mean angular deformity 42°. The mean length gained was 51% of the original ulna. The mean healing index was 46.9 days (29.8 to 64.0). The ratio of the length of the lengthened ulna to the normal side improved on average from 64% to 95%. The angular deformity was initially completely corrected in six out of seven patients. The length ratio, however, decreased to 83% at the final follow-up. In four patients, the angular deformity partially recurred. We recommend correction of congenital radial club hand by staged procedures. The first is centralisation and stabilisation of the wrist and the second lengthening of the ulna and correction of the angular deformity using the Ilizarov method

Aims. The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experience of their child’s recovery, and their thoughts about their decision to enrol their child in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of surgery versus non-surgical casting for a displaced distal radius fracture. Methods. A total of 20 parents of children from 13 hospitals participating in the RCT took part in an interview five to 11 months after injury. Interviews were informed by phenomenology and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Analysis of the findings identified the theme “being recovered”, which conveyed: 1) parents’ acceptance and belief that their child received the best treatment for them; 2) their memory of the psychological impact of the injury for their child; and 3) their pride in how their child coped with their cast and returned to activities. The process of recovery was underpinned by three elements of experience: accepting the treatment, supporting their child through challenges during recovery, and appreciating their child’s resilience. These findings extend our framework that highlights parents’ desire to protect their child during early recovery from injury, by making the right decision, worrying about recovery, and comforting their child. Conclusion. By one year after injury, parents in both treatment groups considered their child “recovered”. They had overcome early concerns about healing, the appearance of the wrist, and coping after cast removal. Greater educational support for families during recovery would enable parents and their child to cope with the uncertainty of recovery, particularly addressing the loss of confidence, worry about reinjury, and the appearance of their wrist. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(5):426–434

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The aim of this study was to explore clinicians’ experience of a paediatric randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing surgical reduction with non-surgical casting for displaced distal radius fractures.

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The aim of this trial was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a soft bandage and immediate discharge, compared with rigid immobilization, in children aged four to 15 years with a torus fracture of the distal radius.

Transfer of flexor carpi ulnaris combined with selective release of the flexor pronator origin was undertaken in 35 patients with hemiplegic cerebral palsy for a pronation flexion deformity of the forearm, hand and wrist. The patients were divided into four groups depending on the severity of the deformity, the surgical procedure recommended, potential hand function and prognosis. The procedure reduces the power of wrist and finger flexion by release of the flexor pronator origin, and reinforces the strength of extension and supination of the wrist by transfer of flexor carpi ulnaris. After a mean follow-up of four years the appearance of the hand and forearm improved in all patients. None lost movement and all gained improved mobility of the forearm, wrist and hand. There was no overcorrection

We have evaluated the clinical outcomes of simple excision, ulnar lengthening and the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure in the treatment of deformities of the forearm in patients with multiple hereditary osteochondromas. The medical records of 29 patients (33 forearms) were reviewed; 22 patients (22 forearms) underwent simple excision (four with ulnar lengthening) and seven the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. Simple excision increased the mean supination of the forearm from 63.2° to 75.0° (p = 0.049). Ulnar lengthening did not significantly affect the clinical outcome. The Sauvé-Kapandji technique improved the mean pronation from 33.6° to 55.0° (p = 0.047) and supination from 70.0° to 81.4° (p = 0.045). Simple excision may improve the range of movement of the forearm but will not halt the progression of disease, particularly in younger patients. No discernable clinical or radiological improvement was noted with ulnar lengthening. The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure combined with simple excision of osteochondromas can improve stability of the wrist, movement of the forearm and the radiological appearance

Torus (buckle) fractures of the distal radius are common in childhood. Based on the results of a postal questionnaire and a prospective, randomised trial, we describe a simple treatment for this injury, which saves both time and money. Over a six-month period, we randomised 201 consecutive patients with this injury to treatment with either a traditional forearm plaster-of-Paris cast or a ‘Futura-type’ wrist splint. All patients were treated for a period of three weeks, followed by clinical and radiological review. There was no difference in outcome between the two groups, and all patients had a good result. Only one patient did not tolerate the splint which was replaced by a cast. The questionnaire showed a marked variation in the way in which these injuries are treated with regard to the method and period of immobilisation, the number of follow-up visits and radiographs taken. We suggest that a ‘Futura-type’ wrist splint can be used to treat these fractures. The patient should be reviewed on the following day to confirm the diagnosis and to give appropriate advice. There is no evidence that further follow-up is required. This simple treatment has major benefits in terms of cost and reduction of the number of attendances

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Osteonecrosis (ON) can cause considerable morbidity in young people who undergo treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The aims of this study were to determine the operations undertaken for ON in this population in the UK, along with the timing of these operations and any sequential procedures that are used in different joints. We also explored the outcomes of those patients treated by core decompression (CD), and compared this with conservative management, in both the pre- or post-collapse stages of ON.

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The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which patient demographics, clinical presentation, and blood parameters vary in Kingella kingae septic arthritis when compared with those of other organisms, and whether this difference needs to be considered when assessing children in whom a diagnosis of septic arthritis is suspected.

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This study sought to estimate the clinical outcomes and describe the nationwide variation in practice, as part of the feasibility workup for a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended randomized clinical trial to determine the optimal treatment of torus fractures of the distal radius in children.

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To describe and analyze the mid-term functional outcomes of a large series of patients who underwent the Hoffer procedure for brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP).

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Torus fractures of the distal radius are the most common fractures in children. The NICE non-complex fracture guidelines recently concluded that bandaging was probably the optimal treatment for these injuries. However, across the UK current treatment varies widely due to a lack of evidence underpinning the guidelines. The Forearm Fracture Recovery in Children Evaluation (FORCE) trial evaluates the effect of a soft bandage and immediate discharge compared with rigid immobilization.

The operative treatment of septic arthritis of the shoulder in infants has been facilitated by the use of a 30° wrist arthroscope. We have treated three children under the age of three years using this technique. After initial aspiration of the joint, an arthroscope was inserted using the posterior approach. Washout was performed under direct vision and complete clearance of pus allowed assessment of the inflammation and the damage to articular cartilage. The procedure was minimally invasive and gave excellent cosmesis without compromising care. Full recovery was achieved with a single intervention

Our aim was to determine whether children with buckle fractures of the distal radius could be managed at home after initial hospital treatment. There were 87 patients in the trial: 40 had their short-arm backslab removed at home three weeks after the initial injury, and 47 followed normal practice by attending the fracture clinic after three weeks for removal of the backslab. Clinical examination six weeks after the injury showed no significant difference in deformity of the wrist, tenderness, range of movement and satisfaction between the two groups. Fourteen (33%) of the hospital group compared with five (14%) (p = 0.04) of those managed in the community stated that they had problems with the care of their child’s fracture. It was found that both groups, given a choice, would prefer to remove their child’s backslab at home (p < 0.001). Our findings show that it is clinically safe to manage children with buckle fractures within the community

This is a retrospective study of primary repairs of flexor pollicis longus in 16 children under 15 years of age. Patients with injuries to the median or ulnar nerve at the wrist, crush injuries, skin loss or fracture were excluded. Repairs were carried out within 24 hours using a modified Kessler technique. The mean follow-up was for two years. The final results were evaluated using the criteria of Buck-Gramko and Tubiana. They were good or excellent in all except one patient who had a secondary tendon rupture. When compared with the non-injured thumb, however, there was a significant decrease in active interphalangeal flexion (> 30°) in one-third of cases. A new method of assessment is proposed for the recovery of function of the flexor pollicis tendon which is more suitable for children. Postoperative immobilisation using a short splint had a negative effect on outcome. The zone of injury, an early mobilisation programme or concurrent injury to the digital nerve had no significant effect on the final result

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Using 90% of final height as a benchmark, we sought to develop a quick, quantitative and reproducible method of estimating skeletal maturity based on topographical changes in the distal femoral physis.

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We report the use of the distal radius and ulna (DRU) classification for the prediction of peak growth (PG) and growth cessation (GC) in 777 patients with idiopathic scoliosis. We compare this classification with other commonly used parameters of maturity.

We present the long-term results of open surgery for internal shoulder rotational deformity in brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP).

From 1997 to 2005, 207 patients (107 females, 100 males, mean age 6.2 (0.6 to 34)) were operated on with subscapularis elongation and/or latissimus dorsi to infraspinatus transfer. Incongruent shoulder joints were relocated. The early results of these patients has been reported previously. We analysed 118 (64 females, 54 males, mean age 15.1 (7.6 to 34)) of the original patient cohort at a mean of 10.4 years (7.0 to 15.1) post-operatively. A third of patients with relocated joints had undergone secondary internal rotational osteotomy of the humerus.

A mixed effects models approach was used to evaluate the effects of surgery on shoulder rotation, abduction, and the Mallet score. Independent factors were time (pre-and post-surgery), gender, age, joint category (congruent, relocated, relocated plus osteotomy) and whether or not a transfer had been performed. Data from a previously published short-term evaluation were reworked in order to obtain pre-operative values.

The mean improvement in external rotation from pre-surgery to the long-term follow-up was 66.5° (95% confidence interval (CI) 61.5 to 71.6). The internal rotation had decreased by a mean of 22.6° (95% CI -18.7 to -26.5). The mean improvement in the three-grade aggregate Mallet score was 3.1 (95% CI 2.7 to 3.4), from 8.7 (95% CI 8.4 to 9.0) to 11.8 (11.5 to 12.1).

Our results show that open subscapularis elongation achieves good long-term results for patients with BPBP and an internal rotation contracture, providing lasting joint congruency and resolution of the trumpet sign, but with a moderate mean loss of internal rotation.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1411–18

A retrospective study was performed in 100 children aged between two and 16 years, with a dorsally angulated stable fracture of the distal radius or forearm, who were treated with manipulation in the emergency department (ED) using intranasal diamorphine and 50% oxygen and nitrous oxide. Pre- and post-manipulation radiographs, the final radiographs and the clinical notes were reviewed. A successful reduction was achieved in 90 fractures (90%) and only three children (3%) required remanipulation and Kirschner wire fixation or internal fixation.

The use of Entonox and intranasal diamorphine is safe and effective for the closed reduction of a stable paediatric fracture of the distal radius and forearm in the ED.

By facilitating discharge on the same day, there is a substantial cost benefit to families and the NHS and we recommend this method.

Take home message: Simple easily reducible fractures of the distal radius and forearm in children can be successfully and safely treated in the ED using this approach, thus avoiding theatre admission and costly hospital stay.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;97-B:131–6.

The accurate assessment of skeletal maturity is essential in the management of orthopaedic conditions in the growing child. In order to identify the time of peak height velocity (PHV) in adolescents, two systems for assessing skeletal maturity have been described recently; the calcaneal apophyseal ossification method and the Sanders hand scores.

The purpose of this study was to compare these methods in assessing skeletal maturity relative to PHV. We studied the radiographs of a historical group of 94 healthy children (49 females and 45 males), who had been followed longitudinally between the ages of three and 18 years with serial radiographs and physical examination. Radiographs of the foot and hand were undertaken in these children at least annually between the ages of ten and 15 years. We reviewed 738 radiographs of the foot and 694 radiographs of the hand. PHV was calculated from measurements of height taken at the time of the radiographs.

Prior to PHV we observed four of six stages of calcaneal apophyseal ossification and two of eight Sanders stages. Calcaneal stage 3 and Sanders stage 2 was seen to occur about 0.9 years before PHV, while calcaneal stage 4 and Sanders stage 3 occurred approximately 0.5 years after PHV.

The stages of the calcaneal and Sanders systems can be used in combination, offering better assessment of skeletal maturity with respect to PHV than either system alone.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1710–17.