Aims. 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. Methods. 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. Results. From 91 eligible studies, 27 individual outcomes were identified, including those related to
Aims. To monitor the performance of services for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Northern Ireland and identify potential improvements to enhance quality of service and plan for the future. Methods. This was a prospective observational study, involving all infants treated for DDH between 2011 and 2017. Children underwent
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can be managed effectively with non-surgical interventions when diagnosed early. However, the likelihood of surgical intervention increases with a late presentation. Therefore, an effective screening programme is essential to prevent late diagnosis and reduce surgical morbidity in the population. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiological literature from the last 25 years in the UK. Articles were selected from databases searches using MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and Cochrane; 13 papers met the inclusion criteria.Aims
Methods
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 cerebral palsy (CP) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V. This was a population-based cohort study in children with CP from a national surveillance programme. Reliability was assessed from 20 caregivers who completed the mCCHQ questionnaire on two occasions three weeks apart. Test-retest reliability of the mCCHQ was calculated, and responsiveness before and after surgery for a displaced hip was evaluated in a cohort of children.Aims
Methods
Early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is associated with improved outcomes of conservative treatment. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a novel screening programme that included both the primary risk factors of breech presentation and family history, and the secondary risk factors of oligohydramnios and foot deformities. A five-year prospective registry study investigating every live birth in the study’s catchment area (n = 27,731), all of whom underwent screening for risk factors and examination at the newborn and six- to eight-week neonatal examination and review. DDH was diagnosed using ultrasonography and the Graf classification system, defined as grade IIb or above or rapidly regressing IIa disease (≥4o at four weeks follow-up). Multivariate odds ratios were calculated to establish significant association, and risk differences were calculated to provide quantifiable risk increase with DDH, positive predictive value was used as a measure of predictive efficacy. The cost-effectiveness of using these risk factors to predict DDH was evaluated using NHS tariffs (January 2021).Aims
Methods
There is no consensus regarding optimum timing and frequency of ultrasound (US) for monitoring response to Pavlik harness (PH) treatment in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The purpose of our study was to determine if a limited-frequency hip US assessment had an adverse effect on treatment outcomes compared to traditional comprehensive US monitoring. This study was a single-centre noninferiority randomized controlled trial. Infants aged under six months whose hips were reduced and centred in the harness at initiation of treatment (stable dysplastic or subluxable), or initially decentred (subluxated or dislocated) but reduced and centred within four weeks of PH treatment, were randomized to our current standard US monitoring protocol (every clinic visit) or to a limited-frequency US protocol (US only at end of treatment). Groups were compared based on α angle and femoral head coverage at the end of PH treatment, acetabular indices, and International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grade on one-year follow-up radiographs.Aims
Methods
Perthes’ disease is a condition leading to necrosis of the femoral head. It is most common in children aged four to nine years, affecting around one per 1,200 children in the UK. Management typically includes non-surgical treatment options, such as physiotherapy with/without surgical intervention. However, there is significant variation in care with no consensus on the most effective treatment option. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for the treatment of Perthes’ disease. Comparative studies (experimental or observational) of any non-surgical intervention compared directly with any alternative intervention (surgical, non-surgical or no intervention) were identified from: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMcare, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Data were extracted on interventions compared and methodological quality. For post-intervention primary outcome of radiological scores (Stulberg and/or Mose), event rates for poor scores were calculated with significance values. Secondary outcomes included functional measures, such as range of movement, and patient-reported outcomes such as health-related quality of life.Aims
Methods
In 1937 Blount described a series of 28 patients with ‘Tibia vara’. Since then, a number of deformities in the tibia and the femur have been described in association with this condition. We analysed 14 children with Blount’s disease who were entered into a cross-sectional study. Their mean age was 10 (2 to 18). They underwent a
To identify a suite of the key physical, emotional, and social outcomes to be employed in clinical practice and research concerning Perthes' disease in children. The study follows the guidelines of the COMET-Initiative (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials). A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify a list of outcomes reported in previous studies, which was supplemented by a qualitative study exploring the experiences of families affected by Perthes’ disease. Collectively, these outcomes formed the basis of a Delphi survey (two rounds), where 18 patients with Perthes’ disease, 46 parents, and 36 orthopaedic surgeons rated each outcome for importance. The International Perthes Study Group (IPSG) (Dallas, Texas, USA (October 2018)) discussed outcomes that failed to reach any consensus (either ‘in’ or ‘out’) before a final consensus meeting with representatives of surgeons, patients, and parents.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to define objectively gait function in children with treated congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) and a good clinical result. The study also attempted an analysis of movement within the foot during gait. We compared 20 children with treated CTEV with 15 control subjects.
The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the
effectiveness of the neonatal hip instability screening programme. The study involved a four-year observational assessment of a
neonatal hip screening programme. All newborns were examined using
the Barlow or Ortolani manoeuvre within 72 hours of birth; those
with positive findings were referred to a ‘one-stop’ screening clinic
for clinical and sonographic assessment of the hip. The results
were compared with previous published studies from this unit.Aims
Patients and Methods
The significance of the ‘clicky hip’ in neonatal and infant examination
remains controversial with recent conflicting papers reigniting
the debate. We aimed to quantify rates of developmental dysplasia
of the hip (DDH) in babies referred with ‘clicky hips’ to our dedicated
DDH clinic. A three-year prospective cohort study was undertaken between
2014 and 2016 assessing the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of
all children referred specifically with ‘clicky hips’ as the primary
reason for referral to our dedicated DDH clinic. Depending on their
age, they were all imaged with either ultrasound scan or radiographs.Aims
Patients and Methods
A clicky hip is a common referral for clinical and sonographic
screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). There is
controversy regarding whether it represents a true risk factor for
pathological DDH. Therefore a 20-year prospective, longitudinal,
observational study was undertaken to assess the relationship between
the presence of a neonatal clicky hip and pathological DDH. A total of 362 infants from 1997 to 2016 were referred with clicky
hips to our ‘one-stop’ paediatric hip screening clinic. Hips were
assessed clinically for instability and by ultrasound imaging using
a simplified Graf/Harcke classification. Dislocated or dislocatable
hips were classified as Graf Type IV hips.Aims
Patients and Methods
Despite the presence of screening programmes, infants continue
to present with late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), the
impact of which is significant. The aim of this study was to assess
infants with late presenting dislocation of the hip despite universal
clinical neonatal and selective ultrasound screening. Between 01 January 1997 to 31 December 2011, a prospective, longitudinal
study was undertaken of a cohort of 64 670 live births. Late presenting
dislocation was defined as presentation after three months of age.
Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound and plain radiography. Patient
demographics, referral type, reason for referral, risk factors (breech
presentation/strong family history) and clinical and radiological
findings were recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) should
be diagnosed as early as possible to optimise treatment. The current
United Kingdom recommendations for the selective screening of DDH
include a clinical examination at birth and at six weeks. In Northern
Ireland babies continue to have an assessment by a health visitor
at four months of age. As we continue to see late presentations
of DDH, beyond one year of age, we hypothesised that a proportion had
missed an opportunity for earlier diagnosis. We expect those who
presented to our service with Tonnis grade III or IV hips and decreased
abduction would have had clinical signs at their earlier assessments. We performed a retrospective review of all patients born in Northern
Ireland between 2008 and 2010 who were diagnosed with DDH after
their first birthday. There were 75 856 live births during the study
period of whom 645 children were treated for DDH (8.5 per 1000).
The minimum follow-up of our cohort from birth, to detect late presentation,
was four years and six months. Of these, 32 children (33 hips) were
diagnosed after their first birthday (0.42 per 1000). With optimum application of our selective screening programme
21 (65.6%) of these children had the potential for an earlier diagnosis,
which would have reduced the incidence of late diagnosis to 0.14
per 1000. As we saw a peak in diagnosis between three and five months
our findings support the continuation of the four month health visitor
check. Our study adds further information to the debate regarding
selective Cite this article:
Over a 15-year prospective period, 201 infants
with a clinically unstable hip at neonatal screening were subsequently
reviewed in a ‘one stop’ clinic where they were assessed clinically
and sonographically. Their mean age was 1.62 weeks (95% confidence
interval (CI) 1.35 to 1.89). Clinical neonatal hip screening revealed
a sensitivity of 62% (mean, 62.6 95%CI 50.9 to 74.3), specificity
of 99.8% (mean, 99.8, 95% CI 99.7 to 99.8) and positive predictive value
(PPV) of 24% (mean, 26.2, 95% CI 19.3 to 33.0). Static and dynamic
sonography for Graf type IV dysplastic hips had a 15-year sensitivity
of 77% (mean, 75.8 95% CI 66.9 to 84.6), specificity of 99.8% (mean,
99.8, 95% CI 99.8 to 99.8) and a PPV of 49% (mean, 55.1, 95% CI
41.6 to 68.5). There were 36 infants with an irreducible dislocation
of the hip (0.57 per 1000 live births), including six that failed
to resolve with neonatal splintage. Most clinically unstable hips referred to a specialist clinic
are female and stabilise spontaneously. Most irreducible dislocations
are not identified from this neonatal instability group. There may
be a small subgroup of females with instability of the hip which
may be at risk of progression to irreducibility despite early treatment
in a Pavlik harness. A controlled study is required to assess the value of neonatal
clinical screening programmes. Cite this article:
Proximal femoral resection (PFR) is a proven
pain-relieving procedure for the management of patients with severe cerebral
palsy and a painful displaced hip. Previous authors have recommended
post-operative traction or immobilisation to prevent a recurrence
of pain due to proximal migration of the femoral stump. We present
a series of 79 PFRs in 63 patients, age 14.7 years (10 to 26; 35
male, 28 female), none of whom had post-operative traction or immobilisation. A total of 71 hips (89.6%) were reported to be pain free or to
have mild pain following surgery. Four children underwent further
resection for persistent pain; of these, three had successful resolution
of pain and one had no benefit. A total of 16 hips (20.2%) showed
radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification, all of which
had formed within one year of surgery. Four patients had a wound
infection, one of which needed debridement; all recovered fully.
A total of 59 patients (94%) reported improvements in seating and
hygiene. The results are as good as or better than the historical results
of using traction or immobilisation. We recommend that following
PFR, children can be managed without traction or immobilisation,
and can be discharged earlier and with fewer complications. However,
care should be taken with severely dystonic patients, in whom more
extensive femoral resection should be considered in combination
with management of the increased tone. Cite this article:
Most centres in the United Kingdom adopt a selective
screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
based on repeated clinical examination and selective ultrasound
examination. The Newborn Infant Physical Examination protocol implemented
in 2008 recommends a first examination at birth and then a second
and final examination at six to ten weeks of age. Due to concerns
over an increase in late presentations we performed a retrospective
review of our 15-year results to establish if late presentation
increases treatment requirements. Of children presenting before
six weeks of age, 84% were treated successfully with abduction bracing,
whereas 86% of children presenting after ten months eventually required
open reduction surgery. This equates to a 12-fold increase in relative
risk of requiring open reduction following late presentation. Increasing
age at presentation was associated with an increase in the number
of surgical procedures, which are inevitably more extensive and complex,
with a consequent increased in cost per patient. The implementation
of an opportunistic examination at three to five months could help
to reduce the unintended consequences of the Newborn Infant Physical Examination
programme. Cite this article:
At our institution surgical correction of symptomatic
flat foot deformities in children has been guided by a paradigm in
which radiographs and pedobarography are used in the assessment
of outcome following treatment. Retrospective review of children
with symptomatic flat feet who had undergone surgical correction
was performed to assess the outcome and establish the relationship
between the static alignment and the dynamic loading of the foot. A total of 17 children (21 feet) were assessed before and after
correction of soft-tissue contractures and lateral column lengthening,
using standardised radiological and pedobarographic techniques for
which normative data were available. We found significantly improved static segmental alignment of
the foot, significantly improved mediolateral dimension foot loading,
and worsened fore-aft foot loading, following surgical treatment.
Only four significant associations were found between radiological
measures of static segmental alignment and dynamic loading of the foot. Weakness of the plantar flexors of the ankle was a common post-operative
finding. Surgeons should be judicious in the magnitude of lengthening
of the plantar flexors that is undertaken and use techniques that
minimise subsequent weakening of this muscle group. Cite this article:
We investigated the predictive value of intra-operative
neurophysiological investigations in obstetric brachial plexus injuries.
Between January 2005 and June 2011 a total of 32 infants of 206
referred to our unit underwent exploration of the plexus, including
neurolysis. The findings from intra-operative electromyography,
sensory evoked potentials across the lesion and gross muscular response
to stimulation were evaluated. A total of 22 infants underwent neurolysis
alone and ten had microsurgical reconstruction. Of the former, one
was lost to follow-up, one had glenoplasty and three had subsequent
nerve reconstructions. Of the remaining 17 infants with neurolysis,
13 (76%) achieved a modified Mallet score >
13 at a mean age of
3.5 years (0.75 to 6.25). Subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder
is a major confounding factor. The positive predictive value and
sensitivity of the intra-operative EMG for C5 were 100% and 85.7%,
respectively, in infants without concurrent shoulder pathology.
The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity
of the three investigations combined were 77%, 100%, 100% and 57%, respectively. In all, 20 infants underwent neurolysis alone for C6 and three
had reconstruction. All of the former and one of the latter achieved
biceps function of Raimondi grade 5. The positive and negative predictive
values, sensitivity and specificity of electromyography for C6 were
65%, 71%, 87% and 42%, respectively. Our method is effective in evaluating the prognosis of C5 lesion.
Neurolysis is preferred for C6 lesions. Cite this article: