We report our experience in 42 patients, using corticocancellous bone grafts and lag screw fixation for un-united scaphoid fractures. Using a grading system, we analysed the suitability of the method for three types of nonunion. We recommend the operation for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion, except where there is avascular necrosis of the proximal pole

In spina bifida the femoral neck can develop either the well-known coxa valga or the hitherto unreported coxa vara. Twenty-three cases of coxa vara in spina bifida are reported. These result from spontaneous separation of the upper femoral epiphysis (10 cases), spontaneous fracture of the femoral neck (three cases) and iatrogenic avascular necrosis of the upper femoral epiphysis (10 cases)

1. The results of thirty-five acutely slipped upper femoral epiphyses, treated from 1950 to 1969, are presented. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred in five cases. 2. Skin traction with medial rotation, followed in three to four days by internal fixation, without further manipulation, is recommended so that this iatrogenic complication may be avoided

1. Three cases are reported of avascular necrosis of the head of the femur after undisplaced fractures of the neck of the femur in childhood. 2. It is suggested that the diaphysial vessels play a more important part in the supply of the epiphysis than has previously been recognised. 3. The prognosis for any fracture of the neck of the femur in a child given at the time of the injury should be guarded

There is a specific type of displaced four-part fracture of the proximal humerus which consists of valgus impaction of the head fragment; this deserves special consideration because the rate of avascular necrosis is lower than that of other displaced four-part fractures. Using either closed reduction or limited open reduction and minimal internal fixation, 74% satisfactory results can be achieved in this injury

Disc degeneration starts as an avascular necrosis. In the lower lumbar area the discs deteriorate early because of mechanical stresses. During certain early periods of degenerative changes a mechanical disorder between the annulus and the posterior longitudinal ligament may cause tiredness and pain. When the disc is completely degenerated and has lost its physical properties backache disappears

Fracture separation of the capital femoral epiphysis occurring during attempted closed reduction of a traumatic dislocation of the hip is described in two adolescents. Although this complication is extremely rare, the prognosis of fracture separation with dislocation of the epiphysis is known to be poor. Avascular necrosis subsequently developed in both cases. The importance of gentle manipulative reduction under general anaesthesia with complete muscle relaxation is emphasised

1. Attention is drawn to the danger of avascular necrosis developing in the capital femoral epiphysis as a complication of osteomyelitis in the intertrochanteric region. 2. This necrosis is commonly aseptic. It is believed to be caused by compression or thrombosis of the epiphysial vessels. 3. The situation will be aggravated if infection spreads to involve the joint. 4. We believe that prompt decompression of both the joint and the bone is indicated in order to reduce the incidence and severity of these complications

We have studied retrospectively 37 hips in 36 children at an average of 91 months after simultaneous open reduction and Salter innominate osteotomy for developmental hip dysplasia. At the latest review 97.3% were clinically and 83.8% radiologically good or excellent. In three hips (8%) there were signs of avascular necrosis, but only one had been symptomatic. There were no cases of recurrent posterior displacement

We have reviewed 82 children with congenital dislocation of the hip, after treatment by anterior open reduction followed by derotation femoral osteotomy. The clinical and radiological results were significantly better in the group that had open reduction before the appearance of the capital femoral epiphysis; this group also had a lower incidence of avascular necrosis. We conclude that, when it is clearly indicated, the earlier an open reduction is carried out the better the results

1. The findings in a femoral head obtained at necropsy on a boy aged nine suffering from Perthes' disease are described. 2. The findings revealed that there had been avascular necrosis of the epiphysis followed by revascularisation and healing, and there was evidence to suggest a second episode of infarction. 3. The findings provide strong support for the suggestion that Perthes' disease is the result not of one but of more than one episode of major infarction

1. Nine cases of traumatic dislocation of the hip in children have been reviewed. 2. There was one instance of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, which became apparent six months after injury. 3. In one case fracture of the femur on the same side led to four days' delay in recognition and treatment of the dislocation. 4. At the time of review all patients were free from symptoms

We have used a modified technique of cervical osteotomy to treat a consecutive series of 23 patients with chronic slip of the upper femoral epiphysis. It has been successful in correcting both moderate and severe deformities with a low incidence of avascular necrosis, comparable to that seen after subtrochanteric osteotomies. We describe the operative details and discuss the features which make cervical osteotomy technically superior to intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric procedures

We describe the results of a policy of highly selective splintage for CDH, using knee plasters. No child suffered because splintage was withheld. In those who were treated the results were satisfactory and the proportion who required a subsequent operation was extremely low. Avascular necrosis was not a significant problem. The method, although a little more time consuming, appears to offer significant advantages over current alternatives

A study of 78 children (110 hips) was undertaken in an attempt to assess the risk of avascular necrosis (AVN) after slipped capital femoral epiphysis based on the radiological appearances of the hip at the time of presentation. Physeal separation, which was defined as the amount of separation of the anterior lip of the epiphysis from the metaphysis on the frog lateral view, was assessed. Of the eight hips which developed AVN, seven had anterior physeal separation. We conclude that anterior physeal separation is associated with a high incidence of subsequent AVN after slipped capital femoral epiphysis and that screw fixation may not be appropriate in these patients

Hinge abduction is an abnormal movement of the hip which occurs when a femoral head, deformed as a result of avascular necrosis or Perthes' disease, fails to slide within the acetabulum. Patients with this condition present with pain and shortening and in some cases arthrodesis has been recommended. We report 27 cases in which the diagnosis had been established by arthrography. The satisfactory results of abduction-extension osteotomy of the femur in 26 hips with this condition are reported

Aims

The purpose of this study was to report the long-term results of extendable endoprostheses of the humerus in children after the resection of a bone sarcoma.

1. The case history of a seven and a half-year-old boy who developed increased radiographic density of the femoral capital epiphysis after traumatic dislocation of the hip is presented. 2. The authors have been able to examine the case reports of thirteen similar cases presented in the literature. 3. The case presented is felt to be of interest because avascular necrosis was diagnosed early, and the radiographic appearance of the hip became normal five months after the injury

We reviewed the management of 100 cases of slipped upper femoral epiphysis treated over a period of 26 years. A total of 14 slips was identified as unstable on admission. These underwent reduction and stabilisation within 24 hours of the onset of severe symptoms. Of the 86 stable slips four progressed to avascular necrosis (AVN), which was not seen in the unstable slips. The literature on slipped upper femoral epiphysis suggests that the acute unstable slip is at higher risk of developing AVN. We recommend reduction and stabilisation of unstable slips within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms in order to reduce the risk of AVN

We describe a method of intertrochanteric osteotomy with posterior rotation of the femoral head and neck. We analysed 45 hips in 44 children and adolescents aged from six to 18 years with residual dysplasia after conservative (35) and operative (10) treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip complicated by avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In ten, femoral osteotomy was combined with a variety of pelvic procedures. Thirty-seven hips (36 patients) were available for follow-up at a mean of 4 years 5 months (2 to 15 years). Excellent results were obtained in nine, good in 17, fair in seven and poor in four