Eight-plates are used to correct varus-valgus deformity (VVD) or limb-length discrepancy (LLD) in children and adolescents. It was reported that these implants might create a bony deformity within the knee joint by change of the roof angle (RA) after epiphysiodesis of the proximal tibia following a radiological assessment limited to anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. The aim of this study was to analyze the RA, complemented with lateral knee radiographs, with focus on the tibial slope (TS) and the degree of deformity correction. A retrospective, single-centre study was conducted. The treatment group (n = 64 knees in 44 patients) was subclassified according to the implant location in two groups: 1) medial hemiepiphysiodesis; and 2) lateral hemiepiphysiodesis. A third control group consisted of 25 untreated knees. The limb axes and RA were measured on long standing AP leg radiographs. Lateral radiographs of 40 knees were available for TS analysis. The mean age of the patients was 10.6 years (4 to 15) in the treatment group and 8.4 years (4 to 14) in the control group. Implants were removed after a mean 1.2 years (0.5 to 3).Aims
Methods
To report the mid-term results of a modified self-growing rod (SGR) technique for the treatment of idiopathic and neuromuscular early-onset scoliosis (EOS). We carried out a retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive patients with EOS treated with an SGR construct at a single hospital between September 2008 and December 2014. General demographics and deformity variables (i.e. major Cobb angle, T1 to T12 length, T1 to S1 length, pelvic obliquity, shoulder obliquity, and C7 plumb line) were recorded preoperatively, and postoperatively at yearly follow-up. Complications and revision procedures were also recorded. Only patients with a minimum follow-up of five years after surgery were included.Aims
Methods
The treatment of tibial aplasia is controversial. Amputation represents the gold standard with good functional results, but is frequently refused by the families. In these patients, treatment with reconstructive limb salvage can be considered. Due to the complexity of the deformity, this remains challenging and should be staged. The present study evaluated the role of femoro-pedal distraction using a circular external fixator in reconstructive treatment of tibial aplasia. The purpose of femoro-pedal distraction is to realign the limb and achieve soft tissue lengthening to allow subsequent reconstructive surgery. This was a retrospective study involving ten patients (12 limbs) with tibial aplasia, who underwent staged reconstruction. During the first operation a circular hexapod external fixator was applied and femoro-pedal distraction was undertaken over several months. Subsequent surgery included reconstruction of the knee joint and alignment of the foot.Aims
Methods
The processes linking long-term bisphosphonate treatment to atypical fracture remain elusive. To establish a means of exploring this link, we have examined how long-term bisphosphonate treatment with prior ovariectomy modifies femur fracture behaviour and tibia mass and shape in murine bones. Three groups (seven per group) of 12-week-old mice were: 1) ovariectomized and 20 weeks thereafter treated weekly for 24 weeks with 100 μm/kg subcutaneous ibandronate (OVX+IBN); 2) ovariectomized (OVX); or 3) sham-operated (SHAM). Quantitative fracture analysis generated biomechanical properties for the femoral neck. Tibiae were microCT scanned and trabecular (proximal metaphysis) and cortical parameters along almost its whole length measured.Aims
Methods
The Fassier Duval (FD) rod is a third-generation telescopic implant for children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Threaded fixation enables proximal insertion without opening the knee or ankle joint. We have reviewed our combined two-centre experience with this implant. In total, 34 children with a mean age of five years (1 to 14) with severe OI have undergone rodding of 72 lower limb long bones (27 tibial, 45 femoral) for recurrent fractures with progressive deformity despite optimized bone health and bisphosphonate therapy. Data were collected prospectively, with 1.5 to 11 years follow-up.Aims
Methods
To determine if the results of treatment of adolescents with coccydynia are similar to those found in adults. Adult patients with coccydynia may benefit from injection therapy or operative treatment. There is little data evaluating treatment results in adolescents. We have treated adolescent patients similarly to adults and compared the outcomes. Overall, 32 adolescents with coccydynia were treated at our institution during a seven-year period; 28 responded to final follow-up questionnaires after a minimum of one year, 14 had been treated with only injection therapy, and 14 had been operated with coccygectomy. We collected data with regards to pain while sitting, leaning forward, rising from a sitting position, during defecation, while walking or jogging, and while travelling in trains, planes, or automobiles. Pain at follow-up was registered on a numeric pain scale. Each adolescent was then matched to adult patients, and results compared in a case control fashion. The treatment was considered successful if respondents were either completely well or much better at final follow-up after one to seven years.Aims
Methods
Accurate estimations of the risk of fracture due to metastatic bone disease in the femur is essential in order to avoid both under-treatment and over-treatment of patients with an impending pathological fracture. The purpose of the current retrospective in vivo study was to use CT-based finite element analyses (CTFEA) to identify a clear quantitative differentiating factor between patients who are at imminent risk of fracturing their femur and those who are not, and to identify the exact location of maximal weakness where the fracture is most likely to occur. Data were collected on 82 patients with femoral metastatic bone disease, 41 of whom did not undergo prophylactic fixation. A total of 15 had a pathological fracture within six months following the CT scan, and 26 were fracture-free during the five months following the scan. The Mirels score and strain fold ratio (SFR) based on CTFEA was computed for all patients. A SFR value of 1.48 was used as the threshold for a pathological fracture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predicted values for Mirels score and SFR predictions were computed for nine patients who fractured and 24 who did not, as well as a comparison of areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC of the ROC curves).Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess whether supine flexibility predicts the likelihood of curve progression in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing brace treatment. This was a retrospective analysis of patients with AIS prescribed with an underarm brace between September 2008 to April 2013 and followed up until 18 years of age or required surgery. Patients with structural proximal curves that preclude underarm bracing, those who were lost to follow-up, and those who had poor compliance to bracing (<16 hours a day) were excluded. The major curve Cobb angle, curve type, and location were measured on the pre-brace standing posteroanterior (PA) radiograph, supine whole spine radiograph, initial in-brace standing PA radiograph, and the post-brace weaning standing PA radiograph. Validation of the previous in-brace Cobb angle regression model was performed. The outcome of curve progression post-bracing was tested using a logistic regression model. The supine flexibility cut-off for curve progression was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic curve.Aims
Methods
The aims of this study were to evaluate the abductor function in moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), comparing the results of a corrective osteotomy at the base of the femoral neck and osteoplasty with 1) A total of 24 patients (mean age 14.9 years (Aims
Patients and Methods
Successful management of late presenting hip
dislocation in childhood is judged by the outcome not just at skeletal
maturity but well beyond into adulthood and late middle age. This
review considers different methods of treatment and looks critically
at the handful of studies reporting long-term follow-up after successful
reduction. Cite this article
We present the results of correcting a double or triple curve
adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using a convex segmental pedicle
screw technique. We reviewed 191 patients with a mean age at surgery of 15 years
(11 to 23.3). Pedicle screws were placed at the convexity of each
curve. Concave screws were inserted at one or two cephalad levels
and two caudal levels. The mean operating time was 183 minutes (132
to 276) and the mean blood loss 0.22% of the total blood volume
(0.08% to 0.4%). Multimodal monitoring remained stable throughout
the operation. The mean hospital stay was 6.8 days (5 to 15).Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical dislocation approach and modified trapdoor procedure for the treatment of chondroblastoma of the femoral head. A total of 17 patients (ten boys, seven girls; mean age 16.4 years (11 to 26)) diagnosed with chondroblastoma of the femoral head who underwent surgical dislocation of the hip joint, modified trapdoor procedure, curettage, and bone grafting were enrolled in this study and were followed-up for a mean of 35.9 months (12 to 76). Healing and any local recurrence were assessed via clinical and radiological tests. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system (MSTS). Patterns of bone destruction were evaluated using the Lodwick classification. Secondary osteoarthritis was classified via radiological analysis following the Kellgren–Lawrence grading system. Steinberg classification was used to evaluate osteonecrosis of the femoral head.Aims
Patients and Methods