Aims

The aim of this study was to produce clinical consensus recommendations about the non-surgical treatment of children with Perthes’ disease. The recommendations are intended to support clinical practice in a condition for which there is no robust evidence to guide optimal care.

The Ponseti and French taping methods have reduced the incidence of major surgery in congenital idiopathic clubfoot but incur a significant burden of care, including heel-cord tenotomy. We developed a non-operative regime to reduce treatment intensity without affecting outcome. We treated 402 primary idiopathic clubfeet in patients aged < three months who presented between September 1991 and August 2008. Their Harrold and Walker grades were 6.0% mild, 25.6% moderate and 68.4% severe. All underwent a dynamic outpatient taping regime over five weeks based on Ponseti manipulation, modified Jones strapping and home exercises. Feet with residual equinus (six feet, 1.5%) or relapse within six months (83 feet, 20.9%) underwent one to three additional tapings. Correction was maintained with below-knee splints, exercises and shoes. The clinical outcome at three years of age (385 feet, 95.8% follow-up) showed that taping alone corrected 357 feet (92.7%, ‘good’). Late relapses or failure of taping required limited posterior release in 20 feet (5.2%, ‘fair’) or posteromedial release in eight feet (2.1%, ‘poor’). The long-term (> 10 years) outcomes in 44 feet (23.8% follow-up) were assessed by the Laaveg–Ponseti method as excellent (23 feet, 52.3%), good (17 feet, 38.6%), fair (three feet, 6.8%) or poor (one foot, 2.3%). These compare favourably with published long-term results of the Ponseti or French methods. This dynamic taping regime is a simple non-operative method that delivers improved medium-term and promising long-term results.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:271–8.

Aims. 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. Methods. 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. Results. In all, 15 studies (1,745 participants) were eligible for inclusion: eight prospective cohort studies, seven retrospective cohort studies, and no randomized controlled trials were identified. Non-surgical interventions largely focused on orthotic management (14/15 studies) and physical interventions such as muscle strengthening or stretching (5/15 studies). Most studies were of high/unknown risk of bias, and the range of patient outcomes was very limited, as was reporting of treatment protocols. Similar proportions of children achieving poor radiological outcomes were found for orthotic management and physical interventions, such as physiotherapy or weightbearing alteration, compared with surgical interventions or no intervention. Conclusion. Evidence from non-randomized studies found no robust evidence regarding the most effective non-surgical interventions for the treatment of children with Perthes’ disease. Future research, employing randomized trial designs, and reporting a wider range of patient outcomes is urgently needed to inform clinical practice. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2020;1-12:720–730

Aims. Perthes’ disease is a condition which leads to necrosis of the femoral head. It is most commonly reported in children aged four to nine years, with recent statistics suggesting it affects around five per 100,000 children in the UK. Current treatment for the condition aims to maintain the best possible environment for the disease process to run its natural course. Management typically includes physiotherapy with or without surgical intervention. Physiotherapy intervention often will include strengthening/stretching programmes, exercise/activity advice, and, in some centres, will include intervention, such as hydrotherapy. There is significant variation in care with no consensus on which treatment option is best. The importance of work in this area has been demonstrated by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery through the James Lind Alliance’s prioritization of work to determine/identify surgical versus non-surgical management of Perthes’ disease. It was identified as the fourth-highest priority for paediatric lower limb surgery research in 2018. Methods. Five UK NHS centres, including those from the NEWS (North, East, West and South Yorkshire) orthopaedic group, contributed to this case review, with each entre providing clinical data from a minimum of five children. Information regarding both orthopaedic and physiotherapeutic management over a two-year post-diagnosis period was reviewed. Results. Data were extracted from the clinical records of 32 children diagnosed with Perthes’ disease; seven boys and 25 girls. The mean age of the children at diagnosis was 6.16 years (standard deviation (SD) 3.001). In all, 26 children were referred for physiotherapy. In the two-year period following diagnosis, children were seen a median of 7.5 times (interquartile range (IQR) 4.25 to 11) by an orthopaedic surgeon, and a median of 9.5 times (IQR 8 to 18.25) by a physiotherapist. One centre had operated on all of their children, while another had operated on none. Overall, 17 (53%) of the children were managed conservatively in the two-year follow-up period, and 15 (47%) of the children underwent surgery in the two-year follow-up period. Conclusion. The results of this case review demonstrate a variation of care provided to children in the UK with Perthes’ disease. Further national and international understanding of current care is required to underpin the rationale for different treatment options in children with Perthes’ disease. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-11:691–695

This nationwide prospective study was designed to determine prognostic factors and evaluate the outcome of different treatments of Perthes’ disease. A total of 28 hospitals in Norway were instructed to report all new cases of Perthes’ disease over a period of five years and 425 patients were reported and followed for five years. Of these, 368 with unilateral disease were included in the present study. The hips were classified radiologically according to a modified two-group Catterall classification and the lateral pillar classification. A total of 358 patients (97%) attended the five-year follow-up, when a modified three-group Stulberg classification was used as a radiological outcome measure. For patients over six years of age at diagnosis and with more than 50% necrosis of the femoral head (152 patients), the surgeons at the different hospitals had chosen one of three methods of treatment: physiotherapy (55 patients), the Scottish Rite abduction orthosis (26), and proximal femoral varus osteotomy (71). Of these hips, 146 (96%) were available for the five-year follow-up. The strongest predictor of outcome was femoral head involvement of more or less than 50% (odds ratio (OR) = 7.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.82 to 21.37), followed by age at diagnosis (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.99) and the lateral pillar classification (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.98). In children over six years at diagnosis with more than 50% of femoral head necrosis, proximal femoral varus osteotomy gave a significantly better outcome than orthosis (p = 0.001) or physiotherapy (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the physiotherapy and orthosis groups (p = 0.36), and we found no difference in outcome after any of the treatments in children under six years (p = 0.73). We recommend proximal femoral varus osteotomy in children aged six years and over at the time of diagnosis with hips having more than 50% femoral head necrosis. The abduction orthosis should be abandoned in Perthes’ disease

Aims

Multiple secondary surgical procedures of the shoulder, such as soft-tissue releases, tendon transfers, and osteotomies, are described in brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) patients. The long-term functional outcomes of these procedures described in the literature are inconclusive. We aimed to analyze the literature looking for a consensus on treatment options.

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The aim of this study was to gain a consensus for best practice of the assessment and management of children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) in order to provide a benchmark for practitioners and guide the best consistent care.

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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.

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Hip disease is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and can decrease quality of life and function. Surveillance programmes exist to improve outcomes by treating hip disease at an early stage using radiological surveillance. However, studies and surveillance programmes report different radiological outcomes, making it difficult to compare. We aimed to identify the most important radiological measurements and develop a core measurement set (CMS) for clinical practice, research, and surveillance programmes.

Aims

Perthes’ disease is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the developing femoral head, often causing deformity that impairs physical function. Current treatments aim to optimize the joint reaction force across the hip by enhancing congruency between the acetabulum and femoral head. Despite a century of research, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of children, their families, and clinicians when considering the treatment of Perthes’ disease.

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The Ponseti method is the gold standard treatment for congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), with the British Consensus Statement providing a benchmark for standard of care. Meeting these standards and providing expert care while maintaining geographical accessibility can pose a service delivery challenge. A novel ‘Hub and Spoke’ Shared Care model was initiated to deliver Ponseti treatment for CTEV, while addressing standard of care and resource allocation. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and outcomes of the corrective phase of Ponseti service delivery using this model.

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The management of fractures of the medial epicondyle is one of the greatest controversies in paediatric fracture care, with uncertainty concerning the need for surgery. The British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery prioritized this as their most important research question in paediatric trauma. This is the protocol for a randomized controlled, multicentre, prospective superiority trial of operative fixation versus nonoperative treatment for displaced medial epicondyle fractures: the Surgery or Cast of the EpicoNdyle in Children’s Elbows (SCIENCE) trial.

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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.

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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.

We review the results of a modified quadricepsplasty in five children who developed stiffness of the knee after femoral lengthening for congenital short femur using an Ilizarov external fixator which spanned the knee. All had a full range of movement of the knee before lengthening was undertaken. Unifocal lengthening was carried out in the distal metaphysiodiaphyseal region of the distal femur with a mean gain of 6.5 cm. The mean percentage lengthening was 24%. At the end of one year after removal of the Ilizarov frame and despite intensive physiotherapy all patients had stiffness. Physiotherapy was continued after the quadricepsplasty and, at the latest follow-up (mean 27 months), the mean active flexion was 102° (80 to 130). The gain in movement ranged from 50° to 100°. One patient had a superficial wound infection which settled after a course of oral antibiotics. None developed an increased extension lag after surgery and all were very satisfied with the results. Quadricepsplasty is a useful procedure for stiffness of the knee after femoral lengthening which has not responded to physiotherapy

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of Perthes’ disease of the hip.

Children with a mucopolysaccharidosis or mucolipidosis suffer progressive disability of the hands, particularly in relation to dysfunction of the median nerve. This is an increasing problem because bone-marrow transplantation has dramatically improved survival without apparently changing the musculoskeletal manifestations. We have reviewed 48 children with these syndromes who required carpal tunnel decompression, recording symptoms, signs, radiological, electrophysiological and operative findings, histology and upper-limb function. In these children the carpal tunnel syndrome differs from that seen in adults. Symptoms are rare but signs such as decreased sweating, pulp atrophy, thenar wasting and manual clumsiness are much more common. At operation, the flexor retinaculum was thickened and a mass of white tenosynovium engulfed the flexor tendons. Most patients had some definite nerve constriction with a thickened epineurium. Functional improvement was seen after early decompression, with some benefit from simultaneous tendon release. Regular physiotherapy helped to maintain increased hand movement. We describe our assessment protocol, the physiotherapy and operative regime and the standard functional review which helps to maximise function in the hands and upper limbs of these children

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the modified three-group Stulberg classification, which is based on the sphericity of the femoral head, in patients with Perthes’ disease.

We studied 24 children (40 feet) to demonstrate that a physiotherapist-delivered Ponseti service is as successful as a medically-led programme in obtaining correction of an idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus deformity. The median Pirani score at the start of treatment was 5.5 (mean 4.75; 2 to 6). A Pirani score of ≥5 predicted the need for tenotomy (p < 0.01). Of the 40 feet studied, 39 (97.5%) achieved correction of deformity. The remaining foot required surgical correction. A total of 25 (62.5%) of the feet underwent an Achilles tenotomy, which was performed by a surgeon in the physiotherapy clinic. There was full compliance with the foot abduction orthoses in 36 (90%) feet. Continuity of care was assured, as one practitioner was responsible for all patient contact. This was rated highly by the patient satisfaction survey. We believe that the Ponseti technique is suitable for use by non-medical personnel, but a holistic approach and good continuity of care are essential to the success of the programme

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We aimed to address the question on whether there is a place for shoulder stabilization surgery in patients who had voluntary posterior instability starting in childhood and adolescence, and later becoming involuntary and uncontrollable.

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The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of paediatric patients with orthopaedic conditions and spinal deformity is important, but existing generic tools have their shortcomings. We aim to evaluate the use of Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 generic core scales in the paediatric population with specific comparisons between those with spinal and limb pathologies, and to explore the feasibility of using PedsQL for studying scoliosis patients’ HRQoL.

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We aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with supracondylar humeral fractures (SCHFs), who were treated following the recommendations of the Paediatric Comprehensive AO Classification, and to assess if HRQoL was associated with AO fracture classification, or fixation with a lateral external fixator compared with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP).

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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.

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The Ponseti method is the benchmark treatment for the correction of clubfoot. The primary rate of correction is very high, but outcome further down the treatment pathway is less predictable. Several methods of assessing severity at presentation have been reported. Classification later in the course of treatment is more challenging. This systematic review considers the outcome of the Ponseti method in terms of relapse and determines how clubfoot is assessed at presentation, correction, and relapse.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in femoral trochlear morphology following surgical correction of recurrent patellar dislocation associated with trochlear dysplasia in children.

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Delayed diagnosis is a well-known complication of a Monteggia fracture-dislocation. If left untreated, the dislocated radial head later becomes symptomatic. The purposes of this study were firstly, to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of open reduction of the radial head and secondly, to identify the factors that may affect the outcome of this procedure.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of adolescents with cerebral palsy who have undergone single-event multilevel surgery for a flexed-knee gait, followed into young adulthood using 3D motion analysis.

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Extendible endoprostheses have been available for more than 30 years and have become more sophisticated with time. The latest generation is ‘non-invasive’ and can be lengthened with an external magnetic force. Early results have shown a worryingly high rate of complications such as infection. This study investigates the incidence of complications and the need for further surgery in a cohort of patients with a non-invasive growing endoprosthesis.

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The aims of this study were to describe the course of non-operatively managed, bilateral Perthes’ disease, and to determine specific prognostic factors for the radiographic and clinical outcome.

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Single event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) has been shown to improve gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, there is limited evidence regarding long-term outcomes and factors influencing them.

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We wished to examine the effectiveness of tibial lengthening using a two ring Ilizarov frame in skeletally immature patients. This is a potentially biomechanically unstable construct which risks the loss of axial control.

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Although atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) is a common cause of torticollis in children, the diagnosis may be delayed. The condition is characterised by a lack of rotation at the atlantoaxial joint which becomes fixed in a rotated and subluxed position. The management of children with a delayed presentation of this condition is controversial. This is a retrospective study of a group of such children.

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.

We report the results of Vulpius transverse gastrocsoleus recession for equinus gait in 26 children with cerebral palsy (CP), using the Gait Profile Score (GPS), Gait Variable Scores (GVS) and movement analysis profile. All children had an equinus deformity on physical examination and equinus gait on three-dimensional gait analysis prior to surgery. The pre-operative and post-operative GPS and GVS were statistically analysed. There were 20 boys and 6 girls in the study cohort with a mean age at surgery of 9.2 years (5.1 to 17.7) and 11.5 years (7.3 to 20.8) at follow-up. Of the 26 children, 14 had spastic diplegia and 12 spastic hemiplegia. Gait function improved for the cohort, confirmed by a decrease in mean GPS from 13.4° pre-operatively to 9.0° final review (p < 0.001). The change was 2.8 times the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Thus the improvements in gait were both clinically and statistically significant. The transverse gastrocsoleus recession described by Vulpius is an effective procedure for equinus gait in selected children with CP, when there is a fixed contracture of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:564–71.

A retrospective study was performed in 18 patients with achondroplasia, who underwent bilateral humeral lengthening between 2001 and 2013, using monorail external fixators. The mean age was ten years (six to 15) and the mean follow-up was 40 months (12 to 104).

The mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score fell from 32.3 (20 to 40) pre-operatively to 9.4 (6 to 14) post-operatively (p = 0.037). A mean lengthening of 60% (40% to 95%) was required to reach the goal of independent perineal hygiene. One patient developed early consolidation, and fractures occurred in the regenerate bone of four humeri in three patients. There were three transient radial nerve palsies.

Humeral lengthening increases the independence of people with achondroplasia and is not just a cosmetic procedure.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1577–81.

Recent reports have suggested an increase in the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children, although their true incidence is unknown.

The prognosis of the ACL-deficient knee in young active individuals is poor because of secondary meniscal tears, persistent instability and early-onset osteoarthritis. The aim of surgical reconstruction is to provide stability while avoiding physeal injury. Techniques of reconstruction include transphyseal, extraphyseal or partial physeal sparing procedures.

In this paper we review the management of ACL tears in skeletally immature patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1562–9.

A small proportion of children with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fracture (SCHF) experience troubling limited or delayed recovery after operative treatment. We hypothesised that the fracture level relative to the isthmus of the humerus would affect the outcome.

We retrospectively reviewed 230 children who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) for their Gartland type III SCHFs between March 2003 and December 2012. There were 144 boys and 86 girls, with the mean age of six years (1.1 to 15.2). The clinico-radiological characteristics and surgical outcomes (recovery of the elbow range of movement, post-operative angulation, and the final Flynn grade) were recorded. Multivariate analysis was employed to identify prognostic factors that influenced outcome, including fracture level. Multivariate analysis revealed that a fracture below the humeral isthmus was significantly associated with poor prognosis in terms of the range of elbow movement (p < 0.001), angulation (p = 0.001) and Flynn grade (p = 0.003). Age over ten years was also a poor prognostic factor for recovery of the range of elbow movement (p = 0.027).

This is the first study demonstrating a subclassification system of Gartland III fractures with prognostic significance. This will guide surgeons in peri-operative planning and counselling as well as directing future research aimed at improving outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:134–40.

Previous studies have identified clinical and demographic risk factors for recurrence in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot (congenital talipes equinovarus). Evertor muscle activity is not usually considered amongst them. This study aimed to evaluate whether recurrence could be predicted by demographic, clinical and gait parameters. From a series of 103 children with clubfeet, 67 had completed a follow-up of two years: 41 male and 26 female, 38 with idiopathic and 29 with non-idiopathic deformities. The mean age was 3.2 years (2.1 to 6.3). Primary correction was obtained in all 38 children (100%) with an idiopathic deformity, and in 26 of 29 patients (90%) with a non-idiopathic deformity. Overall, 60 children (90%) complied with the abduction brace regime. At a mean follow-up of 31.4 months (24 to 62), recurrence was noted in six children (15.8%) in the idiopathic and 14 children (48.3%) in the non-idiopathic group. Significant correlation was found between poor evertor activity and recurrence in both groups. No statistically significant relationship was found between the rate of recurrence and the severity of the initial deformity, the age at the time of treatment, the number of casts required or the compliance with the brace.

After correction of idiopathic and non-idiopathic clubfoot using the Ponseti method, only poor evertor muscle activity was statistically associated with recurrence. The identification of risk factors for recurrent deformity allows clinicians to anticipate problems and advocate early additional treatment to improve muscle balance around the ankle.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1264–8.

Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) is one of the most common congenital limb deformities. We reviewed the records of infants who had received treatment for structural CTEV between 1 January 2007 and 30 November 2012. This was cross-referenced with the prenatal scans of mothers over a corresponding period of time. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the fetal anomaly scan for the detection of CTEV and explored whether the publication of Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme guidelines in 2010 affected the rate of detection.

During the study period there were 95 532 prenatal scans and 34 373 live births at our hospital. A total of 37 fetuses with findings suggestive of CTEV were included in the study, of whom 30 were found to have structural CTEV at birth. The sensitivity of screening for CTEV was 71.4% and the positive predictive value was 81.1%. The negative predictive value and specificity were more than 99.5%. There was no significant difference between the rates of detection before and after publication of the guidelines (p = 0.5).

We conclude that a prenatal fetal anomaly ultrasound screening diagnosis of CTEV has a good positive predictive value enabling prenatal counselling. The change in screening guidance has not affected the proportion of missed cases. This information will aid counselling parents about the effectiveness and accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosing CTEV.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:984–8.

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: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:701–6.

Although equinus gait is the most common abnormality in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) there is no consistency in recommendations for treatment, and evidence for best practice is lacking. The Baumann procedure allows selective fractional lengthening of the gastrocnemii and soleus muscles but the long-term outcome is not known. We followed a group of 18 children (21 limbs) with diplegic CP for ten years using three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis. The kinematic parameters of the ankle joint improved significantly following this procedure and were maintained until the end of follow-up. We observed a normalisation of the timing of the key kinematic and kinetic parameters, and an increase in the maximum generation of power of the ankle. There was a low rate of overcorrection (9.5%, n = 2), and a rate of recurrent equinus similar to that found with other techniques (23.8%, n = 5).

As the procedure does not impair the muscle architecture, and allows for selective correction of the contracted gastrocnemii and soleus, it may be recommended as the preferred method for correction of a mild fixed equinus deformity.

Extensive limb lengthening may be indicated in achondroplastic patients who wish to achieve a height within the normal range for their population. However, increasing the magnitude of lengthening is associated with further complications particularly adjacent joint stiffness and fractures. We studied the relationship between the magnitude of femoral lengthening and callus pattern, adjacent joint stiffness and fracture of the regenerate bone in 40 femoral lengthenings in 20 achondroplastic patients. They were divided into two groups; group A had lengthening of less than 50% and group B of more than 50% of their initial femoral length. The patterns of radiological callus formation were classified according to shape, type and features. The incidence of callus features, knee stiffness and regenerate bone fracture were analysed in the two groups. Group B was associated with an increased incidence of concave, lateral and central callus shapes, adjacent joint and stiffness and fracture. Statistically, the incidence of stiffness in adjacent joints and regenerate bone fracture was significantly associated with the magnitude of lengthening.

We suggest that careful radiological assessment of the patterns of callus formation is a useful method for the evaluation and monitoring of regenerate bone.

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: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:706–13.

Treatment by continuous passive movement at home is an alternative to immobilisation in a cast after surgery for club foot. Compliance with the recommended treatment, of at least four hours daily, is unknown. The duration of treatment was measured in 24 of 27 consecutive children with a mean age of 24 months (5 to 75) following posteromedial release for idiopathic club foot. Only 21% (5) of the children used the continuous passive movement machine as recommended. The mean duration of treatment at home each day was 126 minutes (11 to 496). The mean range of movement for plantar flexion improved from 15.2° (10.0° to 20.6°) to 18.7° (10.0° to 33.0°) and for dorsiflexion from 12.3° (7.4° to 19.4°) to 18.9° (10.0° to 24.1°) (both, p = 0.0001) when the first third of therapy was compared with the last third.

A low level of patient compliance must be considered when the outcome after treatment at home is interpreted.

We reviewed the long-term radiological outcome, complications and revision operations in 19 children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and hip dysplasia who underwent combined peri-iliac osteotomy and femoral varus derotation osteotomy. They had a mean age of 7.5 years (1.6 to 10.9) and comprised 22 hip dislocations and subluxations. We also studied the outcome for the contralateral hip. At a mean follow-up of 11.7 years (10 to 15.1) the Melbourne cerebral palsy (CP) hip classification was grade 2 in 16 hips, grade 3 in five, and grade 5 in one. There were five complications seen in four hips (21%, four patients), including one dislocation, one subluxation, one coxa vara with adduction deformity, one subtrochanteric fracture and one infection. A recurrent soft-tissue contracture occurred in five hips and ten required revision surgery.

In pre-adolescent children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy good long-term outcomes can be achieved after reconstruction of the hip; regular follow-up is required.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:259–65.

A total of 35 children with Erb’s palsy and shoulder abduction of < 90° underwent transfer of teres major. In 18 cases (group 1) a trapezius transfer was added (combined procedure). In 17 cases (group 2) teres major transfer was carried out in isolation (single procedure). The mean gain in abduction was 67.2° (60° to 80°) in group 1 and 37.6° (20° to 70°) in group 2, which reached statistical significance (p < 0.001).

Group 2 was further divided into those who had deltoid power of < M3 (group 2a) and those with deltoid power ≥ M3 (group 2b). The difference in improvement of abduction between groups 2a and group 2b was statistically significant (p < 0.001) but the difference between group 2b and group 1 was not (p = 0.07).

We recommend the following protocol of management: in children with abduction ≥ 90° a single procedure is indicated. In children with abduction < 90°: a combined procedure is indicated if deltoid power is < M3 and a single procedure is indicated if deltoid power is ≥ M3. If no satisfactory improvement is achieved, the trapezius can be transferred at a later stage.

Nonunion of the humerus with bone loss and shortening due to osteomyelitis is rare but difficult to treat. We describe our experience with a callus distraction technique using a monolateral external fixator for the treatment of this condition.

Between October 1994 and January 2004, 11 patients were treated. There were seven males and four females, with a mean age of 14 years (10 to 17). The mean bone loss was 1.9 cm (1 to 2.7) and the mean length discrepancy in the upper limb was 5.6 cm (3.5 to 8.0).

The mean follow-up was for 106 months (54 to 166). The mean external fixation index was 34.8 days/cm (29.8 to 40.5). The mean lengthening was 9.5 cm (5.5 to 13.4). There were seven excellent results, three good and one poor. There were nine excellent functional results and two good.

The treatment of humeral nonunion with bone loss and shortening due to osteomyelitis by callus distraction is a safe and effective means of improving function and cosmesis.

We reviewed the outcome in 24 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy aged seven years or younger for whom surgery was recommended between 1999 and 2005 following gait analysis. A total of 13 children (operative group) had surgery and the remaining 11 (control group) did not, for family or administrative reasons. The operative group had at least two post-operative gait analyses at yearly intervals, with eight children having a third and six children a fourth. The control group had a second analysis after a mean interval of 1.5 years (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.9). In the operative group, the Gillette gait index, the ranges of movement in the lower limb joint and knee extension in stance improved following surgery, and this was maintained overall at the second post-operative analysis. The minimum knee flexion in stance in the control group increased between analyses.

These results suggest that surgical intervention in selected children can result in improvements in gait and function in the short to medium term compared with non-operative management.

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of adding inhibitory casting to the treatment of young children with cerebral palsy who received injections of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) to gastrocnemius for equinus gait. Of the 20 patients in the series, 11 in group A had inhibitory casts applied on the day of the first set of BoNT-A injections and nine in group B did not have casting. Both groups received another BoNT-A injection four months later. The patients were followed for eight months and examined at five intervals.

Both groups showed significant improvement in gait parameters and function (p < 0.0001) and selective motor control (p = 0.041, − 0.036) throughout the study. Group A had significantly better passive dorsiflexion of the ankle (p = 0.029), observational gait score (p = 0.006) and selective motor control (p = 0.036). We conclude that the addition of inhibitory casting enhances and prolongs the results of treatment and mainly influences the passive range of movement, while BoNT-A mostly influences the dynamic motion. The second injection further improved the results of most parameters. The gross motor function measure, the selective motor control test and the modified Tardieu scale correlated well with the results of treatment.

We recommend the use of inhibitory casting whenever augmentation of the effect of treatment with BoNT-A is needed.

The results of a functional, clinical and radiological study of 30 children (60 hips) with whole-body cerebral palsy were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 10.2 years (9.5 to 11). Correction of windsweep deformity of the hips was performed by bilateral simultaneous combined soft-tissue and bony surgery at a mean age of 7.7 years (3.1 to 12.2).

We were able to recall 22 patients; five had died of unrelated causes and three were lost to follow-up. Evaluation involved interviews with patients/carers and clinical and radiological examination.

The gross motor functional classification system was used to assess overall motor function and showed improvement in seven patients. Of the 12 patients thought to have pain pre-operatively, only one had pain post-operatively. Improved handling was reported in 18 of 22 patients (82%). Those with handling problems were attributed by the carers to growth of the patients. All patients/carers considered the procedure worthwhile. The range of hip movements improved, and the mean windsweep index improved from 50 pre-operatively to 36 at follow-up.

The migration percentage and centre-edge angle were assessed on plain radiographs. Radiological containment improved, the mean migration percentage improved from 50 pre-operatively to 20 at follow-up and the mean centre-edge angle improved from −5° to 29°.

No statistical difference was noted between the three-year and ten-year follow-up results, indicating that the improvements in clinical and radiological outcome had been maintained.

We describe a patient with cerebral palsy, of normal intelligence, who could not walk but who by the age of 16 had been successfully managed with a staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty using a constrained liner.

We describe the long-term results in ten patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy of anterior shoulder release combined with transfer of teres major and latissimus dorsi posteriorly and laterally to allow them to act as external rotators. Eight patients had a lesion of the superior trunk and two some involvement of the entire brachial plexus. The mean age at operation was six years, and the mean follow-up was 30 years.

Before operation, the patients were unable actively to rotate the arm externally beyond neutral, although this movement was passively normal. All showed decreased strength of the external rotator, but had normal strength of the internal rotator muscles. Radiologically, no severe bony changes were seen in the glenohumeral joint.

No clinically detectable improvement of active abduction was noted in any patient. The mean active external rotation after operation was 36.5°. This was maintained for a mean of ten years, and then deteriorated in eight patients. At the latest follow-up the mean active external rotation was 10.5°.

The early satisfactory results of the procedure were not maintained. In the long term there was loss of active external rotation, possibly because of gradual degeneration of the transferred muscles, contracture of the surrounding soft tissues and degenerative changes in the glenohumeral joint.

We report our experience of the use of callus distraction with a monolateral fixator for the treatment of acquired radial club-hand deformity after osteomyelitis. Between 1994 and 2004, 13 patients with a mean age of eight years (4 to 15) were treated by callus distraction with a monolateral fixator after a preliminary period of at least four weeks in a corrective short-arm cast.

All patients achieved bony union and were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic outcome. There were no major complications, but three patients required cancellous bone grafting at the docking site for delayed union. Local treatment and oral antibiotics were required for pin-site infection in six patients. There were no deep infection or recurrence of osteomyelitis.

Between June 2001 and November 2008 a modified Dunn osteotomy with a surgical hip dislocation was performed in 30 hips in 28 patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Complications and clinical and radiological outcomes after a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (1.0 to 8.5) were documented. Subjective outcome was assessed using the Harris hip score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index questionnaire.

Anatomical or near-anatomical reduction was achieved in all cases. The epiphysis in one hip showed no perfusion intra-operatively and developed avascular necrosis. There was an excellent outcome in 28 hips. Failure of the implants with a need for revision surgery occurred in four hips.

Anatomical reduction can be achieved by this technique, with a low risk of avascular necrosis. Cautious follow-up is necessary in order to avoid implant failure.

We present the results of 90 consecutive children with displaced fractures of the forearm treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing with a mean follow-up of 6.6 months (2.0 to 17.6). Eight (9%) had open fractures and 77 (86%) had sustained a fracture of both bones. The operations were performed by orthopaedic trainees in 78 patients (86%). All fractures healed at a mean of 2.9 months (1.1 to 8.7). There was one case of delayed union of an ulnar fracture. An excellent or good functional outcome was achieved in 76 patients (84%). There was no statistical difference detected when the grade of operating surgeon, age of the patient and the diaphyseal level of the fracture were correlated with the outcome. A limited open reduction was required in 40 fractures (44%).

Complications included seven cases of problematic wounds, two transient palsies of the superficial radial nerve and one case each of malunion and a post-operative compartment syndrome. At final follow-up, all children were pain-free and without limitation of sport and play activities.

Our findings indicate that the functional outcome following paediatric fractures of the forearm treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing is good, without the need for anatomical restoration of the radial bow.

This study evaluated the results of a physeal-sparing technique of intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients, with particular reference to growth disturbance. Between 1992 and 2007, 57 children with a mean age of 12.2 years (6.8 to 14.5) underwent ACL reconstruction using the same technique. At a mean of 5.5 years (2 to 14) after surgery, 56 patients underwent clinical and radiological evaluation. At that time, 49 patients (87.5%) had reached bony maturity and 53 (95%) achieved A or B according to the IKDC 2000 classification. Four patients had stopped participation in sports because of knee symptoms, and three patients (5.4%) had a subsequent recurrent ACL injury. There was no clinical or radiological evidence of growth disturbance after a mean growth in stature of 20.0 cm (3 to 38).

This study demonstrates that ACL reconstruction sparing the physes in children is a safe technique protecting against meniscal tears and giving better results than reconstruction in adults, without causing significant growth disturbance.

The Ilizarov method for leg lengthening was used for cosmetic reasons in 54 patients with constitutional short stature. A mean lengthening of 7 cm with a low rate of complications produced an excellent or good outcome in all the patients, including improvement in psychological disturbances related to short stature. Those who undergo the procedure must be highly motivated, fully informed and understand the technique and possible complications. We suggest that the Ilizarov method for cosmetic limb lengthening is a technique without major complications. However, it requires careful follow-up, and the involvement of orthopaedic surgeons who are familiar with use of the circular frame and are experienced in limb lengthening and correction of deformity for pathological conditions.

Continuous passive motion has been shown to be effective in the conservative treatment of idiopathic club foot. We wished to determine whether its use after operation could improve the results in resistant club feet which required an extensive soft-tissue release. There were 50 feet in the study. Posteromedial lateral release was performed in 39 feet but two were excluded due to early relapse. The mean age at surgery was eight months (5 to 12). Each foot was assigned a Dimeglio club foot score, which was used as a primary outcome measure, before operation and at 6, 12, 18 and 44 months after. Nineteen feet were randomly selected to receive continuous passive motion and 18 had standard immobilisation in a cast.

After surgery and subsequent immobilisation in a cast the Dimeglio club foot score improved from 10.3 before to 4.17 by 12 months and to 3.89 at 48 months. After operation followed by continuous passive motion the score improved from 9.68 before to 3.11 after 12 months, but deteriorated to 4.47 at 48 months. Analysis of variance adjusted for baseline values indicated a significantly better score in those having continuous passive motion up to one year after surgery, but after 18 and 48 months the outcomes were the same in both groups.

We describe the early results of glenoplasty as part of the technique of operative reduction of posterior dislocation of the shoulder in 29 children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy. The mean age at operation was five years (1 to 18) and they were followed up for a mean of 34 months (12 to 67).

The mean Mallet score increased from 8 (5 to 13) to 12 (8 to 15) at final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean passive forward flexion was increased by 18° (p = 0.017) and the mean passive abduction by 24° (p = 0.001). The mean passive lateral rotation also increased by 54° (p < 0.001), but passive medial rotation was reduced by a mean of only 7°. One patient required two further operations. Glenohumeral stability was achieved in all cases.

We present a retrospective review of 167 patients aged 18 years and under who were treated for chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis at our elective orthopaedic hospital in Malawi over a period of four years. The median age at presentation was eight years (1 to 18). There were 239 hospital admissions for treatment during the period of the study. In 117 patients one admission was necessary, in 35 two, and in 15 more than two.

A surgical strategy of infection control followed by reconstruction and stabilisation was employed, based on the Beit CURE radiological classification of chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis as a guide to treatment. At a minimum follow-up of one year after the end of the study none of the patients had returned to our hospital with recurrent infection.

A total of 350 operations were performed on the 167 patients. This represented 6.7% of all children’s operations performed in our hospital during this period. One operation only was required in 110 patients and none required more than three. Below-knee amputation was performed in two patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis as the best surgical option for function. The most common organism cultured from operative specimens was Staphylococcus aureus, and the tibia was the bone most commonly affected. Polyostotic osteomyelitis occurred in four patients. We believe this is the largest reported series of patients treated for chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis.

This study compares the initial outcomes of minimally invasive techniques for single-event multi-level surgery with conventional single-event multi-level surgery. The minimally invasive techniques included derotation osteotomies using closed corticotomy and fixation with titanium elastic nails and percutaneous lengthening of muscles where possible. A prospective cohort study of two matched groups was undertaken. Ten children with diplegic cerebral palsy with a mean age of ten years six months (7.11 to 13.9) had multi-level minimally invasive surgery and were matched for ambulatory level and compared with ten children with a mean age of 11 years four months (7.9 to 14.4) who had conventional single-event multi-level surgery. Gait kinematics, the Gillette Gait Index, isometric muscle strength and gross motor function were assessed before and 12 months after operation.

The minimally invasive group had significantly reduced operation time and blood loss with a significantly improved time to mobilisation. There were no complications intra-operatively or during hospitalisation in either group. There was significant improvement in gait kinematics and the Gillette Gait Index in both groups with no difference between them. There was a trend to improved muscle strength in the multi-level group. There was no significant difference in gross motor function between the groups.

We consider that minimally invasive single-event multi-level surgery can be achieved safely and effectively with significant advantages over conventional techniques in children with diplegic cerebral palsy.

Most children with spastic hemiplegia have high levels of function and independence but fixed deformities and gait abnormalities are common. The classification proposed by Winters et al is widely used to interpret hemiplegic gait patterns and plan intervention. However, this classification is based on sagittal kinematics and fails to consider important abnormalities in the transverse plane. Using three-dimensional gait analysis, we studied the incidence of transverse-plane deformity and gait abnormality in 17 children with group IV hemiplegia according to Winters et al before and after multilevel orthopaedic surgery.

We found that internal rotation of the hip and pelvic retraction were consistent abnormalities of gait in group-IV hemiplegia. A programme of multilevel surgery resulted in predictable improvement in gait and posture, including pelvic retraction. In group IV hemiplegia pelvic retraction appeared in part to be a compensating mechanism to control foot progression in the presence of medial femoral torsion. Correction of this torsion can improve gait symmetry and function.

We reviewed the results of a selective à la carte soft-tissue release operation for recurrent or residual deformity after initial conservative treatment for idiopathic clubfoot by the Ponseti method. Recurrent or residual deformity occurred in 13 (19 feet) of 33 patients (48 feet; 40%). The mean age at surgery was 2.3 years (1.3 to 4) and the mean follow-up was 3.6 years (2 to 5.3). The mean Pirani score had improved from 2.8 to 1.1 points, and the clinical and radiological results were satisfactory in all patients. However, six of the 13 patients (9 of 19 feet) had required further surgery in the form of tibial derotation osteotomy, split anterior tibialis tendon transfer, split posterior tibialis transfer or a combination of these for recurrent deformity.

We concluded that selective soft-tissue release can provide satisfactory early results after failure of initial treatment of clubfoot by the Ponseti method, but long-term follow-up to skeletal maturity will be necessary.

In a prospective study over 11 years we assessed the relationship between neonatal deformities of the foot and the presence of ultrasonographic developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2006, 614 infants with deformities of the foot were referred for clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation. There were 436 cases of postural talipes equinovarus deformity (TEV), 60 of fixed congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), 93 of congenital talipes calcaneovalgus (CTCV) and 25 of metatarsus adductus.

The overall risk of ultrasonographic dysplasia or instability was 1:27 in postural TEV, 1:8.6 in CTEV, 1:5.2 in CTCV and 1:25 in metatarsus adductus.

The risk of type-IV instability of the hip or irreducible dislocation was 1:436 (0.2%) in postural TEV, 1:15.4 (6.5%) in CTCV and 1:25 (4%) in metatarsus adductus. There were no cases of hip instability (type IV) or of irreducible dislocation in the CTEV group.

Routine screening for DDH in cases of postural TEV and CTEV is no longer advocated. The former is poorly defined, leading to the over-diagnosis of a possibly spurious condition. Ultrasonographic imaging and surveillance of hips in infants with CTCV and possibly those with metatarsus adductus should continue.

An internal rotation contracture is a common complication of obstetric brachial plexus palsy. We describe the operative treatment of seven children with a recurrent internal rotation contracture of the shoulder following earlier corrective surgery which included subscapularis slide and latissimus dorsi transfer. We performed z-lengthening of the tendon of the subscapularis muscle and transferred the lower trapezius muscle to the infraspinatus tendon. Two years postoperatively the mean gain in active external rotation was 47.1°, which increased to 54.3° at four years.

Lengthening of the tendon of subcapularis and lower trapezius transfer to infraspinatus improved the range of active external rotation in patients who had previously had surgery for an internal rotation contracture.

The outcome of one-stage bilateral open reduction through a medial approach for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children under 18 months was studied in 23 children, 18 girls and five boys. Their mean age at operation was 10.1 months (6 to 17) and the mean follow-up was 5.4 years (3 to 8).

Acceptable clinical and radiological results were achieved in 44 (95.7%) and 43 (93.5%) of 46 hips, respectively. Excellent results were significantly evident in patients younger than 12 months, those who did not require acetabuloplasty, those whose ossific nucleus had appeared, and in those who did not develop avascular necrosis.

One-stage bilateral medial open reduction avoids the need for separate procedures on the hips and has the advantages of accelerated management and shorter immobilisation and rehabilitation than staged operations.

There were 47 patients with congenital muscular torticollis who underwent operative release. After a mean follow-up of 74 months (60 to 90), they were divided into two groups, one aged one to four years (group 1) and the other aged five to 16 years (group 2). The outcomes were assessed by evaluating the following parameters: deficits of lateral flexion and rotation, craniofacial asymmetry, surgical scarring, residual contracture, subjective evaluation and degree of head tilt.

The craniofacial asymmetry, residual contracture, subjective evaluation and overall scores were similar in both groups. However, group 2 showed superior results to group 1 in terms of the deficits of movement, surgical scarring and degree of head tilt.

It is recommended that operative treatment for congenital muscular torticollis is postponed until the patient can comply successfully with post-operative bracing and an exercise programme.

The medial rotation contracture caused by weak external rotation secondary to obstetric brachial plexus injury leads to deformation of the bones of the shoulder. Scapular hypoplasia, elevation and rotation deformity are accompanied by progressive dislocation of the humeral head. Between February and August 2005, 44 children underwent a new surgical procedure called the ‘triangle tilt’ operation to correct this bony shoulder deformity. Surgical levelling of the distal acromioclavicular triangle combined with tightening of the posterior glenohumeral capsule (capsulorrhaphy) improved shoulder function and corrected the glenohumeral axis in these patients. The posture of the arm at rest was improved and active external rotation increased by a mean of 53° (0° to 115°) in the 40 children who were followed up for more than one year.

There was a mean improvement of 4.9 points (1.7 to 8.3) of the Mallet shoulder function score after surgical correction of the bony deformity.

The deformity index is a new radiological measurement of the degree of deformity of the femoral head in unilateral Perthes’ disease. Its values represent a continuous outcome measure of deformity incorporating changes in femoral epiphyseal height and width compared with the unaffected side. The sphericity of the femoral head in 30 radiographs (ten normal and 20 from patients with Perthes’ disease) were rated blindly as normal, mild, moderate or severe by three observers. Further blinded measurements of the deformity index were made on two further occasions with intervals of one month.

There was good agreement between the deformity index score and the subjective grading of deformity. Intra- and interobserver agreement for the deformity index was high. The intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient for each observer was 0.98, 0.99 and 0.97, respectively, while the interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 for the first and 0.97 for the second set of calculations.

We also reviewed retrospectively 96 radiographs of children with Perthes’ disease, who were part of a multicentre trial which followed them to skeletal maturity. We found that the deformity index at two years correlated well with the Stulberg grading at skeletal maturity. A deformity index value above 0.3 was associated with the development of an aspherical femoral head. Using a deformity index value of 0.3 to divide groups for risk gives a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 81% for predicting a Stulberg grade of III or IV.

We conclude that the deformity index at two years is a valid and reliable radiological outcome measure in unilateral Perthes’ disease.

We present a retrospective study of 27 patients treated by callus distraction using a unilateral external fixator of our own design for nonunion with bone loss and shortening of the femur caused by suppurative osteomyelitis. The unilateral external fixator was used either alone or in combination with an intramedullary nail. The mean age of the patients was 13.6 years (8 to 18). The fixator was used alone in 13 patients and with an intramedullary nail in 14. The bone results at a mean follow-up of 88 months (37 to 144) were excellent in 16 patients and good in 11.

The functional results were excellent in 18 patients and good in nine. However, four patients still had draining sinuses at the latest follow-up. A residual deformity greater than 7° was present in seven femora, but this did not adversely affect function or require further treatment.

We reviewed 15 patients, nine girls and six boys, with chronic anterior dislocation of the radial head which was treated by ulnar osteotomy, external fixation and open reconstruction of the elbow joint but without repair of the annular ligament. Their mean age was 9.5 years (5 to 15) and the mean interval between the injury and reconstruction was 22 months (2 months to 7 years).

All radial heads remained reduced at a mean follow-up of 20 months (6 months to 5 years). Normal ranges of movement for flexion, extension, pronation and supination were unchanged in 96.1% (49/51) and worse in 3.9% (2/51). Limited ranges of movement were improved in 77.8% (7/9), unchanged in 11% (1/9) and further decreased in 11% (1/9).There were two superficial pin-track infections and two cases of delayed union but with no serious complications. Reconstruction of the radiocapitellar joint is easier using external fixation since accurate correction of the ulna can be determined empirically and active functional exercises started immediately. Only patients with a radial head of normal shape were selected for treatment by this method.