Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical and quality-of-life outcomes of children with skeletal dysplasia to those in children with idiopathic early-onset scoliosis (EOS) undergoing growth-friendly management. Patients and Methods. A retrospective review of two prospective multicentre EOS databases identified 33 children with skeletal dysplasia and EOS (major curve ≥ 30°) who were treated with growth-friendly instrumentation at younger than ten years of age, had a minimum two years of postoperative follow-up, and had undergone three or more lengthening procedures. From the same registries, 33 matched controls with idiopathic EOS were identified. A total of 20 children in both groups were treated with growing rods and 13 children were treated with vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) instrumentation. Results. Mean preoperative major curves were 76° (34° to 115°) in the skeletal dysplasia group and 75° (51° to 113°) in the idiopathic group (p = 0.55), which were corrected at final follow-up to 49° (13° to 113°) and 46° (12° to 112°; p = 0.68), respectively. T1-S1 height increased by a mean of 36 mm (0 to 105) in the skeletal dysplasia group and 38 mm (7 to 104) in the idiopathic group at the index surgery (p = 0.40), and by 21 mm (1 to 68) and 46 mm (7 to 157), respectively, during the distraction period (p = 0.0085). The skeletal dysplasia group had significantly worse scores in the physical function, daily living, financial impact, and parent satisfaction preoperatively, as well as on financial impact and child satisfaction at final follow-up, than the idiopathic group (all p < 0.05). The domains of the 24-Item Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ24) remained at the same level from preoperative to final follow-up in the skeletal dysplasia group (all p > 0.10). Conclusion. Children with skeletal dysplasia gained significantly less spinal growth during growth-friendly management of their EOS and their health-related quality of life was significantly lower both preoperatively and at final follow-up than in children with idiopathic EOS. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1563–1569

Aims. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of the different ultrasound phenotypes of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and to determine their subsequent course. Patients and Methods. A consecutive series of 28 092 neonates was screened and classified according to the Graf method as part of a nationwide surveillance programme, and then followed prospectively. Abnormal hips were followed until they became normal (Graf type I). Type IIb hips and higher grades were treated by abduction in a Tübinger orthosis until normal. Dislocated hips underwent closed or open reduction. Results. Overall, 90.2% of hips were normal at birth. Type IIa hips (8.9%) became normal at a median of six weeks (interquartile range (IQR) 6 to 9). Type IIc and IId hips (0.67%) became normal after ten weeks (IQR 7 to 13). There were 19 type lll and eight type lV hips at baseline. There were 24 closed reductions and one open reduction. No late presentations of DDH were detected within the first five years of life. Conclusion. The incidence of DDH was eight per 1000 live births. The treatment rate was 1% (n = 273). The rate of first operations on the newborn hip was 0.86, and rate of open surgery was 0.04. The cumulative rate of open surgery was 0.07. The authors take the view that early identification and treatment in abduction of all dysplastic hips in early childhood reduces the rate of open reduction and secondary DDH-related surgery later in life. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1399–1404

We reviewed the long-term results of the treatment of slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) using realignment procedures in 36 patients (37 hips) at an average follow-up of 33.8 years (26 to 42). There were serious short-term complications in seven of the 22 hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, three of the 11 hips treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and three of the four hips treated by manipulative reduction.

At re-examination, the clinical and radiological results were excellent or good in 41% of the hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, in 36% treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and in none treated by manipulative reduction. In all, seven hips (19%) had had arthrodesis or total hip replacement.

The natural history of SUFE was probably not improved by any of the treatments used in our study. We therefore discourage the use of subcapital and intertrochanteric osteotomy as well as manipulative reduction in the primary treatment of chronic SUFE.

Aims. The gold standard for percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy during the Ponseti treatment for idiopathic clubfoot is a tenotomy with a No. 15 blade. This trial aims to establish the technique where the tenotomy is performed with a large-bore needle as noninferior to the gold standard. Methods. We randomized feet from children aged below 36 months with idiopathic clubfoot on a 1:1 basis in either the blade or needle group. Follow-up was conducted at three weeks and three months postoperatively, where dorsiflexion range, Pirani scores, and complications were recorded. The noninferiority margin was set at 4° difference in dorsiflexion range at three months postoperatively. Results. The blade group had more dorsiflexion at both follow-up consultations: 18.36° versus 18.03° (p = 0.115) at three weeks and 18.96° versus 18.26° (p = 0.001) at three months. The difference of the mean at three months 0.7° is well below the noninferiority margin of 4°. There was no significant difference in Pirani scores. The blade group had more extensive scar marks at three months than the needle group (8 vs 2). No major complications were recorded. Conclusion. The needle tenotomy is noninferior to the blade tenotomy for usage in Ponseti treatment for idiopathic clubfoot in children aged below 36 months. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(8):871–878

Aims. To investigate the risk factors for unsuccessful radial head reduction (RHR) in children with chronic Monteggia fractures (CMFs) treated surgically. Methods. A total of 209 children (mean age 6.84 years (SD 2.87)), who underwent surgical treatment for CMFs between March 2015 and March 2023 at six institutions, were retrospectively reviewed. Assessed risk factors included age, sex, laterality, dislocation direction and distance, preoperative proximal radial metaphysis width, time from injury to surgery, reduction method, annular ligament reconstruction, radiocapitellar joint fixation, ulnar osteotomy, site of ulnar osteotomy, preoperative and postoperative ulnar angulation, ulnar fixation method, progressive ulnar distraction, and postoperative cast immobilization. Independent-samples t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors associated with unsuccessful RHR. Results. Redislocation occurred during surgery in 48 patients (23%), and during follow-up in 44 (21.1%). The mean follow-up of patients with successful RHR was 13.25 months (6 to 78). According to the univariable analysis, time from injury to surgery (p = 0.002) and preoperative dislocation distance (p = 0.042) were identified as potential risk factors for unsuccessful RHR. However, only time from injury to surgery (p = 0.007) was confirmed as a risk factor by logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and chi-squared test confirmed that a time from injury to surgery greater than 1.75 months increased the rate of unsuccessful RHR above the cutoff (p = 0.002). Conclusion. Time from injury to surgery is the primary independent risk factor for unsuccessful RHR in surgically treated children with CMFs, particularly in those with a time from injury to surgery of more than 1.75 months. No other factors were found to influence the incidence of unsuccessful RHR. Surgical reduction of paediatric CMFs should be performed within the first two months of injury whenever possible. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(7):581–591

Aims. The present study seeks to investigate the correlation of pubofemoral distances (PFD) to α angles, and hip displaceability status, defined as femoral head coverage (FHC) or FHC during manual provocation of the newborn hip < 50%. Methods. We retrospectively included all newborns referred for ultrasound screening at our institution based on primary risk factor, clinical, and PFD screening. α angles, PFD, FHC, and FHC at follow-up ultrasound for referred newborns were measured and compared using scatter plots, linear regression, paired t-test, and box-plots. Results. We included 2,735 newborns, of whom 754 received a follow-up hip ultrasound within six weeks of age. After exclusion, 1,500 hips were included for analysis. Sex distribution was 372 male and 380 female, and the mean age at examination was 36.6 days (4 to 87). We found a negative linear correlation of PFD to α angles (p < 0.001), FHC (p < 0.001), and FHC during provocation (p < 0.001) with a 1 mm increase in PFD corresponding to a -2.1° (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.3 to -1.9) change in α angle and a -3.4% (95% CI -3.7 to -3.0) change in FHC and a -6.0% (-6.6 to -5.5) change in FHC during provocation. The PFD was significantly higher with increasing Graf types and in displaceable hips (p < 0.001). Conclusion. PFD is strongly correlated to both α angles and hip displaceability, as measured by FHC and FHC during provocation, in ultrasound of newborn hips. The PFD increases as the hips become more dysplastic and/or displaceable. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;5(1):3–8

Aims. 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. Methods. 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. Results. Test-retest reliability for the overall mCCHQ score was good (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.78), and no dimension demonstrated poor reliability. The surgical intervention cohort comprised ten children who had preoperative and postoperative mCCHQ scores at a minimum of six months postoperatively. The mCCHQ tool demonstrated a significant improvement in overall score from preoperative assessment to six-month postoperative follow-up assessment (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The mCCHQ demonstrated responsiveness to intervention and good test-retest reliability. The mCCHQ is proposed as an outcome tool for use within a national surveillance programme for children with CP. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(8):580–583

Aims. Within healthcare, several measures are used to quantify and compare the severity of health conditions. Two common measures are disability weight (DW), a context-independent value representing severity of a health state, and utility weight (UW), a context-dependent measure of health-related quality of life. Neither of these measures have previously been determined for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of this study is to determine the DW and country-specific UWs for DDH. Methods. A survey was created using three different methods to estimate the DW: a preference ranking exercise, time trade-off exercise, and visual analogue scale (VAS). Participants were fully licensed orthopaedic surgeons who were contacted through national and international orthopaedic organizations. A global DW was calculated using a random effects model through an inverse-variance approach. A UW was calculated for each country as one minus the country-specific DW composed of the time trade-off exercise and VAS. Results. Over a four-month period, 181 surgeons participated in the survey, with 116 surgeons included in the final analysis. The global DW calculated to be 0.18 (0.11 to 0.24), and the country-specific UWs ranged from 0.26 to 0.89. Conclusion. This is the first time that a global disability weight and country-specific utility weights have been estimated for DDH, which should assist in economic evaluations and the development of health policy. The methodology may be applied to other orthopaedic conditions. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(3):120–128

Aims. A national screening programme has existed in the UK for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) since 1969. However, every aspect of screening and treatment remains controversial. Screening programmes throughout the world vary enormously, and in the UK there is significant variation in screening practice and treatment pathways. We report the results of an attempt by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) to identify a nationwide consensus for the management of DDH in order to unify treatment and suggest an approach for screening. Methods. A Delphi consensus study was performed among the membership of BSCOS. Statements were generated by a steering group regarding aspects of the management of DDH in children aged under three months, namely screening and surveillance (15 questions), the technique of ultrasound scanning (eight questions), the initiation of treatment (19 questions), care during treatment with a splint (ten questions), and on quality, governance, and research (eight questions). A two-round Delphi process was used and a consensus document was produced at the final meeting of the steering group. Results. A total of 60 statements were graded by 128 clinicians in the first round and 132 in the second round. Consensus was reached on 30 out of 60 statements in the first round and an additional 12 in the seond. This was summarized in a consensus statement and distilled into a flowchart to guide clinical practice. Conclusion. We identified agreement in an area of medicine that has a long history of controversy and varied practice. None of the areas of consensus are based on high-quality evidence. This document is thus a framework to guide clinical practice and on which high-quality clinical trials can be developed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):209–214

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. Methods. A systematic literature search in healthcare databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, CINAHL, and Web of Science) was performed from January 2000 to July 2020, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane ROBINS-I risk of bias tool. Relevant trials studying BPBP with at least five years of follow-up and describing functional outcome were included. Results. Of 5,941 studies, 19 were included after full-text screening. A total of 15 surgical techniques were described. All studies described an improvement in active external rotation (range 12° to 128°). A decrease in range of motion and Mallet score after long-term (five to 30 years) follow-up compared to short-term follow-up was seen in most studies. Conclusion. The literature reveals that functional outcome increases after different secondary procedures, even in the long term. Due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies and the variations in indication for surgery and surgical techniques described, a consensus on the long-term functional outcome after secondary surgical procedures in BPBP patients cannot be made. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):455–464

Aims. 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. Methods. A systematic review identified a list of measurements previously used in studies reporting radiological hip outcomes in children with CP. These measurements informed a two-round Delphi study, conducted among orthopaedic surgeons and specialist physiotherapists. Participants rated each measurement on a nine-point Likert scale (‘not important’ to ‘critically important’). A consensus meeting was held to finalize the CMS. Results. Overall, 14 distinct measurements were identified in the systematic review, with Reimer’s migration percentage being the most frequently reported. These measurements were presented over the two rounds of the Delphi process, along with two additional measurements that were suggested by participants. Ultimately, two measurements, Reimer’s migration percentage and femoral head-shaft angle, were included in the CMS. Conclusion. This use of a minimum standardized set of measurements has the potential to encourage uniformity across hip surveillance programmes, and may streamline the development of tools, such as artificial intelligence systems to automate the analysis in surveillance programmes. This core set should be the minimum requirement in clinical studies, allowing clinicians to add to this as needed, which will facilitate comparisons to be drawn between studies and future meta-analyses. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):825–831

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. Methods. A qualitative study gathered information from children and their families affected by Perthes’ disease, along with treating clinicians. Interviews followed a coding framework, with the interview schedule informed by behavioural theory and patient and public involvement. Transcripts were analyzed using the framework method. Results. A total of 24 interviews took place, with 12 child/family dyads and 12 clinicians from UK NHS centres. Interviews identified widespread variation of routine care. Children/their families recounted positive experiences when included in the decision-making process for treatment. There is a strong desire from clinicians and children/families for consistent guidance from everyone involved in care, which should be based on clinical consensus. Conclusion. This is the first study to describe how children/families and clinicians experienced receiving or providing treatment in Perthes’ disease. The results indicate the need for robust evidence to support treatment decisions. Children and families valued feeling involved in the clinical decision-making process. Clinicians acknowledged the central importance of providing patient-centred care, particularly in the absence of robust evidence to guide the optimal treatment decisions. This study will inform a future Delphi project to develop clinical consensus guidelines for the treatment of Perthes’ disease. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(10):735–741

Aims. The paediatric trigger thumb is a distinct clinical entity with unique anatomical abnormalities. The aim of this study was to present the long-term outcomes of A1 pulley release in idiopathic paediatric trigger thumbs based on established patient-reported outcome measures. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted at a tertiary care orthopaedic centre. All cases of idiopathic paediatric trigger thumbs which underwent A1 pulley release between 2004 and 2011 and had a minimum follow-up period of ten years were included in the study. The abbreviated version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) was administered as an online survey, and ipsi- and contralateral thumb motion was assessed. Results. A total of 67 patients completed the survey, of whom 63 (94%) had full interphalangeal joint extension or hyperextension. Severe metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension (> 40°) was documented in 15 cases (22%). The median QuickDASH score was 0 (0 to 61), indicating excellent function at a median follow-up of 15 years (10 to 19). Overall satisfaction was high, with 56 patients (84%) reporting the maximal satisfaction score of 5. Among 37 patients who underwent surgery at age ≤ two years, 34 (92%) reported the largest satisfaction, whereas this was the case for 22 of 30 patients (73%) with surgery at aged > two years (p = 0.053). Notta’s nodule resolved in 49 patients (73%) at final follow-up. No residual triggering or revision surgery was observed. Conclusion. Surgical release of A1 pulley in paediatric trigger thumb is an acceptable procedure with excellent functional long-term outcomes. There was a trend towards higher satisfaction with earlier surgery among the patients. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):736–741

Aims. 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. Methods. 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. Results. The incidence of DDH within the UK over the last 25 years is 7.3/1,000 live births with females making up 86% of the DDH population (odds ratio 6.14 (95% confidence interval 3.3 to 11.5); p < 0.001). The incidence of DDH significantly increased following the change in the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) guidance from 6.5/1,000 to 9.4/1,000 live births (p < 0.001). The rate of late presentation also increased following the changes to the NIPE guidance, rising from 0.7/1,000 to 1.2/1,000 live births (p < 0.001). However, despite this increase in late-presenting cases, there was no change in the rates of surgical intervention (0.8/1,000 live births; p = 0.940). Conclusion. The literature demonstrates that the implementation of a selective screening programme increased the incidence of DDH diagnosis in the UK while subsequently increasing the rates of late presentation and failing in its goal of reducing the rates of surgical intervention for DDH. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(8):635–642

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

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement in interpretation of the quality of the paediatric hip ultrasound examination, the reliability of geometric and morphological assessment, and the relationship between these measurements. Methods. Four investigators evaluated 60 hip ultrasounds and assessed their quality based the standard plane of Graf et al. They measured geometric parameters, described the morphology of the hip, and assigned the Graf grade of dysplasia. They analyzed one self-selected image and one randomly selected image from the ultrasound series, and repeated the process four weeks later. The intra- and interobserver agreement, and correlations between various parameters were analyzed. Results. In the assessment of quality, there a was moderate to substantial intraobserver agreement for each element investigated, but interobserver agreement was poor. Morphological features showed weak to moderate agreement across all parameters but improved to significant when responses were reduced. The geometric measurements showed nearly perfect agreement, and the relationship between them and the morphological features showed a dose response across all parameters with moderate to substantial correlations. There were strong correlations between geometric measurements. The Graf classification showed a fair to moderate interobserver agreement, and moderate to substantial intraobserver agreement. Conclusion. This investigation into the reliability of the interpretation of hip ultrasound scans identified the difficulties in defining what is a high-quality ultrasound. We confirmed that geometric measurements are reliably interpreted and may be useful as a further measurement of quality. Morphological features are generally poorly interpreted, but a simpler binary classification considerably improves agreement. As there is a clear dose response relationship between geometric and morphological measurements, the importance of morphology in the diagnosis of hip dysplasia should be questioned. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(10):1123–1130

Aims. 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. Methods. Patients with idiopathic CTEV were seen in their local hospitals (‘Spokes’) for initial diagnosis and casting, followed by referral to the tertiary hospital (‘Hub’) for tenotomy. Non-idiopathic CTEV was managed solely by the Hub. Primary and secondary outcomes were achieving primary correction, and complication rates resulting in early transfer to the Hub, respectively. Consecutive data were prospectively collected and compared between patients allocated to Hub or Spokes. Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, or chi-squared tests were used for analysis (alpha-priori = 0.05, two-tailed significance). Results. Between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2023, 92 patients (139 feet) were treated at the service (Hub 50%, n = 46; Spokes 50%, n = 46), of whom nine were non-idiopathic. All patients (n = 92), regardless of allocation, ultimately achieved primary correction, with idiopathic patients at the Hub requiring fewer casts than the Spokes (mean 4.0 (SD 1.4) vs 6.9 (SD 4.4); p < 0.001). Overall, 60.9% of Spokes’ patients (n = 28/46) required transfer to the Hub due to complications (cast slips Hub n = 2; Spokes n = 17; p < 0.001). These patients ultimately achieved full correction at the Hub. Conclusion. The Shared Care model was found to be feasible in terms of providing primary correction to all patients, with results comparable to other published services. Complication rates were higher at the Spokes, although these were correctable. Future research is needed to assess long-term outcomes, parents’ satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):865–872

Aims. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between hip shape and mid-term function in Perthes’ disease. It also explored whether the modified three-group Stulberg classification can offer similar prognostic information to the five-group system. Methods. A total of 136 individuals aged 12 years or older who had Perthes’ disease in childhood completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Mobility score (function), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) (function), EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) score (quality of life), and the numeric rating scale for pain (NRS). The Stulberg class of the participants’ hip radiographs were evaluated by three fellowship-trained paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Hip shape and Stulberg class were compared to PROM scores. Results. A spherical hip was associated with the highest function and quality of life, and lowest pain. Conversely, aspherical hips exhibited the lowest functional scores and highest pain. The association between worsening Stulberg class (i.e. greater deviation from sphericity) and worse outcome persisted after adjustment for age and sex in relation to PROMIS (predicted mean difference -1.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.70 to -0.83)), NAHS (-5.68 (95% CI -8.45 to -2.90)), and NRS (0.61 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.08)), but not EQ-5D-5L (-0.03 (95% CI -0.72 to 0.11)). Conclusion. Patient-reported outcomes identify lower function, quality of life, and higher pain in aspherical hips. The magnitude of symptoms deteriorated with time. Hip sphericity (i.e. the modified three-group classification of spherical, oval, and aspherical) appeared to offer similar levels of detail to the five-group Stulberg classification. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(6):711–716

Aims. Triplane ankle fractures are complex injuries typically occurring in children aged between 12 and 15 years. Classic teaching that closure of the physis dictates the overall fracture pattern, based on studies in the 1960s, has not been challenged. The aim of this paper is to analyze whether these injuries correlate with the advancing closure of the physis with age. Methods. A fracture mapping study was performed in 83 paediatric patients with a triplane ankle fracture treated in three trauma centres between January 2010 and June 2020. Patients aged younger than 18 years who had CT scans available were included. An independent Paediatric Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon assessed all CT scans and classified the injuries as n-part triplane fractures. Qualitative analysis of the fracture pattern was performed using the modified Cole fracture mapping technique. The maps were assessed for both patterns and correlation with the closing of the physis until consensus was reached by a panel of six surgeons. Results. Fracture map grouped by age demonstrates that, regardless of age (even at the extremes of the spectrum), the fracture lines consolidate in a characteristic Y-pattern, and no shift with closure of the physis was observed. A second fracture map with two years added to female age also did not show a shift. The fracture map, grouped by both age and sex, shows a Y-pattern in all different groups. The fracture lines appear to occur between the anterior and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligaments, and the medially fused physis or deltoid ligament. Conclusion. This fracture mapping study reveals that triplane ankle fractures have a characteristic Y-pattern, and acknowledges the weakness created by the physis, however it also challenges classic teaching that the specific fracture pattern at the level of the joint of these injuries relies on advancing closure of the physis with age. Instead, this study observes the importance of ligament attachment in the fracture patterns of these injuries. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(11):1226–1232

Aims. Paediatric triplane fractures and adult trimalleolar ankle fractures both arise from a supination external rotation injury. By relating the experience of adult to paediatric fractures, clarification has been sought on the sequence of injury, ligament involvement, and fracture pattern of triplane fractures. This study explores the similarities between triplane and trimalleolar fractures for each stage of the Lauge-Hansen classification, with the aim of aiding reduction and fixation techniques. Methods. Imaging data of 83 paediatric patients with triplane fractures and 100 adult patients with trimalleolar fractures were collected, and their fracture morphology was compared using fracture maps. Visual fracture maps were assessed, classified, and compared with each other, to establish the progression of injury according to the Lauge-Hansen classification. Results. Four stages of injury in triplane fractures, resembling the adult supination external rotation Lauge-Hansen stages, were observed. Stage I consists of rupture of the anterior syndesmosis or small avulsion of the anterolateral tibia in trimalleolar fractures, and the avulsion of a larger Tillaux fragment in triplanes. Stage II is defined as oblique fracturing of the fibula at the level of the syndesmosis, present in all trimalleolar fractures and in 30% (25/83) of triplane fractures. Stage III is the fracturing of the posterior malleolus. In trimalleolar fractures, the different Haraguchi types can be discerned. In triplane fractures, the delineation of the posterior fragment has a wave-like shape, which is part of the characteristic Y-pattern of triplane fractures, originating from the Tillaux fragment. Stage IV represents a fracture of the medial malleolus, which is highly variable in both the trimalleolar and triplane fractures. Conclusion. The paediatric triplane and adult trimalleolar fractures share common features according to the Lauge-Hansen classification. This highlights that the adolescent injury arises from a combination of ligament traction and a growth plate in the process of closing. With this knowledge, a specific sequence of reduction and optimal screw positions are recommended. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):1008–1014