We report the results of a prospective study of the surgical release of 45 knee flexion contractures in 28 patients with myelomeningocele. The neurosegmental level was thoracic in ten patients, L1/2 in one, L3/4 in 11, and L5/S1 in six. In walkers the indication for surgery was a fixed flexion contracture impeding walking, and in non-walking patients it was a flexion contracture impeding transfers or sitting balance, or likely to do so with increasing deformity.

The mean age at surgery was 6.4 years (3 to 21) and the mean period of follow-up 13 years (4 to 20). The mean knee flexion contracture before surgery was 39° (25 to 70) which improved to 5° at maximum correction and to 13° at latest follow-up.

We conclude that surgical release of knee flexion contractures in myelomeningocele improves gait in all children who walk, particularly those with low lumbar lesions. Recurrence of knee flexion contractures after surgical release is most common in those with thoracic lesions who do not achieve independent walking.

We reviewed the results of anterior hip release for fixed flexion deformity in 57 hips in 38 children with spina bifida at an average follow-up of 8.9 years (2 to 22). The indication for this operation was a fixed flexion deformity of more than 30° which interfered with function.

In 43 hips there was a good outcome in that the fixed flexion deformity remained less than 30° at follow-up. Four hips had a good initial result but deteriorated after an average of five years, and ten had a poor outcome with deformity of over 30°. Six hips required a repeated anterior hip release and two of these were successful.

The success of anterior hip release could not be related to the neurological level or the age at operation. Successful surgery correlated with the walking ability of the child at the latest follow-up.

1. The cases of four children who presented with bowing or pseudarthrosis of the fibula only, are described.

2. There is a gradation in the severity and significance of this condition. There may be fibular bowing without fibular pseudarthrosis; fibular pseudarthrosis without ankle deformity; fibular pseudarthrosis with deformity but without the late development of tibial pseudarthrosis; or fibular pseudarthrosis with the late development of tibial pseudarthrosis.

3. Proper management is dependent on a knowledge of this range of conditions.

1. The indications for talectomy in the treatment of equinovarus deformity in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and spina bifida are discussed.

2. The technique of the operation is described, with variations which may be necessary in special circumstances.

3. The results of forty-one operations are analysed.

4. It is concluded that the operation has a useful place in the management of equinovarus deformity in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and spina bifida, especially between the ages of one and five years.

1. Paralytic dislocation of the hip in spina bifida generally requires reduction and iliopsoas transfer. The muscle transfer ensures that the hip remains reduced, lessens the need for calipers and prevents progressive flexion deformity. In addition, varus and rotation osteotomy of the femur and innominate osteotomy are sometimes required. Varus and rotation osteotomy alone is indicated if the psoas is not strong enough for transfer. The age for reduction of dislocated hips and muscle transfer has been reduced to eight months as experience and confidence has been gained.

2. Flexion deformity is best prevented by early iliopsoas transfer. An anterior release operation is occasionally indicated when there is flexion deformity and a weak psoas muscle. This procedure, alone or supplemented by extension osteotomy, may be necessary to correct severe flexion deformity in children seen late.

3. Lateral rotation deformity of the hip may be caused by unbalanced iliopsoas action or the unbalanced action, or contracture, of the short lateral rotator muscles. If the deformity is sufficient to make the gait bizarre, or if it is difficult to fit a caliper, then soft-tissue operations as described are of value.

4. Abduction deformity can be corrected by division of the unopposed or contracted abductors.

1. A simple calculation for the timing of epiphysial arrest to correct leg length discrepancy is described. An assumption is made that growth ceases at a constant chronological age of sixteen years in boys and fourteen years in girls. It is further assumed that the lower femoral epiphysis provides three-eighths of an inch and the upper tibial epiphysis one-quarter inch of growth each year.

2. Whilst the assumptions made are known to be approximations, analysis of the results of fifty-three epiphysial arrests in forty-four children shows that the errors cancel themselves sufficiently to make this method accurate. The simplicity of the calculation makes it useful to confirm or modify the timing of arrests calculated on the basis of skeletal age, or as an alternative method.

1. Thirty-five children suffering from a mild illness with narrowing of an intervertebral disc have been studied.

2. Backache was the presenting symptom in only a small proportion of children, vague aching in the legs being almost as common at the onset.

3. Stiffness of the affected part of the spine is often present, but there may be no abnormal signs in the back.

4. Radiographs reveal a narrowed disc space with adjacent bony changes. There is usually progressive narrowing of the disc space which may go on to fusion of the affected vertebrae. Less commonly there is reconstitution of the affected disc.

5. The symptoms and signs quickly subside with immobilisation in recumbency and this treatment should be continued until the blood sedimentation rate returns to normal.

6. Adults who have suffered from discitis in childhood are probably more prone to develop backache.

7. The etiology remains uncertain.

1. An operation suitable for the correction of hallux valgus in adolescents is described.

2. The results of thirty-three operations performed in children between the ages of nine and eighteen years are analysed.

3. Twenty-six operations are considered to have produced a good result, four a moderate result, and three a poor result.

4. It is suggested that the operation is best performed between the ages of eleven and fifteen years.