Elastic intramedullary nailing of both-bone pediatric forearm fractures is used to treat unstable fractures that fail conservative management with closed reduction and casting, open injuries, or injuries with neurovascular compromise. Small incisions are used to enter the medullary canal of the distal end of the radius and proximal part of the ulna, avoiding injury to the adjacent physis. The elastic nail is advanced to the fracture site under fluoroscopic guidance. The fracture is reduced with traction and manipulation, and the nail is passed across the fracture site to stabilize the forearm. Closed reduction and casting is the mainstay of treatment in most pediatric forearm fractures. If conservative treatment fails, these fractures can be surgically managed with elastic intramedullary nails or with plate and screw fixation. Elastic intramedullary nailing of pediatric forearm fractures provides a minimally invasive alternative to treat unstable fractures that fail closed reduction and casting. It has been shown to be a reliable method of achieving anatomic union with excellent function of the injured upper extremity in most patients with very few complications related to the surgery1-3. We advise patients that in >90% of children treated with this technique, we achieve anatomic union with excellent wrist and elbow function. Usually, the nails can be removed 6 to 12 months after the procedure. Complications related to infection, nonunion, malunion, compartment syndrome, and neurovascular compromise are rare1-3. Position the patient and fluoroscopy machine to allow easy access to the elbow and wrist throughout the procedure.Use a sharp-pointed awl to access the medullary canal without injuring the adjacent physes of the distal end of the radius or proximal part of the ulna.Contour the radial implant to allow easy passage and to establish the anatomic radial bow.Traction and direct manual pressure can be used to reduce the fractured fragments to allow passage of the implants across the fracture site.A small open reduction of the fracture site should be performed after ≥3 failed attempts at obtaining a closed reduction.The nails should be cut so that they can be buried subcutaneously but easily accessed for later removal without injuring the adjacent physes.

Background

The purpose of this narrative review was to survey the literature for common complications following treatment of DDH in children less than 4 years old.

Methods

The Pubmed database was queried. Search result titles were reviewed to identify papers that were pertinent to the topic. Abstracts for these papers were obtained and read, and a subset of these were selected for review of the complete manuscript.

Results

92 manuscripts were reviewed. Residual dysplasia, redislocation, and osteonecrosis are the primary complications of treatment in this age group. In the long term, hips without complications related to DDH treatment tend to do well, although a significant percentage of them will inevitably require joint replacement surgery.

Conclusion

Although there is excellent potential for a good outcome when DDH is diagnosed and treated under age 4 years, osteonecrosis continues to be a concern with all treatment methods. A subset of patients from this young cohort will continue to have residual dysplasia or recurrent dislocation requiring return to the operating room.

Purpose

Brace treatment is the most common nonoperative treatment to prevent curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The goal of this review and analysis is to characterize curve behavior after completion of brace treatment and to identify factors that may facilitate the estimation of long-term curve progression.

Method

A review of the English language literature was completed using the MEDLINE (PUBMED) database of publications after 1990 until September 2020. Studies were included if they detailed a minimum of 1 year post-brace removal follow-up of AIS patients. Data retrieved from the articles included Cobb angle measurements of the major curves at "in-brace," weaning, and follow-up visit(s) for all patients described and for subset populations.

Results

From 75 articles, 18 relevant studies describing a follow-up period of 1-25 years following brace removal were included in the analyses. The reviewed literature demonstrates that curves continue to progress after brace treatment is completed with three main phases of progression: (i) immediate (upon brace removal) where a mean curve progression of 7° occurs; (ii) short term (within five years of brace removal) where a relatively high progression rate is evident (0.8°/year); and (iii) long term (more than five years after brace removal) where the progression rate slows (0.2°/year). The magnitude and rate of curve progression is mainly dependent on the degree of curve at weaning as curves weaned at < 25° progress substantially less than curves weaned at ≥ 25° at 25 years.

Conclusion

Curves continue to progress after brace removal and the rate and magnitude of progression are associated with the curve size at weaning, with larger curves typically exhibiting more rapid and severe progression. This analysis provides physicians and patients the ability to estimate long-term curve size based on the curve size at the time of weaning.

Level of evidence

IV.

The purpose of this article is to report the inter- and intra-observer reliability of a computerized objective technique to quantify patient-specific acetabular morphology. We describe the use of and provide the software code for a technique to better define the location and magnitude of acetabular pathology. We have developed software code that allows the end user to obtain detailed measurements of the acetabulum using traditional computed tomography data. We provide the code and detailed instructions on how to use it in this article. The methodology was validated by having an unbiased observer (that was not involved in this project but has been trained in this software measurement methodology) to perform the entire acquisition, reconstruction and analysis procedure and compare their measurements to the measurements of one of the authors. The author then repeated the procedure 2 months later to determine intra-observer reliability. Inter- and intra-observer reliability for version, tilt, surface area and total acetabular coverage angles ranged from an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.805 to 0.997. The method provided in this manuscript gives a reproducible objective assessment of three-dimensional (3D) acetabular morphology that can be used to assist in the diagnosis of hip pathology and to compare the morphological parameters of subjects with and without hip pathology. It allows a surgeon to understand the 3D shape of each individual's acetabulum, share these findings with patients and their parents to demonstrate the magnitude and location of the clinical abnormality and perform patient-specific surgical corrections to optimize the shape and coverage of the hip.

The utilization of cervical spine instrumentation in the young pediatric patient in not well reported. This study presents outcomes and complications of cervical spine instrumentation in patients who underwent cervical spine fusion surgery before age 10. Radiographic and clinical data were collected on all patients who underwent cervical spine surgery with instrumentation at a single institution between January 1, 2006 and March 21, 2015. Patients were ≤ years of age at the time of surgery with any cervical spine deformity/injury diagnosis. Patient demographics, details on cervical spine diagnosis, procedural data, imaging data, and post-operative follow up data were collected. Twenty children met the criteria and were included in the study with a mean follow-up of 10.6 months (3 mo to 2 years). Initial indication for cervical spine correction surgery included: deformity (7 cases), trauma (6 cases), instability (3 cases), stenosis (2 cases), rotary subluxation (1 case), and infection (1 case). Fifteen cases were treated with adult 3.5mm cervical spine instrumentation, 3 with wiring (1 sublaminar and 2 spinous process), and 2 with cannulated screws. Postop immobilization included 16 Halo fixation, 3 collars, and 1 CTO. Overall there were 5 complications related to the surgery. two patients who had wiring (1 sublaminar and 1 spinous process) developed a non-union and required revision surgery (1 with cannulated screws and 1 with 3.5mm segmental cervical spine instrumentation). One patient developed a postop infection that required incision and drainage. Five patients developed superficial pin infections for their Halo. Tow deformity patients experienced neurological complications that were likely unrelated to the cervical instrumentation. Conclusions: rigid segmental fixation can be safe and efficacious when used in pediatric cervical spine patients. Whether used with Halo or orthosis, patients experience minimal to no complications from the instrumentation and achieve successful fusion. Cervical spine wiring had a high risk of non-union requiring revision surgery. The incidence of wound infection was low with one in 20 cases.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare functional outcomes of adolescents with and without ankle syndesmotic injuries and identify predictors of functional outcome after operative ankle fractures.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on operative adolescent ankle fractures treated between 2009 and 2019 with a minimum of one-year follow-up (mean 4.35 years). Patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation (SF) (n = 48) were compared with operative ankle fractures without syndesmotic injury (n = 63). Functional outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires, specifically the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation.

Results

There were no differences in patient-reported outcomes, rates of return to sport or complications between groups with and without SF. The SF group had a longer tourniquet time (p = 0.04), duration of non-weight-bearing (p = 0.01), more Weber C fibula fractures (p < 0.001), fewer medial malleolus fractures (p = 0.03) and more frequently underwent implant removal (p < 0.0001). Male sex, lower body mass index (BMI) and longer duration of follow-up were significant predictors of a higher FAAM sports score using multivariable linear regression. SF was not a predictor of functional outcome.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that patients that undergo surgical fixation of syndesmotic injuries have equivalent functional outcomes compared to operative ankle fractures without intraoperative evidence of syndesmotic injury. We also identified that male sex, lower BMI and longer duration of follow-up are predictors of a good functional outcome.

Level of evidence

III.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to define the incidence of trochlear dysplasia in an infant cohort being screened for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

Methods

Newborns screened for DDH that were evaluated with ultrasound for the presence of trochlear dysplasia were retrospectively reviewed. The sulcus angle and trochlear depth were measured. Based on previous work, trochlear dysplasia was defined as a sulcus angle of > 159°. Our newborn cohort was then analyzed to identify potential risk factors for trochlear dysplasia.

Results

A total of 383 knees in 196 infants were studied. In total, 52% were referred for breech intrauterine positioning and 21% were ultimately diagnosed with DDH and had treatment initiated with a Pavlik harness. Of the entire cohort, 8% of knees were deemed to have trochlear dysplasia. Breech patients were found to have a flatter sulcus angle than those that were not breech (149.5° (sd 7.2°) versus 147.9° (sd 7.5°); p = 0.028). Similarly, a shallower trochlear depth was identified in breech patients versus non-breech patients (1.6 mm (sd 0.4) versus 1.8 mm (sd 0.4); p = 0.019). Those with trochlear dysplasia (as defined by sulcus angle > 159°) did show a smaller alpha angle (i.e. more dysplastic hip) as compared with those without trochlear dysplasia (59.2° (sd 10.2°) versus 65.9° (sd 7.5°); p < 0.001). Hips with DDH were 2.4-times more likely to have knees with trochlear dysplasia (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 5.3).

Conclusion

Ultrasound screening of newborn knees reveals that trochlear dysplasia is relatively common in breech babies with DDH.

Level of evidence

III.

Purpose

We aimed to determine which variables were associated with persistent symptoms or need for further surgery in patients treated with in situ fixation for stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis. We hypothesized that patients with greater proximal femoral deformity would require revision surgical intervention.

Methods

We prospectively collected data on stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients who underwent in situ screw fixation at a single institution. Demographic and radiographic information, as well as patient-reported outcomes, were collected.

Results

Forty-six patients (54 hips) with an average follow-up of 3.5 years (range: 2.0-8.5) and mean pre-op Southwick slip angle of 40.5° ± 19.4° were studied. We observed one complication following the index procedure (2%). Twelve hips (22%) went on to have a secondary procedure 2.7 ± 2.2 years after the index surgery. Severe slips were 14.8× more likely to undergo a secondary procedure than mild and moderate slips (p < 0.001). We found no correlation between slip severity and patient-reported outcomes (p > 0.6). Hips requiring a secondary procedure had significantly lower Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores (76.8 ± 18.4) at final follow-up compared to hips that did not require additional surgery (86.8 ± 15.7) (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

With minimum 2-year follow-up, 22% of patients required a secondary surgery. Patient-reported outcomes did not correlate with slip severity, but were found to be significantly higher in slipped capital femoral epiphysis patients that did not require a secondary procedure. Prophylactic treatment of all slip-related cam deformity was not found to be necessary in this prospective cohort. Patients with moderate-to-severe slips may require secondary surgery.

Level of evidence

Level II.

Background

The ligamentum teres (LT) is believed to have a number of functions, including a role in hip stability, nociception, proprioception, vascular supply to the femoral head, and synovial fluid circulation. The LT is often excised in the process of performing a medial open reduction (MOR) of the hip. We sought to conduct a retrospective review of hips undergoing a MOR for dislocated infantile developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes for patients with and without LT reconstruction.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 38 hips treated with MOR with or without LT reconstruction with minimum two-year follow-up. Radiographic outcomes were determined using the Severin score. Information regarding avascular necrosis (AVN), concomitant surgical procedures, repeat dislocation, subsequent surgery, limp, pain, and range of motion symmetry was recorded.

Results

Eighteen hips that underwent MOR with LT reconstruction were compared to 20 hips that underwent MOR without LT reconstruction. Mean follow up for this cohort was 70.1 months (median: 61.8; Range: 24.2 to 182.2 months). The group with LT reconstruction had an 11% rate of AVN, the group without LT reconstruction had a 15% rate of AVN (p=1.0) No hips in either group re-dislocated or had pain at final follow up. Two hips (5%) had a limp at most recent follow up, all were in the group that did not receive a LT reconstruction (p=0.488). Three hips (17%) in the LT reconstruction group and one hip (5%) in the other group had asymmetrical hip range of motion at final follow up (p=0.328).

Conclusion

This study offers preliminary data to suggest that ligamentum teres reconstruction is a safe procedure that can minimize the risk for subluxation or re-dislocation that can occur within the post reduction hip spica cast. Although in this study, the patients who did not have LT reconstruction had a similar re-dislocation rate, we believe that ligamentum teres preservation is a useful adjunct to medial open reduction, especially in centers that may only treat occasional cases or have less experience in applying an excellent hip spica cast.Level of Evidence: III.

Background

The purpose of this study is to determine if a quantitative method can be used to identify differences in 3D morphology between normal and developmentally dysplastic hips and to identify specific areas of undercoverage in children with DDH compared to age- and sex-matched controls.

Methods

Subjects were included if they were typically developing children with no other underlying conditions affecting their musculoskeletal system and had an available pelvic CT scan (67 hips). Custom software was used to measure standard variables defining acetabular morphology (version, tilt, surface area). Acetabuli were divided into equal octants; coverage angles were measured for each octant of interest. Variables were compared with age- and sex-matched controls (128 hips) using analysis of variance or the Mann-Whitney test.

Results

Hips with DDH were more anteverted compared to normal hips (DDH: 22.6˚, Control: 16.4˚, p < 0.001). The surface area was similar between groups. 28% of hips had a global deficiency, 24% were anteriorly deficient, 19% were laterally deficient, 10% were anteverted (under covered anteriorly and over covered posteriorly), 3% were posteriorly deficient, and 15% of hips had borderline undercoverage. None of the hips in this cohort were found to be retroverted.

Conclusions

This is the first study to quantify the 3D acetabular deficiency in children with DDH compared to age- and sex-matched controls. We found wide variability in coverage patterns among dysplastic hips. It is imperative to define the specific acetabular deficiency for each individual patient prior to surgical correction.

Level of evidence

III - Case-control study.