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INTRODUCTION Proximal tibial sarcoma resections result in a reconstructive challenge, necessitating joint and extensor mechanism reconstruction. The gait and functional outcomes for children reconstructed with a combination of megaprosthesis and pedicled fibular flap for extensor mechanism reconstruction, are presented. METHODS Four patients, aged 11-18 years old, were available for comprehensive analysis. The proximal tibial osteosarcoma was resected, and the reconstructive technique involved a megaprosthesis for the knee joint, used in combination with a pedicled fibula flap as a biologic structure for reinsertion of the knee extensor mechanism. Outcomes were measured with three-dimensional gait analysis and patient questionnaires. RESULTS Minor postoperative wound issues occurred in some patients, requiring debridement with skin grafting. One patient fractured their transferred fibula, requiring fixation. The follow up period ranged from 1.7 to 24 years postoperatively. The longevity and quality of reconstructions were strong, measured by both objective and patient-reported outcomes. All patients reported independent walking >500 m in the Functional Mobility Scale and rated their walking as a nine or 10 (out of 10) on the Functional Assessment Questionnaire. Knee society scoring revealed overall satisfaction rate of 75-80%. No patients required gait aids. The gait profile analysis revealed effective gait patterns, with patterns deviating 5.4-7° from "typical gait." Deviations >6.5° are considered abnormal. CONCLUSION The long-term results of combining a megaprosthesis with a pedicled fibula flap for extensor reinsertion, revealed a high level of independent function. The patients performed well, without the need for aids, and gait study evidence of minimal gait deviations.

Aims Osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) is a rare benign lesion predominantly affecting the tibia in children. Its potential link to adamantinoma has influenced management. This international case series reviews the presentation of OFD and management approaches to improve our understanding of OFD. Methods A retrospective review at three paediatric tertiary centres identified 101 cases of tibial OFD in 99 patients. The clinical records, radiological images, and histology were analyzed. Results Mean age at presentation was 13.5 years (SD 12.4), and mean follow-up was 5.65 years (SD 5.51). At latest review, 62 lesions (61.4%) were in skeletally mature patients. The most common site of the tibial lesion was the anterior (76 lesions, 75.2%) cortex (63 lesions, 62.4%) of the middle third (52 lesions, 51.5%). Pain, swelling, and fracture were common presentations. Overall, 41 lesions (40.6%) presented with radiological deformity (> 10°): apex anterior in 97.6%. A total of 41 lesions (40.6%) were treated conservatively. Anterior bowing < 10° at presentation was found to be related to successful conservative management of OFD (p = 0.013, multivariable logistic regression). Intralesional excision was performed in 43 lesions (42.6%) and a wide excision of the lesion in 19 (18.8%). A high complication rate and surgical burden was found in those that underwent a wide excision regardless of technique employed. There was progression/recurrence in nine lesions (8.9%) but statistical analysis found no predictive factors. No OFD lesion transformed to adamantinoma. Conclusion This study confirms OFD to be a benign bone condition with low rates of local progression and without malignant transformation. It is important to distinguish OFD from adamantinoma by a histological diagnosis. Focus should be on angular deformity, monitored with full-length tibial radiographs. Surgery is indicated in symptomatic patients and predicted by the severity of the initial angular deformity. Surgery should focus more on the deformity rather than the lesion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):302–308.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 18 -fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18 F-FDG PET) and PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) in imaging primary and metastatic lesions in Ewing sarcoma (ES). Methods PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies. Data concerning 18 F-FDG PET/CT diagnostic accuracy were extracted and then analyzed using Open Meta-analyst software. Reported diagnostic accuracy outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio (NLR), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and diagnostic odds ratio. Results Thirty-one studies with a total of 735 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of 18 F-FDG PET/CT were: 92.6% and 74.1% for total ES lesions, 96.7% and 68.3% for ES primary lesions, 76.1% and 92.4% for lung metastasis, 83.9% and 93.2% for bone metastasis, and 89.9% and 92.6% for ES recurrence, respectively. Conclusion 18 F-FDG PET/CT is sensitive and accurate in diagnosing, staging, and detecting the recurrence of ES compared with non-PET imaging. It has high accuracy for diagnosing recurrence of ES in bone metastases; however, CT remains a superior diagnostic method for detecting lung metastasis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in imaging primary and metastatic lesions in Ewing sarcoma (ES). Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies. Data concerning 18F-FDG-PET/CT diagnostic accuracy were extracted and then analysed using Open Meta-analyst software. Reported diagnostic accuracy outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio (NLR), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and diagnostic odds ratio. Results: 31 studies with a total of 735 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT were: 92.6% and 74.1% for total ES lesions, 96.7% and 68.3% for ES primary lesions, 76.1% and 92.4% for lung metastasis, 83.9% and 93.2% for bone metastasis and 89.9% and 92.6% for ES recurrence respectively. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT is sensitive and accurate in diagnosing, staging, and detecting the recurrence of ES compared to non-PET imaging. It has high specificity for diagnosing recurrence of ES as well as lung and bone metastases.

Background Syme amputation (SA) is a term used to describe an amputation at the level of the ankle joint in which the heel pad is preserved. It is performed for a number of indications in a pediatric population. SA is purported to hold the advantage of allowing weight bearing without a prosthesis. A limb length discrepancy (LLD) is useful for ambulation without a prosthesis but can be restrictive with regards to the fitting of modern prostheses. Methods A voluntary survey was distributed to persons living with SA. Recruitment occurred through hospital electronic database and electronic advertising. Data collected included baseline demographic information, data pertaining to weight bearing in different environments, as well as 2 validated outcome measures: the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales-Revised (TAPES-R activity restriction scale) and the Locomotor Capabilities Index-5 (LCI-5). An illustration was designed to allow participants to classify their LLD by zone in relation to their nonamputated limb. Results At total of 47 persons living with SA participated. The average age at amputation was 3.7 years (range, 0.5 to 14.1 y), and at survey completion 15.8 years (1.7 to 60.3). Five of the described "zones" of LLD were represented. Average LCI-5 score was 52.6. Mean TAPES-R activity restriction scale was 0.59, the lowest mean being achieved by zone E participants, indicating the least restriction. Ability to walk without a prosthesis was lower in those participants over 11 years, when compared with those under, as well as being dependent on the walking environment. Conclusions Our study found no trend indicating that a very low LLD was functionally optimal, and indeed found participants with a moderate LLD (zone E) to have the least mean restriction with regard to their prosthesis. Our study demonstrates that ambulation without a prosthesis depends on the environment (ie, flooring), and rates decrease significantly into adulthood. Optimal care should not focus simply "preserving length," but rather functional optimization and length modulation in parallel with a nuanced understanding of actual daily activities and prosthetic options. Level of evidence Level III-retrospective comparative study.

Health registries are critical to understanding, benchmarking and improving quality of care for specific diseases and conditions, but face hurdles including funding, bias towards clinical rather than population samples, lack of pre-morbid and outcomes data, and absent cross-registry harmonisation and coordination. Children are particularly under-represented in registry research. This paper lays out novel principles, methods and governance to integrate diverse registries within or alongside a planned children’s mega-cohort to rapidly generate translatable evidence. GenV (Generation Victoria) will approach for recruitment parents of all newborns (estimated 150,000) over two years from mid-2021 in the state of Victoria (population 6.5 million), Australia. Its sample size and population denominator mean it will contain almost all children with uncommon or co-morbid conditions as they emerge over time. By design, it will include linked datasets, biosamples (including from pregnancy), phenotypes and participant-reported measures, all of which will span pre-morbid to long-term outcomes. We provide a vignette of a planned new registry for high-risk pregnancies to illustrate the possibilities. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to describe such a methodology designed prospectively to enhance both the clinical relevance of a large multipurpose cohort and the value and inclusivity of registries in a population.

Aims Displaced fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus are frequently managed surgically with the aim of avoiding nonunion, malunion, disturbances of growth and later arthritis. The ideal method of fixation is however not known, and treatment varies between surgeons and hospitals. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of two well-established forms of surgical treatment, Kirschner wire (K-wire) and screw fixation. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study of children who underwent surgical treatment for a fracture of the lateral condyle of the humerus between January 2005 and December 2014 at two centres was undertaken. Pre, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics were evaluated. A total of 336 children were included in the study. Their mean age at the time of injury was 5.8 years (0 to 15) with a male:female patient ratio of 3:2. A total of 243 (72%) had a Milch II fracture and the fracture was displaced by > 2 mm in 228 (68%). In all, 235 patients underwent K-wire fixation and 101 had screw fixation. Results There was a higher rate of nonunion with K-wire fixation (p = 0.02). There was no difference in Baumann’s angle, carrying angle or the rate of major complications between the two groups. No benefit was obtained by immobilizing the elbow for more than four weeks in either group. No short-term complications were seen when fixation crossed the lateral ossific nucleus. Conclusions Fixation of lateral condylar humeral fractures in children using either K-wires or screws gives satisfactory results. Proponents of both techniques may find justification of their methods in our data, but prospective, randomized trials with long-term follow-up are required to confirm the findings, which suggest a higher rate of nonunion with K-wire fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:387–95.

Purpose Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is rarely recommended in skeletally immature patients. The goal of the present study was to report our short- to mid-term results of THA in a series of children aged 16 years or younger, including clinical outcomes and post-operative complications, signs of radiographic loosening of the prostheses, and revision rate. Methods The 18 children (two male and 16 female patients, 24 hips) underwent cementless THA at a mean age of 14.6 years (11 to 16). Five patients had a bilateral, one-stage surgical procedure. Clinical assessment of these hips used the Merle d'Aubigné et Postel scale modified by Charnley to facilitate assessment of the function of walking. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was conducted at six weeks, six months and then yearly for the first three years. All post-operative complications were recorded. Results No intra-operative or early post-operative complications occurred. At a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (1 to 8), all patients had greatly improved pain and function scores. All children in the present study improved from severely impaired gait, including four children who were wheelchair-bound, to completely unrestricted gait. All hips demonstrated good alignment with no evidence of wear or radiographic lucencies. No revision of components has been required. One patient had persistent adductor contracture which was addressed with adductor tendon release. Conclusions THA is a successful procedure for unsalvageable hip arthritis in children at a mean follow-up of 3.8 years. Long-term follow-up will be needed to determine implant longevity of the components in these children.

BACKGROUND In an effort to standardize management and reduce over-treatment of uncomplicated paediatric fractures, the Victorian Pediatric Orthopaedic Network and the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, created publically available web-based paediatric fracture pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of web-based fracture pathways on the clinic volume at a tertiary-care paediatric fracture clinic. METHODS A comparative retrospective review was performed at a large, urban, tertiary-care children's hospital. Fracture clinic data from two 12-week periods before and after implementation of the fracture pathways were compared. For each study period, data collected included: total number of emergency department visits, number of fracture clinic visits, number of fracture clinic visits for patients that presented with upper extremity fractures for which web-based fracture pathways were available, number of radiology department visits for X-rays, and number of fracture clinic visits for patients requiring orthopaedic intervention in the operating room (closed or open reductions). RESULTS The number of fracture clinic visits for patients with upper extremity fractures decreased 12% post-pathway implementation, from 954 visits to 842 visits. The number of radiology department visits for patients with upper extremity fractures decreased 24% post-pathway implementation, from 714 to 544 visits. CONCLUSION The implementation of web-based fracture pathways for upper extremity paediatric fractures was associated with a decrease in clinic resource utilization at a tertiary-care children's hospital.

Masses in the pediatric foot are relatively uncommon and can present a diagnostic challenge. The literature lacks a comprehensive overview of these types of lesions. Most are benign soft-tissue lesions that can be diagnosed on the basis of history and physical examination. However, some rare malignant neoplasms can mimic benign masses. It is imperative to recognize these lesions because the consequences of a delayed or missed diagnosis can be substantial. A thorough history and physical examination of all pediatric patients with foot lesions are crucial to ensure that any lesion not readily identified as benign is appropriately managed.

BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma in children below the age of 5 is extremely rare. OBSERVATION We report on a previously well 14-month-old male infant, who presented with a reluctance to weight-bear on his right leg and had an associated limp. Plain imaging and a magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated a lytic lesion in the right distal femur. An open surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. There was no significant family history of cancer and genetic screening for Li-Fraumeni syndrome was negative. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of timely consideration of osteosarcoma in an infant, when the clinical presentation and medical imaging are consistent with that diagnosis.

Successful limb reconstruction surgery not only relies on surgical skill but probably more on assessment and planning before intervention. A clear appreciation of the child as a whole, an understanding of natural history and the ability to carefully evaluate the patient clinically are key to successful treatment. The appropriate use of investigations and the ability to analyze, plan and execute a treatment plan is challenging and requires experience and training. This paper outlines some of the steps required to assess the patient with a complex limb deformity.

Background: In contemporary clinical practice, the ability for orthopaedic surgeons to obtain true ‘informed consent’ is becoming increasingly difficult. This problem has been driven by factors including increased expectations of surgical outcome by patients and increasing complexity of surgical procedures. Surgical pamphlets and computer presentations have been advocated as ways of improving patient education, but evidence of their efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a computer-based multimedia (MM) presentation against standardized verbal consent and information pamphlets for patients considering knee arthroscopy surgery. Methods: A randomized, controlled prospective trial was conducted, comparing the efficacy of three methods of providing preoperative informed consent information to patients. Sixty-one patients were randomly allocated into MM, verbal consent or pamphlet groups 3–6 weeks prior to knee arthroscopy surgery. Information recall after the initial consent process was assessed by questionnaire. Retention of this information was again assessed by questionnaire at the time of surgery and 6 weeks after surgery. Results: The MM group demonstrated a significantly greater proportion of correct responses, 98%, in the questionnaire at the time of consent, in comparison with 88% for verbal and 76% for pamphlet groups, with no difference in anxiety levels. Information was also better retained by the MM group up to 6 weeks after surgery. Patient satisfaction with information delivery was higher in the MM group. Conclusion: MM is an effective tool for aiding in the provision and retention of information during the informed consent process.

We report the outcome of 28 patients with spina bifida who between 1989 and 2006 underwent 43 lower extremity deformity corrections using the Ilizarov technique. The indications were a flexion deformity of the knee in 13 limbs, tibial rotational deformity in 11 and foot deformity in 19. The mean age at operation was 12.3 years (5.2 to 20.6). Patients had a mean of 1.6 previous operations (0 to 5) on the affected limb. The mean duration of treatment with a frame was 9.4 weeks (3 to 26) and the mean follow-up was 4.4 years (1 to 9). There were 12 problems (27.9%), five obstacles (11.6%) and 13 complications (30.2%) in the 43 procedures. Further operations were needed in seven patients. Three knees had significant recurrence of deformity. Two tibiae required further surgery for recurrence. All feet were plantigrade and braceable. We conclude that the Ilizarov technique offers a refreshing approach to the complex lower-limb deformity in spina bifida.

When closed reduction of a developmental dislocation of the hip fails, some form of open reduction is required. In recent years, the many advantages of the medial approach open reduction have been emphasized. However, there have been suggestions that the rate of growth disturbance in the proximal femur and the requirement for secondary surgical procedures may be higher with this route than with others. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a modified medial approach open reduction, in which the stability of the reduction is enhanced by resection of the redundant ligamentum teres and suturing of the stump of the tendon to the anteromedial capsule.The hospital records and radiographs of 92 infants and children with 109 dislocated hips were reviewed retrospectively. Key demographic and pretreatment data were collected by the first author and compared with the outcome at the most recent follow-up. In addition, 69 children returned for a clinical evaluation by the first author. The outcome at the most recent follow-up was graded according to Severin, and associations were sought between pretreatment grade of dislocation according to Tonnis, the presence of ossific nucleus, changes in the acetabular index, the requirements for secondary surgery, associations with previous treatment, and the position of abduction in the postoperative cast.At a mean follow-up of 9 years, 89% of hips were classified as Severin grade 1 or 2. Avascular necrosis (AVN) was classified according to the system of Kalamchi and MacEwen. The incidence of AVN was 41%, but two thirds of these were grade 1 (temporary irregular ossification), and the Severin grading in these hips was not compromised. The presence of ossification in the capital epiphysis and a range of abduction of less than 60 degrees in the hip spica were noted to be protective against the development of AVN. Three hips redislocated and required additional treatment. Thirty-eight hips required a total of 44 additional surgical procedures.We have demonstrated that it is possible to use a medial approach for open reduction of the congenitally dislocated hip in combination with tenodesis of the ligamentum teres to the anteromedial joint capsule. The incidence of growth disturbance in the proximal femur is high and cumulative with long-term follow-up. However, in this large series, the rate of hip stability, growth disturbance, and need for secondary surgery are comparable to other series. We conclude that the many advantages of open reduction by the medial approach outweigh the disadvantages.

Both gastrocnemius recession and Achilles tendon lengthening lead to scarring in the calf and have high reported recurrence rates when performed under the age of 8 years. Triceps surae lengthening by external fixation seemed to be a valuable alternative. Twelve calf lengthenings have been performed with an Ilizarov device with a mean correction of 27 degrees. No calcaneal gait was observed, but there was a slow continuous loss of dorsiflexion over the observation period. The Ilizarov technique has a higher recurrence rate than most operative procedures for calf lengthening, but carries virtually no risk in producing calcaneus. The technique cannot be recommended for routine clinical use and may only be an alternative for selected cases.

AimsWe 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.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 24 boys and 26 girls, with a mean age of 8.6 years (4 to 14), who underwent 52 tibial lengthening procedures with a mean follow-up of 4.3 years (4.0 to 16.9). Tibial alignment was measured before and after treatment using joint orientation lines from the knee and a calculation of the oblique plane axis.ResultsThe mean percentage length gain was 20% (13 to 31) with a mean bone-healing index (BHI) of 34 days per centimetre (20 to 54). Age at surgery and location of the osteotomy site showed a strong relationship as the location of the osteotomy migrated more proximally with age. However, no significant correlation was found between BHI and the position of the osteotomy. The coronal and sagittal joint orientation of the lengthened tibias were within the normal range in 67% and 92% of cases, respectively. The oblique plane angulation calculation revealed a statistically significant change pre- to post-operatively in both magnitude (p < 0.05) and direction (p < 0.01), but without clinical consequence. The majority of complications were minor (n = 40 in 27 patients; 1.48 complications per segment lengthened) with no residual disability reported.ConclusionTwo-ring tibial lengthening is effective in maintaining segmental alignment, efficient in callous production and relatively comfortable for the patient with few significant complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1276–82.

Septic arthritis in children is an orthopaedic emergency that has serious consequences if not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively. The presenting symptoms include pain, non-weight bearing and fever. Inflammatory markers are raised and ultra-sonography demonstrates a joint effusion.The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of septic arthritis in children.Definitive treatment involves surgical drainage and lavage of the joint, followed by high-dose, empirical, intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Treatment is tailored to the causative organism, if this is identified. For an uncomplicated case of septic arthritis, 2 days of IV antibiotics followed by a 3-week course of oral antibiotics is usually sufficient. Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor for sequelae of septic arthritis, including cartilage damage, growth disturbance and avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Background: Gradual limb lengthening with currently used external fixation techniques can result in less than optimal outcomes, with complications including infection, stiffness of adjacent joints, and secondary axial deviation of the extremity. We describe a totally implantable lengthening device designed to provide results similar to those achieved with external fixation devices, with fewer complications and improved outcomes. Methods: Between 1993 and 1997, thirty-one patients (forty-one femora) underwent limb lengthening with a new internal fixation technique (Albizzia) to treat a congenitally short extremity (thirteen patients), post-traumatic limb-length inequality (eleven patients), or developmental problems (seven patients). Twenty-one patients (twenty-one femora) underwent unilateral surgery to equalize the limb lengths, and ten (twenty femora) underwent bilateral surgery to correct short stature. The mean age was twenty years and one month (range, twelve to thirty-nine years). After intramedullary corticotomy of the diaphysis of the femur, an intramedullary nail was inserted in an antegrade fashion. Fifteen alternating internal and external rotation maneuvers of the lower limb elongated the nail by 1 mm. The outcomes were assessed clinically and radiographically at a mean of fifty months postoperatively. Results: The gain in femoral length averaged 3.4 cm (range, 2 to 5.5 cm) after the unilateral lengthening procedures and 6.3 cm (range, 4.6 to 8.4 cm) after the bilateral procedures. Patients underwent an average of three operations on each limb; these procedures included, in addition to the nail insertion and nail removal, ratcheting under general anesthesia in thirteen limbs and eleven procedures to treat complications in nine patients. At the time of follow-up, no patient had axial deviation of the limb secondary to lengthening. Conclusions: Femoral lengthening with use of the minimally invasive Albizzia technique provides a reasonable alternative to external fixation that is well tolerated by patients and results in excellent function with little or no distortion of body image. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

We have reviewed, retrospectively, all children with a lower limb deformity who underwent an acute correction and lengthening with a monolateral fixator between 1987 and 1996. The patients were all under the age of 19 years and had a minimum follow-up of eight months after removal of the fixator. A total of 41 children had 57 corrections and lengthening. Their mean age was 11.3 years (3.2 to 18.7) and there were 23 girls and 18 boys. The mean maximum correction in any one plane was 23° (7 to 45). In 41 bony segments (either femur or tibia) a uniplanar correction was made while various combinations were carried out in 16. The site of the osteotomy was predominantly diaphyseal, at a mean of 47% (17% to 73%) of the total bone length and the mean length gained was 6.4 cm (1.0 to 17.0). Univariate analysis identified a moderately strong relationship between the bone healing index (BHI), length gained, maximum correction and grade-II to grade-III complications. For logistic regression analysis the patients were binary coded into two groups; those with a good outcome (BHI ≤ 45 days/cm) and those with a poor outcome (BHI > 45 days/cm). Various factors which may influence the outcome were then analysed by calculating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. This analysis suggested a dose response between increasing angular correction and poor BHI which only reached statistical significance for corrections of larger magnitude. Longer lengthenings were associated with a better BHI while age and the actual bone lengthened had little effect. Those patients with a maximum angulatory correction of less than 30° in any one plane had an acceptable consolidation time with few major complications. The technique is suitable for femoral deformity and shortening, but should be used with care in the tibia since the risk of a compartment syndrome or neurapraxia is much greater.

The radiologic appearance of bone formation during limb lengthening is used to judge the competence of the underlying biologic process and predict the likely time to healing. Interpretation is, however, based upon subjective parameters that have never been clearly defined. Thirty anteroposterior radiographs from pediatric tibial lengthenings were classified by four pairs of surgeons using a three-part system. Across the group, interobserver consistency showed considerable variation for all parameters tested. Pairwise analysis indicated that the surgeons directly involved in limb lengthening procedures agreed better than those whose practice was of a different nature. A second series of radiographs contained 12 radiographs with a satisfactory and 12 with a poor bone healing index (BHI). These radiographs were digitized, and an interobserver study showed significantly improved observer concordance if the images were enhanced. No feature was associated with a 100% chance of a satisfactory outcome, but certain appearances in the regenerate were associated with a better BHI than others.

We describe two patients who have hypochondroplasia with medial temporal lobe dysgenesis. This association has only been reported once before. Both patients had an FGFR3 mutation: 1620C --> A, resulting in Asn540Lys. FGFR3 is expressed in the brain during development and plays a role in hippocampal formation. We suggest FGFR3 mutations might cause cerebral malformations in hypochondroplasia as well as in thanatophoric dysplasia. Further neuroimaging studies of patients with hypochondroplasia and epilepsy or developmental delay may clarify the proportion of patients with hypochondroplasia who have this pattern of central nervous system abnormalities.

In contemporary clinical practice, the ability for orthopaedic surgeons to obtain true 'informed consent' is becoming increasingly difficult. This problem has been driven by factors including increased expectations of surgical outcome by patients and increasing complexity of surgical procedures. Surgical pamphlets and computer presentations have been advocated as ways of improving patient education, but evidence of their efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a computer-based multimedia (MM) presentation against standardized verbal consent and information pamphlets for patients considering knee arthroscopy surgery.A randomized, controlled prospective trial was conducted, comparing the efficacy of three methods of providing preoperative informed consent information to patients. Sixty-one patients were randomly allocated into MM, verbal consent or pamphlet groups 3-6 weeks prior to knee arthroscopy surgery. Information recall after the initial consent process was assessed by questionnaire. Retention of this information was again assessed by questionnaire at the time of surgery and 6 weeks after surgery.The MM group demonstrated a significantly greater proportion of correct responses, 98%, in the questionnaire at the time of consent, in comparison with 88% for verbal and 76% for pamphlet groups, with no difference in anxiety levels. Information was also better retained by the MM group up to 6 weeks after surgery. Patient satisfaction with information delivery was higher in the MM group.MM is an effective tool for aiding in the provision and retention of information during the informed consent process.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a multimedia patient education module when incorporated into the standard treatment protocol for patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. A thorough, standardized surgeon-patient education discourse took place following diagnosis. At the conclusion of the consultation, patients viewed the multimedia module. Questionnaires designed to assess understanding and satisfaction with information delivery were completed by patients following the consultation and again after viewing the module. Forty-one patients participated in the study. After viewing the module, patients achieved an average of 87% correct responses on the knowledge questionnaire, a significant improvement (P < .0001) over the 64% achieved following the surgeon-patient discourse. Ease of understanding of the information delivered by the module was rated significantly better (P < .0001) than the surgeon-patient discourse. Ninety-eight percent of patients indicated they felt well informed about plantar fasciitis following viewing the module compared with 68% following the surgeon-patient discourse. Sixty-three percent of patients indicated that the module best answered their questions, 7% preferred the surgeon, and 30% rated both equally. Multimedia plantar fasciitis educational material improved patient understanding of the standard treatment protocol and satisfaction with the information delivery in an orthopedic private practice.

We report on the largest long-term follow-up study in metatropic dysplasia incorporating data collected over a 37-year period. Case summaries from 11 patients are presented, ranging from 20 weeks of gestation to age 70 years, characterizing the natural history. All patients were seen through the Victorian Clinical Genetics Service and the Southern Cross Bone Dysplasia Centre. Our data lend little support for the current clinical classification of metatropic dysplasia and highlight a spectrum of severity in this rare condition, which we propose has an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Complications such as upper respiratory obstruction secondary to laryngo-tracheal dysfunction need to be carefully monitored for in infancy because this is a preventable cause of mortality. The progression of a thoracic kyphoscoliosis in this condition is often relentless and resistant to surgical treatment. Other causes of morbidity include cervical instability, hearing loss, and functional impairments resulting from degenerative joint deformity. Intellectual outcome in all surviving cases has been normal. Final adult heights ranged from 107 to 135 cm.

Bone-screw loosening in monolateral external fixators is a significant problem. This study classifies the radiographic appearance of the bone-screw interface and predicts which screws will become loose and those that will remain solidly fixed to bone. Five radiographic features were identified at the bone-screw interface. The classification of these features was validated using interobserver and intraobserver studies. The reliability of the classification was improved by image enhancement with simple filters. Some radiographic features predicted which screws would eventually become loose, allowing the clinician to make earlier management decisions regarding the adjustment of screws.

Hip distraction using cross joint articulated external fixation has been used by a number of orthopaedic centres for the treatment of osteoarthritis, chrondrolysis, and osteonecrosis, as an alternative to hip arthroplasty or arthrodesis in the adolescent and young adults . The hip, however, is problematic with respect to external fixation, as it lies deep, surrounded by powerful muscles and in intimate contact with major neurovascular structures and intrapelvic organs. The numbers of patients treated by this technique to date remains small and the technical detail and potential complications, with respect to the application of the external fixation, unclear. In this study we used anatomical information from CT scans combined with computer modelling of the hip and pelvis to identify safe screw positions in the periacetabular region. The surgical insertion of the pins was then performed on five cadavers and anatomical dissections undertaken to confirm the structures at risk. This study indicated that whilst there are a number of anatomic constraints, it is still possible to insert three pins with good divergence into the limited bony corridor of the peri-acetabular region recognising that the more posterior of the laterally inserted pins poses a potential risk to the sciatic nerve if not inclined away from the sciatic notch.

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a well established method to treat hip dysplasia in the adult. There is, however, a lack of information on the subjective outcome of patients with complications after PAO. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the influence of complications on the patients’ post-operative wellbeing and function: 60 PAOs on 50 patients were investigated retrospectively after a mean follow-up of 7.4 years. The patients’ self-reported assessment of health and function was evaluated by the Medical Outcomes Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaires at last follow-up. Forty healthy persons served as a control group. Of the 60 interventions 13 had no complications. Minor complications occurred in 25 (41%) and in 22 (37%) at least one major complication occurred. SF-36 summary measure was 76.4 for PAO patients and 90.3 for the control group. Mean WOMAC score was 25.1. Patients with major complications had a similar subjective outcome as patients with minor or without complications, but persistent dysaesthesia due to lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction led to a worse subjective function. Lesions of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve have much greater influence on patients’ self-assessed functional outcome after PAO than previously reported and greater attention has to be given to this supposedly minor complication.

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Twelve children with obstetric paralysis were diagnosed as having a posterior dislocation of the humeral head. The diagnosis was suspected on clinical grounds and confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scans in all cases. All 12 patients were treated with open reduction via an anterior approach. The age range at the time of surgery was from 7 months to 7 years (average, 2 years and 3 months). All patients were immobilized in a shoulder spica for 6 weeks and a further 6 weeks in an orthosis. All patients were examined by CT scans in the postoperative period, which confirmed a satisfactory reduction in all cases. With a minimal follow-up of 12 months, there have been no redislocations. This article demonstrates that dislocation of the shoulder in association with obstetric paralysis is not rare, as previously described, and shows that once diagnosed, the dislocation can be satisfactorily treated by a single anterior open reduction of the shoulder.

Bone is a metabolically active and highly organized tissue consisting of a mineral phase of hydroxyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphate crystals deposited in an organic matrix. Bone has two main functions. It forms a rigid skeleton and has a central role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Bone modelling is the process associated with growth and re-shaping of bones in childhood and adolescence. This is distinguished from bone remodelling, which describes the lifelong process whereby skeletal tissue is continually being resorbed and replaced in order to maintain skeletal integrity, shape and mass. Bone remodelling is controlled by systemic hormones and cytokines and is an integral part of the calcium homeostatic system. The maintenance of a normal, healthy skeletal mass depends on interactions between osteoblasts, osteoclasts and constituents of the bone matrix to keep the process of bone resorption and formation in balance. The factors, local and systemic, which regulate these processes are discussed.

A case of idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip is described in a 12 year old female who has the characteristics of arthro-ophthalmopathy (Stickler's syndrome). This common connective tissue dysplasia may go unrecognized and is possibly an aetiological factor in the development of this disease process. A review of the literature is presented.