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Introduction In the pediatric population, fractures of the radial neck account for approximately 1% of all fractures and can have substantial consequences. Given the growing popularity of horse riding and the high-energy traumas that this can entail, we sought to assess prognosis for radial neck fracture sustained in horse riding. Hypothesis Radial neck fracture sustained in horse riding is more severe and more frequently associated with other ipsilateral osteoarticular lesions which worsen prognosis. Material and method We performed a multicenter retrospective comparative study in a continuous series of 39 patients. The inclusion criteria consisted of radius neck fracture in children under the age of 15 years. Endpoints comprised associated lesions at time of trauma, and ranges of elbow motion in pronation/supination and flexion/extension at last follow-up. Results Compared to other etiologies, radial neck fractures following horse-riding accidents were more frequently associated with other ipsilateral osteoarticular lesions (p = 0.0002), and more often required open reduction (p = 0.0409) and postoperative rehabilitation (p = 0.041). However, there were no significant differences in any ranges of motion at last follow-up (p > 0.05). Conclusion Radial neck fractures following horse-riding accidents in children were more severe than those caused by other mechanisms. Awareness campaigns in riding clubs and development of specific protective equipment should be considered to reduce occurrence. Level of evidence Therapeutic III – Retrospective comparative study.

The success of cementless hip arthroplasty depends on the primary stability of the femoral stem (FS). It remains difficult to assess the optimal impaction energy to guarantee the FS stability while avoiding bone fracture. The aim of this study is to compare the results of a method based on the use of an instrumented hammer to determine the insertion endpoint of cementless FS in a cadaveric model with two other methods using i) the surgeon proprioception and ii) video motion tracking. Different FS were impacted in nine human cadaveric femurs. For each configuration, the number of impacts realized when the surgeon felt that the FS was correctly inserted was noted Nsurg. For each impact, the insertion depth E was measured and an indicator D was determined based on the time-variation of the force. The impact number Nvid (respectively Nd), corresponding to the end of the migration phase, was estimated analyzing the evolution of E (respectively D). The respective difference between Nsurg, Nvid and Nd was similar and lower than 3 for more than 85% of the configurations. The results allow a validation of the use of an impact hammer to assess the moment when the surgeon should stop the impaction, paving the way towards the development of a decision support system to assist the surgeon.

International audience; Purpose: To determine the short-term effect of bracing of adolescent idiopathic scoliotic (AIS) patients on the relationships between spinopelvic parameters related to balance, by comparing their in and out-of-brace geometry and versus healthy subjects. Methods: Forty-two AIS patients (Cobb angle 29° ± 12°, ranging from 16° to 61°) with a prescription of orthotic treatment were included retrospectively and prospectively. They all underwent biplanar radiography and 3D reconstruction of the spine and pelvis before bracing as well as less than 9 months after bracing. Eighty-three age-matched healthy adolescents were also included as control group and underwent biplanar radiography and 3D reconstruction. Results: Sacral slope was higher in AIS than healthy patients (p = 0.005). Bracing induced large changes of pelvic tilt (between - 9° and 9°), although patients' sagittal spinopelvic alignment tended to remain within the normality corridors defined by the healthy patients. Patients had flatter backs compared to healthy subjects and bracing further reduced their spinal curves. The head tended to remain above the pelvis in-brace. Conclusion: Analysis of sagittal alignment from head to pelvis showed that bracing further flattened the patients' backs and induced large compensating reorientations of the pelvis. Sagittal balance should be included in the planning and evaluation of brace treatment, since it could play a role in its outcome. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Various spinal and rib cage parameters measured from complex examinations were found to be correlated with preoperative pulmonary function tests (PFT). The aim was to investigate the relationship between preoperative rib cage parameters and PFT using biplanar stereoradiography in patients with severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Fifty-four patients, 45 girls and nine boys, aged 13.8 ± 1.2 years, with Lenke 1 or 2 thoracic scoliosis (> 50°) requiring surgical correction were prospectively included. All patients underwent preoperative PFT and low-dose biplanar X-rays. The following data were collected: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, residual volume, slow vital capacity (SVC), total lung capacity (TLC), rib cage volume (RCV), maximum rib hump, maximum width, mean thoracic index, spinal penetration index, apical vertebral rotation, main curve Cobb angle (MCCA), T4–T12 kyphosis. The primary outcome was the relationship between rib cage parameters and PFT. The secondary outcome was the relationship between rib cage parameters and spine parameters. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank test. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to compare PFTs and structural parameters. Significance was set at α = 0.05. The mean MCCA was 68.7° ± 16.7°. RCV was highly correlated with all pulmonary capacities: TLC (r = 0.76, p

The main function of the intervertebral disc is biomechanical function, since it must resist repetitive high loadings, while giving the spine its flexibility and protecting the spinal cord from over-straining. It partially owes its mechanical characteristics to the lamellar architecture of its outer layer, the annulus fibrosus. Today, no non-invasive means exist to characterize annulus lamellar structure in vivo. The aim of this work was to test the feasibility of imaging annulus fibrosus microstructure in vivo with ultrasonography. Twenty-nine healthy adolescents were included. Ultrasonographies of L3–L4 disc were acquired with a frontal approach. Annulus fibrosus was segmented in the images to measure the thickness of the lamellae. To validate lamellar appearance in ultrasonographies, multimodality images of two cow tail discs were compared: ultrasonography, magnetic resonance and optical microscopy. In vivo average lamellar thickness was 229.7 ± 91.5 μm, and it correlated with patient body mass index and age. Lamellar appearance in the three imaging modalities in vitro was consistent. Lamellar measurement uncertainty was 7%, with good agreement between two operators. Feasibility of ultrasonography for the analysis of lumbar annulus fibrosus structure was confirmed. Further work should aim at validating measurement reliability, and to assess the relevance of the method to characterize annulus alterations, for instance in disc degeneration or scoliosis. This study was funded by the ParisTech Biome- cAM chair programme on subject-specific musculoskeletal modelling (with the support of ParisTech and Yves Cotrel Foundations, Société Générale, and Covea), DHU MAMUTH, the Société Française de Chi- rurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologie (SOFCOT), the Devon Arthritis and Allied Reasearch Fund and the Henry Smith Charity. The authors are also grateful to Dr. Abdelmalek Benattayallah for his advice and technical support on MR imaging.

International audience; INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infection (SSI) following orthopedic surgery can have a substantial impact on patients and families. The rate remains high, ranging from 0.5% to 8.5% in pediatric spine surgery. It is common to allow children to bring a teddy bear (or similar toy) to the surgical ward to help reduce the stress of surgery. We hypothesize that despite their known benefits for children, teddies would increase the bacterial load in the surgical room.METHODS: A blinded descriptive study was conducted from June 2015 to September 2016. The study included children entering the hospital through the emergency ward for a traumatic cause requiring surgery. Patients admitted for infectious problems and those who had been hospitalized less than 6 months before the inclusion date were excluded. A picture of the teddy was taken and stored in a blind fashion. The AFNOR (Association française de normalisation) standardized rules for bacteriological surface control and the ISO/DIS 14698 protocol were strictly followed. Two independent observers performed blind bacteriologic analyses of the teddy bears with bacteria identification and colony counts. Photos of the teddy bears were then analyzed by two blinded, independent observers: one doctor and one parent from outside the hospital. Cleanliness and fluffiness of the toy was evaluated using a numeric scale.RESULTS: Bacteria were identified on 100% of the 53 teddies included. The mean number of bacteria was 182.5±49.8 CFU/25 cm2. Eight teddies (15.1%) tested positive for potential pathogenic bacteria (two staphylococcus aureus, one acinetobacter ursingii, four acinetobacter baumannii, one pseudomonas stutzeri). Three teddies (5.7%) tested positive for fungi. The median cleanliness score was 2 (interquartile range (IQR)=1) if rated by the doctor and 2 (IQR=1) if rated by the parent. No statistical difference was found between these two values in the global teddy bear population. We found no any statistical link between the number of CFUs and the cleanliness scores given by the doctor. The median fluffiness score given by the parent was 2 (IQR=1). Looking at the correlative CFUs, we found a statistically significant difference between each stage of fluffiness with a higher stage showing higher CFU (P

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can require surgical procedures that have major con-sequences. Coronal imbalance as assessed clinically using a plumb line is a key criterion for selecting patients to surgery. Nevertheless, the reference standard for assessing postural balance of the trunk is gravity line localisation within a validated frame of reference. Recent studies have established that the gravity line can be localised after body contour reconstruction from biplanar radiographs. The objec-tive of this study was to validate a gravity line localisation method based on biplanar radiographs in a population with AIS then to validate gravity line position versus plumb line position. Hypothesis: Plumb line and gravity line assessments of coronal balance correlate with each other. Material and methods: A gravity line localisation method based on biplanar radiography was validated in 14 patients with AIS versus force platform as the method of reference. Normal plumb line and gravity line positions were determined in 27 asymptomatic adolescents using biplanar radiography. The results of the two methods were then compared in 53 patients with AIS. Results: The reliability of gravity line localisation in the coronal plane based on biplanar radiography was 2.4 mm (95% confidence interval). The distance between the gravity line and the middle of the line connecting the centres of the two femoral heads (HA) showed a strongly significant association with plumb line position computed as the distance from the vertical line through the middle of T1 and the centre of the S1 endplate (T1V/S): r = 0.71, p < 0.0001. Of the 20 patients with plumb line results indicating coronal imbalance, 11 (55%) had a normal gravity line-to-HA distance. Of the 33 patients with normal plumb line results, 7 (21%) had an abnormal gravity line-to-HA distance. Conclusion: The results of this study validate gravity line determination from biplanar radiographs in a population with AIS. Plumb line position correlated significantly with gravity line position but was less accurate for guiding surgical decisions. Level of evidence: IV, retrospective study. Funding source SoFCOT grant to remunerate T. Hernandez during the year of research required for the project.

The primary goal of curve correction in neuromuscular patients is to restore coronal and sagittal trunk balance, including the pelvis, to maximize sitting balance. For several years, it has been a common practice to inject polymeric cement into osteoporotic bone through specially designed, perforated pedicle screws in an effort to enhance screw stability. Therefore, we started using the association of a spinopelvic fixation with S1 pedicle screw augmentation, using bisphenol-a-glycidyl dimethacrylate composite resin in neuromuscular patients with pelvic obliquity, technique in neuromuscular patients to improve pedicle screw stability of our pelvic construct. Ten patients undergoing spinopelvic fixation for a neuromuscular spinal deformity were enrolled in the study. Clinical and radiographic data were analyzed and presented. Minimal follow-up took place at 6 months to assess early complications. Five patients were diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia secondary to cerebral palsy, four had Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, and one had a T5-level traumatic flaccid paraplegia. Preoperative PO ranged from 8° to 34° (mean 19.16°). Postoperative PO ranged from 0° to 6.3° (mean 1.6°). After surgery, all patients returned to a full-time sitting position between days 5 and 12 without the need for additional bracing. No mechanical failure of the construct was noted during follow-up. We used sacral pedicle screw augmentation as a reliable tool to strengthen spinopelvic fixation in neuromuscular scoliosis without increasing the intraoperative morbidity. In our practice, sacral screw augmentation can definitely enhance PO correction obtained by a posterior procedure.

OBJECT Spinopelvic alignment is crucial in assessing an energy-efficient posture in both normal and disease states, such as high-displacement developmental spondylolisthesis (HDDS). The overall effect in patients with HDDS who have undergone local surgical correction of lumbosacral imbalance for the global correction of spinal balance remains unclear. This paper reports the progressive spontaneous improvement of global sagittal balance following surgical correction of lumbosacral imbalance in patients with HDDS. METHODS The records of 15 patients with HDDS who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. The treatment consisted of L4–sacrum reduction and fusion via a posterior approach, resulting in complete correction of lumbosacral kyphosis. Preoperative, 6-month postoperative, and final follow-up postoperative angular measurements were taken from full-spine lateral radiographs obtained with the patient in a standard standing position. Radiographic measurements included pelvic incidence, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis. The degree of lumbosacral kyphosis was evaluated by the lumbosacral angle. Because of the small number of patients, nonparametric tests were considered for data analysis. RESULTS Preoperative lumbosacral kyphosis and L-5 anterior slip were corrected by instrumentation. Transient neurological complications were noted in 5 patients. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase of thoracic kyphosis on 6-month postoperative and final follow-up radiographs (p < 0.001). A statistically significant decrease of lumbar lordosis was noted between preoperative and 6-month control radiographs (p < 0.001) and between preoperative and final follow-up radiographs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Based on the authors' observations, this technique resulted in an effective reduction of L-5 anterior slip and significant reduction of lumbosacral kyphosis (from 69.8° to 105.13°). Due to complete reduction of lumbosacral kyphosis and anterior trunk displacement associated with L-5 anterior slipping, lumbar lordosis progressively decreased and thoracic kyphosis progressively increased postoperatively. Adjusting the sagittal trunk balance produced not only pelvic anteversion, but also reciprocal adjustment of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis, creating a satisfactory level of compensated global sagittal balance.

BACKGROUND: Multiple distraction strategies have been proposed to reduce the incidence of anxiety and pain in children. Animal-assisted therapy is acknowledged and used in children as an adjunctive treatment with cognitive, physical, psychosocial and spiritual benefits.OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of fish aquarium animal-assisted therapy (FA-AAT) on pain perception in a cohort of healthy volunteers.METHODS: Sixty-nine healthy subjects (mean age 27.3 years) were exposed to >20 different species of soft or hard corals and >25 fish in a 1000 L saltwater aquarium. Pain perception was assessed using an electrical stimulation device, the Pain Matcher (Cefar Medical AB, Sweden), after 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min of continuous aquarium viewing. The measurements were repeated 10 min after stopping aquarium viewing.RESULTS: A statistically significant pain perception threshold augmentation was observed after a 5 min aquarium viewing. This threshold augmentation was also increased after 10 min, 20 min and 30 min of FA-AAT. A remnant effect was noted up to 10 min after exposure. This short post-viewing time period could be useful in clinical practice to perform certain painful procedures in children, such as those involving needles, under improved conditions immediately after aquarium exposure.CONCLUSIONS: In the authors’ department, FA-AAT is now used as a nonpharmacological antinociceptive technique in association with a protocol of inhalated oxygen/nitrous oxide mixtures for needle-related procedures. Children and parents are invited to watch the aquarium during the 10 min to 20 min before venous punctures.