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Background: Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) refers to spinal deformities that develop and are diagnosed before the age of 10. The most important goals of the surgical treatment of EOS are to stop the progression of curvature, achieve the best possible correction, preserve motion, and facilitate spinal growth. The objectives of this multicenter study were to analyze the risk of complications among patients with EOS treated using magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) and assess the patients' and their parents' quality of life after diagnosis and treatment with a minimum two-year follow-up. Methods: Patients given an ineffective nonoperative treatment qualified for surgery with MCGRs. This study involved 161 patients (90 females and 71 males) who were classified according to the etiology of curvature. The intraoperative and postoperative complications and those that occurred during the continuation of treatment with MCGRs were recorded and analyzed. The 24-item Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) was used to evaluate the patients' quality of life and satisfaction with the treatment. Results: Implant-related complications requiring instrumentation revision were recorded in 26% of the patients. Medical complications occurred in 45% of the population. The EOSQ-24 revealed a significant improvement in the average scores during the follow-up. Conclusions: The treatment of early-onset scoliosis with MCGRs carries 66% risks of incurring medical and mechanical complications, the latter 26% of patients requiring revision procedures. Children with neuromuscular scoliosis, females, and with curvature greater than 90 degrees are at a higher risk of developing complications. Limiting the number of elective surgeries necessitated to prolong the instrumentation and treatment process for patients with MCGRs can greatly enhance their quality of life and satisfaction throughout the follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hip stability remains a major preoccupation during femoral lengthening in Congenital Femoral Deficiency (CFD). We aimed to review hip stability in Paley type 1a CFD patients undergoing femoral lengthening. Methods: A total of 33 patients with unilateral CFD, who were treated between 2014 and 2023, were retrospectively reviewed. In 20/33 cases (60.6%) the SUPERhip preparatory surgery was performed at a mean age of 4.3 years (range 2.7–8.1). The femoral lengthening using an external fixator was performed at a mean age of 7.8 years (range 4.3–14.3). Results: All patients presented with a stable hip joint after preparatory surgery and during femoral lengthening. Six cases of hip instability at a mean of 637 days after the external fixator removal were observed (range 127 to 1447 days). No significant differences between stable and unstable hips were noted for (1) Center-Edge Angle: 23.7 vs. 26.1 deg; (2) Acetabular Inclination: 12.8 vs. 11.7 deg; and (3) Ex-Fix Index: 35.6 days/cm vs. 42.4 days/cm; p > 0.05. Late hip instability was related to Coxa Vara and decreased femoral antetorsion before lengthening. Conclusions: Late hip joint instability in Paley type 1a CFD patients may occur long after femoral lengthening despite hip morphology appearing to be normal on radiograms before and at the end of femoral lengthening. Coxa Vara, femoral torsional deformity, and posterior acetabular deficiency might be risk factors for hip instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Female football is becoming an increasingly popular women's team sports discipline around the world. The Women's Football Committee in the Polish Football Association has developed a long-term strategic plan to popularize the discipline across the country and enhance girls' participation. On one hand, it is postulated to increase the number of female footballers, and on the other hand, it is crucial to decrease the number of girls quitting football prematurely. Objective: To find the reasons for sports career termination among female football players. Design: Cross-sectional with retrospective information about reasons of career termination. Setting: Online questionnaire was filled out by online access. Participants: Ninety-three former female footballers. Main Outcome Measures: Factors leading to career termination. Methods: Participants completed the online questionnaire. The analysis was performed referring to 2 groups: "injury group"—in which the injury was the main reason for quitting football, and "other group"—in which the female player stopped playing football due to all other factors. Results: Thirty percent of former Polish female football players terminated their career due to a long-term treatment for an injury. Over 27% (27.7%) females had ended their careers because they were not able to reconcile sports with work/studying. Over 10% (10.8%) of former football players reported that becoming a wife and/or mother was the reason for career termination. Losing motivation and interest in the sport was reported by 9.2% (n = 6) of present study participants who decided to terminate the career due to noninjury reasons. Conclusions: The results clearly show that more effort is needed to support female football players, especially after an injury, so that they do not quit the sport voluntarily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]