Closed reduction by trans-physealantegrade elastic stable intramedullary nailing in acute pediatric Monteggia fractures: a report of 22 cases.

Treatment of acute pediatric Monteggia fractures is still debated. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of strategy based on closed reduction by trans-physeal antegrade elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) of the ulnar fracture. Retrospective analysis of 22 patients (13 boys and nine girls) treated for acute Monteggia fractures between May 2008 and August 2018 was performed. Mean age at injury was 6.6 years. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years. On the basis of the Bado classification, 15 lesions were of type I, three types III and four types IV. All the patients were managed with closed reduction and ESIN of the ulna fracture within 2-19 h of arrival. Intraoperative stability of reduction of the radial head was checked under fluoroscopic control in pronation and supination. Outcomes were assessed with the Bruce et al. scoring system. Closed alignment of the ulnar fracture by ESIN had simultaneously reduced and stabilized the radial head dislocation in all patients. At the final follow-up, all the patients had excellent results. Complete healing of the fracture occurred in 6 weeks and the elastic nail removed at 3-6 months postoperatively. There was no case of instability or subluxation or re-dislocation of the radial head. No olecranon epiphysiodesis or growth disorders were noticed. Early diagnosis and management of acute pediatric Monteggia fractures by closed reduction and ESIN achieve excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Dysplasia Epiphysealis Hemimelica Presenting as Multiple Loose Bodies: A Case Report.

CASE: A 11-year-old boy with no medical history presented with a protective limp and worsening mechanical pain in his left knee. No recent traumatic or infectious history was reported. Radiographs and ultrasonography showed multiple intra-articular loose bodies with osteocartilaginous signal. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (DEH) was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan. This is the first report that describes the presence of loose bodies in a knee without previous surgery as a possible case of DEH. CONCLUSION: We emphasize the use of CT scan and MRI before any surgical procedure when intra-articular loose bodies are unexpectedly discovered.

Change in shoulder external rotation strength and motion after lower trapezius transfer to the infraspinatus in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

PURPOSE: Quantifying changes in shoulder external rotation range of motion and strength after lower trapezius transfer in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). METHODS: This prospective study included five children with sequelae of OBPP, with a mean age of 6.4 years (range: 4-12 years) who underwent lower trapezius tendon transfer to restore active external rotation (ER) of the shoulder. Pre-operatively and at a 12-month follow-up assessment, we analyzed the passive and active shoulder ER, the modified Mallet score, and the shoulder rotator muscles strength using an isokinetic device. RESULTS: Clinical parameters improved significantly after trapezius transfer pre-operative passive ER from -8° (range: -20-0°) to 37° (range: 15-50°) (p = 0.035), the modified Mallet score from 13 (range: 10-15) to 18 (range: 17-19) (p = 0.035). Strength testing revealed improved ER muscle strength in all five cases; the mean Peak Torque increased from 1.95 to 4.46 N·m, albeit non-significantly (p = 0.062). Two patients exhibited a winged scapula post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Lower trapezius transfer seems encouraging to restore shoulder external rotation in OBPP children but with non-significant strength improvement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 18/07/31/5783, December 22, 2018.

Does arthroscopic resection of a too-long anterior process improve static disorders of the foot in children and adolescents?

PURPOSE: A too-long anterior process of the calcaneus is a common cause of pain and hind-foot instability. Our goal was to evaluate the early results of arthroscopic resection in terms of static foot disorders in children and adolescents. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 11 ft (10 patients). The inclusion criteria were treatment of TLAP by arthroscopic resection and a minimum follow-up period of six months. Surgery was indicated in cases with persistent symptomatic TLAP resistant to orthopaedic treatment. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 11 (range, 7-15) years. The mean follow-up duration was 15 (range, 8-28) months. Pre-operatively, we diagnosed four flat feet, two cavus feet and five feet with normal footprints, but loss of physiological hind-foot valgus. All patients presented with subtalar joint stiffness. At the last follow-up, four feet with no hind-foot valgus were normal, two were unchanged and the other feet had improved. The mean AOFAS increased from 61.9 (range, 47-73) to 89.1 (range, 71-97; P = 0.009). The mean radiological angles were near normal, exhibiting significant improvements in the lateral talo-metatarsal and Djian-Annonier angles. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic resection of a TLAP is safe. In the short term, the restoration of subtalar mobility reduces pain, and improves instability and static disorders. Longer follow-up of a larger patient series is required.

Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty in osteochondritis dissecans of the patella in adolescents.

PURPOSE: Osteochondritis dissecans of the patella (OCDP) is rare in adolescents. The objective of this study was to evaluate functional results of OCDP management in adolescents with mosaicplasty and to analyze proper integration of osteochondral grafts via MRI. METHODS: This is a retrospective series of eight cases of OCDP treated by mosaicplasty. Mean age at the surgery was 15 years (range 12-17). Clinical features were represented by retropatellar pain, hydarthrosis, locking and crepitus. All patients benefited from knee radiographs as well as pre-operative MRI. Six OCDP were evaluated International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade III and two were ICRS grade IV. Mean surface of the lesion was 97.5 mm2. The pre- and post-operative assessments were conducted with scores obtained on the IKDC subjective knee evaluation form, Lysholm knee score, and Tegner activity scale. These assessments were completed by post-operative MRI. The magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was calculated from the latest MRI examination conducted after surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 28.6 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean IKDC score was 86.5, Lysholm score was 89, and Tegner activity scale score was 6.2 (pre-operative scores were respectively 49.9, 53.8, and 4.5). Radiographs and MRI showed a complete integration of grafts at the latest follow-up with a satisfactory reconstruction of the joint surface. Mean MOCART score was 75/100. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty to manage OCDP in adolescents appears to be a reliable technique on the short term to restore patellar joint surface and obtain satisfactory functional results.

Long-term Results After Extensive Soft Tissue Release in Very Severe Congenital Clubfeet.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term results, at an average follow-up of 22 years, in 66 patients (105 clubfeet) with very severe congenital idiopathic clubfeet according to the Dimeglio-Bensahel scale. METHODS: Patients were treated with an extensive soft tissue release in infancy. Results of the treatment were assessed according to the 100-point system of Ghanem-Seringe. At the latest follow-up, all participants were evaluated with regard to pain and the overall function of the lower extremities. At the latest follow-up, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the affected foot and the contralateral normal foot, when applicable, were performed. RESULTS: In total, 92% of the patients were satisfied. The mean functional score of Ghanem-Seringe was 70.4 points. No foot had an excellent result, 19 feet had a good result, 16 had a fair result, and 70 had a poor result. A total of 86 feet were painful after strenuous activities or during walking. Eleven patients walked with a limp. In total, 82 feet were stiff. Ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion averaged 4.0±4.5 degrees and 19.9±10.7 degrees. Bone deformations such as flattening of the talar dome were observed in 93 feet. Among these feet, the Ghanem score was significantly lower (P<0.05). Necrosis of the navicular was present in 28 feet and subluxation in 82 feet. In total, 32 feet had moderate osteoarthritis. DISCUSSION: Results revealed that despite anatomically and radiologically imperfect clubfeet, most patients demonstrated satisfaction. Satisfaction was not significantly correlated with residual deformity, but with the sensation of a normal gait by the patient and the high initial Dimeglio-Bensahel score. Female patients were significantly less satisfied than male patients because they were more constrained in their social life than boys. Their main dissatisfaction was the atrophy of the calf. We noted several residual deformations. Plantar release seems to contribute to the high rate of overcorrection in our series. Extensive posterolateral and plantar releases in very severe clubfeet was responsible for sequelae, morphologic, anatomic, and functional, especially in adulthood. Deterioration of results over time was confirmed by our series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Complications of Albizzia femoral lengthening nail: an analysis of 36 cases.

Thirty-six cases of femoral lengthening using the Albizzia nail were performed. The indication for lengthening was a congenital malformation, sequellae of trauma, of infection, of radiation therapy, short stature, and vascular malformation. The mean age of the patients was 16 years, the average lengthening achieved was 4.7 cm, and the follow-up period averaged 5.8 years. We found that bone consolidation was achieved faster than with external fixation. The patient's comfort during lengthening as well as the speed of functional restoration also improved. In three cases, the program failed, in six the lengthening was achieved with a second procedure, and eight patients required one ratcheting or more under general anesthesia. In our experience, the Albizzia nail is a simple and effective solution for uncomplicated femoral lengthening.

Active aneurysmal bone cysts in children: possible evolution after biopsy.

PURPOSE: The active or aggressive character in certain localisations of aneurysmal bone cysts in children requires either curettage with a considerable recurrence rate or a radical segmental excision, raising complex reconstructive challenges. Cyst maturation with subsequent ossification may be observed either spontaneously or after incisional biopsy. PATIENTS: Five new cases of active aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) with healing of the cyst after biopsy alone are reported. All patients had no treatment of the cyst after the biopsy. RESULTS: In two cases, the lesion initially increases in size immediately after the biopsy, and it is only secondarily that the lesion decreases in size. Four out of five cases of the spontaneous healing occurred in pelvic bone. The cysts healed after, respectively, 36, 24, 12, 32 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of these new cases of spontaneous healing encourages promoting clinical and radiological supervision after biopsy in selected cases. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict a possible aggressive behaviour in ABCs. Then, if the lesion is quickly aggressive with clinically and radiologically increasing size after biopsy, it would be illogical and dangerous to let this ABC evolve. It would be necessary to treat it without delay. On the other hand, if the lesion moderately increased after the biopsy, it is possible to wait and observe the patient during a period of 5 months for a possible healing, if the ABC localisation is not dangerous. Of course, if the lesion does not increase in size after biopsy, there is no delay to treat it.

Displaced medial epicondyle fractures of the humerus: surgical treatment and results. A report of 139 cases.

BACKGROUND: Elbow instability is a common feature after medial epicondyle fractures, displaced or not, even in the absence of dislocation. Undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures often have an underestimated degree of instability secondary to unrecognised capsuloligamentous and muscular injuries. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze and to assess objectively the results of the surgical treatment of these acute injuries. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-nine displaced medial epicondyle fractures were surgically treated and reviewed. A valgus stress test was performed on each child under general anesthesia or sedation. Functional outcome was assessed using a scoring system based on a series of clinical and radiographic criteria. The mean age of patients at the time of accident was 11.9 years. Mean follow-up was 3.9 years. All fractures had associated with instability of the elbow. A posterolateral elbow dislocation was associated in 80 fractures. The medial epicondylar fragment was anatomically reduced and fixed in all cases. RESULTS: The final result was excellent in 130 cases and good in 9 cases. Elbow were stable and pain free in all patients. Normal elbow range of motion was reported in 133 cases. Union was achieved in all cases. Among these cases, nine had presented a <> union with no change on valgus stress views. No cases of cubitus valgus >/=10 degrees were observed. Anatomical abnormalities of the elbow were present in 28 cases: periarticular calcification in 18 cases, medial condyle groove formation in 4 cases, moderate hypertrophy and fragmentation of the medial epicondyle, respectively, in 3 cases. The positive valgus stress test performed at the time of surgery for all epicondyle fractures without associated dislocation regardless of there degree of displacement justified our operative approach. CONCLUSION: Operative intervention is a good management of these fractures and results in an anatomic reduction, a solid bone union and prevents valgus instability. Even with postoperative immobilization of the elbow (mean of 4 weeks), stiffness is rare. Damage to the medial stabilizing structure of the elbow rather than the extent of medial epicondyle displacement has a far greater influence on joint stability and outcome.

Total posterior condylar separation in a juvenile knee: open fixation through a posterior arthrotomy.

The authors report a case of separation involving the posterior aspect of the lateral femoral condyle in a 13-year-old boy. The patient presented with a 2-year history of vague knee discomfort and recurrent knee effusions in the absence of a single acute traumatic event. A large mobile osteochondral fragment involving most of the posterior aspect of the lateral condyle was refixed surgically with two screws via a posterolateral arthrotomy. The knee has recovered full function and the lesion is radiologically stable.

Salter-Harris Type III and IV medial malleolar fractures: growth arrest: is it a fate? A retrospective study of 48 cases with open reduction.

Salter-Harris type III and IV medial malleolar fractures (MacFarland fracture) is a joint fracture of the ankle in children. The fracture line passes through the medial part of the lower epiphyseal disk of the tibia. Prognosis is dominated by later risk of misalignment and osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of these fractures. We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 48 children with MacFarland fractures (31 boys and 17 girls), mean age at the time of trauma 11 years 6 months (range, 8-15 years). The fractures were classed into two groups according to the Salter and Harris classification for epiphyseal detachment: Salter III (30 cases) and Salter IV (18 cases). Surgical treatment was given in all cases (46 screw fixations, 2 pin fixations). Three outcome categories were used: good (no pain, no stiffness, no limp, no misalignment, no surgical complication, no healing problem), fair (pain and/or stiffness and/or limp and/or healing problem without misalignment, no surgical complication), and poor (misalignment or surgical complication). Mean follow-up was 3 years and 3 months (24-94 months). Twenty-eight children were skeletally mature at the longest follow-up. The three-month postoperative assessment showed 35 patients with good results and 13 children with fair results. Ankle stiffness was noted in 6 cases, ankle pain in 4 cases, wound healing complications in 4 cases, limp in 1 case, and snapping in 1 case. The long-term outcome was considered good for 45 patients, fair for 2 patients (1 wound adherence and 1 hypertrophic scar tissue), and poor for 1 patient (6-degree varus deformity). We did not note leg-length discrepancy or malunion at the longest follow-up. Our results show that growth arrest after MacFarland fracture is no fate. We used surgery more than is generally reported by other teams, opting for surgery as soon as the displacement was >or=1 mm. Surgical treatment was arthrotomy in all cases to achieve anatomical reduction under direct view, followed by osteosynthesis. We believe that it is difficult to evaluate if the reduction is perfect under the control of the intensifier screen alone. Arthrotomy did not lead to ankle stiffness, in any of our patients at longest follow-up.

Cavovarus foot deformity with multiple tarsal coalitions: functional and three-dimensional preoperative assessment.

In rare instances, tarsal coalition leads to cavovarus foot deformity, although the pathologic mechanism leading to this deformity is not clear. This article reports a case of a 14-year-old boy presenting a severe cavovarus deformity of the right foot with talocalcaneal and calcaneonavicular coalitions, and a mild cavus deformity of the left foot with a single talocalcaneal coalition. Computed tomography and postoperative histologic analysis demonstrated a synostosis between talus and calcaneus and a fibrous calcaneonavicular coalition with partial ossification. Instrumented gait analysis revealed a limited range of ankle plantar flexion and increased external rotation of the ankle. Associated skeletal malformations including incomplete hemimelia of the forearm and scoliosis raised the possibility of a teratologic condition, but neurologic examination, spinal magnetic resonance imaging, and nerve conduction velocities were normal. The progressive ossification of combined coalitions during growth of the foot may have been one factor leading to this complex foot deformity. The fine-wire electromyogram showed normal tibialis anterior and posterior muscle activity. Small soft tissue tears in the sinus tarsi may have led to a mild reflexive increase of the muscle tone and tendon shortening, which pulled the forefoot into adduction and the heel into varus, and raised the medial arch. Mechanical alterations of the ankle appear secondary to the heel varus and to the progressive deformity of the talus. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction and gait analysis appeared to be helpful additional parameters to understanding the pathomechanics of this complex foot deformity and for preoperative planning of triple arthrodesis.

Neurovascular complications and severe displacement in supracondylar humerus fractures in children: defensive or offensive strategy?

Out of 210 children suffering from severely displaced supracondylar fractures, 76 (36%) presented with immediate neurovascular complications: 47 (22%) were neurological, 16 (8%) vascular and 13 (6%) both. Injury to two nerves simultaneously was observed in six patients. The median nerve was affected in 28 cases, the ulnar nerve in 25 and the radial nerve in 13. Posterolateral displacement was associated with 86% of damage to the median nerve and 56% of damage to the ulnar nerve. Posteromedial displacement was associated with all incidents of injury to the radial nerve with one exception. Each patient made full neurological recovery, spontaneously and following primary or secondary neurolysis performed on nerve injuries in continuity. Two situations of primary abolition of the radial pulse were encountered, one involving a pink hand in 12.5% of cases and the other involving a white hand in 1.5% of cases. There was posterolateral displacement in three out of four patients. Postoperative vascularization was revealed by immediate return of the radial pulse in 26 patients and delayed return in three others. Urgent anatomical reduction of the fracture and its early fixation are crucial. A conservative therapeutic approach is customary in the majority of neurovascular complications. Prognosis is generally excellent. Ischaemia of the limb and total ruptures of the nerve are very rare.

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the pelvis in children: a multicenter study and literature review.

The authors analyzed a series of 15 pelvic aneurysmal bone cysts (9 boys and 6 girls) in children and adolescents who were reviewed with an average follow-up of 50.3 months. Pain and limp were the main symptoms. Four patients had no treatment after the open biopsy. Eleven patients were treated with curettage. Preoperative selective arterial embolization was performed in three cases before curettage. Two recurrences were noted after curettage; recurrences were treated successfully with further curettage. As a result, the authors recommend curettage; more aggressive operative intervention does not appear to be indicated. No major intraoperative vascular complications occurred. Spontaneous healing in a few cases (even in active or aggressive lesions) argues for clinical and radiologic observation after biopsy when possible. In case of a propitious evolution, observation must be continued and surgery might be avoided, but if the lesion increases, treatment must be proposed.

Recurrence of aneurysmal bone cysts in young children: a multicentre study.

Some authors have reported that the clinical and pathologic behaviour of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) is more aggressive in younger patients and that younger patients have more tumour recurrence. The authors carried out a retrospective, multicentred paediatric population-based analysis of 21 patients (14 boys and seven girls), 5 years of age or younger, with primary ABCs. Only patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. The most common operation was curettage (14 cases). Methylprednisolone acetate injection was used in two cases (failure in the initial diagnosis before biopsy) with negative results. An Ethibloc (Ethnor Laboratories/Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany) injection was employed in four cases. There were five recurrences. Three lesions recurred once, one lesion recurred three times and one recurred six times. These recurrences occurred in two cases after methylprednisolone acetate injection, after Ethibloc (Ethnor Laboratories/Ethicon) injection (one case) and, after curettage (two cases). ABCs in children, 5 years of age or younger, do not seem to be more aggressive than in older children. Curettage is a surgical procedure that can be used even in young children. Of course, recurrence is always possible but the recurrence rate is not unacceptable. More aggressive operative intervention does not appear to be indicated.

Epidemiology of aneurysmal bone cyst in children: a multicenter study and literature review.

The purpose of this study was to review the demographic data of children and adolescents with aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs). The authors performed a retrospective, multicenter, pediatric population-based analysis of 156 patients with primary ABCs. Only patients with histologic confirmation of the diagnosis were included. A review of French and English literature of 255 children and adolescents was included regarding sex, location of the lesion and age at diagnosis. There were 212 boys and 199 girls with a median age at diagnosis of 10.2 years (range, 1.5-17 years). Forty-four patients were under 5 years of age; 111 patients were between 5 and 10 years of age, and 139 were older than 10 years of age. The femur, tibia, spine, humerus, pelvis and fibula were the most common locations. In 256 cases (62.7%), ABCs occurred in long bones. We also studied the data and location of 161 ABCs of the mobile spine (13 cases from our series and 148 from the literature review). There were 48 ABCs in the cervical spine, 48 in the thoracic spine, and 65 in the lumbar spine. We found no main differences in site distribution and sex, between the children and the general population.