Wellness and Drivers of Burnout.

INTRODUCTION: Promoting physician wellness in the current environment of increasing burnout presents a great challenge to the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society and its members. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) has been a leader in recognizing this problem and organizing to combat it. The increasing rates of job dissatisfaction, burnout, depression, and suicide demand comprehensive and focused action to identify and address the drivers of burnout. Continuing to ignore this problem endangers our organization, our members, our families, and our patients. METHODS: A review of relevant literature and the work of the POSNA wellness committee was completed. RESULTS: Addressing the epidemic of burnout requires a sustained effort to address intrinsic factors such as health, performance, and resilience as well as external factors that affect practice efficiency and environment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The goal of this effort is restoration of joy to the practitioners in medicine and more compassionate care for the patients who seek it.

Brace Yourselves: Outcomes of Ponseti Casting and Foot Abduction Orthosis Bracing in Idiopathic Congenital Talipes Equinovarus.

BACKGROUND: Foot abduction orthoses (FAO) are believed to decrease recurrence following treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) as described by Ponseti. The purpose of this project is to examine the outcomes of FAO bracing following treatment by the Ponseti method in a cohort of idiopathic CTEV patients. METHODS: After IRB approval, a cohort of patients aged 3 to 46 days with idiopathic CTEV was identified in a previous prospective study of brace compliance by family report and sensor. Dimeglio score and family demographic information were collected. Initial treatment was by the Ponseti method, with or without Achilles tenotomy. Following correction, patients had three months of full-time FAO bracing during which parents kept a log of compliance. Patients were followed until recurrence (need for further treatment) or age 5. RESULTS: In total, 42 patients with 64 affected feet met the above criteria and were included in the final analysis. Twenty-six feet (40%) went on to develop recurrence requiring further treatment, including casting, bracing, or surgery. Because of poor tolerance of the original FAO, 20 feet were transitioned to an alternative FAO, and 14 of these (70%) went on to recur (P<0.01). The casting duration (P=0.02) had a statistically significant relationship to recurrence. Patients who were casted for 9 weeks or more had a higher rate of recurrence (57.1% vs. 27.8%; P=0.02). Age at treatment start, Dimeglio score, demographic factors, and compliance during full-time bracing, whether by report or sensor, did not show a significant relationship with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a statistically significant relationship between the difficulty of CTEV correction and the risk of recurrent deformity requiring treatment. This relationship could be used to provide prognostic information for patients' families. Caregiver-reported compliance was not significantly related to recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-Prognostic Retrospective Cohort Study.

Hamstring lengthening in females with cerebral palsy have greater effect than in males.

Children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy often demonstrate crouched gait patterns, and typically undergo hamstring lengthenings. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine if the surgical response to medial and lateral hamstring lengthenings is different between males and females. Preoperative and postoperative kinematic data of 109 (71 males and 38 females) patients with cerebral palsy were evaluated. Females demonstrated larger decreases in popliteal angle, larger decreases in mid-stance knee flexion, and higher incidences of knee hyperextension postoperatively. Results indicate that females have larger responses to hamstring lengthenings than males.

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Adopts a Member Health and Wellness Charter.

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America took actions to address the well-being of its members. The epidemic of physician burnout interferes with the delivery of high-quality care that our patients and families need and deserve, and at the same time places the care-providers at an increased risk of depression and suicide. The actions taken by Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America serve as a model for other professional medical societies to emulate.

Classification of Cruciate Ligament Dysplasia and the Severity of Congenital Fibular Deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Dysplasia of the cruciate ligaments has been found in many patients with congenital fibular deficiency. A recent classification system has shown that radiographic tibial spine changes can predict the hypoplasia and aplasia of the cruciate ligaments. We used this radiographic classification to determine the frequency of these abnormalities and how they correlate with the severity of fibular deficiency and lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia. METHODS: Using a hospital database search for fibular deficiency, 99 patients ≥6 years with unilateral fibular deficiency were identified. Existing radiographs of both knees were available for 75 patients and reviewed for the tibial spine changes and Achterman and Kalamchi classification of the fibular deficiency. Measurements of femoral condyle heights in 74 of 75 patients were recorded before any surgery to the distal femoral physis to assess lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients had hypoplasia of the lateral tibial spine+normal medial spine, 29 had absence of the lateral tibial spine+hypoplastic medial spine, and 11 had absence of both tibial spines. Five tibial spines were normal and 8 were unclassifiable. The severity of the tibial spine dysplasia, particularly absence of the lateral tibial spine, correlated with the severity of the fibular deficiency. (P<0.0001) The mean lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia, measured by involved: uninvolved lateral condyle heights, was 0.85±0.11. Those with some preservation of the lateral tibial spine had less lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia (P=0.0009). This lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia was positively associated with the severity of the fibular absence (P=0.039) and foot ray deficiency (P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of cruciate ligament dysplasia in fibular deficiency is directly correlated with the severity of fibular absence, lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia, and the absence of foot rays. This suggests that the embryological factors involved have a complex interplay for all of these clinical findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Foot size asymmetry following Ponseti treatment versus comprehensive surgical releases for unilateral clubfeet.

Using age and height matched cohorts with unilateral idiopathic clubfeet (n=40 each), we retrospectively reviewed pedobarographic studies to determine the impact of treatment, Ponseti versus comprehensive surgical releases (CSR), on the foot length, width, and contact area. The foot pressures were determined by self-selected walking across a force plate. Ponseti treatment results in more symmetrical foot lengths, widths, and total contact areas with an improvement of 1.3 shoe sizes difference compared with treatment with CSR. This suggests that there is improved growth in the clubfoot in those treated with Ponseti management compared with those treated with CSR.

Pain and overcorrection in clubfeet treated by Ponseti method.

Long-term outcomes of Ponseti casting have consistently shown improvement over soft-tissue release. The incidence of foot pain and overcorrection in clubfeet treated by Ponseti method has not been reported. We studied the rate of overcorrection and its association with pain in clubfeet treated with Ponseti casting. A retrospective review of clubfoot patients treated with Ponseti method with at least 8 years of follow-up was carried out. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, recurrence, type and number of procedures, and patient-reported complaints of foot pain. Pedobarographs were used to document overcorrection. Eighty-one patients comprising 115 clubfeet were included in the study. There were 14 (12.2%) feet with valgus overcorrection and 101 feet that had achieved a normal, plantigrade position. Overall, 50% of patients with overcorrected clubfeet and 32% with corrected, plantigrade clubfeet experienced pain. Overcorrection was found to be predictive of pain complaints (P<0.001). Hence, valgus overcorrection occurs after Ponseti casting, with an incidence of 12%.

Design and descriptive data of the randomized Clubfoot Foot Abduction Brace Length of Treatment Study (FAB24).

The aim of this study was to describe the design and baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in the prospective randomized-controlled Clubfoot Foot Abduction Brace Length of Treatment Study (FAB24). Foot abduction bracing is currently the standard of care for preventing clubfoot relapse. Current recommendations include full-time bracing for the first 3 months and then 8-12 h a day for 4 years; however, the optimal length of bracing is not known. The FAB24 trial is a clinical randomized study to determine the effectiveness of 2- versus 4-year foot abduction bracing. Participant enrollment for FAB24 was conducted at eight sites in North America and included enrollment and randomization of 139 participants with isolated clubfoot. This clinical trial will generate evidence-based data that will inform and improve patient care.

Three Methods Of Guided Growth For Pediatric Lower Extremity Angular Deformity Correction.

BACKGROUND: Different methods of guided growth are used for correction of angular deformity in growing children. The differences between these different methods are not well described in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken comparing the effectiveness and complication rates of titanium staples, titanium eight-plates, and the stainless steel Pedi-plate at a tertiary pediatric hospital after IRB approval. RESULTS: 77 patients were included in the analysis. Average follow up was 18 months after implantation (range 7-22). Stainless steel implants showed significantly lower complication rate compared to the other groups with significantly faster rate of deformity correction when compared to titanium staples. CONCLUSION: Our data can be used to guide implant choices for guided growth.

Compartment Syndrome in Children: Diagnosis and Management.

Compartment syndrome (CS) can present differently in children than in adults. Increased need for analgesics is the first sign of evolving CS in children. Children with supracondylar humeral fractures, floating elbow injuries, operatively treated forearm fractures, and tibial fractures are at high risk for CS. Elbow flexion beyond 90° in supracondylar humeral fractures and closed treatment of forearm fractures in floating elbow injuries are associated with increased risk for CS. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with fasciotomy in children result in excellent long-term outcomes.

Residual forefoot deformity predicts the need for future surgery in clubfeet treated by Ponseti casting.

Tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT) is performed for treatment of recurrent clubfeet. We investigated the predictability of residual adductus on the future need for TATT. A retrospective review of 143 patients with clubfoot was performed. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 with a history of TATT and group 2 with no TATT. Heel-forefoot angle (HFA) was measured. HFA was compared between the groups. HFA was significantly different between groups 1 and 2. Residual adductus deformity in clubfeet treated by Ponseti casting is a risk factor for future need for surgical treatment.

Efficacy of 2 Regional Pain Control Techniques in Pediatric Foot Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) have the potential to reduce postoperative pain. The use of ultrasound (US) to guide PNBs may be more beneficial than nerve stimulation (NS); however, very few studies have studied this technique in children. The objective of this study was to compare postoperative pain control in pediatric patients who had general anesthesia (GA) alone compared with those who had PNB performed by NS, or PNB with both NS and US guidance. Our hypothesis was that compared with NS, the US-guided PNB would result in reduced postoperative pain and opioid use, and that both PNB conditions would have improved outcomes compared with GA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of foot and ankle surgery included 103 patients who were stratified into 3 groups: GA, PNB with NS, and PNB with NS and US. Pain levels were measured with visual pain scales at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Days of hospitalization, morphine and oxycodone use by weight, and time to first PRN opioid use were also recorded. A repeated measure analysis of variance was used to compare the groups, and the proportion of patients who reported a visual analog scale score of 0 was calculated for each time point. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in pain levels between groups for the first 12 hours, but the US group had higher pain levels at 24 hours. Both US and NS groups had a longer time to PRN opioid use and used significantly less morphine compared with GA. The US group had a significantly greater proportion of pain-free patients than the other 2 groups for the first 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The use of US guidance is beneficial in postoperative pain control. Both US-guided and NS-guided PNB are preferable to GA alone for lower extremity orthopaedic surgery in the pediatric population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective comparative study.

Initial Correction Predicts the Need for Secondary Achilles Tendon Procedures in Patients With Idiopathic Clubfoot Treated With Ponseti Casting.

BACKGROUND: The Ponseti method is the most common method to treat idiopathic clubfoot in North America. Despite initial correction, recurrence is common with this method. The factors predictive of recurrence are not well defined in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done of procedures performed at our institution from 2005 to 2010 in children undergoing general anesthesia for primary percutaneous Achilles tenotomy for the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot using the Ponseti casting method (101 patients, 148 feet). All patients were followed up for at least 2 years postoperatively (2 to 7.5 y, average 3.5 y). The patients were divided into 2 groups: group N with no repeat procedures on Achilles tendon and group R with a secondary procedure to address the residual equinus deformity. We looked at postoperative equinus correction through the use of postoperative measurements on digital images using a goniometer. The amount of postoperative dorsiflexion at the initial procedure was compared between the 2 groups using the paired t test. The feet were then divided into 3 groups on the basis of the amount of initial correction, and the rates of future surgical procedures were compared among these groups. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients (148 feet) were evaluated. Seventy-two patients (106 feet) did not have any future procedures to address equinus deformity (group N). Twenty-nine patients (42 feet) underwent future procedure (group R) to correct the residual equinus. The N and R groups differed in amount of postoperative dorsiflexion (14.0 vs. 5.1; P<0.01). Patients in whom at least 10 degrees of dorsiflexion was achieved after the initial tenotomy had only a 12% rate of future procedures. Patients with neutral or less than neutral dorsiflexion had 64% chance of future procedures to address the residual equinus. CONCLUSIONS: Residual equinus deformity after Achilles tenotomy in clubfeet treated by the Ponseti method is associated with a high rate of future surgical procedures. Correction of this deformity before bracing could potentially decrease the rate of future surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III­Retrospective.

Dynamic pedobarography and radiographic evaluation of surgically treated cavovarus foot deformity in children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Pedobarography is a common tool for the evaluation of foot deformity. We describe our radiographic and pedobarographic outcomes of surgical treatment of cavovarus foot deformity in children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Nineteen patients for a total of 30 feet were included. Preoperative and postoperative dynamic pedobarographic measurements were made and analyzed using the five-mask technique. Pedobarographic measures showed statistical significance for increased contact area and decreased peak forces in most mask areas after surgical treatment. Peak pressure and redistribution of varus pressure patterns trended toward improvement. We found pedobarographic studies helpful; however, pedobarographic data are somewhat difficult to interpret and should be used in addition to clinical and radiographic examination.

Factors predictive of second recurrence in clubfeet treated by ponseti casting.

BACKGROUND: Ponseti serial casting is the most commonly used method in North America to treat children with clubfeet. Despite initial correction, recurrence is common. tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT) is commonly used to treat recurrent clubfeet. Recurrence can occur after TATT, and patients at risk of recurrence may benefit from closer monitoring. We studied the rate of second recurrence (recurrence after TATT) and studied the predictive factors for this recurrence. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who have undergone TATT for recurrent clubfeet between 2002 and 2010 at our institution was performed. Recurrence was defined as recurrence of any elements of the clubfoot deformity that requires operative or nonoperative treatment. Effect of age at the time of TATT, initial severity of the deformity, and family history of clubfoot on rate of recurrence was studied. RESULTS: Sixty patients with 85 clubfeet were included in the study. Sixteen feet in 12 patients (20%) developed recurrence after TATT. Eight feet were treated nonoperatively and the rest (8 feet) required surgical procedure. Young age at time of TATT and brace noncompliance significantly increased the rate of second recurrence. Effect of severity of initial deformity and family history did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Second recurrence can happen in around one fifth of patients with clubfeet after TATT. Patients with young age at TATT and patients with brace noncompliance are at an increased risk of recurrence and should be monitored closely. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-prognostic.

Syringomyelia and vertebral osteochondromas in patients with multiple hereditary exostosis.

Involvement of osteochondromas in the spinal canal occurs in patients with multiple hereditary exostosis, but the exact prevalence is unknown. A recent study found an incidence of 68%, with 27% of these lesions encroaching into the spinal canal. We studied MRI findings of 27 patients with multiple hereditary exostosis and found only six (23.1%) patients with osteochondromas arising from the spinal column and three (11.5%) patients with encroachment into the spinal canal. We also found three (11.5%) patients with an incidental syringomyelia. Only five of the nine (55.6%) patients with positive findings on MRI had symptoms prompting the MRI and two patients had significant symptoms that required surgical excision. Although the incidence of spinal osteochondroma in our population is lower than that of previous studies, we found a relatively high incidence of syringomyelia in these patients, which has not been previously reported.

The results of preoperative halo-gravity traction in children with severe spinal deformity.

Halo-gravity traction has been used preoperatively for patients with severe spinal deformity but there are limited data in the literature on the results and complications. We studied the outcomes of perioperative halo-gravity traction in children with severe spinal deformity. A retrospective study was carried out on patients who were treated at our center. Twenty-one patients were included in the study. Radiographic and pulmonary function parameters showed significant improvement during the course of traction and at the final follow-up. The overall complication rate was 19%, including two patients with pin loosening and two patients with superficial pin-site infections treated with oral antibiotics.

Correlation of spine deformity, lung function, and seat pressure in spina bifida.

BACKGROUND: Spinal deformity, a common problem in children with myelodysplasia, is associated with alterations in pulmonary function and sitting balance. Sitting imbalance causes areas of high pressure in patients already at high risk for developing pressure ulcers due to insensate skin. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: Does spinal deformity affect pulmonary function tests in children with myelodysplasia? Does the magnitude of spinal curvatures and pelvic obliquity affect seating pressures? Does spinal deformity and seated pressures correlate with a history of pressure ulcers? PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients with myelodysplasia and scoliosis (mean age, 14 years). The mean thoracic scoliosis was 64° with a mean pelvic obliquity of 15°. The mean forced vital capacity was 59% of predicted. The mean of the average and peak seated pressures were 24 and 137 mm Hg, respectively. We examined spinal radiographs, pulmonary function tests, and seated pressure maps and evaluated correlations of spinal deformity measures, pulmonary function, and seated pressures. RESULTS: The thoracic scoliosis inversely correlated with lung volume and weakly related with only the forced midexpiratory volume parameter (R(2) = 31%). The curve magnitude was associated with % seated area with pressures of 38 to 70 mm Hg while lesser degrees of pelvic obliquity were associated with % seating area with pressures of less than 38 mm Hg (R(2) = 25% and 24%, respectively). A history of pressure ulcers did not correlate with any spinal deformity or seated pressure measures. CONCLUSIONS: All patients displayed a reduced forced vital capacity, but this reduction was not related to increasing scoliosis. The smaller scoliosis curves and lesser degrees of pelvic obliquity were associated with larger areas of low seated pressures.

A comparison of three methods of pain control for posterior spinal fusions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine alone, a single preoperative intrathecal morphine injection and PCA (IT/PCA), and epidural catheter infusion without PCA (EPI) for postoperative pain control after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) and segmental spinal instrumentation (SSI) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative pain control after PSF and SSI in AIS can be managed in different ways. EPI provides for a longer period of pain relief but is reliant on the correct placement and maintenance of the catheter in the epidural space. A single preoperative intrathecal morphine injection also provides for long acting analgesia. No direct comparison of these 3 methods of postoperative pain control has been reported. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective chart review was performed at 2 institutions from 1997 to 2005. The medical record was reviewed to determine pain scores after surgery at multiple time periods. The 3 groups were compared using Student t test and chi and significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the gender, age, magnitude of curve, or number of levels fused in the IT/PCA (N = 42), PCA (N = 41), or EPI (N = 55) groups. Postoperative pain scores were lowest in the IT/PCA group in the first 8 hours (P < 0.05) but the pain scores in the EPI group were then lower through 24 hours (P < 0.05). Total morphine use (mg/kg) was lower in the IT/PCA group compared with the PCA group at 12 hours and 24 hours (P = 0.0001). Return to solid food ingestion was quickest in the EPI group (2.0 days) followed by the IT/PCA (2.6 days) and PCA alone (3.2 days) (P < 0.002). Respiratory depression and transient neurologic change occurred most frequently in the EPI group (EPI 11/55 pts vs. 1/42 IT/PCA vs. 0/41 PCA P < 0.001). Pruritus was greatest in the epidural group (11/55 P < 0.05). There were no intraoperative somatosensory-evoked potential changes or permanent neurologic injury recorded in any group. CONCLUSION: An EPI controls postoperative pain for the longest period of time and allows for a quicker return to consumption of solid foods. However, a single preoperative intrathecal morphine injection controls the pain equally for the first 24 hours with less pruritus and with less adverse events thus requiring less nursing and physician intervention after PSF and SSI in AIS. All methods were safe with no neurologic injury recorded.