Reliability and validity of the Duncan-Ely test for assessing rectus femoris spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the method of the Duncan-Ely test and to estimate its interobserver reliability and validity by comparing it with three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA). METHOD: This study included 36 consecutive ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy (CP) who underwent preoperative 3DGA. The Duncan-Ely test was performed during three different velocities (slow, gravity, and fast). The interobserver reliability was assessed by three examiners. The results of the test were compared with kinematic variables derived from the gait analysis to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the test. The cut-off value was determined at the point of trade-off between the highest sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient measuring interobserver reliability of the Duncan-Ely test was greatest during fast velocity (0.819). The sensitivity and specificity of the test during gravity velocity for knee range of motion total were 63.0% and 100% respectively, with a cut-off value of 78.3°. The sensitivity and specificity of the test during fast velocity for knee range of motion total were 66.7% and 100% respectively, with a cut-off value of 65°. INTERPRETATION: The Duncan-Ely test shows excellent reliability in fast knee-flexion velocity, and good sensitivity and specificity compared with 3DGA during physical examination as a preoperative assessment of rectus femoris spasticity in patients with CP.

Associations between MRI findings and symptoms in patients with chronic ankle sprain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides an accurate method of observing and diagnosing injuries of the ligament complex of the ankle. However, the association between ankle symptoms and MRI findings has been unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between ankle pain and MRI findings. This prospective study included 40 patients with ankle pain after inversion injury and 10 healthy volunteers. Correlations among the ankle symptoms (tenderness on the anterior talofibular ligament, pain during varus stress in a neutral and plantarflexed ankle), and MRI findings were analyzed. A complete tear of the anterior talofibular ligament correlated with ankle pain during varus stress in the neutral position (r = 0.365, p = .031) and tenderness at the anterior talofibular ligament (r = 0.362, p = .032). The results of our study suggest that a complete tear of the anterior talofibular ligament will correlate with lateral ankle pain.

Preliminary findings of morphometric analysis of ankle joint in Korean population.

The clinical success of ankle joint arthroplasty depends on the availability of information on the morphology of the relevant bones. Thus, the implant design and surgical technique should be adjusted to the ankle morphology. However, few reports have described the characteristics of ankle morphometry in Korean populations. The present study evaluated the characteristics of ankle morphometry in a Korean population sample. Weightbearing ankle radiographs of 100 Korean patients were retrieved, and 13 representative indexes were measured after establishing the reliability of the measurements. Ankle morphometry was analyzed in terms of (1) size diversity, (2) aspect (anteroposterior/mediolateral) ratio, (3) distal anteroposterior inclination angle, and (4) complication-related anatomy. The measurements were compared with those of previous studies of white populations. In terms of size diversity, the ankle morphometry in Koreans was smaller in all parameters, except for the talar width. Koreans had a different aspect ratio than whites. The increase in the distal anteroposterior inclination angle was statistically significant (p < .001), and complication-related indexes were also significantly increased. In addition to the smaller dimensions in Korean populations, surgeons should be aware of the characteristics of Korean patients, such as the steep slope and vulnerability to iatrogenic malleolar fractures.

Rasch analysis of the pediatric outcomes data collection instrument in 720 patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The pediatric outcomes data collection instrument (PODCI) was originally developed to carry out a functional assessment of children and adolescents (including patients with cerebral palsy), focusing on musculoskeletal health. Validated questionnaires are important for assessing the functional outcome of cerebral palsy, and are meant to have unidimensionality, proper item gap, no ceiling and floor effects, and no item redundancy. The advances in health measurements have led to the application of Rasch analysis to assess questionnaires. This study evaluated PODCI in patients with cerebral palsy using Rasch analyses. METHODS: The study included a total of 720 patients with gross motor function classification system level I to III, 192 with unilateral involvement and 528 with bilateral involvement. Rasch analysis was performed to obtain information on (1) the information weight fit statistic to assess the unidimensionality and redundancy of the items in each domain; (2) average item calibration to detect the item separation; and (3) item map to evaluate the ceiling and floor effects. RESULTS: The PODCI worked best in the sports/physical function domain. In information weight fit statistics, there were 4 items violating unidimensionality, which included "putting on his/her coat" in transfer/basic mobility and "getting together and do things with friends" in sports/physical function. There were 4 items with item redundancy. Inadequate item separation was observed in the transfer/basic mobility domain. A ceiling effect was found in all domains, except for the sports/physical function. CONCLUSIONS: The sports/physical function domain in PODCI generally satisfies the requirements of Rasch item response theory and is an appropriate measure of the function in cerebral palsy. Although some individual items do not fit well, the PODCI can be improved by eliminating the redundant items and by adding more difficult tasks to fill in the gaps. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Validity of gait parameters for hip flexor contracture in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Psoas contracture is known to cause abnormal hip motion in patients with cerebral palsy. The authors investigated the clinical relevance of hip kinematic and kinetic parameters, and 3D modeled psoas length in terms of discriminant validity, convergent validity, and responsiveness. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with cerebral palsy (mean age 6.9 years) and 28 normal children (mean age 7.6 years) were included. Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained by three dimensional gait analysis, and psoas lengths were determined using a musculoskeletal modeling technique. Validity of the hip parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: In discriminant validity, maximum psoas length (effect size r = 0.740), maximum pelvic tilt (0.710), maximum hip flexion in late swing (0.728), maximum hip extension in stance (0.743), and hip flexor index (0.792) showed favorable discriminant ability between the normal controls and the patients. In convergent validity, maximum psoas length was not significantly correlated with maximum hip extension in stance in control group whereas it was correlated with maximum hip extension in stance (r = -0.933, p < 0.001) in the patients group. In responsiveness, maximum pelvic tilt (p = 0.008), maximum hip extension in stance (p = 0.001), maximum psoas length (p < 0.001), and hip flexor index (p < 0.001) showed significant improvement post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Maximum pelvic tilt, maximum psoas length, hip flexor index, and maximum hip extension in stance were found to be clinically relevant parameters in evaluating hip flexor contracture.

Niclosamide and Pyrvinium Are Both Potential Therapeutics for Osteosarcoma, Inhibiting Wnt-Axin2-Snail Cascade.

Osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone malignancy, is typically related to growth spurts during adolescence. Prognosis is very poor for patients with metastatic or recurrent osteosarcoma, with survival rates of only 20-30%. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular mechanism that contributes to the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, and Wnt signaling activates the EMT program by stabilizing Snail and ß-catenin in tandem. Although the Wnt/Snail axis is known to play significant roles in the progression of osteosarcoma, and the anthelmintic agents, niclosamide and pyrvinium, have been studied as inhibitors of the Wnt pathway, their therapeutic effects and regulatory mechanisms in osteosarcoma remain unidentified. In this study, we show that both niclosamide and pyrvinium target Axin2, resulting in the suppression of EMT by the inhibition of the Wnt/Snail axis in osteosarcoma cells. Axin2 and Snail are abundant in patient samples and cell lines of osteosarcoma. The treatment of niclosamide and pyrvinium inhibits the migration of osteosarcoma cells at nanomolar concentrations. These results suggest that Axin2 and Snail are candidate therapeutic targets in osteosarcoma, and that anthelminthic agents, niclosamide and pyrvinium, may be effective for osteosarcoma patients.

Leg-length discrepancy and associated risk factors after paediatric femur shaft fracture: a multicentre study.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate leg-length discrepancy (LLD) and associated risk factors after paediatric femur shaft fractures. METHODS: A total of 72 consecutive patients under 13 years old (mean age 6.7 years; 48 boys, 24 girls) with unilateral femur shaft fracture, and a minimum follow-up of 18 months, were included. The amount of LLD was calculated by subtracting the length of the uninjured from that of the injured limb. Risk factors for an LLD ≥ 1 cm and ≥ 2 cm were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Hip spica casting, titanium elastic nailing and plating were performed on 22, 40 and ten patients, respectively. The mean LLD was 7.8 mm (sd 8.8) and 29 (40.3%) had a LLD of ≥ 1 cm, while nine (12.5%) had a LLD of ≥ 2 cm. There were significant differences in fracture stability (p = 0.005) and treatment methods (p = 0.011) between patients with LLD < 1 cm and ≥ 1 cm. There were significant differences in fracture site shortening (p < 0.001) and LLD (p < 0.001) between patients with length-stable and length-unstable fractures. Fracture stability was the only factor associated with LLD ≥ 1 cm (odds ratio of 4.0; p = 0.020) in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that fracture stability was significantly associated with LLD after paediatric femur shaft fractures. Therefore, the surgeon should consider the possibility of LLD after length-stable femur shaft fracture in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level III.

Which is the best method to determine the patellar height in children and adolescents?

UNLABELLED: Patellar height is associated with various clinical syndromes. We asked which of three methods was the most appropriate for measuring patellar height for different age groups in terms of applicability, validity, and reliability. We evaluated 108 children and adolescents with available MR images and lateral knee radiographs using Insall-Salvati (IS), Blackburne-Peel, and Koshino-Sugimoto (KS) methods. Subjects were divided equally into three age groups (A, 5-10.9 years; B, 11-12.9 years; C, 13-18 years). The applicabilities of the three methods were evaluated using bony landmarks identified on lateral radiographs. For validation testing, standardized patellar tendon lengths determined by MRI were used as reference standards, and concurrent validity was analyzed by performing correlation tests. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were determined using intraclass correlation coefficients. Of the three methods used to measure patellar height in this study, the IS appeared to be the most reliable and valid in patients older than 13 years with nearly complete ossification. Before this stage of ossification had been achieved, the KS was the only applicable and most reliable but less valid method in younger children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Kinematic aspects of trunk motion and gender effect in normal adults.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze kinematic trunk motion data in normal adults and to investigate gender effect. METHODS: Kinematic trunk motion data were obtained for 20 healthy subjects (11 men and 9 women; age from 21 to 40 years) during walking a 9 m long lane at a self selected speed, namely, motions in the sagittal (tilt), coronal (obliquity), and transverse (rotation) planes, which were all expressed as motions in global (relative to the ground) and those in pelvic reference frame (relative to pelvis), i.e., tilt (G), obliquity (G), rotation (G), tilt (P), obliquity (P), rotation (P). RESULTS: Range of tilt (G), obliquity (G) and rotation (G) showed smaller motion than that of tilt (P), obliquity (P) and rotation (P), respectively. When genders were compared, female trunks showed a 5 degree more extended posture during gait than male trunks (p = 0.002), which appeared to be caused by different lumbar lordosis. Ranges of coronal and transverse plane motion appeared to be correlated. In gait cycle, the trunk motion appeared to counterbalance the lower extremity during swing phase in sagittal plane, and to reduce the angular velocity toward the contralateral side immediate before the contralateral heel strike in the coronal plane. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women showed different lumbar lordosis during normal gait, which might be partly responsible for the different prevalence of lumbar diseases between genders. However, this needs further investigation.

Level of improvement determined by PODCI is related to parental satisfaction after single-event multilevel surgery in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine changes in Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) scores after single-event multilevel surgery (SEMS), and to evaluate the relationship between the improvements of PODCI scores and parental satisfaction after SEMS. METHODS: Demographic data, preoperative and postoperative PODCI, functional assessment questionnaire (FAQ) walking scales, and self-reported parental satisfaction with SEMS were obtained from 61 parents of ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy [40 male, 21 female, mean age 10 y 2 mo (SD 3 y 8 mo), mean follow-up 2 y 2 mo]. Postoperative improvements in each subscale of PODCI and FAQ were analyzed, and multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that contributed significantly to postoperative parental satisfaction. Rasch analysis was performed for the PODCI subscale that was clinically relevant. RESULTS: FAQ, transfers/basic mobility, sports/physical activity, and global function subscales of PODCI significantly improved after SEMS. Age, gross motor function classification system level, and the amount of improvement in sports/physical activity subscale were found to affect parental satisfaction to SEMS significantly. However, the subscale showed insufficient item responses, and ceiling and floor effects. CONCLUSIONS: Although changes in sports/physical activity subscale were relatively small, they were found to affect parental satisfaction with SEMS significantly. These indicate that clinicians and researchers should pay attention to sports and physical activities in patients with cerebral palsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic level I.

Issues of concern before single event multilevel surgery in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to identify the issues of concern of parents of patients with cerebral palsy before single event multilevel surgery (SEMS). METHODS: The parental concerns of 64 patients [34 males, 30 females, mean age 15 y and 5 mo (SD 8 y and 10 mo)] with cerebral palsy were obtained using a questionnaire preoperatively. The issues of parental concern were evaluated using 59 items specifically designed for this study. The individual items were scored using a 5-point Likert scale (1 to 5). RESULTS: The top 5 issues of concern were as follows: postoperative rehabilitation, duration of rehabilitation, immediate postoperative pain, general anesthesia, and medical cost. Sporting activities and poor compliance to wearing orthosis were included in the top 5 issues of parental concern in patients with unilateral involvement. The overall parental concern in patients with unilateral involvement was lower than that in bilateral involvement (P=0.054). Parents of younger patients showed significantly higher concern score than those of older patients (P=0.020). There was no significant difference in the overall concern score between the parents of patients scheduled for bony procedures and those of patients scheduled for soft tissue procedures (P=0.298). Multiple regression analysis revealed the patient's age (P=0.018) and responding parent (father vs. mother, P=0.025) to be the factors that significantly affected the overall concern score (adjusted R(2)=0.281). CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of the issues of concern will enhance communication between physicians and parents, which would assist in preoperative discussion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic level II.

Clinical relevance of valgus deformity of proximal femur in cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Proximal femoral deformity related to physis has not been studied in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). This study was performed to investigate the clinical relevance of neck shaft angle (NSA), head shaft angle (HSA), and proximal femoral epiphyseal shape in patients with CP, which represent the deformities of metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis, respectively. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-four patients with CP (mean age 9.1 y, 249 males and 135 females) were included. Extent of involvement and functional states [Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level] were obtained. Radiographic measurements including NSA, HSA, and qualitative shape of the proximal femoral epiphysis were evaluated and analyzed according to extent of involvement and GMFCS level. Reliability and correlation with each measurement were assessed. Multiple regression test was performed to examine the significant contributing factors to migration percentage (MP) that represents hip instability. RESULTS: NSA showed excellent interobserver reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.976. Correlation with the MP was higher in the NSA (r=0.419, P<0.001) than in the HSA (r=0.256, P<0.001). NSA, HSA, and MP tended to increase with increasing GMFCS level, and proportion of valgus deformed proximal femoral epiphysis also increased with increasing GMFCS level, which means valgus deformity and unstable hips in the less favorable functional states. Multiple regression analysis revealed NSA, GMFCS level, and shape of the proximal femoral epiphysis to be significant factors affecting MP. CONCLUSIONS: NSA appeared to be more clinically relevant than HSA in evaluating proximal femoral deformity in patients with CP. Shape of proximal femoral epiphysis is believed to have clinical implications in terms of hip instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic level II.

Tibial torsion in cerebral palsy: validity and reliability of measurement.

UNLABELLED: Physical examinations of tibial torsion are used for preoperative planning and to assess outcomes of tibial osteomy in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). The thigh-foot angle (TFA) and transmalleolar axis (TMA) are commonly used, and the second toe test recently was introduced. However, the validity and reliability of the three methods have not been clarified. This study was performed to evaluate the validity and reliability of these physical measures. We recruited 18 patients (36 limbs) with CP. During reliability sessions, three raters with various levels of orthopaedic experience independently measured tibial torsion using the three different methods during one day before surgery. Validity was assessed by performing a correlation study between physical examination and two-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) findings. Interobserver reliability was greatest for the TMA followed by TFA and then by the second toe test with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.92, 0.74, and 0.57, respectively. In terms of the concurrent validity, the correlation coefficients (r) for the CT measurements were 0.62, 0.52, and 0.55. When depicting tibial torsion by physical examination, all three methods had substantial validity, but test reliability and validity were highest for TMA measurements. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Issues of concern after a single-event multilevel surgery in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to identify issues of concern to parents after single-event multilevel surgery in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Parents' reports of concern were obtained for 72 ambulatory patients with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (group H; mean age 8.7 y) and 170 ambulatory patients with diplegia (group D; mean age 8.9 y), who had undergone single-event multilevel surgery and were followed for more than 1 year (mean follow-up 5.5 y). Data were acquired using a postal survey. Issues of concern to parents were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale (1 to 5) for each of 33 items, which was designed for this study. RESULTS: The top 3 issues of concern after surgery were unequal limb circumference, the operative scar, and recurrence in group H, and the operative scar, play activity, and recurrence in group D. Overall concerns were greater in group D (P=0.001) whereas group H was more concerned about appearance such as unequal leg length and circumference (P=0.001, <0.001). The issue of concern that showed the best correlation with parental satisfaction was the insufficient rehabilitation in group H (r=-0.457, P<0.001) and the improvement in walking ability in group D (r=-0.552, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even though parental concern over insufficient rehabilitation and improvement in walking ability showed the best correlation with parental satisfaction, related issues such as unequal leg circumference and surgical scar scored high, which appear irrelevant to the purpose of the surgical procedures. Parents' understanding should be established regarding surgical outcomes and limitations before single-event multilevel surgery. Clinicians need to pay more attention to potentially treatable issues that cause concern to parents, such as operative scars. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic level 3.

Parental satisfaction after single-event multilevel surgery in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze parent satisfaction and factors affecting that satisfaction with single-event multilevel surgery outcomes in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-nine ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy were enrolled in this study. Parental satisfaction after surgery was evaluated using a visual analog scale (0-10), and the explanatory variables were collected by chart review. RESULTS: Overall mean (SD) satisfaction after surgery was 7.9 (2.0), with mean follow-up of 6.6 years. The parents of patients classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I cerebral palsy were more satisfied than parents of patients classified as GMFCS level II or III cerebral palsy (P = 0.029). Surgical satisfaction was higher for unilaterally involved patients than for bilaterally involved ones (P < 0.001). Multiple regression revealed predictors of satisfaction to be preoperative GMFCS level, diagnosis, age at surgery, and duration of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this data can be used to help predict the level of parental satisfaction when planning single-event multilevel surgery in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-Prognostic studies (investigating the effect of patient characteristic on the outcome of disease).

Two-dimensional computed tomographic measurement of acetabulum--reliability, validity, and limitation.

BACKGROUND: The shape of the dysplastic acetabulum has been generally determined by 2-dimensional computed tomography (CT) measurements (transaxial CT indices), such as the anterior and posterior acetabular indices and acetabular anteversion. However, their reliability and validity in evaluating the acetabular coverage have not been confirmed. METHODS: This study examined the reliability and validity of the transaxial CT indices using 2- and 3-dimensional CT analyses of the acetabulum before and after a Dega osteotomy. Twenty-two acetabuli from 16 patients with cerebral palsy with hip instability were examined. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability tests were performed, and the preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared for the concurrent and construct validity test. RESULTS: The transaxial CT indices revealed substantial intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The concurrent validity of the anterior acetabular and posterior acetabular indices before osteotomy was moderate (r = 0.45, 0.49), whereas the construct validity after osteotomy was low when compared with 3-dimensional methods. CONCLUSION: The transaxial CT indices are reliable and valid for assessing the acetabular coverage in the preoperative status. However, care should be taken when using these indices to assess the outcome of a pelvic-reshaping osteotomy because of their insufficient construct validity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III of diagnostic study.

Anterior knee pain in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for anterior knee pain in patients with cerebral palsy. METHODS: This prospective study investigated the risk factors for anterior knee pain in 127 ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy in terms of walking pain, resting pain, and provocative pain. Demographic data analysis and physical examination for measuring the knee flexion contracture and unilateral and bilateral popliteal angles were performed. Patellar height was measured on radiographs, and patella alta was identified. The risk factors for anterior knee pain were analyzed using multivariate analysis with a generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were found to have patella alta based on the radiographic measurements (60.6%). Overall, sixteen patients (12.6%) had either unilateral or bilateral anterior knee pain. Of these, 6 patients showed a visual analogue scale (VAS) ≤ 3, 9 patients showed 3 < VAS ≤ 7, and one patient showed a VAS > 7. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for walking pain and resting pain with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.14) and 1.09 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.15), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, knee flexion contracture was a significant protective factor with an OR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 12.6% of ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy were found to have anterior knee pain in our hospital-based cohort study. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for anterior knee pain while walking and resting.

Buddy taping: is it a safe method for treatment of finger and toe injuries?

BACKGROUND: Buddy taping is a well known and useful method for treating sprains, dislocations, and other injuries of the fingers or toes. However, the authors have often seen complications associated with buddy taping such as necrosis of the skin, infections, loss of fixation, and limited joint motion. To our knowledge, there are no studies regarding the complications of buddy taping. The purpose of this study was to report the current consensus on treating finger and toe injuries and complications of buddy taping by using a specifically designed questionnaire. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed for this study, which was regarding whether the subjects were prescribed buddy taping to treat finger and toe injuries, reasons for not using it, in what step of injury treatment it was use, indications, complications, kinds of tape for fixation, and special methods for preventing skin injury. Fifty-five surgeons agreed to participate in the study and the survey was performed in a direct interview manner at the annual meetings of the Korean Pediatric Orthopedic Association and Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand, in 2012. RESULTS: Forty-eight surgeons (87%) used buddy taping to treat finger and toe injuries, especially proximal interphalangeal (PIP) injuries of the hand, finger fractures, toe fractures, metacarpophalangeal injuries of the hand, and PIP injuries of the foot. Sixty-five percent of the surgeons experienced low compliance. Forty-five percent of the surgeons observed skin injuries on the adhesive area of the tape, and skin injuries between the injured finger and healthy finger were observed by 45% of the surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds light on the current consensus and complications of buddy taping among physicians. Low compliance and skin injury should be considered when the clinician treats finger and toe injuries by using buddy taping.

Age-related changes in physical examination and gait parameters in normally developing children and adolescents.

This study aimed to examine the correlations between physical examinations and gait kinematics, and age-related changes in 47 normally developing children. Physical examinations were not found to be significantly correlated with kinematics, except for Thomas and Staheli tests. Unilateral and bilateral popliteal angles decreased significantly by 2.2 and 1.6° per annum, and ankle dorsiflexion with knee extension and 90° flexion decreased significantly by 0.7 and 0.8°. Physical examinations and gait parameters might represent different dimensions of gait, and care should be taken when assessing gait problems. Age-related changes should be considered when interpreting physical examination and gait kinematics for surgery.

Incidence patterns of pediatric and adolescent orthopaedic fractures according to age groups and seasons in South Korea: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Fractures which need urgent or emergency treatment are common in children and adolescents. This study investigated the incidence patterns of pediatric and adolescent orthopaedic fractures according to age groups and seasons in South Korea based on population data. METHODS: Data on the number of pediatric and adolescent patients under the age of 18 years who utilized medical services due to fractures were retrieved from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service in South Korea. The data included four upper extremity and two lower extremity fractures according to four age groups (0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-18 years). Incidences of the fractures were calculated as the incidence per 10,000 per year, and patterns according to age groups and seasons were demonstrated. RESULTS: The annual incidence of clavicle, distal humerus, both forearm bone, distal radius, femoral shaft and tibial shaft fractures were 27.5, 34.6, 7.7, 80.1, 2.5, and 9.6 per 10,000 per year in children and adolescents, respectively. Clavicle and distal radius fractures showed significant seasonal variation for all age groups but femoral shaft fracture showed no significant seasonal variation for any of the age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The four upper extremity fractures tended to show greater variations than the two lower extremity fractures in the nationwide database in South Korea. The study results are believed to be helpful in the planning and assignment of medical resources for fracture management in children and adolescents.