Prospective evaluation of parental anxiety related to newborn foot disorder.

PURPOSE: The presence of a clubfoot is often found prenatally and some families seek counselling with a specialist. The purpose of this study was to compare the parental anxiety levels in families that: a) knew prenatally and had prenatal counselling; b) knew prenatally but did not seek prenatal counselling; and c) did not know until after delivery. METHODS: This prospective cohort study evaluated the anxiety of parents as they presented to the paediatric orthopaedic clinic with their newborn with a foot disorder (prior to the diagnostic confirmation of clubfoot). Each family filled out the 'Pre-visit orthopaedic surgeon questionnaire' and then after the initial visit with the orthopaedic surgeon (confirming the clubfoot diagnosis) the family filled out the 'Immediately post-visit orthopaedic surgeon questionnaire'. Through these questionnaires, anxiety level was assessed prior to meeting postnatally with the paediatric orthopaedic specialist, as well as after the meeting and compared across groups. RESULTS: A total of 121 parents completed questionnaires: 71% (86/121) confirmed clubfoot; 69% of families (59/86) received prenatal counselling (Group A); 16% (14/86) knew prenatally but had no counselling (Group B); and 15% (13/86) found out at birth (Group C). There was no difference in anxiety levels across groups before (p = 0.78) or after (p = 0.57) meeting with the paediatric orthopaedic surgeon; however, overall anxiety reduced significantly (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found no difference in the anxiety levels of across the three groups. Prenatal counselling for parents of children with likely clubfoot may not decrease parental anxiety, but nonetheless is very appreciated by the families who receive it. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II.

Clubfoot relapse: does presentation differ based on age at initial relapse?

PURPOSE: Treatment of idiopathic clubfoot with the Ponseti method is now standard, but predicting relapse can be difficult. Most experts recommend bracing to the age of four years, but this can be challenging for families, and may not be necessary in all patients. The purpose of this study is to compare patterns of bracing and age of relapse to help determine if predictable patterns exist. METHODS: The 70 patients with idiopathic clubfoot treated initially with the Ponseti technique who had relapse of their clubfoot were identified. Relapse was defined as a return to casting or surgery due to recurrent deformity. Data collected included demographics, treatment and brace adherence. Patients who sustained initial relapse before the age of two years were compared with those who sustained initial relapse after the age of two years. RESULTS: In total 56% (39/70) had their initial relapse prior to age two years while 44% (31/70) were after age two years. Of the patients who relapsed prior to the age of two years, 28% (11/39) were adherent with bracing while 72% were non--adherent. For patients who initially relapsed after age two, 74% (23/31) were adherent with bracing while 26% were non-adherent (p < 0.001). Of those who had initial -relapse -prior to age two, a subsequent relapse was seen in 69% (27/39). CONCLUSION: Patients with idiopathic clubfoot who experienced recurrence prior to age two years are significantly more likely to be non-adherent with bracing than those who sustain recurrence after age two. After initial relapse prior to age two, bracing adherence does not affect likelihood of subsequent recurrence.

Physeal arrest about the knee associated with non-physeal fractures in the lower extremity.

The cases of seven patients who had a physeal arrest about the knee in association with nonphyseal fractures in the lower extremity were reviewed. The patients were between ten and twelve and one-half years old at the time of injury, and the physeal arrest involved either the posterolateral part of the distal femoral physis or the anterior part of the proximal tibial physis. There was no evidence of iatrogenic trauma to the physis. Recognition of the physeal injury was delayed for an average of one year and ten months until a gross angular deformity appeared. Adolescents who have fractures of the lower extremities that do not appear to involve a physeal plate should nevertheless be evaluated and followed for possible physeal injury about the knee that can be detected only after additional growth has taken place.

Differentiating between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children: an evidence-based clinical prediction algorithm.

BACKGROUND: A child who has an acutely irritable hip can pose a diagnostic challenge. The purposes of this study were to determine the diagnostic value of presenting variables for differentiating between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children and to develop an evidence-based clinical prediction algorithm for this differentiation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of children who were evaluated at a major tertiary-care children's hospital between 1979 and 1996 because of an acutely irritable hip. Diagnoses of true septic arthritis, presumed septic arthritis, and transient synovitis were explicitly defined on the basis of the white blood-cell count in the joint fluid, the results of cultures of joint fluid and blood, and the clinical course. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to compare groups. A probability algorithm for differentiation between septic arthritis and transient synovitis on the basis of independent multivariate predictors was constructed and tested. RESULTS: Patients who had septic arthritis differed significantly (p < 0.05) from those who had transient synovitis with regard to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum white blood-cell count and differential, weight-bearing status, history of fever, temperature, evidence of effusion on radiographs, history of chills, history of recent antibiotic use, hematocrit, and gender. Patients who had true septic arthritis differed significantly (p < 0.05) from those who had presumed septic arthritis with regard to history of recent antibiotic use, history of chills, temperature, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, history of fever, gender, and serum white blood-cell differential. Four independent multivariate clinical predictors were identified to differentiate between septic arthritis and transient synovitis: history of fever, non-weight-bearing, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of at least forty millimeters per hour, and serum white blood-cell count of more than 12,000 cells per cubic millimeter (12.0 x 10(9) cells per liter). The predicted probability of septic arthritis was determined for all sixteen combinations of these four predictors and is summarized as less than 0.2 percent for zero predictors, 3.0 percent for one predictor, 40.0 percent for two predictors, 93.1 percent for three predictors, and 99.6 percent for four predictors. The chi-square test for trend and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve indicated excellent diagnostic performance of this group of multivariate predictors in identifying septic arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Although several variables differed significantly between the group that had septic arthritis and the group that had transient synovitis, substantial overlap in the intermediate ranges made differentiation difficult on the basis of individual variables alone. However, by combining variables, we were able to construct a set of independent multivariate predictors that, together, had excellent diagnostic performance in differentiating between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children.

Varus derotation osteotomy in the treatment of persistent dysplasia in congenital dislocation of the hip.

We have attempted to define the indications for and limitations of varus derotation osteotomy in the treatment of persistent dysplasia in congenital dislocation of the hip. We studied the cases of thirty-four patients (forty-four hips) who were divided into three groups according to age at operation, and evaluated the influence of femoral remodeling, age, acetabular response, instability, and pre-existing avascular necrosis with respect to the final results. The length of follow-up ranged from five to twenty-two years. Rapid return to a valgus femoral neck-shaft angle by remodeling was not a cause of failure in any age group. There were consistently good results in the patients who were less than four years old at the time of operation. Acetabular correction by remodeling occurred through the age of eight years, but four of thirteen hips in patients who were between the ages of four and eight showed persistent dysplasia despite the operative procedure. The results were less predictable as the patients approached the age of eight years. There was no benefit from isolated femoral osteotomy in ten of eleven hips in patients who were older than eight. Pre-existing avascular necrosis appeared to compromise the results of the procedure in all age groups.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. A quantitative analysis of motion, gait, and femoral remodeling after in situ fixation.

A prospective clinical study was done for quantitative examination of motion of the hip, gait, and proximal femoral remodeling after in situ fixation of a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. In situ fixation was performed in forty-five consecutively treated patients (fifty-six hips). Thirty-nine (87 per cent) of the patients returned for examination two years after treatment. The greatest percentage of motion of the hip returned within six months after treatment. Despite loss of internal rotation of the hip, the mean foot-progression angle was 10.8 degrees. Radiography and computerized tomographic scanning revealed minimum change in the relationship of the femoral head to the femoral shaft and no change in the neck-shaft angle. Motion returned despite minimum osseous remodeling. The early return of motion (in the first three months) may have been due to relief of pain, spasm, and synovitis, while soft-tissue stretching and resorption of bone in the anterolateral part of the femoral neck may have accounted for the remainder of the increase in internal rotation.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis. Association with vertebra plana.

In seven children who had chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, the radiographic and histological findings were consistent with those of osteomyelitis, but the results of cultures were negative. We studied the clinical, radiographic, histological, and microbiological findings in these patients, who had a total of thirty-nine lesions. The lesions occurred most frequently in the spine, tibia, and femur; three patients had vertebra plana. The natural history of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis appears to be slow, spontaneous resolution of the osseous lesions without specific treatment. The diagnosis is one of exclusion. Biopsy is recommended, and results of cultures must be negative before therapy with antibiotics can be withheld.

The function of the quadriceps muscle after a fracture of the femur in patients who are less than seventeen years old.

Thirty-three patients who had been managed for an isolated, closed fracture of the femoral shaft when they were less than seventeen years old were examined at an average of thirty-three months (range, eighteen to fifty-six months) after the injury. Thirteen patients (39 per cent) had a persistent deficit in the strength of the quadriceps of the fractured limb, as identified on testing with a Cybex-II isokinetic dynamometer. Six patients (18 per cent) had a deficit according to the one-leg-hop for distance test, fourteen (42 per cent) had an average loss of ten millimeters in the circumference of the thigh, and sixteen (48 per cent) had an average loss of 10 degrees of flexion of the knee. The etiological factors that were thought to possibly be responsible for the weakness of the quadriceps were evaluated. The amount of maximum displacement of the fracture, as seen on the initial radiographs, was the only factor that was significant for the prediction of weakness of the quadriceps (p = 0.006) at both test speeds of the Cybex dynamometer and in all statistical analyses. Despite the persistent weakness of the quadriceps, none of the patients had a clinical problem at the latest follow-up examination. A subclinical deficit in the strength of the quadriceps may be related to damage sustained by the muscle at the time of the fracture. On the basis of the results of this study, we do not recommend a change from the traditional methods of treatment, which involve early application of a spica cast or use of traction followed by application of a spica cast.

The association of femoral retroversion with slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

We examined twenty-five patients who had a unilateral or bilateral slip of the capital femoral epiphysis and determined the degree of anteversion of the thirty-nine involved hips with computerized axial tomography. Thirteen patients (eighteen hips) were seen at the time of the original diagnosis (Group I), and twelve patients (twenty-one hips) were seen one to seven years after operative treatment (Group II). The mean amount of anteversion for all of the involved hips was +1.0 +/- 8.2 degrees. The mean amount of anteversion for the Group-I hips was -0.7 +/- 7.4 degrees and the mean amount for the Group-II hips was 2.5 +/- 8.7 degrees. The mean amount of anteversion for the hips in both Groups I and II was less than the predicted mean amount for individuals of the same age. The mean amount of anteversion of the unaffected hips of our patients who had a unilateral slip was +6.3 +/- 8.2 degrees. The amount of internal rotation of the hip in extension exceeded the amount when it was in flexion in all of the patients. A decreased angle of femoral anteversion appears to be specifically associated with the development of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The mechanical forces that act across the proximal femoral physis may be altered by this rotational abnormality, and this may lead to an increased shear stress that ultimately causes failure of the growth plate.

Spinal deformity associated with neurenteric cysts in children.

STUDY DESIGN: Neurenteric cysts are uncommon lesions originating from the primitive foregut that may involve adjacent vertebrae and spinal cord. Little is known regarding the natural history of these cysts and associated spinal deformity in children. Five patients with these cysts managed at the authors' institution from 1955 to 1993 were reviewed. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this retrospective review was to determine the natural history of these cysts in children, and to assess the surgical management in each of the five patients. METHODS: Medical charts and radiographic records were reviewed and, when possible, the patients were re-evaluated clinically. RESULTS: All patients had significant anterior vertebral defects, and four had severe kyphosis at presentation. Major complications occurred in three of the four patients treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic complications of surgical management of these cysts can be limited by combined anterior and posterior approaches, providing the most complete exposure and maximal stabilization of the associated deformity.

Orthopaedic aspects of child abuse.

Increased awareness of child abuse has led to better understanding of this complex problem. However, the annual incidence of abuse is estimated at 15 to 42 cases per 1,000 children and appears to be increasing. More than 1 million children each year are the victims of substantiated abuse or neglect, and more than 1,200 children die each year as a result of abuse. The diagnosis of child abuse is seldom easy to make and requires a careful consideration of sociobehavioral factors and clinical findings. Because manifestations of physical abuse involve the entire child, a thorough history and a complete examination are essential. Fractures are the second most common presentation of physical abuse after skin lesions, and approximately one third of abused children will eventually be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon. Thus, it is essential that the orthopaedist have an understanding of the manifestations of physical abuse, to increase the likelihood of recognition and appropriate management. There is no pathognomonic fracture pattern in abuse. Rather, the age of the child, the overall injury pattern, the stated mechanism of injury, and pertinent psychosocial factors must all be considered in each case. Musculoskeletal injury patterns suggestive of nonaccidental injury include certain metaphyseal lesions in young children, multiple fractures in various stages of healing, posterior rib fractures, and long-bone fractures in children less than 2 years old. Skeletal surveys and bone scintigraphy with follow-up radiography may be of benefit in cases of suspected abuse of younger children. The differential diagnosis of abuse includes other conditions that may cause fractures, such as true accidental injury, osteogenesis imperfecta, and metabolic bone disease. Management should be multidisciplinary, with the key being recognition, because abused children have a substantial risk of repeated abuse and death.

Tendon injuries about the ankle.

The proper treatment of tendinous ankle injuries will yield a strong, stable joint. Generally, athletes can expect to return to their preinjury athletic level. Tendon strain or inflammation, either from a single incident or simple overuse, requires prolonged conservative therapy. Tendon rupture should be approached aggressively to insure a powerful, stable ankle.

Self-administered nitrous oxide for fracture reduction in children in an emergency room setting.

Analgesia using a self-administered mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen (Nitronox) was evaluated prospectively in 22 children undergoing closed reduction of fractures in the emergency room. The majority of these patients underwent reduction of forearm fractures. When the children were asked about pain after the procedures, 12 (60%) recalled no pain, 7 (35%) minimal pain, and 1 (5%) moderate pain. None recalled severe pain. Eleven (52%) of the patients had minimal pain, 8 (38%) had moderate pain, and 2 (10%) had no pain, as judged by an emergency room physician. None had severe pain. There were no complications and the ease of administration was remarkable. We conclude that N2O:O2 in a 50:50 mixture provides very effective, safe analgesia for fracture reduction in the emergency room setting.

Osteochondroma formation after a Salter II fracture.

Osteochondromas are one of the most commonly observed benign bone tumors. Although there have been a number of experimental studies carried out to determine the origin of osteochondromas, their etiology remains a controversial issue. A well-documented case is presented in which a displaced Salter-Harris type II physeal fracture preceded the development of an osteochondroma.

Flexon-type Salter-Harris I injury of the proximal tibial epiphysis.

The authors report a case of a flexion-type epiphyseal separation of the proximal tibia. The injury described herein is a displaced Salter-Harris type I injury. Literature pertaining to this rare injury is reviewed, and management options are discussed.

Management of vascular injuries in displaced supracondylar humerus fractures without arteriography.

One hundred forty-three displaced (type III) supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children were treated over a 5.5-year period with 17 (11.9%) having signs of vascular impairment at the time of presentation. Rapid reduction and Kirschner wire stabilization without arteriogram was performed in each case. In three cases in which satisfactory blood supply to the hand was not present after reduction, circulation was restored after exploration of the brachial artery revealed two intimal tears and one arterial entrapment. The remaining 14 patients were normal at follow-up with no late vascular compromise. Based on these findings, we feel prereduction arteriography is not indicated in this injury.

Percutaneous pinning of supracondylar fractures of the humerus.

Percutaneous pinning following closed reduction of supracondylar fractures is a preferred technique for management of type III injuries. If there is no pulse, rapid closed reduction with percutaneous fixation should be done. No arteriogram is indicated before treatment. Nerve damage is not a contraindication to this procedure but should be documented prior to surgery. The duration of immobilization is three to four weeks, with pins left protruding through the skin, to be removed in the office. Complications of vascular insufficiency and cubitus varus can be avoided with this technique.

Tendon injuries about the ankle.

The proper treatment of tendinous ankle injuries will yield a strong, stable joint. Generally, athletes can expect to return to their preinjury athletic level. Tendon strain or inflammation, either from a single incident or simple overuse, requires prolonged conservative therapy. Tendon rupture should be approached aggressively to insure a powerful, stable ankle.

Wagner multiple K-wire osteosynthesis to correct coxa vara in the young child: experience with a versatile 'tailor-made' high angle blade plate equivalent.

In 1978, Wagner described a technique using multiple Kirschner wires (K-wires) to stabilize an intertrochanteric osteotomy performed for the correction of coxa vara in small children. Multiple K-wires are used to create a custom high-angle blade plate for valgus osteotomy. The authors have evaluated a retrospective series of 17 Wagner intertrochanteric osteotomies that were performed in 10 children with coxa vara between the ages of 1 year and 8 years. The neck-shaft angle was corrected from 93.5 degrees to 129.5 degrees at long-term follow-up, and the Hilgenreiner epiphyseal angle was corrected from 71 degrees to 37.6 degrees at long-term follow-up. Revision surgery was performed on five hips with inadequate initial surgical correction. Complications included a single broken K-wire, a femur fracture after hardware removal, and one hip developed avascular necrosis postoperatively.

Hematogenous osteomyelitis. Untangling the diagnostic confusion.

Hematogenous osteomyelitis is a disease of children which if diagnosed accurately and treated promptly will result in neither loss of life nor loss of function. Aggressive aspiration and biopsy yields a high rate of positive cultures. Oral antibiotics have a role in the treatment of osteomyelitis if monitoring can assure bactericidal levels and if 100% compliance is insured. Aggressive aspiration and biopsy to increase diagnostic accuracy is an important aspect of therapy.