Are Generative Pretrained Transformer 4 Responses to Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Clinical Scenarios Universal? An International Review.

OBJECTIVE: There is increasing interest in applying artificial intelligence chatbots like generative pretrained transformer 4 (GPT-4) in the medical field. This study aimed to explore the universality of GPT-4 responses to simulated clinical scenarios of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) across diverse global settings. METHODS: Seventeen international experts with more than 15 years of experience in pediatric orthopaedics were selected for the evaluation panel. Eight simulated DDH clinical scenarios were created, covering 4 key areas: (1) initial evaluation and diagnosis, (2) initial examination and treatment, (3) nursing care and follow-up, and (4) prognosis and rehabilitation planning. Each scenario was completed independently in a new GPT-4 session. Interrater reliability was assessed using Fleiss kappa, and the quality, relevance, and applicability of GPT-4 responses were analyzed using median scores and interquartile ranges. Following scoring, experts met in ZOOM sessions to generate Regional Consensus Assessment Scores, which were intended to represent a consistent regional assessment of the use of the GPT-4 in pediatric orthopaedic care. RESULTS: GPT-4's responses to the 8 clinical DDH scenarios received performance scores ranging from 44.3% to 98.9% of the 88-point maximum. The Fleiss kappa statistic of 0.113 ( P = 0.001) indicated low agreement among experts in their ratings. When assessing the responses' quality, relevance, and applicability, the median scores were 3, with interquartile ranges of 3 to 4, 3 to 4, and 2 to 3, respectively. Significant differences were noted in the prognosis and rehabilitation domain scores ( P < 0.05 for all). Regional consensus scores were 75 for Africa, 74 for Asia, 73 for India, 80 for Europe, and 65 for North America, with the Kruskal-Wallis test highlighting significant disparities between these regions ( P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the promise of GPT-4 in pediatric orthopaedic care, particularly in supporting preliminary DDH assessments and guiding treatment strategies for specialist care. However, effective integration of GPT-4 into clinical practice will require adaptation to specific regional health care contexts, highlighting the importance of a nuanced approach to health technology adaptation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

An Eastern Europe and Middle East multinational expert Delphi consensus study on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip before walking age.

PURPOSE: The incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is higher in Eastern Europeans and Middle Easterners. This study aimed to establish consensus among experts in this geographical area on the management of DDH before walking age. METHODS: Fourteen experienced orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in a four-round online consensus panel by the Delphi method. The questionnaire included 31 statements concerning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DDH before walking age. RESULTS: Consensus was established for 26 (84%) of 31 statements. Hip ultrasonography is the proper diagnostic tool under six months in DDH; universal newborn hip screening between three and six weeks is necessary; positive family history, breech presentation, female gender, and postnatal swaddling are the most important risk factors; Ortolani, Barlow tests, and limitation of abduction are the most important clinical findings; Pavlik harness is the first bracing preference; some Graf type IIa hips and all Graf type IIb and worse hips need abduction bracing treatment; the uppermost age limit for closed and open reductions is 12 months and 12-24 months, respectively; anatomic reduction is essential in closed and open reductions, postoperative MRI or CT is not always indicated; anterior approach open reduction is better than medial approach open reduction; forceful reduction and extreme positioning of the hips (> 60° hip abduction) are the two significant risk factors for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study may be useful for clinicians because a practical reference, based on the opinions of the multinational expert panel, but may not be applicable to all settings is provided.

Significance of Asymmetry of Groin and Thigh Skin Creases in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Revisited: Results of a Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: No high level of scientific evidence exists about the use of asymmetry of skin creases (ASC) on the groin and thigh regions in diagnosing developmental dysplasia of the hip. The aim of this comparative study was to revisit whether or not ASC was a significant clinical finding in developmental dysplasia of the hip. METHODS: This was retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data. Control group was composed of 1000 consecutive healthy infants (mean age, 46.7 d) whose both hips were considered Graf type I (normal). Study group (SG) was composed of 246 consecutive patients (mean age, 96.5 d) whose treatments by abduction bracing were initiated due to unilateral or bilateral Graf type IIa(-) and worse hips. RESULTS: SG included 178 patients with bilateral or unilateral dysplastic hips [Graf type IIa(-), IIb, IIc] and 68 patients with at least 1 decentered hip (Graf type D, III, IV). ASC was seen in 63 of 101 patients (63%) having positive clinical finding(s). The rates of both ASC alone (P<0.001; odds ratio, 3.46) and ASC total (ASC with and without additional findings) (P<0.0001; odds ratio, 7.48) were significantly higher in SG than in control group. ASC was the only clinical finding in 31 patients and 24 of these 31 patients (77%) had unilateral or bilateral dysplastic hips. Sensitivity and specificity of ASC alone were 12.60% and 96.00%, respectively. ASC was accompanied by other clinical findings (mostly Galeazzi sign and limitation of abduction) in 32 patients and 23 of these 32 patients (72%) had at least 1 decentered hip. Sensitivity and specificity of ASC total were 25.61% and 95.60%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ASC is a significant finding, as there is considerable increased risk of having dysplastic or decentered hips in infants having such a finding alone or associated with other findings. ASC alone is more commonly seen in patients with dysplastic hip(s) whereas ASC is mostly accompanied with other clinical finding(s) in patients with decentered hip(s). This study shows that, ASC can be introduced as a risk factor in selected newborn hip screening programs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-diagnostic study.

Success of Pavlik Harness Treatment Decreases in Patients ≥ 4 Months and in Ultrasonographically Dislocated Hips in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) using the Pavlik harness has been a widely used method in patients between 0 and 6 months of age for many years. However, the factors influencing the success rate of this treatment modality have still not exactly been determined as a result of the limited number of clinical studies with higher level of evidence. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We, therefore, asked whether (1) patient-related variables such as age, gender, and laterality; coexisting risk factors including family history, breech presentation, intrauterine packing, first-born girl, oligohydroamnios, and swaddling; and (2) the severity of hip dysplasia, defined by ultrasonography, are associated with differences in the success rate of Pavlik harness treatment in infants with DDH. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2014, we treated 153 children (≤ 6 months of age) with DDH using the Pavlik harness. Hip dysplasia apart from coexisting neuromuscular disorders, congenital abnormalities, or syndromes was our inclusion criteria. Of patients thus treated, 130 (85%) were available for the evaluation of patient- and hip-related variables against the success of Pavlik harness treatment. Mean age of these patients on day of diagnosis and initiation of treatment was 108 days. The diagnostic and followup examinations of the hips were made by ultrasonography using Graf's method. Pavlik harness treatment was initiated in Graf Type IIa- and worse hips and treatment was considered "successful" when a Graf Type I hip was achieved. Pavlik harness treatment was successful in 92 (71%) patients (130 of 181 hips [72%]). RESULTS: Age was the only patient-related variable influencing the success rate of the treatment; the mean age of children in whom Pavlik harness treatment succeeded (97 ± 38 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], 90-112) was lower than the age of those who failed (135 ± 37 days; 95% CI, 123-147; p < 0.001). The highest success rate was obtained in children younger than age 3 months (37 of 40 [93%]) and the lowest one older than age 5 months (nine of 24 [37%]) (p < 0.001). The threshold age value related to an increased risk of failure was found to be 4 months and older, which had a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 77% (p < 0.001). A higher initial α angle was observed in the hips in which the treatment succeeded (53° ± 6°; 95% CI, 51°-53°) than in those that failed (47° ± 7°; 95% CI, 45°-50°; p < 0.001). The threshold α angle value related to an increased risk of treatment failure was 46° and less, which had a sensitivity of 47% and a specificity of 86% (p < 0.001). Dislocated hips (Graf Type III and IV hips) had the lowest rate of treatment success (five of 19 [26%] and two of four [50%], respectively), whereas Graf Type IIa- hips had the highest (27 of 29 [93%]) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Pavlik harness treatment is less effective in children at and over the age of 4 months at the time the harness is first applied as well as in hips with complete dislocations and hips with severely deficient acetabular bony roofs. In such older patients and worse hip types, the use of initial Pavlik harness treatment needs to be revisited. Future studies, comparing the outcomes of the Pavlik harness treatment and other types of interventions in such patients and hip types, are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Evaluation of Labral Pathology and Hip Articular Cartilage in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): Comparison of Multidetector CT Arthrography and MR Arthrography.

BACKGROUND: To compare the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) arthrography (CTa) and magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography (MRa) findings with surgical findings in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these methods. MATERIAL/METHODS: Labral pathology and articular cartilage were prospectively evaluated with MRa and CTa in 14 hips of 14 patients. The findings were evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists with 10 and 20 years of experience, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value were determined using surgical findings as the standard of reference. RESULTS: While the disagreement between observers was recorded in two cases of labral tearing with MRa, there was a complete consensus with CTa. Disagreement between observers was found in four cases of femoral cartilage loss with both MRa and CTa. Disagreement was also recorded in only one case of acetabular cartilage loss with both methods. The percent sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for correctly assessing the labral tearing were as follows for MRa/CTa, respectively: 100/100, 50/100, 86/100 (p<0.05). The same values for acetabular cartilage assessment were 89/56, 40/60, 71/71 (p>0.05) and for femoral cartilage assessment were 100/75, 90/70, 86/71 (p>0.05). Inter-observer reliability value showed excellent agreement for labral tearing with CTa (κ=1.0). Inter-observer agreement was substantial to excellent with regard to acetabular cartilage assessment with MRa and CTa (κ=0.76 for MRa and κ=0.86 for CTa). CONCLUSIONS: Inter-observer reliability with CTa is excellent for labral tearing assessment. CTa seems to have an equal sensitivity and a higher specificity than MRa for the detection of labral pathology. MRa is better, but not statistically significantly, in demonstrating acetabular and femoral cartilage pathology.

A Delphi consensus study on the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: Considerable consensus in mild and moderate slips and limited consensus in severe slips.

Purpose: The aim of this expert consensus study was to establish consensus on the treatment of different types of slipped capital femoral epiphysis and on the use of prophylactic screw fixation of the contralateral unaffected side. Methods: In this study, a four-round Delphi method was used. Questionnaires including all possible theoretical slip scenarios were sent online to 14 participants, experienced in the field of children's orthopedics and in the treatment of hip disorders in children. Results: In-situ fixation was considered to be the first treatment choice in all types of mild slip scenarios and in moderate, stable ones. Performing in-situ fixation was not favored in moderate, unstable, and in all severe slip scenarios. In moderate to severe, unstable slip scenarios, there was consensus on the use of gentle closed or open reduction and internal fixation. Any consensus was not established in the optimal treatment of severe, stable slips. There was also consensus on the use of prophylactic screw fixation of the contralateral side in case of co-existing endocrine disorder and younger age. Conclusions: The establishment of consensus on the treatment of all types of slipped capital femoral epiphysis even among the experienced surgeons does not seem to be possible. The severity of the slip and stability of the slip are the primary and secondary determinants of the surgeons' treatment choices, respectively. In-situ fixation is still the preferred treatment option in several slip types. Gentle capital realignment by closed or open means is recommended in displaced, unstable slips. Prophylactic screw fixation of the contralateral side is indicated under certain circumstances. Level of evidence: level V.

Six years of experience with the nationwide newborn ultrasonographic hip screening program in Turkey: a considerable change in the type of surgical interventions in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

This study aims to assess whether the nationwide newborn ultrasonographic hip screening program has influenced the rate of different types of surgical interventions performed in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children in Turkey. A retrospective analysis of the nationwide data obtained from the National Registry System between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, was carried out. The rate of minor and major surgical interventions was calculated by dividing the total number of primary closed/open reductions with or without tenotomies and the total number of primary pelvic or periacetabular osteotomies with or without femoral osteotomies by the total number of live births in the country per year, respectively. The rates of primary minor surgical interventions were found to be 0.47/1000 in 2015, 0.71/1000 in 2016, 1.07/1000 in 2017, 1.00/1000 in 2018, 1.06/1000 in 2019, and 0.89/1000 in 2020. The rates of primary major surgical intervention were found to be 0.74/1000 in 2015, 0.40/1000 in 2016, 0.33/1000 in 2017, 0.31/1000 in 2018, 0.32/1000 in 2019, and 0.21/1000 in 2020. The introduction of the nationwide newborn hip screening program has significantly changed the surgical treatment modalities in children with DDH. A nearly twofold increase in the rate of primary closed/open reduction and hip spica casting and nearly a three-quarter decrease in the rate of primary bony procedures were observed within 6 years.

Management preferences of orthopedic surgeons in developmental dysplasia of the hip under 1 year of age in Türkiye: Results of a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment preferences of orthopedic surgeons in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) cases under the age of 1 in Türkiye with a higher incidence of DDH, estimated to be around 5-15 per 1000 live births. METHODS: This was a nationwide cross-sectional survey. A link for the online survey, including 16 multiple-choice questions, was sent to the email group of the National Orthopedic Society. RESULTS: Among 233 filled-out surveys, 211 met the inclusion criteria. Half of the participants had experience of <10 years as orthopedic surgeons, managed <25% of pediatric patients in daily practice, and treated <25 DDH cases per year before walking age. Ninety-seven percent used more than one method, hip ultrasound the most common, for exact diagnosis of DDH under 6 months. Pavlik harness was the most commonly preferred brace, but the use of Tübingen orthosis increased among experienced surgeons. The uppermost age limit for bracing was higher in surgeons dealing with more pediatric patients and treating more DDH cases. Dislocated hips and hips requiring closed/open reduction were more commonly referred to other surgeons by less experienced surgeons in terms of years, number of pediatric patients, and treated DDH cases per year. The lowest age limit for intervention under general anesthesia was lower in surgeons treating >25 DDH cases per year. Over one-third used both anterior and medial approach open reduction, but a trend to anterior open reduction alone was more evident in surgeons treating >50 DDH cases per year. More experienced surgeons were more prone to check the intraoperative reduction with postoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis and treatment ages of DDH cases did not significantly change during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Management preferences of orthopedic surgeons in DDH before walking age primarily depend on the rate of pediatric patients in daily practice and the number of treated DDH cases per year.

Evaluation of experienced surgeons' decisions regarding the need for secondary surgery in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate experienced surgeons' decisions regarding the need for secondary surgery in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) at 5 to 7 years of age. METHODS: We selected 21 hips from 17 patients who had mid-term and skeletally mature radiographs and who had neither had complications nor secondary surgery until skeletal maturity after having an initial soft tissue surgery for DDH before the age of 18 months. Twenty experienced orthopaedic surgeons evaluated the mid-term follow-up radiographs of these hips in terms of their need for secondary surgery. RESULTS: On the basis of management grading of the observers at mid-term follow-up, the risk of unnecessary surgical management was 12% in hips that would eventually be normal at skeletal maturity. The risk of not performing needed surgery was 40% in hips that would eventually become dysplastic at skeletal maturity. Experience of the surgeons in terms of years had no significant effect on the management decisions. The center-edge angle, the acetabular index angle (AIA), percentage of femoral head coverage, Shenton line, and the acetabular angle of Sharp were the 5 most commonly used radiographic parameters at mid-term follow-up to assess whether a secondary surgery would be needed. Center-edge angle, AIA, femoral head coverage, and Shenton line correlated, whereas the acetabular angle did not significantly correlate with surgeons' quantitative management decisions on the basis of mid-term radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced surgeons are more likely to opt for nonoperative management in hips that show no ischemic changes or instability at 5 to 7 years of age even in the presence of slightly abnormal radiographic measurements. AIA is considered the best radiographic parameter for making decisions regarding the need for secondary surgery in DDH at 5 to 7 years of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II prognostic study.

Inherited thrombophilia may be a causative factor for osteonecrosis of femoral head in male patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip: a case series.

PURPOSE: The aim of this case series was to assess the effect of two common causes of inherited thrombophilia, factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin mutation (PTM) on the development of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) following the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). METHODS: FVL and PTM analysis of 58 patients (45 females and 13 males; mean age 12.2 years) with ONFH due to DDH treatment was done. RESULTS: Rate of inherited thrombophilia (FVL plus PTM) was 15.5 %. Inherited thrombophilia was nearly four times higher in male patients than in female patients and this difference was mainly due to FVL (P < 0.05). This finding was against the common belief that, coagulation abnormalities were equally distributed across the sexes in normal population. Rates of overall inherited thrombophilia, FVL and PTM were not correlated with the type of ONFH (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hereditary thrombophilia, especially FVL, may be one of the causative factors for the development of ONFH following DDH treatment in male patients. Further prospective, controlled studies are needed to undoubtedly enlighten this issue.

Treatment preferences of orthopedic surgeons for closed, isolated middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures without neurovascular injury in children: A cross- sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the treatment trends and the factors influencing the treatment methods of Orthopaedic Surgeons in closed, isolated, middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures without any neurovascular injury in children. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional electronic survey of Turkish Orthopaedic Surgeons who were active members of the Turkish Society of Children's Orthopaedics (TSCO) and still managing the children's fractures in their daily clinical practice. An initial e-mail including the electronic survey followed by three reminder e-mails was sent to 110 members, and then reminder telephone calls were made. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 66/110 (60%). In recent years, a definitive trend to surgical treatment was not seen 98%, 77%, 39%, and 88% of the responders in the closed humerus, forearm, femur, and tibia mid-shaft fractures, respectively. Neither the years of expertise nor the intensity of daily pediatric patients of the participants did not affect the treatment trend in any fracture scenarios. The patient's age was the most cited factor influencing the responders' decisions on whether conservative or surgical treatment would be performed in each fracture scenario. The most cited lowest age limits for surgical treatment inclosed mid-shaft fractures of the humerus, forearm, femur, and tibia, were the adolescent age group, 10-12 years, six years, and ten years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study assessing the daily clinical practice of members of TSCO in the management of closed, isolated, non- complicated middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures in children just before the covid-19 pandemic started. A marked tendency toward surgical treatment is seen in femur mid-shaft fractures, followed by forearm mid-shaft fractures up to a certain level. The patient's age is the main determinant of the responders' decisions on the type of treatment in closed, isolated, non-complicated middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures in children.

Significant Assessment Discrepancies Occur Between the Examiners Having and Not Having Further Special Hands-on Course Trainings in Infantile Hip Ultrasonography by the Graf Method.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this retrospective diagnostic study was to investigate whether or not assessment variabilities occurred in hip ultrasonography (US) by the Graf method between the examiners having (CC) and not having (NoCC) additional special hands-on course trainings by the authorized trainers. METHODOLOGY: Randomly selected 270 hip sonograms of 135 babies were independently assessed by CC and NoCC according to the Graf method. RESULTS: An inconsistency between CC and NoCC regarding the US diagnosis was seen in 128 hips (47%). This was mainly due to the fact that CC considered 120 of 128 sonograms unusable according to the checklist of the Graf's examination technique. Probe tilting errors followed by non-visualization of lower limb of os ilium as well as of chondroosseous junction were the most noticed technical problems by CC. There was a significant difference between CC and NoCC concerning the measurement of beta angle. This was mainly due to discordance between the groups about identifying the "bony rim" point. CONCLUSION: Significant hip US image assessment variabilities exist between the examiners having further trainings by the authorized trainers in special hands-on courses and the examiners having no further trainings in special hands-on courses in the Graf method. The findings of this study may emphasize the importance of training the hip US practitioners in the special hands-on courses for providing a standard clinical practice as well as for avoiding the assessment variabilities between the examiners in the Graf method.

Percutaneous release for trigger thumbs in children: improvements of the technique and results of 31 thumbs.

PURPOSE: Trigger thumb is a relatively uncommon condition in children. If it occurs or persists after 1 year of age, surgical release is the most traditional treatment method. The aim of this prospective study is to describe a technique for the percutaneous release of trigger thumb and to assess the clinical outcome of the presented technique in the pediatric age group. METHODS: This study includes 31 thumbs of 26 consecutive children with a mean age of 2.6 years. An 18-gauge needle that was connected to 10-cc saline filled syringe was used as the surgical instrument for release. Contrary to the earlier reports, the A1pulley was cut from distal pole of the Notta nodule towards the proximal direction. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 2.5 years. A successful release without any complication was obtained in all (97% of thumbs) but 1 thumb. Recurrence was seen in only 1 thumb at postoperative 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: The presented minimal invasive surgical procedure has a high rate of satisfactory outcome, a minimal rate of complications, and a high rate of parent satisfaction. As percutaneous release has satisfactory and encouraging results, it can be a preferred method by the parents for trigger thumb release. STUDY LEVEL: III.

Tendency towards operative treatment is increasing in children's fractures: results obtained from patient databases, causes, impact of evidence-based medicine.

Results of numerous studies assessing the national or the local patient databases in several countries have indicated that the overall rate of operative treatment in fractures, as well as the rate in certain upper and lower limb fractures, has significantly increased in children. The most prominent increase in the rate of operative treatment was observed in forearm shaft fractures.Results of several survey studies have revealed that there was not a high level of agreement among paediatric orthopaedic surgeons concerning treatment preferences for several children's fractures.The reasons for the increasing tendency towards operative treatment are multifactorial and patient-, parent- and surgeon-dependent factors as well as technological, economic, social, environmental and legal factors seem to have an impact on this trend.It is obvious that evidence-based medicine is not the only factor that leads to this tendency. A high level of scientific evidence is currently lacking to support the statement that operative treatment really leads to better long-term outcomes in children's fractures. Properly designed multicentre clinical trials are needed to determine the best treatment options in many fractures in children. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:347-353. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200012.

High-dose vitamin C supplementation accelerates the Achilles tendon healing in healthy rats.

INTRODUCTION: This experimental study was performed to assess, whether or not, vitamin C, required during the collagen synthesis, would influence the Achilles tendon healing in a healthy rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The right Achilles tendons of 42 healthy female Wistar Albino rats were completely ruptured. The rats were randomly divided into the vitamin C and control groups and both groups included third, tenth and twenty-first day subgroups. One hundred and fifty milligrams (1.5 cc) of vitamin C and 1.5 cc % 0.9 NaCl were injected once for every 2 days for the vitamin C and control groups, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative microscopic comparisons of the repair tissues of both groups were made on the mentioned days. RESULTS: Angiogenesis was more evident on the third day in the vitamin C group. There was a significant difference between the control and vitamin C groups regarding the type I collagen production on the tenth day. The structure of the repair tissue was almost in the form of regular dense connective tissue at the end of twenty-first day in the vitamin C group. Mean collagen fiber diameter was considerably higher, and the number of active fibroblasts in the repair tissue was slightly elevated in the vitamin C group during the entire healing process. CONCLUSION: High-dose vitamin C supplementation once for every 2 days has stimulating effects on the Achilles tendon healing because of early angiogenesis and increased collagen synthesis in a healthy rat model. Further studies are needed to make clear the mentioned encouraging effects of the vitamin C on the Achilles tendon healing.

Botulinum toxin type A injection increases range of motion in hip, knee and ankle joint contractures of children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of children with spastic type cerebral palsy (CP) treated with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection for lower limb contracture and the influence of age, gender, functional level and degree of initial contracture on treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical records at pre-BoNT-A injection and post-BoNT-A injections of 153 sessions of a total of 118 consecutive children (67 boys, 51 girls; mean age 5.9±2.6 years; range, 2.5-16 years) were retrospectively evaluated. Degrees of pre- and post-injection contracture were evaluated. Post-injection supplemental casting for 10 days was recorded in all cases. Less than 20° of hip flexion contracture, more than 30° of hip abduction, a negative prone Ely test, less than 50° of popliteal angle and at least 5° of ankle dorsiflexion values at post-injection were accepted as sufficient clinical improvement. RESULTS: Sufficient post-injection range of motion (ROM) was observed in 80% of cases with hip flexion contracture, in 45% of cases with hip adduction contracture, in 84% of cases with knee flexion contracture and in 77% of cases with ankle equinus contracture. Prone Ely test that was positive in 60% of cases with knee extension contracture was negative at post-injection. Improvement in contractures were prominent in children with lesser degree initial contractures. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin type A injection increases ROM in hip, knee and ankle joint contractures in CP. Although age, gender and functional level may influence the clinical outcomes, pre-treatment level of contracture is the main determinant in improvement in ROM at post-injection.

Ipsilateral teratologic high hip dislocation, femoral hypoplasia and below-knee hemimelia associated with contralateral fibular hemimelia: report of a case with functional result.

In this case report, we present a patient with right teratologic high hip dislocation, femoral hypoplasia and below-knee hemimelia associated with left fibular hemimelia. Combined open reduction, proximal femoral osteotomy and a Dega acetabuloplasty were performed in the right hip. Closed tibial wedge osteotomy and centralization of the foot with lateral release and Achilles tendon lengthening were performed for the left side. The patient was able to walk with her prosthesis successfully within the first six postoperative months.

Basic principles of fracture treatment in children.

This review aims to summarize the basic treatment principles of fractures according to their types and general management principles of special conditions including physeal fractures, multiple fractures, open fractures, and pathologic fractures in children. Definition of the fracture is needed for better understanding the injury mechanism, planning a proper treatment strategy, and estimating the prognosis. As the healing process is less complicated, remodeling capacity is higher and non-union is rare, the fractures in children are commonly treated by non-surgical methods. Surgical treatment is preferred in children with multiple injuries, in open fractures, in some pathologic fractures, in fractures with coexisting vascular injuries, in fractures which have a history of failed initial conservative treatment and in fractures in which the conservative treatment has no/little value such as femur neck fractures, some physeal fractures, displaced extension and flexion type humerus supracondylar fractures, displaced humerus lateral condyle fractures, femur, tibia and forearm shaft fractures in older children and adolescents and unstable pelvis and acetabulum fractures. Most of the fractures in children can successfully be treated by non-surgical methods.

Open reduction and internal fixation in AO type C distal humeral fractures using olecranon osteotomy: Functional and clinical results.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the outcomes of patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with olecranon osteotomy due to AO type13C fractures of the distal humerus. METHODS: Data of 39 patients (mean age, 44.7 years; males, 56.4%) undergoing surgery with the diagnosis of AO type 13C distal humeral fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Patients' demographic characteristics, medical history, and radiological and functional outcomes were recorded. The patients were evaluated at the final follow-up according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI). RESULTS: The mean degrees of flexion and extension loss were 102.2 degrees (range, 60-120 degrees) and 11.4 degrees (range, 0-25 degrees), respectively, at the final follow-up. According to the MEPI score, outcomes were excellent in seven, good in 12, fair in 13, and poor in seven patients. All patients achieved a radiological union of the fracture site within the first postoperative six months. It was found that the loss of extension was more severe, the range of flexion was decreased, and the mean MEPI score was lower in the patients with type C3 fractures than in those with type C1 and type C2 fractures. No significant difference was determined between fixation techniques (tension band vs. cannulated screw) regarding the functional outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed better prognosis in AO type C1 and type C2 fractures than in AO type C3 fractures and no different effects of two fixation techniques in olecranon osteotomy on the outcomes.