Critical review of the classification and treatment of pediatric pelvic fractures.

BACKGROUND: Historically most pediatric pelvic fractures were treated non-operatively because of the presumed potential of the pediatric pelvis to remodel and the subsequent increased fracture stability. Currently a wide variety of classifications in pediatric pelvic fractures is used to assess fracture stability and guide treatment, yet none have proven to be ideal since the structural behavior of the pediatric pelvis differs greatly from the adult pelvis. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the use of these different classification systems, fracture (in)stability, the treatment of pediatric pelvic fractures and how it reflects on long-term complications such as pelvic asymmetry and functional outcome. METHODS: A literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Google Scholar and references of the selected articles. Studies that reported on pain, leg length discrepancy (LLD), abnormal gait (GA), pelvic asymmetry, and functional outcomes of pediatric pelvic fractures were included. RESULTS: A total of six different classification systems were used, the most common were Tile (n= 9, 45%) and Torode and Zieg (n= 8, 40%). There was great disparity in treatment choice for the same type of fracture pattern, resulting in several pelvic ring fractures that were defined as unstable being treated non-operatively. Pelvic asymmetry is seen in rates up to 48% in non-operatively treated patients. In contrast, pelvic asymmetry in surgically fixated unstable pelvic fractures was rare, and these patients often showed excellent functional outcomes during follow-up. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial heterogeneity in which fracture patterns are considered to be unstable or in need of surgical fixation. Functional outcomes seem to be correlated with the frequency of pelvic asymmetry and are likely due to an underestimation of the stability of the pelvic fracture. Taking into consideration the force that is necessary to cause a facture in the pediatric pelvis, a fracture of the pelvic ring alone could be suggestive for instability. The results of this review imply that the field of pediatric pelvic surgery is currently not grasping the full scope of the complexity of these fractures, and that there is a need for a pediatric pelvic classification system and evidence-based treatment guideline.

Overview and Spinal Implications of Leg Length Discrepancy: Narrative Review.

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is an underrecognized and prevalent condition among the U.S. population, with effects varying depending on the cause and size of the discrepancy. LLD occurs when the paired lower extremities are unequal in length and can be etiologically classified as functional or structural. Length differences are typically less than 10 mm and asymptomatic or easily compensated for by the patient through self-lengthening or shortening of the lower extremities. Literature review of the etiology, diagnostic modalities, clinical complications, and treatment option for patients with LLD. LLD can be assessed directly through tape measurements or indirectly through palpation of bony landmarks. Imaging modalities, specifically radiography, are more precise and help identify coexistent deformity. Once LLD has been diagnosed, evaluation for potential adverse complications is necessary. Discrepancies greater than 20 mm can alter biomechanics and loading patterns with resultant functional limitations and musculoskeletal disorders, such as functional scoliosis. Functional scoliosis is nonprogressive and involves a structurally normal spine with an apparent lateral curvature, which regresses fully or partially when the LLD is corrected. Long-standing LLD and functional scoliosis often result in permanent degenerative changes in the facet joints and intervertebral discs of the spine. Further understanding of the contribution of LLD in the development of scoliosis and degenerative spine disease will allow for more effective preventative treatment strategies and hasten return to function.

Serial Casting of the Ankle and Knee in a Child With Vascular Anomaly of the Calf Musculature: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Contracture and toe-walking in children due to vascular anomaly of the calf musculature is rarely described, and there is limited evidence regarding treatment. The purpose of this case is to describe the novel use of serial casting, combining the knee and ankle, to reduce contracture in a child with hemangioma of the calf. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 11-year-old girl received 12 casts of the ankle and knee, followed by custom orthotics, to address chronic contracture and gait impairments caused by a vascular anomaly in the posterior compartment of the lower extremity. OUTCOMES: After casting, the patient had fully restored knee range of motion and improved ankle range of motion by 45 degrees. She received custom orthotics and maintained her range of motion 4 months after casting. DISCUSSION: Serial casting of the knee and ankle may be a useful alternative to surgical lengthenings in patients with chronic contractures caused by vascular anomalies of the lower extremity.

Treatment of limb length discrepancy following total hip arthroplasty.

Limb length discrepancy is the leading cause of patient dissatisfaction following total hip arthroplasty and the most common reason for litigation in the field of orthopaedics. This article provides a systematic, stepwise approach for identifying the aetiology of limb length discrepancy following total hip arthroplasty and provides guidance on the treatment of this complication to optimize postoperative clinical and functional outcomes. This review discusses postoperative history taking, clinical examination, radiographic assessment, conservative treatment, and surgical intervention for the management of patients with established limb length discrepancy following total hip arthroplasty. A comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial nature and methods of managing postoperative limb length discrepancy is essential for optimizing patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes and long-term function following total hip arthroplasty.

[Surgical treatment for osteoarthritis secondary to Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of hip in adults].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mothod and therapeutic efficacy of total hip anthroplasties (THA) for osteoarthritis secondary to Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of hip in adults. METHODS: From May 2006 to December 2013, THA was performed on 15 adult patients (17 hips) with Growe type IV acetabular dysplasia, including 13 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 30.9 years old (22 to 58 years old) and an average preoperative Harris score of (34.0 ± 6.5) points. Traction of the affected limb was not performed before surgery. After extensive release and lengthening of soft tissues, sub-trochanteric osteotomy of the femur was performed, hip joint center was rebuilt and the abduction function was restored. RESULTS: The patients were followed up with a mean period of 33 months (ranged from 6 months to 5 years). The postoperative Harris score was 85.0 ± 7.3,higher than the preoperative score. The extended length of limb ranged from 1.6 to 5.4 cm, with a mean of (3.42 ± 0.65) cm. The shortening and malformation of the affected limb were corrected in the most patients,with the difference in length of the two legs less than 1.5 cm. After surgery, 1 patient experienced partial sciatic nerve injury, which was largely recovered after 3 months of conservative treatment. One patient experienced complete sciatic nerve injury, which was partially recovered after 6 months of conservative treatment; a foot-drop varus deformity was formed in the distal end of the affected limb, which was improved after tendon transposition and transplantation. Joint pain was relieved, and the joint function was restored significantly. Over the follow-up period, no severe complications such as dislocation, infection, prosthesis loosening, or subsiding occurred. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory efficacy can be achieved for adult Growe type IV acetabular dysplasia associated with osteoarthritis by THA, with proper soft tissue release and lengthening, sub-trochanteric osteotomy of femur, joint functional restoration, appropriate choice of prosthesis, and careful protection of nerves and vessels.

Safety and Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A in Children Undergoing Lower Limb Lengthening and Deformity Correction: Results of a Double-blind, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Lengthening of the lower limb is a complex procedure in which pain management and complications such as pin-site infections and muscle contractures impact the family and affect the child's quality of life. As a result, the paralytic and antinociceptive actions of neurotoxins may be indicated in managing these complications; however, few studies have explored ways to improve outcomes after lengthenings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in children undergoing lower limb lengthenings and deformity correction. METHODS: Participants with a congenital or acquired deformity of the lower extremity requiring surgery to one limb were randomized to receiving either BTX-A as a single dose of 10 units per kilogram body weight, or an equivalent volume of saline solution. Pain, medication, quality of life, and physical function were assessed at different time-points. Adverse events were recorded in all participants. T test and χ tests were used to compare potential differences across both groups. RESULTS: Mean age of the 125 participants was 12.5 years (range, 5 to 21 y), and lengthenings averaged 4.2 cm. Maximum pain scores on day 1 postoperatively were lower in the BTX-A group (P=0.03) than in the placebo group, and remained significant favoring botox when stratifying by location of lengthening (femur vs. tibia). Clinical benefits for BTX-A were found for 3 quality of life domains at mid-distraction and end-distraction. When stratifying according to location of lengthening, there were significantly fewer pin-site infections in the tibia favoring botox (P=0.03). The amount of adverse events and bone healing indices were no different in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical differences in quality of life, the lower pain on the first postoperative day, and the lower number of pin-site infections in the tibia favoring BTX-A support its use as an adjunctive treatment to the lengthening process. The detailed analyses of pain patterns help inform families on the pain expectations during lower limb lengthenings. The amount of adverse events were no different in both groups, and bone healing rates were similar, indicating that the use of BTX-A in children undergoing limb lengthening and deformity correction is safe. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

Common Patterns of Congenital Lower Extremity Shortening: Diagnosis, Classification, and Follow-up.

Congenital lower limb shortening is a group of relatively rare, heterogeneous disorders. Proximal focal femoral deficiency (PFFD) and fibular hemimelia (FH) are the most common pathologic entities in this disease spectrum. PFFD is characterized by variable degrees of shortening or absence of the femoral head, with associated dysplasia of the acetabulum and femoral shaft. FH ranges from mild hypoplasia to complete absence of the fibula with variable shortening of the tibia. The development of the lower limb requires complex and precise gene interactions. Although the etiologies of PFFD and FH remain unknown, there is a strong association between the two disorders. Associated congenital defects in the lower extremity are found in more than 50% of patients with PFFD, ipsilateral FH being the most common. FH also has a strong association with shortening and bowing of the tibia and with foot deformities such as absence of the lateral rays of the foot. Early diagnosis and radiologic classification of these abnormalities are imperative for appropriate management and surgical planning. Plain radiography remains the main diagnostic imaging modality for both PFFD and FH, and appropriate description of the osseous abnormalities seen on radiographs allows accurate classification, prognostic evaluation, and surgical planning. Minor malformations may commonly be misdiagnosed.

Limb-length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty: novel treatment and proposed algorithm for care.

Limb-length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty (THA) leads to patient dissatisfaction and can be a cause of orthopedic surgery malpractice cases. Nonsurgical and surgical techniques exist to correct limb-length discrepancies. Two limb-lengthening methods were used to correct greater than 2-cm limb-length discrepancies after THA: lengthening over a femoral nail with an external fixator and lengthening with an intramedullary kinetic skeletal distractor. These techniques achieved equal length in less than 4 weeks, with both resulting in a healed distraction gap within 4 months. No patient had loss of proximal or distal joint motion, and mean Harris Hip Score was 90 points at final follow-up. No surgical complications were reported with the intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor. Limb lengthening using an intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor is a viable treatment option resulting in reliable lengthening, healing of the distraction gap, and progression to full weight bearing.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa of foot involving great toe.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare form of congenital disorder in which there is localized gigantism characterized by progressive overgrowth of all mesenchymal elements with a disproportionate increase in the fibroadipose tissues. The adipose tissue infiltration involves subcutaneous tissue, periosteum, nerves and bone marrow. Most of the cases reported have hand or foot involvement. Patient seeks medical help for improving cosmesis or to get the size of the involved part reduced in order to reduce mechanical problems. We report a case of macrodystrophia lipomatosa involving medial side of foot with significant enlargement of great toe causing concern for cosmesis and inconvenience due to mechanical problems. The X-rays showed increased soft tissue with more of adipose tissue and increased size of involved digits with widening of ends. Since the patient's mother did not want any surgical intervention he was educated about foot care and proper footwear design was suggested.

Limb length discrepancy in cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: an audit of assessment and management in a multidisciplinary setting.

BACKGROUND: Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is a vascular malformation, diagnosed based on cutaneous manifestations. It is associated with limb length discrepancy (LLD) and asymmetry, but the exact extent of this and its relationship to the site of the cutaneous manifestations have not been delineated. OBJECTIVES: To review the orthopaedic problems associated with CMTC, concentrating on the assessment and management of the LLD. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of orthopaedic, dermatological and vascular data that were collected prospectively at our tertiary referral centre. We identified 80 patients with an initial diagnosis of CMTC; 57/69 patients with a confirmed diagnosis had lower-limb involvement. RESULTS: An LLD was identified in 51% of cases. The discrepancy was significant (defined as ≥ 2 cm) in nine patients and was confirmed using standing leg-length radiographs. Of these patients, three had epiphysiodesis to correct the discrepancy, and surgery is planned in five others. CONCLUSIONS: Limb length discrepancy and asymmetry are common in CMTC; however, this is below the significant threshold in most cases. It is therefore recommended that any discrepancy be initially monitored clinically. This should be followed by standing leg-length radiographs at the age of 10 years (girls) or 12 years (boys), or if the LLD is ≥ 2 cm. If this is confirmed radiologically, orthopaedic referral is advised to consider surgical intervention such as epiphysiodesis.

Challenges in orthopaedic management of Parkes-Weber syndrome.

A 16-year-old boy with a diagnosis of Parkes-Weber syndrome presented with a lower leg discrepancy of 3 cm for orthopaedic management. He had the triad of red skin lesion, lymphoedema and overgrowth of the right leg and multiple arteriovenous fistulae confirmed by angiography. Considering the risk of aggravating the vascular lesion, we decided conservative management of unequal limb lengths as long as this is well tolerated.

Asimetría de extremidades inferiores: evaluación por imágenes en la edad pediátrica / Lower limb asymmetry: imaging evaluation in children

Limb length discrepancy or anisomelia has long been objectified with imaging.The biomechanical implications for patients with a developing skeleton are more relevant than the cosmetic aspects, both in treatment and in follow-up. The aim of this publication is to review the most common causes of lower limb asymmetry in children, with emphasis on imaging findings, which are of great importance for clinical management. A retrospective review was performed on patients younger than 15 years, who required evaluation at our center for lower limb asymmetry, using simple X-ray, CT scan and /or MRI. The anatomical findings and morphometric analysis were recorded for each case. The causes of limb length discrepancy are many, including congenital and sequelae conditions. A knowledge and proper assessment of the imaging findings helps to improve and standardize the radiology report.

La asimetría de extremidades inferiores o anisomelia ha sido largamente objetivada con imágenes y posee implicancias biomecánicas para los pacientes con esqueleto en desarrollo que son más relevantes que los aspectos cosméticos, tanto en su tratamiento como en el seguimiento. El objetivo de esta publicación es revisar las causas más frecuentes de asimetría de extremidades inferiores en la edad pediátrica con énfasis en los hallazgos imaginológicos, que son de gran importancia para el manejo clínico. Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de pacientes menores de 15 años que requirieron evaluación en nuestro centro por asimetría de extremidades inferiores mediante radiografía simple, tomografía computarizada y/o resonancia magnética, consignando los hallazgos anatómicos y el análisis morfométrico para cada caso. Las causas de anisomelia son múltiples, incluyendo trastornos congênitos y secuelares. Su conocimiento y la adecuada valoración de los hallazgos en imágenes permiten enriquecer y estandarizar el informe radiológico.

Distraction osteogenesis technique using an intramedullary nail and a monolateral external fixator in the reconstruction of massive postosteomyelitis skeletal defects of the femur.

BACKGROUND: Large skeletal defects due to postosteomyelitis are uncommon, and they present a challenging reconstructive problem. The aim of our study was to summarize our experience performing a distraction osteogenesis technique using an intramedullary nail and a monolateral external fixator in the reconstruction of massive postosteomyelitis skeletal defects of the femur. METHODS: Between January 1998 and October 2004, 17 patients with massive postosteomyelitis skeletal defects of the femur (11 men and 6 women), underwent the reconstruction procedure. After osteotomy of diaphysis of the femur, we inserted an intramedullary nail into the femur, and we placed a monolateral external fixator with half-pins lateral to the nail. Lengthening was started on the seventh postoperative day at a rate of 1 mm/d. Once we achieved solid bone union, we removed the monolateral external fixator; the intramedullary nail remained for bone consolidation until reconsruction was complete. We assessed the outcomes clinically and radiographically at a mean of 70.3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At follow-up (mean 70.3, range 14.0-96.0 mo), all the skeletal defects were filled, bone union at docking sites was achieved without bone graft and leg length discrepancies were less than 2.5 cm in all patients. The mean gain in length was 12.9 (range 10.2-18.4) cm. According to Paley and Maar's evaluation criteria, we graded the bone results as excellent for 10 patients, good for 5, fair for 1 and poor for 1. We graded the functional results as excellent for 12 patients, good for 4 and fair for 1. The mean external fixator index was 18.1 d/cm; the consolidation index was 35.7 d/cm. Ten patients experienced pin infection, and 1 patient experienced a recurrence of deep infection. There were no neurologic or vascular injuries. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that a distraction osteogenesis technique using an intramedullary nail and a monolateral external fixator is a reliable method for the reconstruction of massive postosteomyelitis skeletal defects.

Parkes-Weber syndrome associated with a congenital short femur of the affected limb.

The association of capillary malformation, high-flow arteriovenous fistulas, and limb hypertrophy corresponds to Parkes-Weber syndrome. Most of cases are sporadic, although a first familial case has been recently reported. We report the first observation of a Parkes-Weber vascular anomaly with an underlying congenital short femur.

Reconstruction with callus distraction for nonunion with bone loss and leg shortening caused by suppurative osteomyelitis of the femur.

We present a retrospective study of 27 patients treated by callus distraction using a unilateral external fixator of our own design for nonunion with bone loss and shortening of the femur caused by suppurative osteomyelitis. The unilateral external fixator was used either alone or in combination with an intramedullary nail. The mean age of the patients was 13.6 years (8 to 18). The fixator was used alone in 13 patients and with an intramedullary nail in 14. The bone results at a mean follow-up of 88 months (37 to 144) were excellent in 16 patients and good in 11. The functional results were excellent in 18 patients and good in nine. However, four patients still had draining sinuses at the latest follow-up. A residual deformity greater than 7 degrees was present in seven femora, but this did not adversely affect function or require further treatment.