Metatarsal lengthening by distraction osteogenesis for brachymetatarsia in paediatric patients: is it safe and effective?

PURPOSE: The primary aim is to assess the efficacy of the surgical callus distraction technique of the metatarsus in paediatric patients. Secondary objectives are to assess complications and treatment duration. We have also described the details of our surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case series review of paediatric patients who had metatarsal lengthening at our unit between 2014 and 2022. Patient demographics, duration of time in frame, complications and metatarsal length achieved were recorded. The AOFAS Midfoot and the MOXFQ were taken pre-operatively and at final follow-up. RESULTS: Sixteen metatarsals in 8 patients (14 feet) underwent lengthening between 2014 and 2022 using the MiniRail OrthoFix 100 (Orthofix Medical Inc, Lewisville, TX, USA). The mean age was 13.3 (12-17) years. The average duration between surgery and implant removal was 5.2 months. According to Paley's classification, there was one obstacle encountered in a patient who required a revision of their osteotomy and one problem in another patient who had an infected metatarsophalangeal joint stabilising k-wire treated with oral antibiotics. The Mean AOFAS Midfoot score improved from 53.10 to 86.40 (p < 0.0001) and the Mean MOXFQ improved from 32.5000 to 12.1250 (p < 0.05); these were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Gradual metatarsal lengthening using the MiniRail external fixator is a safe and effective method to treat brachymetatarsia in paediatric patients. This preliminary report describes and supports metatarsal lengthening in appropriate patients. Holistic care in terms of a pre-operative assessment, psychological support and preparation for the extended rehabilitation period are vital.

Congenital Posteromedial Bowing of Tibia: Comparison of Early and Late Lengthening.

BACKGROUND: Congenital posteromedial bowing of tibia (CPMBT), a rare anomaly, is characterized by a decreasing deformity and a gradually increasing limb shortening. Lengthening in CPMBT has not been studied extensively. Our series compares the duration and complications of lengthening in younger versus older children to determine early lengthening safety and benefits. METHODS: We studied 28 tibial lengthenings performed by a single surgeon in 23 patients, divided into 2 equal groups of 14 segments: group A 5 years or younger (preschool) and group B above 5 years. All were lengthened with circular external fixators, of which 3 were lengthened over a nail. We measured preoperative (bo) and postoperative (po) sagittal, coronal, and oblique plane deformities, initial limb length discrepancy (LLD), percentage LLD (% LLD), amount of lengthening (AmtL), percentage lengthening (%L), external fixator duration (EFD), and external fixator index (EFI). We graded complications by Lascombes' criteria, results by Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov bone score. RESULTS: The mean age was 8.8±7.1 years; the mean follow-up was 7.9 years. Group A had significantly greater bo-sagittal, coronal, and oblique plane deformities. Mean LLD (3.4 cm in group A vs. 4.1 cm in group B) was similar in both. Expected LLD at maturity (LLDM) using the multiplier method was greater than previously reported (mean, range in group A: 7.2 cm, 4.4 to 9.5 cm; group B: 5 cm, 2.5 to 9.7 cm). Though AmtL (3.5 and 4.1 cm) was similar in both, %L was 24% in group A and 15.7% in group B (P=0.002). EFD (116.6 days) and EFI (33.7 days/cm) were lesser in group A compared with group B (200.3 days, P=0.001; 50.2 days/cm, P=0.01). Lascombes' triple contract was fulfilled in 11/14 lengthenings in group A versus 3/14 in group B. Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov bone score was good and excellent in both groups (P=0.44). CONCLUSIONS: In a large series of lengthenings in CPMBT, we found younger children presenting with large deformities and large projected length discrepancies could be safely lengthened with significantly lesser EFD and complications than in older children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic study.

Effect of Zoledronic Acid and Alendronate on Bone Edema and Pain in Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the Knee: A New Paradigm in the Medical Management.

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of combined zoledronic acid and alendronate therapy on bone edema and knee pain in cases of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. We report our experience with this treatment. Methods A retrospective case series of 11 patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee confirmed by magnetic resonance image (MRI). The patients were treated with a single dose of 5 mg of intravenous zoledronic acid combined with 35 mg twice a week of oral alendronate, for 16 weeks. The visual analogue scale scores were noted before the beginning of the therapy, at 8 weeks, and at 16 weeks of follow-up. The size of the bone marrow edema adjacent to the lesion was measured on T2-weighted MRI coronal images at the beginning of the therapy and at 16 weeks. Results The average visual analogue scale score at 0 weeks was of 7.72, and of 0.81 at 16 weeks of therapy; the difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.03). The mean bone marrow involvement at 0 weeks was of 80%, which reduced to 11.81% at 16 weeks of therapy. This change was statistically significant ( p = 0.03). Conclusion Our data shows that the combination therapy causes early pain relief and reduction of the bone edema, and it is safe, effective and well-tolerated for a painful disease entity like spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.

Effect of Zoledronic Acid and Alendronate on Bone Edema and Pain in Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the Knee: A New Paradigm in the Medical Management / Efeito do ácido zoledrônico e do alendronato no edema ósseo e dor na osteonecrose espontânea do joelho: Um novo paradigma no manejo

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of combined zoledronic acid and alendronate therapy on bone edema and knee pain in cases of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. We report our experience with this treatment. Methods A retrospective case series of 11 patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee confirmed by magnetic resonance image (MRI). The patients were treated with a single dose of 5 mg of intravenous zoledronic acid combined with 35 mg twice a week of oral alendronate, for 16 weeks. The visual analogue scale scores were noted before the beginning of the therapy, at 8 weeks, and at 16 weeks of follow-up. The size of the bone marrow edema adjacent to the lesion was measured on T2-weighted MRI coronal images at the beginning of the therapy and at 16 weeks. Results The average visual analogue scale score at 0 weeks was of 7.72, and of 0.81 at 16 weeks of therapy; the difference was statistically significant (p= 0.03). The mean bone marrow involvement at 0 weeks was of 80%, which reduced to 11.81% at 16 weeks of therapy. This change was statistically significant (p= 0.03). Conclusion Our data shows that the combination therapy causes early pain relief and reduction of the bone edema, and it is safe, effective and well-tolerated for a painful disease entity like spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar o efeito do tratamento combinado de ácido zoledrônico e alendronato no edema ósseo e na dor no joelho em casos de osteonecrose espontânea do joelho. A experiência dos autores com este tratamento é relatada. Métodos Série de casos retrospectiva, incluindo 11 pacientes com osteonecrose espontânea do joelho confirmada por ressonância magnética. Os pacientes foram tratados com uma dose intravenosa única de 5 mg de ácido zoledrônico combinada com 35 mg de alendronato oral, 2 vezes por semana, por 16 semanas. Os escores da escala visual analógica foram aferidos antes do começo do tratamento, em 8 semanas e em 16 semanas de acompanhamento. O tamanho do edema da medula óssea adjacente à lesão foi medido em imagens de ressonância magnética coronal ponderadas em T2 no início do tratamento e em 16 semanas. Resultados O escore médio da escala visual analógica em 0 semanas foi de 7,72, contra 0,81 em 16 semanas de tratamento, uma diferença estatisticamente significativa (p= 0,03). O envolvimento médio da medula óssea em 0 semanas foi de 80%, e foi reduzido para 11,81% em 16 semanas de tratamento, uma diferença também estatisticamente significativa (p= 0,03). Conclusão Os dados mostram que a terapia combinada proporciona alívio da dor inicial e redução do edema ósseo, sendo segura, eficaz e bem tolerada em uma enfermidade dolorosa como a osteonecrose espontânea do joelho.

Osteotendinous Suturing for Anchorage of Hip Abductor Mechanism in Total Hip Arthroplasty through a Lateral Approach: A Technical Note.

INTRODUCTION: We describe a novel technique for approximation and reattachment of the capsule, hip abductors, and vastuslateralis muscles during closure of the arthrotomy and surgical wound, after total hip arthroplasty through a modified direct lateral approach. This anatomical restoration of soft tissues could thereby lead to early post-operative rehabilitation and recovery. CASE REPORT: This is a method of osteotendinous suturing that could lead to reestablishing the functional continuity of the gluteus minimus, medius muscles, and the anterior capsule through drill holes in the greater trochanter, and thereby preserve the integrity of the hip abductor musculature. This is a simple and easily reproducible technique of soft tissue approximation and reattachment that results in early mobilization and ambulation of the patient with no additional complications and have several advantages over the other methods used for closure. CONCLUSION: This osteotendinous technique can be used for arthrotomy closure after both primary and revision total hip arthroplasties through the lateral approach (Hardinge and modified Hardinge) to the hip.