Legg-Calvé-Perthes: interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the modified Herring lateral pillar classification.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to independently assess the reliability of the modified Herring lateral pillar classification. METHODS: Thirty-five standardized true anteroposterior radiographs of children in the fragmentation phase were independently assessed by 6 senior observers on 2 separate occasions (6 wk apart). The κ analysis was used to assess the interobserver and intraobserver agreement. RESULTS: Intraobserver analysis revealed at best only moderate agreement for 2 observers. Three observers showed fair consistency, whereas 1 remaining observer showed poor consistency between repeated observations (P < 0.01). The highest scores for interobserver agreement varying between moderate to good could only be established between 2 observers. For the remaining observers results were just fair (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the lack of agreement between senior clinicians when applying the modified lateral pillar classification. The results from the Herring group were significantly better than ours, but utilized a weighted κ for analysis, which may have given artificially high scores. To our knowledge, this is the first time the modified lateral pillar classification has been independently tested for its reproducibility by a specialist pediatric orthopaedic unit.

Basal thumb arthritis.

Basal thumb arthritis is a common condition seen in hand clinics across the United Kingdom and is often associated with other pathological conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and scaphotrapezial arthritis. Typically, patients complain of pain localised to the base of the thumb. This pain is often activity related, particularly after excessive use involving forceful pinch. A detailed history and examination is normally all that is needed to make the diagnosis. Provocative manoeuvres may be helpful in localising symptoms to the basal joint with degenerative changes or synovitis. Radiographs are useful for confirming the diagnosis and staging the disease in order to plan for surgery. The mainstay of initial treatment of basal thumb arthritis of any stage is activity modifications, rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, exercises and splinting. A variety of surgical procedures are available to treat the condition when conservative measures have failed, in order to control symptoms and improve function. We review the current literature and discuss the clinical aspects of this condition, staging, and treatment options available, and the difficulties treating this group of patients.

The Clavicular Hook Plate: Consequences in Three Cases.

The small fragment AO clavicular hook plate is indicated for certain fractures of the lateral end of clavicle and for symptomatic acromio-clavicular joint dislocations where there is rupture of the stabilizing ligaments. The complex anatomy and biomechanics of the acromio-clavicular joint can lead to complications that result in damage to the joint itself or acromial erosion. In addition, the rotator cuff complex is at risk of injury when inserting the plate. We report three cases where patients who underwent hook plate fixation subsequently required removal of the implant due to complications previously unreported in current literature.