Predictors of True Scaphoid Fractures in Children.

BACKGROUND: The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone in children. True scaphoid fractures have proven to be difficult to diagnose, as they may not be apparent on initial imaging. Children with clinical suspicion of a scaphoid fracture may be treated with continued immobilization, even in the absence of radiographic evidence of a fracture. The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of true scaphoid fractures in children to help guide management. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study of children presenting to a tertiary pediatric hospital with hand or wrist injuries. Patients were grouped based on the presence of a true scaphoid fractures (confirmed on imaging) or those with clinical suspicion of a scaphoid fracture alone (no radiographic evidence of fracture). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared with univariate and multivariate statistics to identify fracture predictors. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty patients were included in the study: 57 in the true scaphoid fracture group and 73 in the clinical scaphoid fracture group. Patients with a true scaphoid fracture were older than those with a clinical scaphoid fracture (median age [interquartile range], 14.2 [13.0-15.4] vs 12.9 [11.9-14.4], P = .01). Men were more likely to sustain a true scaphoid fracture (65.0% vs 35.0%, P = .01). Older age and male sex were shown to be independent predictors of true scaphoid fractures (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.25 [1.03-1.50] and 2.93 [1.39-6.17], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the pediatric population, older age and male children may be at increased risk of true scaphoid fractures. This may help guide decisions surrounding further imaging and treatment.

Burosumab for the treatment of cutaneous-skeletal hypophosphatemia syndrome.

Cutaneous-skeletal hypophosphatemia syndrome (CSHS) is a rare bone disorder featuring fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23)-mediated hypophosphatemic rickets. We report a 2-year, 10-month-old girl with CSHS treated with burosumab, a novel human monoclonal antibody targeting FGF23. This approach was associated with rickets healing, improvement in growth and lower limb deformity, and clinically significant benefit to her functional mobility and motor development. This case report provides evidence for the effective use of FGF23-neutralizing antibody therapy beyond the classic FGF23-mediated disorders of X-linked hypophosphatemia and tumor-induced osteomalacia.

Risk Factors Associated with Incident Vertebral Fractures in Steroid-treated Males with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: Prevention of fractures is an unmet need in glucocorticoid (GC)-treated Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This study explored factors associated with incident vertebral fractures (VFs) to inform future fracture prevention efforts. METHODS: VFs were evaluated prospectively at study baseline and 12 months on lateral spine radiographs in participants aged 4 to 25 years with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Clinical factors were analyzed for their association with the change in Spinal Deformity Index (sum of the Genant-defined VF grades from T4 to L4) between baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: Thirty-eight males were evaluated (mean ± SD age at baseline 11.0 ± 3.6 years; mean ± SD GC duration at baseline 4.1 ± 3.1 years; 74% ambulatory). Nine of 38 participants (24%) had 17 incident VFs, of which 3/17 VFs (18%) were moderate/severe. Participants with 12-month incident VF had lower mean ± SD baseline lumbar spine areal bone mineral density Z-scores (-2.9 ± 1.0 vs -1.9 ± 1.1; P = .049) and lower total body less head areal bone mineral density Z-scores (-3.1 ± 1.2 vs -1.6 ± 1.7; P = .036). Multivariable linear regression showed that at least 1 VF at baseline (P < .001), a higher number of antecedent non-VF (P < .001), and greater bone age delay at baseline (P = .027) were significant predictors of an increase in the Spinal Deformity Index from baseline to 12 months. CONCLUSION: The observation that ≥ 1 prevalent VF and/or non-VF were the strongest predictors of incident VFs at 12 months supports the need for prevention of first fractures in this high-risk setting. Bone age delay, a marker of GC exposure, may assist in the prioritization of patients in efforts to prevent first fractures.

Tone management: An environmental scan of current management practices across Canada.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no standardized approaches to care or evaluation for tone dysfunction in Canada. The study authors hypothesize that there is significant practice variation across the country. This environmental scan is aimed to describe the current practice for management of paediatric patients with hypertonia across Canada. METHODS: A web-based survey was developed by the authors with a multi-disciplinary approach and sent to representative paediatric rehabilitation sites in each province in Canada. Disciplines at the rehabilitation sites surveyed included all or some of the following disciplines: physiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. All statistical analyses were performed using the R statistical software version 4.0. Fifteen rehabilitation sites were contacted, and 12 sites were used for the final analysis. RESULTS: Cerebral palsy was found to be the most common diagnosis for tone dysfunction, with 58% of sites diagnosing greater than 20 new patients per year. In 67% of sites, patients were seen within a formal multidisciplinary clinic to manage hypertonia. All 12 sites utilized oral baclofen and gabapentin, and 92% of sites utilized trihexyphenidyl. Botulinum toxin injections were offered at 50% of sites. Upper and lower extremity surgical procedures were offered in 83% of the sites. CONCLUSION: The information gained from this study provides some insight into the current practice across Canada for children with hypertonia. This study may assist in the development of a national, standardized strategy to tone management, potentially facilitating more equitable access to care for patients.

Determining the factors associated with a prolonged length of stay for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion in a single-payer health care system: are these factors different than those in the United States?

INTRODUCTION: Rapid recovery pathways (RRP) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSIF) have been shown to be successful in reducing hospital length of stay (LOS). Although the majority of patients are discharged within 3 days, some patients require longer hospital admission. Previous studies in the United States have identified predictors of prolonged LOS for this patient population. The goal of this project was to determine if these predictors are the same for Canadian scoliosis patients and to identify those features which are different under this single-payer system. METHODS: A RRP for scoliosis surgery was implemented in March 2015 at a single, tertiary referral children's hospital in Canada. Previously identified features, along with numerous other patient factors, were collected. Spearman correlations were used to determine the factors most associated with hospital LOS and those factors were used in a multivariable regression model. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included in the analysis. Of the previously identified patient factors, only receiving a peri-operative transfusion was found to be significant (ρ = 0.24; p = 0.002). None of the other pre-identified variables were found to be significantly correlated with LOS. Variables not previously examined that were found to be significantly correlated with hospital LOS included ASA status (ρ = 0.19, p = 0.046), fusion involving both the thoracic and lumbar spine (ρ = 0.18, p = 0.025), and receiving celecoxib on post-operative day 1 (ρ = - 0.16; p = 0.038). The features that had the greatest association with LOS through multivariable regression was receiving a blood transfusion (B = 0.48; 95%CI 0.096-0.89; p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that many of the features found to be significantly correlated with prolonged hospital LOS in the United States are not transferable to the Canadian healthcare system. This is important for the Canadian, and other surgeons in a single-payer system, in order to identify pre-operative or immediate post-operative factors that may extend patient LOS following PSIF and plan resources accordingly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; therapeutic.

Vertebral Body Reshaping after Fractures: An Important Index of Recovery in Glucocorticoid-Treated Children.

PURPOSE: In this 6-year study we identified factors associated with spontaneous vertebral body reshaping in glucocorticoid (GC)-treated children with leukemia, rheumatic disorders, and nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: Subjects were 79 children (mean age 7.4 years) who had vertebral fracture (VF) evaluation on lateral spine radiographs at least 1 year after VF detection. VF were graded using the modified Genant semiquantitative method and fracture burden for individuals was quantified using the spinal deformity index (SDI; sum of grades from T4 to L4). RESULTS: Sixty-five children (82.3%) underwent complete vertebral body reshaping (median time from VF detection to complete reshaping 1.3 years by Cox proportional hazard modeling). Of 237 VF, the majority (83.1%) ultimately reshaped, with 87.2% reshaping in the thoracic region vs 70.7% in the lumbar region (P = .004). Cox models showed that (1) every g/m2 increase in GC exposure in the first year after VF detection was associated with a 19% decline in the probability of reshaping; (2) each unit increase in the SDI at the time of VF detection was associated with a 19% decline in the probability of reshaping [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.71, 0.92; P = .001]; (3) each additional VF present at the time of VF detection reduced reshaping by 25% (HR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.62, 0.90; P = .002); and (4) each higher grade of VF severity decreased reshaping by 65% (HR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.57; P < .001). CONCLUSION: After experiencing a VF, children with higher GC exposure, higher SDI, more severe fractures, or lumbar VF were at increased risk for persistent vertebral deformity.

Canakinumab in addition to phosphate-binding and phosphaturia-inducing therapy were effective in achieving remission in a child with a large familial calcinotic tumour.

We describe the clinical evolution of a patient with tumoral calcinosis due to a pathogenic variant in the GALNT3 gene presented with a large mass overlying her left hip associated complicated by inflammatory flares. Therapy (sevelamer, acetazolamide, and probenecid) was unsuccessful in preventing tumour surgeries, therefore, interleukin-1ß monoclonal antibody therapy was added; this was successful in the prevention of tumour re-growth. This case highlights the importance of assessing and treating the inflammatory aspect of calcinotic tumour.

Mitigating the Denosumab-Induced Rebound Phenomenon with Alternating Short- and Long-Acting Anti-resorptive Therapy in a Young Boy with Severe OI Type VI.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type VI, a recessively inherited form of OI caused by mutations in SERPINF1, is a severe form distinguished by osteomalacia on bone histomorphometry. We describe a boy with severe OI type VI who was initially treated with intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZA) at 1.4 years of age; however, a year later he transitioned to denosumab 1 mg/kg sub-cutaneously every three months in an effort to decrease fracture rates. After two years on denosumab, he presented with symptomatic hypercalcemia due to the denosumab-induced, hyper-resorptive rebound phenomenon. Laboratory parameters at the time of the rebound were as follows: elevated serum ionized calcium (1.62 mmol/L, N 1.16-1.36), elevated serum creatinine due to hypercalcemia-induced muscle catabolism (83 µmol/L, N 9-55), and suppressed parathyroid hormone (PTH) (< 0.7 pmol/L, N 1.3-5.8). The hypercalcemia was responsive to low-dose IV pamidronate, with a rapid decline in serum ionized calcium, and otherwise normalization of the aforementioned parameters within 10 days. To benefit from the powerful, albeit short-term, anti-resorptive effect of denosumab without further rebound episodes, he was treated thereafter with denosumab 1 mg/kg alternating every three months with IV ZA 0.025 mg/kg. Five years later, he remained on dual alternating anti-resorptive therapy without further rebound episodes, and an overall improvement in his clinical status. This novel pharmacological approach of alternating short- and long-term anti-resorptive therapy every three months has not previously been described. Our report suggests this strategy may be an effective method for prevention of the rebound phenomenon in select children for whom denosumab may be beneficial.

Risk factors associated with prevalent vertebral fractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have a high fracture burden due to progressive myopathy and steroid-induced osteoporosis. This study in males with DMD showed that markers of systemic glucocorticoid exposure including shorter stature, greater bone age delay, and lower lumbar spine bone mineral density were associated with spine fragility. INTRODUCTION: Fragility  fractures are frequent in DMD. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with prevalent vertebral fractures (VF) in boys, teens/young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of males aged 4-25 years with DMD. VF were evaluated using the modified Genant semi-quantitative method on T4-L4 lateral spine radiographs. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was measured at the lumbar spine (LS) and used to estimate volumetric BMD (vBMD). Clinical factors were analyzed for their association with the Spinal Deformity Index (SDI, the sum of the Genant grades). RESULTS: Sixty participants were enrolled (mean age 11.5 years, range 5.4-19.5). Nineteen participants (32%) had a total of 67 VF; 23/67 VF (34%) were moderate or severe. Participants with VF were shorter (mean height Z-score ± standard deviation: - 3.1 ± 1.4 vs. - 1.8 ± 1.4, p = 0.001), had longer glucocorticoid exposure (mean duration 6.0 ± 3.3 vs. 3.9 ± 3.3 years, p = 0.027), greater bone age (BA) delay (mean BA to chronological age difference - 3.2 ± 3.4 vs. - 1.3 ± 1.2 years, p = 0.035), and lower LSaBMD Z-scores (mean - 3.0 ± 1.0 vs. - 2.2 ± 1.2, p = 0.023). There was no difference in LSvBMD Z-scores. Multivariable Poisson regression showed that every 0.1 mg/kg/day increment in average glucocorticoid daily dose was associated with a 1.4-fold SDI increase (95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.7, p = 0.013). Greater BA delay (p < 0.001), higher weight Z-score (p = 0.004), decreased height Z-score (p = 0.025), and lower LSvBMD Z-score (p = 0.025) were also associated with SDI increase. CONCLUSION: Readily measurable clinical variables were associated with prevalent VF in males with glucocorticoid-treated DMD. These variables may be useful to identify candidates for primary osteoporosis prevention after glucocorticoid initiation.

Reliability of radiographic assessment of growth modulation from anterior vertebral body tethering surgery in pediatric scoliosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability of vertebral height and angular measurements for anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT). METHODS: Eight observers measured PA radiographs of 15 idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with AVBT, pre-operative and 4-year follow-up. Vertebral wedging, disc wedging, convex vertebral body heights, and concave vertebral body heights of the 3 apical vertebrae were measured. For each observer, there were a total of 90 measurements for vertebral body height and 75 measurements for all wedging types At least 14 days elapsed between first and second round measurements. RESULTS: From the pre-operative to the 4-year follow-up time-point, the total wedging angle over the 3 peri-apical levels fell from 30 ± 7° to 16 ± 6° (p < 0.001) and the difference between the convex and concave vertebral heights decreased from 9 ± 4 to 6 ± 3 mm (p < 0.001). Interobserver agreement for pre-operative vertebral body heights was good [ICC = 0.80; 95% CI (0.74-0.85)]. At 4-year follow-up there was a moderate agreement [ICC = 0.67 (0.59-0.74)]. There was a poor interobserver agreement for pre-operative wedging angle measurements [ICC = 0.41 (0.32-0.52)] and 4-year follow-up [ICC = 0.45 (0.36-0.56)]. The Limits of Agreement with the Mean (LOAM) for pre-op heights was ± 2.4 mm, similar to the follow-up ± 2.6 mm. When raters are averaged in random groups of two the agreement limits decrease to ± 1.8 mm pre-op and ± 1.6 mm at follow-up. Similarly for wedging angles, LOAM values among the 8 observers of ± 4.6° pre-op and ± 4.2° dropped to ± 2.7° for both pre-op and follow-up when random groups of two raters were averaged together. Intraobserver agreement ranged from good to excellent per individual (ICC = 0.84-0.94) for pre-operative vertebral body heights, but this decreased at 4-year follow-up (ICC = 0.52-0.88). Intraobserver agreement was low overall for wedging (pre-operative ICC = 0.41-0.71; 4-year follow-up ICC = 0.41-0.76). CONCLUSION: Based on 8 individual observers, interobserver agreement ranged from good (pre-operative vertebral body heights) to moderate (4-year follow-up vertebral body heights) to poor (all wedging angles). To improve the reliability of the measurement of wedging angles, we recommend averaging the measurements of at least two observers.

The effect of vertebral body tethering on spine range of motion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation (PSF) and vertebral body tethering (VBT) are corrective surgical techniques used in treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Comparing the preservation of spine range of motion (ROM) following PSF and VBT for treatment of AIS has yet to be explored. The purpose of this work was to retrospectively compare global spine ROM in adolescents (9-18 years of age) without spine deformity, adolescents with untreated AIS, adolescents having undergone PSF, and adolescents having undergone VBT to gain insight on the effect of VBT on spine motion. METHODS: Twenty participants were recruited into four groups including Control (n = 6), untreated AIS (n = 5), post-operative PSF (n = 4) and post-operative VBT (n = 5). Three-dimensional kinematics of the spine were collected and analyzed using an intersegmental spine model during constrained forward flexion, right-left lateral bending, and right-left axial twist movements. RESULTS: The PSF group displayed significantly lower spine ROM than the two non-operative groups during thoracic and total left axial twist (p ≤ 0.048), whereas thoracic and total ROM during right-left lateral bending is almost equally lower in the PSF (p ≤ 0.03) and VBT (p ≤ 0.01) groups when compared to the Control and AIS groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest some preservation of spine motion in the transverse plane following VBT. This study provides initial evidence of some potential preservation of spine ROM following VBT; however, further prospective investigation of VBT is needed to assess and confirm these hypotheses.

Management of Gartland Type 1 Supracondylar Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Gartland Type 1 supracondylar humerus fractures are stable, non-displaced injuries treated with non-operative management. This systematic review was performed to gather evidence on the optimal form of immobilization to treat these fractures. Methods: The review process was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. An electronic search was performed in November 2020. Articles were eligible if they included children less than 18 years old, with non-displaced supracondylar fractures, treated non-operatively. Randomized trials, quasi-experimental trials, and prospective cohort studies were included. Outcomes of interest included fracture displacement, pain control, time to return to normal activities, return of range of motion (ROM), child/parent satisfaction, adverse events, and cost. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, Rob-2, and the ROBINS tools. Results: After duplicate records were removed, 525 records were evaluated with 9 studies meeting the inclusion criteria and 5 reporting clinical outcomes. The studies were heterogenous, in intervention and outcomes, and all at moderate risk of bias. Within the available evidence there were no cases of fracture displacement. Two small studies suggested that cuff and collar treatment provided inadequate pain control and delay in return to normal activities, compared to posterior splints. Two randomized control trials (RCTs) suggested that soft fiberglass casts reduced appointment time and increased parent satisfaction, compared to traditional casts. No studies directly compared posterior splints to circumferential casts. Conclusion: There is insufficient high-quality evidence to determine the optimal conservative treatment for patients with Gartland type 1 supracondylar fractures. Level of Evidence Level II systematic review of Level II studies. Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42020144616].

Body mass index affects outcomes after vertebral body tethering surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of anterior Vertebral Body Tethering (AVBT) surgery between overweight and non-overweight patients. METHODS: AIS/JIS patients with AVBT with 2-year follow-up from a multi-center pediatric spine database were evaluated pre-operatively, 1st post-operative erect, and 2 years post-operatively. ANOVA was used to compare 3 categories of BMI with significance as per Tukey-Kramer HSD post hoc test. Risk of scoliosis progression was analysed with Mid-P exact test. RESULTS: 121 patients (51 underweight, 58 normal, 12 overweight; mean age 12.5 ± 1.6 yr; BMI 18.8 ± 4.6 kg/m2) were identified. Comparing underweight, normal, and overweight groups: mean pre-operative age (13 yr, 13 yr, 12 yr), scoliosis (52°, 50°, 52°), pre-operative kyphosis (29°, 28°, 33°), peri-operative scoliosis correction (44%, 42%, 46%), and complications by 2-year follow-up (23%, 24%, 17%) were similar between groups. There was one broken tether in each of the underweight and normal weight groups. Change in percent scoliosis correction from 1st erect to 2-year post-operative (i.e., growth modulation phase) was not significantly different between groups; however, the risk ratio for scoliosis progression during this period was 4.74 (1.02-22.02; p = 0.04) for overweight patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that, as compared to normal weight and underweight patients, overweight patients did not have a statistically significant difference in intra-operative scoliosis correction or in risk of experiencing complication; however, overweight patients had a risk ratio of 4.74 for progression of scoliosis during the growth modulation phase of treatment from first erect radiographs to minimum 2-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The Toddler's Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: The tibial toddler's fracture is an important diagnosis in both emergency and urgent care, presenting as acute onset lower extremity pain or limping in a young child. Diagnosis and management may be challenging because of an extensive differential diagnosis. The objectives of this study were to provide an overview of the toddler's fracture and to guide clinicians by summarizing up to date literature for both diagnosis and management this common condition. METHODS: This study analyzed literature from the PubMed database from the years of 1964 to 2018. The main focus was on the diagnosis and management of the toddler's fracture. RESULTS: This review demonstrates that diagnosis is primarily made through history and physical examination, as radiographs are often negative at initial presentation. Treatment involves a short period of immobilization, which can be facilitated through the use of a cast, a splint, or no external support. Successful healing and a full return to normal activities and development are near universal. CONCLUSIONS: Although a stable fracture with an excellent prognosis, opportunities exist to improve toddler's fractures diagnosis and treatment protocols, to optimize clinical management.

Management and Outcomes of Clinical Scaphoid Fractures in Children.

Background: Acute wrist trauma with clinical suspicion of a scaphoid fracture, but normal radiographs, is known as a clinical scaphoid fracture. Standard treatment involves immobilization and repeat radiographs in 10 to 14 days. When repeat radiographs are normal but a scaphoid fracture is still clinically suspected, the optimal management in children is unknown. This study retrospectively assessed the management and outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with clinical scaphoid fractures. Methods: A retrospective study was performed of all patients over a 2-year period treated for a clinical scaphoid fracture at a tertiary pediatric center. Patients were included if they had clinical signs of a scaphoid fracture and 2 negative x-rays 7 to 14 days apart postinjury. Results: Ninety-one patients with a mean age of 13.2 years (range: 7.8-17.7) were included. Sixteen patients (17.6%) underwent computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a mean time of 10.2 weeks postinjury. Five patients (5.5%) were diagnosed with a scaphoid fracture by x-ray or CT at an average of 4.5 weeks postinjury (range: 3-6). Six patients were diagnosed with other wrist fractures at a mean time postinjury of 3.1 (range: 3-6.5) weeks. Out of 195 total radiographs, the surgeon and radiologist disagreed on 59 (30.2%) images. No patients underwent surgery. Conclusions: Management of clinical scaphoid fractures at our institution was relatively uniform: nearly all patients were immobilized and less than 20% received advanced imaging. Our findings suggest a low but non-zero occult scaphoid fracture rate, discordance in radiologic interpretation, and lack of advanced imaging, providing an avenue for future prospective studies.

The Effects of Physical Activity on Physeal and Skeletal Development.

¼: There is increasing evidence in the literature regarding the important health impact of and risk factors for injury in youth sport. ¼: Increasing pediatric and adolescent activity intensity, such as is seen in earlier single-sport focus and specialization, may be associated with morphological changes in the growing skeleton. ¼: Chronic subacute injury to the developing physes in the active child can lead to stress on the growth plate and surrounding tissues that induces developmental morphological changes in the joint. ¼: There is evidence to suggest that frequent participation in sports that place particular stress across the physes of the proximal humerus, the proximal femur, and the distal radius can be associated with an increased risk of inducing developmental and morphological changes that could lead to future joint dysfunction and premature degeneration. ¼: Additional research is necessary to better define the pathoetiology of activity-mediated morphological changes, as well as to create and validate parameters for safe involvement in competitive physical activities.

Risk of early complication following anterior vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine peri-operative morbidity associated with anterior vertebral body tethering (aVBT) for idiopathic scoliosis. METHOD: Of 175 patients treated with aVBT, 120 patients had 2 year follow up and were included in this study. Prospectively collected clinical and radiographic data was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Pre-operatively, the mean patient age was 12.6 year (8.2-15.7 year), Risser 0-3, with main thoracic scoliosis 51.2° (40-70°). Immediately post-operative, scoliosis improved to 26.9° (6-53°; p < 0.05), at 1-year post-operative was 23.0° (- 11 to 50°; p < 0.01 vs immediate post-op) and at 2-year post-operative was 27.5° (- 5 to 52; p = 0.64 vs immediate post-op). Pre-operative T5-T12 kyphosis was 16.0° (- 23 to 52°), post-operative was 16.9° (- 7 to 44°), at 1-year was 17.5° (- 14 to 61°) and at 2-year was 17.0° (- 10 to 50°; p = 0.72 vs pre-op). All patients underwent thoracoscopic approach, EBL 200 ml (20-900 ml), surgical time 215.3 min (111-472 min), anesthesia time 303.5 min (207-480 min), ICU stay of 0.2 day (0-2 days), and post-operative hospital stay 4.5 days (2-9 days). During the in-hospital peri-operative period, there were no unplanned return to the operating room (UPROR) and there was a 0.8% rate of complication: one pneumothorax requiring reinsertion of chest tube. By 90 days post-operative, there was no UPROR and a 5% rate of complication. Five additional patients developed complications after discharge: one CSF leak treated with blood patch injection in the clinic and resolved, two pleural effusions requiring chest tubes, one superficial wound infection and one pneumonia treated with outpatient antibiotics. By 1-year post-op, there was a 1.7% rate of UPROR and 8.3% rate of complication. Four additional patients developed complications beyond 90 days: two upper limb paresthesia required outpatient medical management, one CSF leak which initially treated blood patch injection in the clinic initially which then required UPROR, and one compensatory lumbar curve add on that was treated with extension of the tether. By 2-years post-op, there was a 6.7% rate of UPROR and 15.8% rate of complication. 9 additional complications developed after 1 year. One curve progression, one keloid scar, one right leg weakness, 4 cable failures and 2 curve overcorrections. CONCLUSION: This large, multicenter series of aVBT demonstrated a 15.8% complication rate and a 6.7% UPROR rate at 2 year post-operatively. This early study during the learning curve of aVBT found higher rates of CSF leaks and overall complications than would be expected for PSFI at 1 year post-operatively and a higher rate of overall complications and of UPROR than would be expected for PSFI at 2 year post-operatively. As is common with new procedures, the complication rate may fall with further experience.

Correlation of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Periacetabular Osteotomy With Femoral Head Coverage and Acetabular Orientation: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Gaining a better understanding of the underlying pattern of acetabular dysplasia 3-dimensionally can help better guide treatment and optimize clinical outcomes after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). PURPOSE: (1) To examine the relationship between femoral head coverage before and after PAO for dysplasia and patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scores and (2) to assess if the direction/orientation of correction of the acetabulum can be predicted based on the Ottawa classification. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database from a single-center institutional registry of PAO was conducted, and PROM scores at a minimum of 2 years were analyzed. A total of 79 hips (67 patients [56 female]; mean age at surgery, 27.5 years [range, 15.8-53.7 years]) were available for inclusion. According to the Ottawa classification, 54 hips (68.4%) had global deficiency, 15 hips (18.9%) had posterior deficiency, and 10 hips (12.7%) had anterior deficiency. Hip2Norm software was used to analyze the 3-dimensional coverage of the femoral head. Statistical analysis was conducted to look at significant predictors of improvements in PROMs using the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) Activities of Daily Living subscale. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 3.1 years (range, 2.0-7.4 years), all functional outcome scores improved significantly. A postoperative total femoral coverage <75.7%, posterior coverage (PC) <45.2%, and femoral head extrusion index >15.5% were all associated with not reaching the MCID for the HOOS Activities of Daily Living subscale. Multivariate analysis showed that PC was the single most important significant modifier influencing functional outcomes after PAO for the treatment of acetabular dysplasia, with an odds ratio of 6.0 (95% CI, 1.8-20.4; P = .004). One-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference comparing the mean change in radiographic measurements, that is, anterior coverage, PC, and total femoral coverage, per the Ottawa classification (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that postoperative femoral head coverage and acetabular orientation were significant predictors of PROM scores. Classifying acetabular dysplasia into 3 groups based on the plane of instability could optimize the planning of PAO by giving a better understanding of the 3-dimensional deformity.

Hip Joint Preservation Surgery: What Every Orthopaedic Provider Needs to Know.

The understanding of the native hip's mechanics, physiology, and pathology has dramatically improved over the recent 2 decades. This was facilitated by the introduction of open and arthroscopic procedures to the native hip aimed at improving the joint's function and longevity. Associations between abnormal hip mechanics and further development of osteoarthritis are now clear. As the knowledge of hip joint mechanics has improved, other conditions around the hip have become evident, which may lead to pain but not necessarily osteoarthritis. It is important for the orthopaedic surgeon to be up to date on how the hip preservation field has evolved and the steps to consider when a painful hip presents in clinic.

Peroneal Nerve Function Before and Following Surgical Excision of a Proximal Fibular Osteochondroma.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondromas occur most commonly in the distal femur, proximal tibia, and humerus. There are no large studies reviewing the outcome of treatment for patients with an osteochondroma involving the proximal fibula. The purpose of this study is to specifically understand the manifestations of a proximal fibular osteochondroma (PFO) on the preoperative peroneal nerve function, and how surgical management of the osteochondroma affects function immediately postoperatively and at long-term follow-up. METHODS: This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with a PFO treated operatively at a single institution. The medical record was carefully reviewed to identify demographic data, clinical data especially the status of the peroneal function at various time points. RESULTS: There were 25 patients with 31 affected extremities who underwent surgical excision of the PFO at an average age of 12.4 years (range, 3.0 to 17.9 y). There were 16 males and 9 females. The underlying diagnosis was isolated PFO in 2 (8%) patients and multiple hereditary exostosis in 23 (92%) patients. Preoperatively, 9 (29%) had a foot drop and 22 (71%) did not. Those with a preoperative foot drop underwent surgery at a younger age (9.1 vs. 13.8 y) (P<0.004) and postoperatively 5 (55.5%) had complete resolution, 3 (33.3%) had improvement, and 1 (11.1%) persisted requiring an ankle foot orthosis. Of the 22 who were normal preoperatively, 5 (22.7%) developed an immediate postoperative foot drop, 3 (60%) completely resolved, 1 (20%) improved, and 1 (20%) persisted and was found to have a transected nerve at exploration. In total, 23 of the 25 (92%) patients who had a PFO excision, had a normal or near-normal peroneal nerve function including those who had poor function preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a PFO have a preoperative peroneal nerve dysfunction 30% of the time and 23% of those who were normal preoperatively have postoperative dysfunction. Fortunately, nearly all patients have a complete recovery following excision of the osteochondroma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.