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.

Follow-up Value of Hip Medial Ultrasound in Infants and Children With Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Treated With Reduction and Spica Casting.

OBJECTIVE: Closed or open reduction and spica casting are common treatments for children aged 6 to 18 months, as well as infants aged 0 to 6 months whose harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) was unsuccessful. The study aimed to quantify the distance between the femoral head and the acetabulum after closed or open reduction and evaluate the dynamic docking progression of the femoral head using serial hip medical ultrasound. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and hip medial ultrasound images of a consecutive series of patients with DDH who underwent spica casting after reduction and compared images obtained immediately after reduction and at follow-up. The first cast (stage I) was maintained for 2 to 3 months and scheduled for outpatient repeat ultrasound in 4 to 8 weeks. Then the second cast was placed (stage II), lasting for another 2 to 3 months. The triradiate cartilage-femoral head distance (TFD) was measured in the acetabulum coronal mid-sectional plane. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the TFD values. RESULTS: This study included 49 patients. All patients underwent hip medial ultrasound 0 to 3 days after stage I (time 1) and 4 to 8 weeks (time 2) postoperatively, with 24 patients reviewed again 0 to 7 days after stage II. The TFD values in time 1 and time 2 were 6.0 (5.0, 9.0) mm and 5.0 (3.6, 7.0) mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between times 1 and 2 regarding TFD values in 49 close-reduction hips (6.0 vs 5.0 mm, P < 0.001). Similar findings were also observed in 13 open-reduction hips (6.0 vs 5.0 mm, P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Hip medial ultrasonography during the period of cast immobilization after reduction in children with DDH can objectively and quantitatively show the dynamic change of the distance between the femoral head and the acetabulum, and can be used to assess reduction of the hip and progression of femoral head docking. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-prognostic study.

Study on the efficacy of brace therapy for developmental dysplasia of the hip with Graf IIc and greater severity.

To assess changes in the α and ß angle with brace treatment in DDH classified as Type Graf IIc, D, III, and IV; to study the α angle threshold that can predict the treatment effect; to analyze the effective rate in different groups. A retrospective study was conducted on children from 2013 to 2018 with Graf type IIc and greater diagnosed with ultrasound (US). Brace therapy was applied to 356 patients, with 423 affected hips (Graf IIc: 202 hips; Graf D: 17 hips; Graf III: 118 hips; and Graf IV: 86 hips). For follow-up efficacy analyses using US, X-ray and clinical examination, based on the success of early treatment of the brace, the outcomes were divided into 'effective' and 'noneffective' groups. The statistical results showed that the α angle increased (P < 0.05) and the ß angle decreased (P < 0.05). When α≥43°, the accuracy of success with early treatment was 95.95%. The overall effective rate of bracing treatment was 74.70%. Children with α ≥ 43° are recommended to receive brace therapy as soon as possible and demonstrate the best effects. The effective rate varies across different Graf types and the age at treatment initiation. Brace therapy is more effective for Graf IIc and D hips compared to Graf III and IV.

Analysis of the results of hip ultrasonography in 48 666 infants and efficacy studies of conservative treatment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the detection rate of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by ultrasound. To obtain the distribution characteristics of the different types (I-IV) and the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of infants with DDH (type IIc and above) receiving conservative treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed. The chi-square test was used for comparisons between count-data groups. Two-sided tests were used for all analyses. The results of ultrasound follow-up after conservative treatment are described. RESULTS: Among the 48 666 infants examined, the detection rates were as follows: type I, 95.42%; IIa, 3.18%; IIb, 0.91%; IIc, 0.22%; D, 0.01%; III, 0.14%; and IV, 0.12%. There were 4456 hips with IIa and above, more left (54.65%) than right (45.35%) hips, and more females (82.60%) than males (17.40%). The detection rate of type IIa and above was 4.58%, and that of type IIb and above was 1.40%. After the treatment, the α value increased, and ß value decreased. The cure rate of the less-than-42-days group was higher than that of the other groups. CONCLUSION: The ultrasound detection rate of DDH is high. DDH was more likely to occur on the left side and in females. It is recommended that the infants should be treated within 42 days.

Is Hip Medial Ultrasound More Accurate Than Radiography for Determining the Status of Hip Reduction in Children Treated With a Spica Cast? A Retrospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common hip abnormality in children. Closed or open reduction and cast immobilization are the most commonly used treatments for patients aged 6 to 18 months with dislocation; they are also used in children younger than 6 months when brace treatment is not effective. During cast immobilization, surgeons need reliable and timely imaging methods to assess the status of hip reduction to ensure successful treatment and avoid complications. Several methods are used, but they have disadvantages. We developed and, in this study, evaluated a hip medial ultrasound method to evaluate the status of hip reduction in children treated with a spica cast. QUESTION/PURPOSE: Is hip medial ultrasound more accurate than radiography for determining the status of hip reduction in children treated with a spica cast? METHODS: Between November 2017 and December 2020, we treated 136 patients with closed or open reduction and spica casting for DDH in our department. These children were 3 to 18 months old at the time of surgical reduction and had a specific medical history, physical examination findings, or AP radiographic evidence of unilateral or bilateral DDH. None had a concomitant femoral/acetabular osteotomy procedure in these hips. All patients underwent hip medial ultrasound, AP radiography, and MRI under sedation within 2 to 7 days after open or closed reduction. The examination time was from the second day after reduction to enable the patient to recover from anesthesia. MRI was performed within 7 days after reduction because of a few long appointment times, and ultrasound and AP radiography were always performed 1 or 2 days before MRI. Based on that, 65% (88 of 136 [88 hips]) of patients were excluded due to the absence of MRI, ultrasound, or AP radiography; 3% (4 of 136 [4 hips]) of patients were excluded because of concurrent congenital spina bifida, Larson syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome; and 1% (1 of 136 [1 hip]) of patients were excluded because the patient underwent MRI before ultrasound. A total of 32% (43 of 136 [43 hips]) of patients were eligible for analysis in this cross-sectional diagnostic study, and these 43 patients underwent AP radiography, ultrasound, and MRI. In this retrospective study, the mean age at the time of surgery was 10 ± 4 months (male:female ratio 5:38; unilateral DDH: 34; bilateral DDH: 9). To ensure the independence of the results, the study was limited to one hip per patient (in patients with bilateral DDH, the right hip was evaluated). The reduction of 43 hips (left:right ratio 26:17; closed:open reduction ratio 30:13) was evaluated by MRI, hip medial ultrasound, and radiography. Children with spica casts were placed in the supine position, which is necessary to expose the perineum for ultrasound. We used a broad-spectrum, microconvex, and intracavitary probe. The acetabular medial wall was identified by the triradiate cartilage of the ischial tuberosity and the pubis superior, and the femoral head was identified by the femoral neck. Then, the acetabulum coronal midsectional plane was used to determine the positions of the femoral head and acetabulum and to measure the triradiate cartilage-femoral distance. MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5-T MRI system with an eight-channel body coil. Each reviewer evaluated each reduction independently. Additionally, to further assess the hip medial ultrasound method's reliability and reproducibility, we investigated the interobserver and intraobserver agreement in evaluating the reduction using hip medial ultrasound. Using ultrasound or radiography, the reviewers classified hips as reduced, uncertain status, or dislocated. MRI was considered the gold standard for assessing hip reduction, and the reviewers classified hips as reduced or dislocated by MRI. Patients with hips with an uncertain reduction status according to ultrasound or radiography were retained in the analysis. Thus, the test results of radiography and ultrasound were classified into three classifications (positive, negative, or uncertain) in the present study. The test was considered positive or negative when patients were assessed with dislocation or without dislocation, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasound and radiography were calculated and compared. We combined uncertain and positive into the positive classification to be conservative in the statistical choices. The specificity, sensitivity, PPV, and NPV were analyzed based on this premise. Furthermore, a subgroup analysis was conducted by sex. MRI evaluation revealed that 41 hips were reduced and two hips were dislocated. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of ultrasound were 100% (95% CI 16% to 100%), 95% (95% CI 84% to 99%), 50% (95% CI 7% to 93%), and 100% (95% CI 91% to 100%), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of radiography were 50% (95% CI 1% to 99%), 68% (95% CI 52% to 82%), 7% (95% CI 0% to 34%), and 97% (95% CI 82% to 100%), respectively. Ultrasound showed a higher specificity (95% versus 68%; p < 0.001) and PPV (50% versus 7%; p = 0.02) than radiography. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of ultrasound were 100% (95% CI 16% to 100%), 94% (95% CI 81% to 99%), 50% (95% CI 7% to 93%), and 100% (95% CI 90% to 100%), respectively, for female patients (with only five male patients, we could not perform these analyses in this group). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of radiography were 50% (95% CI 1% to 99%), 64% (95% CI 46% to 79%), 7% (95% CI 0% to 34%), and 96% (95% CI 79% to 100%), respectively, for female patients. The κ values for intra- and interobserver reliability both were 1.0. CONCLUSION: Hip medial ultrasound can directly visualize the femoral head and acetabulum. Hip medial ultrasound is more reliable than radiography as a preliminary evaluation method and does not involve irradiation. We recommend using hip medial ultrasound during outpatient follow-up visits for patients younger than 2 years treated with hip reduction and cast immobilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study.

Risk Factors for Avascular Necrosis After Closed Reduction for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a major complication after closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The factors that predispose to AVN remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk factors, especially patient factors, such as age at reduction, grade of dislocation, and ossific nucleus development, related to AVN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed children with dysplasia of the hip treated by closed reduction between 1997 and 2006. AVN was evaluated using Salter criteria and Kalamchi and MacEwen classification. Related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and eight children (140 hips) with an average age of 16.6 months at closed reduction (range: 6-24 mo) were included in the study. For an average duration of 10.1 years (range 7-16 y) of follow-up, 44 hips (31.4%) developed AVN. Grade II or higher AVN occurred in 14 hips (10%). The incidence of AVN increased with the grade of dislocation ( P =0.022) and underdevelopment of the ossific nucleus ( P <0.001). Underdevelopment of the ossific nucleus was also found to be positively correlated with the dislocation grade ( P =0.047). The age at the time of reduction, sex, and side were not significant factors. Children who underwent secondary operation were all older than 1 year at reduction. CONCLUSIONS: High-grade dislocation correlates with the underdevelopment of the ossific nucleus. Patients with these 2 characteristics are predisposed to AVN. As underdevelopment of the ossific nucleus occurred regardless of age, it is not advisable to delay reduction because it does not alter the AVN rate, and instead, it increases the secondary operation rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV case series.

Study on multiplanar measurements of infant hips with three-dimensional ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: An automatic evaluation technology based on artificial intelligence and three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D US) is proposed for hip US inspection plane selection. This study aimed to evaluate the consistency of the α angle as measured using 3D US to select the section plane and two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D US) to manually select the Graf image, as well as to explore the feasibility of diagnosing developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) using 3D US and reconstruction technology. METHODS: A total of 216 infant hips were included and assessed by doctors using 3D US layer-by-layer. The researchers used a computer to identify the coronal images that met the Graf standard and then compared the αX values obtained with the αG values measured artificially by 2D US. RESULTS: Compared with 2D US, 3D US more clearly showed the relative positions of the ilium, ischia, and pubis. The measured α value of the optimal section obtained by 3D US showed good agreement with the measured α value of the standard Graf section. CONCLUSION: The artificial intelligence and 3D US-based automatic evaluation technology for section selection and inspection for DDH showed good agreement with the Graf method based on standard sections.

Novel Minimally-Invasive Triple Pelvic Osteotomy: JiShuiTan Minimally-Invasive Approach.

PURPOSE: Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is often performed to improve femoral head coverage, correct deformity, and stabilize the hip joint in a variety of pediatric orthopaedic conditions. After the TPO was first reported, many modifications were developed to simplify or improve the procedure, however, because of the specific anatomy with several critical nerves and vessels passing through the approaches, extensive exposure and prolonged intraoperative fluoroscopy are often required for TPO. This report introduces a novel, minimally-invasive surgical approach that minimizes the time of intraoperative fluoroscopy and size of the surgical incision, and reviews our experience. METHODS: A total of 48 hips in 43 patients with a mean age of 8.3±1.7 years (range: 6.0 to 12.2 y) were included in this study. Of these, 21 patients (22 hips) had Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) and 22 patients (26 hips) had developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The TPOs were performed using the novel, minimally-invasive TPO approach, with a mean postoperative follow-up of 38 months (range: 24 to 54 mo) in the DDH group and 44 months (range: 23 to 58 mo) in the LCPD group. The acetabular index (AI), femoral head migration rate (MP), center edge angle (CEA) and the Severin and Stulberg classification systems were used to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative results. SPSS software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The AI decreased from 33.8 degrees±9.2 to 2.9 degrees±10.1, the lateral CEA increased from -10.8 degrees±23.8 to 34.1 degrees±9.9, and the femoral head MP decreased from 64.0%±19.8% to 1.1%±2.6% in the DDH group at last follow-up, indicating significant improvement. The AI decreased from 20.8 degrees±4.7 to -1.3 degrees±7.3, the lateral CEA increased from 6.8 degrees±11.5 to 42.3 degrees±6.4, and the femoral head MP decreased from 42.2%±13.0% to 1.3%±3.3% in the LCPD group at last follow-up, also indicating significant improvement. CONCLUSION: This approach can simplify the TPO, making the complex operation safer, more effective, and capable of achieving satisfactory correction.

Tübingen hip flexion splint more successful than Pavlik harness for decentred hips after the age of three months.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients younger than six months of age with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) managed by either a Pavlik harness or Tübingen hip flexion splint. METHODS: Records of 251 consecutive infants with a mean age of 89 days (SD 47), diagnosed with DDH between January 2015 and December 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria for patients with DDH were: younger than 180 days at the time of diagnosis; ultrasound Graf classification of IIc or greater; treatment by Pavlik harness or Tübingen splint; and no prior treatment history. All patients underwent hip ultrasound every seven days during the first three weeks of treatment and subsequently every three to four weeks until completion of treatment. If no signs of improvement were found after three weeks, the Pavlik harness or Tübingen splint was discontinued. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The study included 251 patients with Graf grades IIc to IV in 18 males and 233 females with DDH. Mean follow-up time was 22 months (SD 10). A total of 116 hips were graded as Graf IIc (39.1%), nine as grade D (3.0%), 100 as grade III (33.7%), and 72 as grade IV (24.2%). There were 109 patients (128 hips) in the Pavlik group and 142 patients (169 hips) in the Tübingen group (p = 0.227). The Tübingen group showed a 69.8% success rate in Graf III and Graf IV hips while the success rate was significantly lower in the Pavlik group, 53.9% (p = 0.033). For infants older than three months of age, the Tübingen group showed a 71.4% success rate, and the Pavlik group a 54.4% success rate (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The Tübingen splint should be the preferred treatment option for children older than three months, and for those with severe forms of DDH such as Graf grade III and IV, who are younger than six months at time of diagnosis. The Tübingen hip flexion splint is a valid alternative to the Pavlik harness for older infants and those with more severe DDH. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(5):991-998.

Relationship between hand and wrist bone age assessment methods.

Assessment of skeletal maturity is crucial for managing growth related problems. Tanner and Whitehouse (TW) hand and wrist bone age assessment is an accurate method; however, it is complex and labor-intensive. Several simplified methods derived from the TW method were proposed, and each had its own character. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between these methods for accurate usage.Between 2018 and 2019, a cross-sectional study was performed with consecutive left hand and wrist x-rays obtained from a pediatric orthopedic clinic. Bone age assessments included the distal radius and ulna (DRU) classification, Sanders staging (S), thumb ossification composite index (T), and TW method. Somers delta correlation was conducted to determine the interchangeability of these stages. The mean bone age and standard deviation (SD) of each subgrade were compared and analyzed.Totally 103 films (92 girls) were analyzed with mean age of 12.1 years (range: 8.0-17.9 years). The radius (R) stages had good correlation with S, T, and U stages with a very high Somers delta correlation (P < .05). R5 had relatively large SD (1.5) and referred to T2 and T3; R6 and R7 had the smallest SD (0.3) with reference to T4 or S2; R8 referred to T5 or S3, S4, S5; R9 referred to S6 and S7.The internal relationship between the DRU and digital stages system was well proven. We also provided a simple and accurate way to assess the bone age by combination of some subgrades with smaller SD: 10y-proximal thumb covered without sesamoid (T2); 10.5y-sesamoid just appearing (T3); 11y-distal radial physis just covered (medial double joint line, R6); 11.5y-medial capping of distal radial physis (R7); 12y-bilateral capping of distal radial physis (R8) / phalangeal capping without fusion (S3); 12.5y-distal phalangeal physes start to fuse (S4); 13y-distal phalangeal physes fused (S5); 13.5y-proximal phalangeal physes start to fuse (S6); 14.5y-proximal phalangeal physes fused (S7); 15y-distal radial physis almost fused (R10).Level of Evidence: Diagnostic study, level III.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of combined acetabuloplasty with acetabular redirectional osteotomy and femoral shortening for children older than 9 years of age with developmental dysplasia of the hip: a retrospective case series.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a challenging pediatric condition. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and the efficacy of Dega osteotomy in combination with pelvic triple osteotomy or periacetabular osteotomy and femoral shortening with derotational osteotomy for the treatment of severe acetabular deformity secondary to DDH in children older than 9 years of age. The clinical data of 22 children treated at our institution were retrospectively collected. Pre- and postoperative hip radiographs were evaluated. Center-edge (CE) angle was measured, and Severin classification and McKay criteria were used to evaluate the final outcome. Twenty-two patients (including 21 female patients) were treated during the study period. The mean age was 10.9 years (range 9.1-14.8). All patients had preoperative Tonnis grades III and IV dislocated hips. Mean follow-up time was 25.7 months (range 14-48). All but three hips underwent open reduction. All had concomitant proximal femoral shortening and derotation osteotomy. At last follow-up visit, all hips remained located and no cases of avascular necrosis were recorded. All patients had Severin grade I-II hips at last follow-up. According to McKay criteria, clinical outcome was excellent in three patients, good in seven, and fair in 12 patients. Acetabuloplasty in combination with periacetabular osteotomy and femoral shortening with derotational osteotomy is a valid and effective treatment for children older than 9 years of age with severe acetabular deformity secondary to DDH. Although the early clinical outcome of the reported procedure is favorable, further studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of the reported technique.

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia of the distal femur.

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia (FFCD) of the distal femur is a rare disorder that results in a varus or valgus of knee. Due to the small number of cases and unconfirmed natural history of the disease, treatment methods remain variable. This study aimed to determine a strategy to successfully manage distal femoral FFCD. Nine case of femoral FFCD treated in our department between 2008 and 2018, together with 22 cases from literature, were retrospectively reviewed. Tibiofemoral anatomical axis angle (TFA) was used to evaluate and follow the deformities. Treatment methods and outcome were analyzed. Five methods were used to manage the disease: osteotomy with tether release in 14 cases with mean TFA of 29°; simple tether release in eight cases with mean TFA of 31°; guide growth without tether release in 3 case with mean TFA of 27°; guide growth with tether release in 3 case with mean TFA of 27°; and observation in three cases with mean TFA of 23°.Deformity was resolved in all 31 patients. The analysis of the 31 cases in the literature and our experience suggests that femoral FFCD can be successfully managed by simple tether release and curettage. Osteotomy can be avoided. In case of mild deformity (TFA < 25°), it is reasonable to follow-up till 2-3 years of age; if no progress occurs, spontaneous resolution can be expected.