Simultaneous bilateral single-stage combined open reduction and pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Children older than 18 months with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) for the first time or who do not respond to closed treatment require open reduction with/without acetabuloplasty. We determined whether open reduction and pelvic acetabuloplasty using the Pemberton or Dega technique for both hips simultaneously was well tolerated and offered better outcomes. A total of 140 hips of 70 patients with bilateral DDH were identified. All patients were diagnosed after they started walking. Patients were treated with bilateral single-stage open reduction with acetabuloplasty using the Pemberton or Dega procedure. All patients were prospectively followed up between 2007 and 2018. Results were considered satisfactory if the acetabular index was <24°. Hemoglobin levels were evaluated in all patients. At the final follow-up, the results were evaluated radiologically and clinically based on the modified Severin's classification and modified McKay criteria, respectively. The mean age at surgery was 20.3 months (range, 16-24). The mean operative time was 228 minutes. The mean postoperative hemoglobin level was 90.5 g/L (range, 61-122; SD, ±13.4). The mean differences between the preoperative and postoperative acetabular index values for both hips were 22.36° (SD, ±6.69°) and 22.64° (SD, ±6.69°) for the right and left hips, respectively. Open reduction with pelvic acetabuloplasty using the Pemberton or Dega technique simultaneously in both hips was well tolerated, cost-effective, had excellent outcomes, and posed no additional risk to patients with DDH younger than 24 months.

Assessment of perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes of parents regarding children's schoolbags and related musculoskeletal health.

BACKGROUND: Heavy schoolbags and their adverse musculoskeletal effects are a cause of great concern. Parents' awareness and knowledge about this are crucial to prevent such health problems. Thus, this study aimed to assess parents' perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes regarding children's schoolbags and related musculoskeletal health. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting parents with children of school age. In January 2015, a self-administered, validated questionnaire was distributed to all participants, consisting of questions about their awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding the negative effects of carrying inappropriate schoolbags on children's musculoskeletal health. RESULT: A total of 616 parents (284 fathers and 332 mothers) completed the questionnaire (response rate of 100%). A total of 247 (87.3%) fathers and 301 (90.9%) mothers knew that carrying heavy schoolbags produces back problems. However, only 105 (36.9%) fathers and 107 (37.6%) mothers knew that incorrect schoolbag weight and inadequate way to carry it may impede the normal alignment and growth of the spine. Only 107 (37.6%) fathers and 96 (28.9%) mothers knew the ideal weight of the schoolbag, while 49.6% of fathers and 42.8% of mothers did not check their children's schoolbags for unnecessary contents. CONCLUSION: Awareness of parents about the consequences of heavy schoolbags and correct use is still limited and suboptimal. Educational sessions for parents and awareness campaigns may help to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal health problems among children.