Comparison of current relative value unit-based prices and utility between common surgical procedures, including orthopedic surgeries, in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: The medical pricing system strongly influences physicians' job satisfaction and patient health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the current relative value unit (RVU)-based pricing and utility of patients in commonly performed surgical procedures in South Korea. METHODS: Fifteen common surgical procedures were selected from OECD statistics, and three additional orthopedic procedures were examined. The current pricing of each surgical procedure was retrieved from the Korea National Health Insurance Service, and the corresponding utilities were obtained as quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains from previous studies. The relationship between the current prices (RVUs) and the patients' utility (incremental QALY gains/year) was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed between fatal and non-fatal procedures and between orthopedic and non-orthopedic procedures. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation (r = - 0.558, p < 0.001) was observed between RVU and incremental QALY among all 18 procedures. The fatal subgroup had a significantly higher RVU than the non-fatal subgroup (p < 0.05), while the former had a significantly lower incremental QALY than the latter (p < 0.001). Orthopedic procedures showed higher incremental QALY values than non-orthopedic procedures, but they did not show higher prices (RVU). CONCLUSIONS: This paradoxical relationship between current prices and patient utility is attributed to the higher pricing of surgical procedures for fatal and urgent conditions. Orthopedic surgery has been found to be a cost-effective treatment strategy. These findings could contribute to a better understanding of the potential role of incremental QALY in pursuing value-based purchasing or reasonable modification of the current medical fee schedule.

When to Combine Acetabular Osteotomy in Patients With Proximal Femoral Deformity Causing Residual Hip Dysplasia/Subluxation After Reduction of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: After the successful reduction of developmental dysplasia of the hip, residual hip dysplasia may persist and lead to early osteoarthritis. Femoral and/or acetabular osteotomy has been used to address this problem. The purpose of this study is to determine the indication of femoral versus combined femoral-acetabular osteotomy in the management of residual hip dysplasia. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with unilateral dislocated-type dysplasia of the hip, who had residual hip dysplasia after reduction, underwent femoral osteotomy with or without acetabular osteotomy before 8 years of age, and were followed for more than 2 years and over 8 years of age, were the subjects of this retrospective study. Twenty-eight patients underwent femoral osteotomy only at a median age of 34 months (group F), and 27 underwent combined femoral-Dega osteotomy at a median age of 49 months (group C). Seventeen patients in group F and 4 in group C had an additional osteotomy due to persistent hip dysplasia. Acetabular index (AI), lateral center-edge angle, and center-head distance difference were measured on serial radiographs. The z-value of AI (Z AI ) was calculated. At the latest follow-up, patients in group F with Severin I/II who did not have an additional osteotomy were considered satisfactory, and patients with Severin III/IV or those who had an additional osteotomy were considered unsatisfactory. Preoperative variables were tested for the difference between satisfactory and unsatisfactory cases. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to delineate a cutoff value of a significant parameter dividing the outcome. RESULTS: AI and Z AI before index osteotomy were significant parameters predicting a satisfactory outcome in group F. Receiver operating characteristic analysis returned a cutoff value of Z AI 2.6 (Area Under the Curve=0.86, P =0.001). Eight of 12 cases (66.7%) with Z AI <2.6 in group F achieved a satisfactory outcome, whereas only 2 of 14 cases with Z AI ≥2.6 in group F did ( P =0.02). CONCLUSION: Z AI 2.6 may serve as a threshold to combine acetabular osteotomy with femoral osteotomy in the management of residual hip dysplasia before 8 years of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.

Intrasubject Radiographic Progression of Hallux Valgus Deformity in Patients With and Without Metatarsus Adductus: Bilateral Asymmetric Hallux Valgus Deformity.

This study was to analyze intrasubject radiographic progression of the hallux valgus deformity by comparing the mildly and severely affected sides in patients with bilateral asymmetric hallux valgus in the whole group as well as the metatarsus adductus and the nonmetatarsus adductus subgroups. A total of 186 patients with bilateral asymmetrical hallux valgus deformity with a difference of 5° or greater in the hallux valgus angle were included, and 11 radiographic measurements were analyzed. The radiographic differences between the mildly and severely affected sides were compared. Correlation between the changes in the hallux valgus angle and those in other measurements was analyzed, and multiple regression analyses were performed. The anteroposterior talo-second metatarsal angle showed no significant difference between the mildly and severely affected sides. Changes in the intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid rotation angle were significantly associated with the progression of hallux valgus angle in the whole group as well as the nonmetatarsus adductus subgroup. Change in the intermetatarsal angle (p = .006) was the significant factor associated with the progression of hallux valgus angle in the metatarsus adductus subgroup. The anteroposterior talo-second metatarsal angle might be useful in evaluating the overall foot shape in the hallux valgus deformity. Progression of the hallux valgus deformity might be pathophysiologically different between those with and without metatarsus adductus.

What happens to the patella height in patients with cerebral palsy as they age.

We aimed to investigate the progression of patella alta (PA) in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) using the Koshino-Sugimoto (KS) index and assess associated risk factors. Participants in our retrospective study met the following inclusion criteria: patients with CP who visited our institute from May 2003 to December 2019, were ≤18 years of age, were followed up for >2 years and had at least two lateral knee radiographs. KS indices of both knee radiographs were measured for each patient. A linear mixed model was implemented. Our participants included 222 CP patients. KS index values were measured via 652 knee radiographs. Reference values of the KS index for those between 4 and 18 years of age were determined according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. In all GMFCS levels, the KS index decreased with patients' ages (P < 0.0001). In groups where the KS index increased, GMFCS levels IV (P = 0.0045) and V (P = 0.0040) were statistically significant. Change in the KS index values indicates that PA improves as patients age within all GMFCS levels. However, in patients with GMFCS levels of IV and V, progressive PA is expected.

Lengthening and deformity correction in vascularized fibular autograft for a patient with Ewing sarcoma.

We report the case of a pediatric patient with Ewing's sarcoma of the tibia treated with vascularized fibular autograft where the resulting limb deformity and leg length discrepancy (LLD) were corrected using Ilizarov external fixator. A 14-year-old girl presented to our outpatient clinic with a deformity of the right proximal and distal tibia and an 11.7 cm of LLD after tumor reconstruction surgery. Deformity correction and limb lengthening were simultaneously performed using double corticotomy on the right proximal and distal tibia. One year postoperatively, the union of the right proximal tibia had progressed, but nonunion was observed at the right distal corticotomy site. To address this, osteosynthesis with tricortical iliac bone allograft was performed after the removal of the Ilizarov external fixator. After 6 months, the union of the distal tibia was confirmed, and the varus deformity of proximal and distal tibia improved. The LLD was also decreased, but the left lower limb was still longer by 3 cm. This report shows that vascularized fibular autografts can potentially be used for the gradual correction of LLD and deformities. However, for the treatment of multiple deformities in bones previously reconstructed with vascularized fibular graft, the possibility of impaired bone forming potential of the fibular graft should be considered.

Analysis of factors influencing improvement of idiopathic flatfoot.

ABSTRACT: Idiopathic flatfoot is common in infants and children, and patients with this condition are frequently referred to pediatric orthopedic clinics. Flatfoot is a physiologic process, and that the arch of the foot elevates spontaneously in most children during the first decade of life. To achieve a consensus as the rate of spontaneous improvement of flatfoot, the present study aimed to estimate the rate of spontaneous improvement of flatfoot and to analyze correlating factors.We reviewed the records of patients examined between May 2013 and May 2019 so as to identify those factors associated with idiopathic flatfoot below 12 years of age. We included patients with who had been followed for >6 months, and those for whom ≥2 (anteroposterior and lateral) weight-bearing bilateral radiographs of the foot had been obtained. The progression rates of the anteroposterior (AP) talo-first metatarsal angle, talonavicular coverage angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and calcaneal pitch angle were adjusted by multiple factors using a linear mixed model, with sex, body mass index, and Achilles tendon contracture as the fixed effects and age and each subject as the random effects.We found that 4 of the radiographic measurements improved as patients grew older. The AP talo-first metatarsal angle, talonavicular coverage angle, and the lateral talo-first metatarsal angle decreased, while the calcaneal pitch angle increased. The AP talo-first metatarsal angle (P < .001), talonavicular coverage angle (P < .001), and lateral talo-first metatarsal angle (P < .001) improved significantly; however, the calcaneal pitch angle (P = .367) did not show any significant difference. In general, the flatfeet showed an improving trend; after analyzing the factors, no sex difference was observed (P = .117), while body mass index (P < .001) and Achilles tendon contracture (P < .001) showed a negative correlation.The study demonstrated that children's flatfeet spontaneously improved at the age of 12 years. It would be more beneficial if the clinician shows the predicted appearance of the foot at the completion of growth by calculating the radiographic indices and identifying the correlating factors in addition to explaining that flatfoot may gradually improve. This will prevent unnecessary medical expenses and the psychological adverse effects to the children caused by unnecessary treatment.

Can gait kinetic data predict femoral bone mineral density in elderly men and women aged 50 years and older?

This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the correlation between kinetic gait parameters and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly subjects aged 50 years and older that could walk independently. Four hundred and twenty-six subjects (158 men and 258 women; mean age 68.7 years, standard deviation (SD) 7.9 years) were included in the study. BMDs (g/cm2) of the femoral neck, trochanter, shaft, and total proximal femur were collected. Kinetic data including maximum hip power and hip power-time integral was obtained from a three-dimensional gait analysis with self-selected walking speed. Correlation between BMDs of proximal femur and gait kinetic data was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was also performed to identify factors significantly associated with BMD. Correlation between BMD and hip kinetic data was not prominent in elderly men. In women, BMD was significantly correlated with hip kinetic data. Hip power-time integral showed greater correlation with BMD than maximum hip power during gait in elderly women. Age (p < 0.001), weight (p = 0.007) and hip power-time integral (p = 0.008) were significant factors associated with femoral neck BMD, and these factors explained 25.4% of femoral neck BMD. In conclusion, the association between the mechanical load and BMD in the different sexes provokes future research into these issues. The effects of various types of exercises on BMD should be investigated more precisely using a gait analysis tool.

Consistency and Reliability of Ankle Stress Radiography in Patients With Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability.

BACKGROUND: Ankle stress radiographs are important tools for evaluating chronic lateral ankle instability. The consistency of a patient's ankle condition as it affects the reliability of ankle stress radiographs has never been evaluated. PURPOSE: To investigate the consistency and reliability of ankle stress radiographs in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability without an ankle injury during the study period. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Included were patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who underwent 2 repeated ankle stress radiographs between January 2014 and July 2019; those with an ankle injury during the study period were excluded. The tibiotalar tilt angle on varus stress radiographs and anterior translation of the talus on anterior drawer stress radiographs were measured at initial presentation and final follow-up examination. Interobserver reliability and consistency of ankle stress radiographs were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: A total of 45 patients (mean ± standard deviation age, 36.4 ± 13.4 years; 18 men and 27 women; follow-up duration, 9.1 ± 3.2 months) were included. The mean ± standard deviation tibiotalar tilt angle and anterior talar translation at initial presentation were 10.8° ± 5.2° and 6.9 ± 2.7 mm, respectively. The interobserver reliabilities of the tibiotalar tilt angle and anterior talar translation were excellent (ICC = 0.926 [95% CI, 0.874-0.959] and 0.911 [95% CI, 0.766-0.961], respectively). The consistency between the initial and final radiographs was good for tibiotalar tilt angle (ICC = 0.763 [95% CI, 0.607-0.862]) and poor for anterior talar translation (ICC = 0.456 [95% CI, 0.187-0.660]). CONCLUSION: Although the interobserver reliability of the radiographic measurements was excellent, the consistency of the ankle stress radiographs was not as acceptable. Surgeons need to be cautious when deciding whether to operate on a patient with chronic lateral ankle instability based on a single ankle stress radiograph.

Radiographic differences in the concomitant deformities in two types of medial ankle osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Motion preserving surgeries could be unsuccessful because of underestimation of deformities of the foot and knee in ankle osteoarthritis. This study aimed to investigate the concomitant deformities in medial ankle osteoarthritis and the difference between the two types, varus angulation and medial translation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using medical records and radiographic data. Patients with medial ankle osteoarthritis that underwent weight-bearing X ray imaging and radiographic measurements including tibial plafond inclination (TPI), tibiotalar tilt angle (TT), lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, naviculo-cuboid overlap, and mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA) were studied. The patients were categorized into two groups, the varus angulation group (TT ≥4°) and medial translation group (TT <4°). The radiographic measurements were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients (male = 44; female = 58) were included; the mean age was 64.9 years (SD 8.3 years). The varus rotation group (N = 66) showed a significantly smaller lateral talo-first metatarsal angle (p<0.001), naviculo-cuboid overlap (p<0.001), and mTFA (p = 0.019) compared to the medial displacement group (N = 36). The TT showed a significant correlation with lateral talo-first metatarsal angle (r = -0.520, p<0.001), naviculo-cuboid overlap (r = -0.501, p<0.001), and mTFA (r = -0.243, p = 0.014). Lateral talo-first metatarsal angle was found to be the significant factor (p = 0.018) discriminating varus angulation and medial translation types in the binary logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Varus angulation of the ankle was correlated with knee alignment and foot deformity. Radiographic indices were different between the varus angulation and medial translation groups. The role of concomitant deformities needs to be further investigated in terms of a causal relationship. Surgeons need to pay attention to concomitant deformities in the treatment of medial ankle osteoarthritis.

Remodelling of femoral head deformity after hip reconstructive surgery in patients with cerebral palsy.

AIMS: Hip displacement, common in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), causes pain and hinders adequate care. Hip reconstructive surgery (HRS) is performed to treat hip displacement; however, only a few studies have quantitatively assessed femoral head sphericity after HRS. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess improvement in hip sphericity after HRS in patients with CP. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed hip radiographs of patients who had undergone HRS because of CP-associated hip displacement. The pre- and postoperative migration percentage (MP), femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA), and sphericity, as determined by the Mose hip ratio (MHR), age at surgery, Gross Motor Function Classification System level, surgical history including Dega pelvic osteotomy, and triradiate cartilage status were studied. Regression analyses using linear mixed model were performed to identify factors affecting hip sphericity improvement. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were enrolled. The mean preoperative MP was 58.3% (SD 31.7%), which improved to 9.1% (SD 15.6%) at the last follow-up. NSA and MHR improved from 156.5° (SD 11.5°) and 82.3% (SD 8.6%) to 126.0° (SD 18.5°) and 89.1% (SD 9.0%), respectively. Factors affecting the postoperative MHR were preoperative MP (p = 0.005), immediate postoperative MP (p = 0.032), and history of Dega osteotomy (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: We found that hip sphericity improves with HRS. Preoperative MP, reduction quality, and acetabular coverage influence femoral head remodelling. We recommend that surgeons should consider intervention early before hip displacement progresses and that during HRS, definite reduction and coverage of the femoral head should be obtained. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):198-203.

Patients' perspectives on the conventional synthetic cast vs a newly developed open cast for ankle sprains.

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic physicians typically apply a cast to immobilize a body part that has been injured. There have been no significant structural changes or advances in synthetic casts since the development of the modern cast. The Opencast® is a recently developed type of cast that allows ventilation and direct visual inspection of the skin to avoid cast-related complications. Although this novel cast appears to have more benefits than the conventional synthetic cast, its clinical efficacy and advantages have not been established. AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy and advantages of the newly developed Opencast® based on patients' perspectives in those with ankle inversion injury. METHODS: A specifically designed questionnaire consisting of 19 items was used to compare patients' opinions and concerns of the Opencast® and the conventional synthetic cast. The items were focused on subjective patient satisfaction, discomfort, and adverse effects while wearing the cast. Patients with an ankle inversion injury diagnosed as a high-grade ankle sprain were enrolled. The subjects were randomized and instructed to fill the questionnaire after wearing a synthetic cast or an Opencast® for 2 wk. They were then required to fill the questionnaire again, after switching to the alternative type of cast for 2 more weeks. RESULTS: A total of 22 subjects participated in the study. The synthetic cast appeared to be more rigid and stable than the Opencast®, but there was no significant difference in the amount of pain relief. The likelihood of adverse effects when wearing the synthetic cast was significantly higher. Patient satisfaction tended to be rated higher after wearing the Opencast®. Opencast® showed more subjective vulnerability than the synthetic cast, but there was no significant difference in the redo rate. Patients were more anxious about removal of the synthetic cast than of the Opencast®. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the Opencast® could replace the conventional synthetic cast as it offers increased patient satisfaction, which would in turn increase compliance to treatment.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Integrity Can Be Screened With Plain Anteroposterior Foot Radiography.

Posterior tibial tendon integrity is an important consideration when treating adult-acquired flatfoot caused by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The condition of this tendon traditionally has been evaluated with ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging, but recent advances in radiography have increased the resolution of radiographic soft tissue images. The authors examined whether the posterior tibial tendon could be screened with anteroposterior foot radiographs, based on interobserver agreement and accuracy. The authors retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent weight-bearing foot radiography and ultrasonography based on suspicion of posterior tibial tendinopathy. The integrity of the posterior tibial tendon was evaluated by 2 orthopedic surgeons with foot radiographs and scored as normal or abnormal. The authors evaluated interobserver agreement and compared the findings of ultrasonography and radiography to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. The study included 21 patients with a mean age of 51.5±15.7 years. Ultrasonography showed that 4 patients had normal tendon integrity, 6 patients had tenosynovitis and no tendinopathy, 8 patients had tendinopathy and tendon continuity, and 3 patients had loss of tendon continuity. The surgeons provided consistent radiographic findings for 81.0% of patients (17 of 21). On the basis of the ultrasonographic findings, the surgeons' accuracy was 76.2% (16 of 21) and 61.9% (13 of 21). The results indicate that weight-bearing anteroposterior foot radiography can be used to evaluate posterior tibial tendon integrity, which may allow orthopedic surgeons to predict the prognosis of patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, determine the extent of surgical treatment, and evaluate tendon integrity postoperatively. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(6):e503-e507.].

Differences in responses to English and Korean versions of the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in caregiver responses to Korean-language and English-language versions of the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) questionnaire. METHODS: Patient data were acquired from the Cerebral Palsy Hip Outcomes Project database, which was established to run a large international multicenter prospective cohort study of the outcomes of hip interventions in cerebral palsy. Thirty-three children whose caregivers had completed the Korean version of CPCHILD were matched by propensity scoring with 33 children whose parents completed the English version. Matching was performed on the basis of 12 covariates: age, gender, gross motor function classification system level, migration percentage of right and hip, seizure status, feeding method, tracheostomy status, pelvic obliquity, spinal deformity, parental report of hip pain and contracture interfering with care. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in CPCHILD scores for section 4 (Communication and Social Interaction), and section 5 (Health) between two groups. Korean-language CPCHILD scores were significantly lower than English-language CPCHILD scores for section 1 (Personal Care/Activities of Daily Living), section 2 (Positioning, Transferring and Mobility), section 3 (Comfort and Emotions) and section 6 (Overall Quality of Life) as well as in terms of total score. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural influences, and the community or social environment may impact the caregivers' perception of the health-related quality of life of their children. Therefore, physicians should consider these differences when interpreting the study outcomes across different countries.

Aggravation of Ankle Varus Incongruency Following Total Knee Replacement Correcting ≥10° of Genu Varum Deformity: A Radiographic Assessment.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the change in ankle varus incongruencies following total knee replacement (TKR) in patients with preoperative genu varum deformity of ≥10°. METHODS: The study cohort was composed of patients who underwent TKR in a single institution for knee osteoarthritis with preoperative genu varum deformity of ≥10° and concomitant varus ankle incongruencies. Eight radiographic measurements were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively: mechanical tibiofemoral angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, medial proximal tibial angle, lateral distal tibial angle, tibial plafond inclination, talar inclination, tibiotalar tilt angle (TTTA), and tibia-mechanical axis angle. Of these, TTTA represented the quantitative degree of ankle joint incongruency. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (male = 2; female = 108) were included in the analysis. The mean patient age was 68.9 (standard deviation [SD] 7.2) years at the time of TKR. All radiographic measurements showed significant changes postoperatively, representing the appropriate correction of genu varum deformity and restoration of the mechanical axis. Nineteen patients (17.3%) showed postoperative decrease in TTTA, 2 (1.8%) remained the same, and 89 (80.9%) showed increase. Overall, mean preoperative and postoperative TTTA were 3.3° (SD 2.2°) and 4.7° (SD 2.9°), respectively (P < .001), representing the aggravation of varus ankle incongruencies. CONCLUSION: Varus ankle incongruencies showed aggravation following TKR despite correction of genu varum deformity and restoration of the mechanical axis. This could be an important cause of postoperative increase or development of ankle pain following TKR. Therefore, patients with preoperative varus ankle incongruencies need to be warned of possible aggravation of ankle symptoms and be evaluated before TKR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level III.

Factors Affecting Subjective Symptoms in Children with Pes Planovalgus Deformity: A Study Using the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pes planovalgus is one of the most common foot deformities in children and adolescents. However, there is a discrepancy between subjective symptoms and radiographic severity in idiopathic planovalgus deformity, and very few studies have investigated this aspect. Further, the assessment of subjective symptoms in patients with pes planovalgus requires a quantitative scoring system for making meaningful comparisons, such as the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-c) and that for parents (OxAFQ-p). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the symptoms of idiopathic planovalgus using the OxAFQ. METHODS: All patients who were ≤18 years of age, had visited our clinic for the evaluation of pes planovalgus deformity, and had completed the OxAFQ were included in this study. The anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal, lateral talo-first metatarsal, and hallux valgus angles were measured on weight-bearing radiographs. The data were analyzed using a multiple regression model, with age, sex, and radiographic indices as explanatory variables. RESULTS: Overall, 123 patients were enrolled in this study, and 246 standing foot radiographs were evaluated along with scores in each domain of the OxAFQ. The factors affecting physical domain scores in the OxAFQ-c were female sex (p = 0.047) and the anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle (p = 0.033). Age of ≥10 years was a significant factor (p < 0.05) affecting all domains in both the OxAFQ-c and OxAFQ-p other than the physical domain score. CONCLUSIONS: Although pes planovalgus deformity is 3-dimensional, the forefoot abduction component of the deformity should be carefully assessed as it is closely related to subjective symptoms. Further, in female patients with a more severe anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle, an aggravation of symptoms with aging should be expected when managing pes planovalgus deformity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Factors affecting GDI improvement after single event multilevel surgery in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic gait is common in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) is a combination of surgical procedures to improve pathologic gait in patients with CP. However, the effect of each procedure is difficult to predict. The gait deviation index (GDI) is useful in comparing pre- and postoperative improvement. RESEARCH QUESTION: In this study, we evaluated the degree of GDI improvement in patients with CP and analyzed factors related to surgical outcomes. METHODS: We screened patients seen between May 2003 and December 2019 via a clinical data warehouse to identify those with CP who had been followed up for >1 year and who had undergone SEMLS. The inclusion criteria were (1) CP patients with GMFCS levels I, II and III, (2) patients who underwent SEMLS, (3) and patients who underwent 3D gait analyses preoperatively and at least 1 year postoperatively. A linear mixed model was used to model GDI improvement, assess effects of covariates, and examine factors that contributed to improvement. RESULTS: Overall, 544 patients were included. The average improvement in overall GDI was 8.9 ± 12.3, 9.6 ± 12.0, and 6.4 ± 8.6 in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I, II, and III, respectively. In GMFCS level II patients, GDI improvement decreased by 0.26 points with a 1-year delay in surgery (p = 0.0022). Within each group of GMFCS levels, femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) was a significant factor in GDI improvement in GMFCS levels I and II. Rectus femoris transfer (RFT) and supracondylar extension osteotomy (SCO) were significant factors in GMFCS level II. No single procedure was shown to affect improvement in GMFCS level III. SIGNIFICANCE: Postoperative GDI improved in all levels of GMFCS. Particular procedures especially affected postoperative improvement in GDI in levels I and II. Our data do not mean to set an indication for particular procedures; however, in GMFCS levels I, II patients, particular procedures, such as FDO, yielded a greater GDI improvement in our data set.

Development and Validation of a Mobile Application for Measuring Femoral Anteversion in Patients With Cerebral Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) provides benefits for 3-dimensional (3D) visualization of femur deformities. However, the potential adverse effects of radiation exposure have become a concern. Consequently, a biplanar imaging system EOS has been proposed to enable reconstruction of the 3D model of the femur. However, this system requires a calibrated apparatus, the cost of which is high, and the area occupied by it is substantial. The purpose of this study was to develop a mobile application that included a new method of 3D reconstruction of the femur from conventional radiographic images and to evaluate the validity and reliability of mobile the application when measuring femoral anteversion. METHODS: The statistical shape model, graph-cut algorithm, and iterative Perspective-n-Point algorithm were utilized to develop the application. The anteroposterior and lateral images of a femur can be input using the embedded camera or by file transfer, and the touch interface aids accurate contouring of the femur. Regarding validation, the CT scans and conventional radiographic images of 36 patients with cerebral palsy were used. To evaluate concurrent validity, the femoral anteversion measurements on the images reconstructed from the mobile application were compared with those from the 3D CT images. Three clinicians assessed interobserver reliability. RESULTS: The mobile application, which reconstructs the 3D image from conventional radiographs, was successfully developed. Regarding concurrent validity, the correlation coefficient between femoral anteversion measured using 3D CT and the mobile application was 0.968 (P<0.001). In terms of interobserver reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient among the 3 clinicians was 0.953. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of femoral anteversion with the mobile application showed excellent concurrent validity and reliability in patients with cerebral palsy. The proposed mobile application can be used with conventional radiographs and does not require additional apparatus. It can be used as a convenient technique in hospitals that cannot afford a CT machine or an EOS system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-diagnostic.

Transcultural adaptation and validation of a Korean version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for children.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to translate and transculturally adapt the original English version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OAFQ) into a Korean version, and to evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS: A Korean OAFQ for children was developed according to established guidelines. To test validity, 169 consecutive patients with foot and ankle problems and their caregivers each completed the OAFQ. The children also completed a Korean version of the KIDSCREEN-52 health related quality of life questionnaire (KIDSCREEN-52 HRQOL). To validate the Korean version of the OAFQ, reliability (child-parent agreement and internal consistency), feasibility (floor and ceiling effects), and construct validity were evaluated, and factor analysis was performed. RESULTS: In terms of reliability, Cronbach's α values were > 0.7 in all subscales of the OAFQ (0.765 to 0.901). Child-parent agreement was confirmed by high intraclass correlation coefficients for all subscales (0.791 to 0.863). In terms of construct validity, there were moderate correlations between the subscales of the OAFQ and the subscales of the KIDSCREEN-52 HRQOL. Factor analysis revealed a three-component solution for both the child/adolescent and parent-proxy version, by combining the school and play, and footwear items into one subscale. In terms of feasibility, no floor effects were found for all subscales. However, ceiling effects were observed for the school and play, and emotional subscales for child/adolescent and parent-proxy versions. CONCLUSIONS: The OAFQ was successfully translated and transculturally adapted into the Korean language; the Korean version of the OAFQ represents a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating children's foot or ankle problems. However, factor analysis suggested the use of a three-subscale questionnaire.