New Classification for Pediatric Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures.

Proximal fifth metatarsal fractures are the most common foot fractures in children. Attempts to classify these injuries are misapplied and inadequately predict outcomes. This is the first study to identify factors associated with healing in pediatric fifth metatarsal fractures. In this retrospective cohort study (N = 305), proximal fifth metatarsal fractures were classified on radiographs by location on the bone, alignment (transverse or oblique), displacement (>2 mm), and completion through the bone. Based on the literature, they were secondarily sorted by category: apophyseal, intra-articular metaphyseal, extra-articular metaphyseal, and diaphyseal. Primary outcomes included times to healing, indicated by clinical symptoms, immobilization, and return to sports, as well as radiographic callus formation, bridging, and remodeling. Healing times were compared by ANOVA and linear regression. Location had a significant effect on times of immobilization and return to sports, but alignment, displacement, and completion were not associated with healing. When re-classified, the categories were also associated with immobilization and return to sports. Apophyseal fractures healed fastest and diaphyseal fractures required the most time to heal. There was no difference between extra- and intra-articular fractures. For every year of age, symptoms resolved about 2 days sooner. Neither gender nor body mass index (BMI) was positively or negatively associated with healing times. In conclusion, classifying fractures by apophyseal, metaphyseal, and diaphyseal is the most concise, accurate, and useful system. This is the largest series of nonoperatively treated proximal fifth metatarsal fractures in children and a robust standard to which surgical management can be compared.

Orthopaedic outcomes of prenatal versus postnatal repair of myelomeningocele.

Myelomeningocele, characterized by extrusion of the spinal cord through a spinal canal defect, is the most common form of spina bifida, often resulting in lifelong disability and significant orthopaedic issues. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) has shown the efficacy of prenatal repair in decreasing the need for shunting and improving motor outcomes. However, no studies have evaluated the effects of prenatal repair on orthopaedic outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of orthopaedic conditions in patients with prenatal and postnatal repair of myelomeningocele and compare the rates of treatment required. This study analyzes the relevant outcomes from a prospective RCT (Management of Myelomeningocele Study). Eligible women were randomized to prenatal or postnatal repair, and patients were evaluated prospectively. Outcomes of interest included rates of scoliosis, kyphosis, hip abnormality, clubfoot, tibial torsion, and leg length discrepancy (LLD) at 12 and 30 months. The need for orthopaedic intervention at the same time points was also evaluated. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and univariate analyses. Data for the full cohort of 183 patients were analyzed (91 prenatal, 92 postnatal). There were no differences in rates of scoliosis, kyphosis, hip abnormality, clubfoot or tibial torsion between patients treated with prenatal or postnatal repair. The rate of LLD was lower in the prenatal repair group at 12 and 30 months (7 vs. 16% at 30 months, P = 0.047). The rates of patients requiring casting or bracing were significantly lower in patients treated with prenatal repair at 12 and 30 months (78 vs. 90% at 30 months, P = 0.036). Patients treated with prenatal myelomeningocele repair may develop milder forms of orthopaedic conditions and may not require extensive orthopaedic management.

Rehabilitation Following Fracture in Dystrophinopathy, A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Boys with dystrophinopathies (DMD) are at increased risk of low bone mineral density and fracture. Femoral fracture is the most common extremity fracture and is accompanied by significant risk of functional loss. Care considerations for DMD have stressed that aggressive management may be needed to maintain ambulation and that surgical fixation allows early mobilization. OBJECTIVES: Describe 5 cases of femoral fracture in ambulatory boys with DMD and the course of care undertaken to optimize function. PATIENTS: Five boys with DMD median age 15y (12-16) who were independently ambulatory. Median 10m walk speed prior to their first fracture was 8 sec (7-17.37) and 4 of 5 were less than the 9 seconds predictive of 2 year ambulation retention. Three of the cases had a single incident causing fracture; the remaining cases had 2 and 3 incidents respectively representing a total of 8 fractures 6 of which were surgically stabilized. RESULTS: Following the first fracture, all 5 subjects regained some form of ambulation. Three patients regained independent ambulation and 2 with hand held support or contact guard. Two subjects went on to have additional falls with associated fracture. No patient regained the ability to rise from the floor and only one of the 5 regained the ability to climb steps and all demonstrated a decline in walking speed. CONCLUSION: Prompt orthopedic intervention, early mobility, and intensive rehabilitation even in the end stage ambulatory patient, were factors in helping preserve function in these patients with dystrophinopathies.

Office Pediatric Orthopaedics for the General Orthopaedic Surgeon: Staying Current and Avoiding Mistakes.

Pediatric and adolescent patients frequently are seen in the outpatient practices of general orthopaedic surgeons. Orthopaedic conditions may be a challenge to diagnose and manage in pediatric and adolescent patients. To avoid complications, general orthopaedic surgeons should understand current diagnostic techniques, evaluation methods, and treatment options for orthopaedic spine, hip, and lower extremity conditions that are common in pediatric and adolescent patients. General orthopaedic surgeons should understand the indications for surgical treatment in this patient population. In addition, general orthopaedic surgeons must understand methods to accurately, efficiently, and safely evaluate and manage orthopaedic conditions in pediatric and adolescent patients.

Avoiding Errors in the Management of Pediatric Polytrauma Patients.

Management of pediatric polytrauma patients is one of the most difficult challenges for orthopaedic surgeons. Multisystem injuries frequently include complex orthopaedic surgical problems that require intervention. The physiology and anatomy of children and adolescent trauma patients differ from the physiology and anatomy of an adult trauma patient, which alters the types of injuries sustained and the ideal methods for management. Errors of pediatric polytrauma care are included in two broad categories: missed injuries and inadequate fracture treatment. Diagnoses may be missed most frequently because of a surgeon's inability to reliably assess patients who have traumatic brain injuries and painful distracting injuries. Cervical spine injuries are particularly difficult to identify in a child with polytrauma and may have devastating consequences. In children who have multiple injuries, the stabilization of long bone fractures with pediatric fixation techniques, such as elastic nails and other implants, allows for easier care and more rapid mobilization compared with cast treatments. Adolescent polytrauma patients who are approaching skeletal maturity, however, are ideally treated as adults to avoid complications, such as loss of fixation, and to speed rehabilitation.

Common Errors in the Management of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures and Lateral Condyle Fractures.

Supracondylar humerus fractures and lateral condyle fractures are the two most common pediatric elbow fractures that require surgical intervention. Although most surgeons are familiar with supracondylar humerus fractures and lateral condyle fractures, these injuries present challenges that may lead to common errors in evaluation and management and, thus, compromise outcomes. It is well agreed upon that nondisplaced supracondylar fractures (Gartland type I) are best managed nonsurgically with cast immobilization. Errors may be made, however, in the treatment of type II fractures because the extent of displacement and instability are difficult to assess. Although some type II fractures are stable after closed reduction, many are not and benefit from closed reduction and percutaneous pinning to prevent late displacement and cubitus varus deformity. Stable fixation must be achieved and errors related to pin placement must be avoided to prevent the failure of type III fractures after closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Many potential errors and pitfalls also are seen in the management of lateral condyle fractures. Radiographic assessment of displacement can be improved by obtaining an internal oblique view of the elbow. Surgical treatment with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning may be indicated for minimally displaced fractures (2 to 4 mm) that show evidence of increasing displacement over time or demonstrate intra-articular extension on an arthrogram. Displaced fractures are best treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Errors in surgical dissection, fracture reduction, and fixation are common and may result in osteonecrosis, malunion, and nonunion.

Pediatric Monteggia Fracture-Dislocations: Avoiding Problems and Managing Complications.

Monteggia fracture-dislocations typically involve a dislocation of the radial head with an associated fracture of the ulnar shaft. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of these acute injuries result in excellent outcomes. Unfortunately, a Monteggia fracture-dislocation is often missed during diagnostic testing and results in a chronic Monteggia fracture-dislocation. The subsequent timing and treatment of chronic Monteggia fracture-dislocations are debatable because outcomes are suboptimal. Therefore, it is critical that the initial injury be correctly diagnosed and treated as close to the time of injury as possible to ensure excellent outcomes.

Clinical indications for repeat MRI in children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: At our center and at others, some children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) are evaluated with multiple magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) during their treatment. Do these serial MRI studies have a role in the management of AHO? We examine several clinical indications for ordering a repeat MRI and whether the imaging study resulted in a change in management. METHODS: A total of 59 children (60 cases) with AHO were imaged with more than 1 MRI. We retrospectively reviewed the MRI studies and hospital records to investigate whether the results of the MRIs prompted a change in clinical management (surgical exploration or drainage, biopsy, change in the course of antibiotics). We investigated several clinical indicators including C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, time since index study, anatomic location of infection, and blood cultures. Differences in the proportion of patients with specified clinical characteristics, whose repeat MRI resulted in a change in management, were assessed by the use of χ² analysis. RESULTS: The median age of our patient population was 8.4 years; a total of 104 repeat MRI studies were undertaken on 59 children. Eleven (10.6%) of these studies prompted a change in patient treatment. Statistically significant indications for repeat MRI in changing clinical management included failure to improve clinically in 10 studies (21%, P<0.001), persistently elevated or increasing CRP levels in 11 MRI studies (52%, P<0.001), and the repeat study occurring within 14 days of the diagnostic MRI in 8 studies (29%, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed that additional MRI studies provide information that affected patient management in only a limited number of cases. Although repeat MRI does not have a role in routine surveillance in children with AHO undergoing treatment, it can be a useful adjunct to clinical evaluation in patients who do not respond to therapy or who have a persistently elevated CRP level. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.