Consensus guidelines on the management of musculoskeletal infection affecting children in the UK.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the consensus best practice approach for the investigation and management of children (aged 0 to 15 years) in the UK with musculoskeletal infection (including septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pyomyositis, tenosynovitis, fasciitis, and discitis). This consensus can then be used to ensure consistent, safe care for children in UK hospitals and those elsewhere with similar healthcare systems. Methods: A Delphi approach was used to determine consensus in three core aspects of care: 1) assessment, investigation, and diagnosis; 2) treatment; and 3) service, pathways, and networks. A steering group of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons created statements which were then evaluated through a two-round Delphi survey sent to all members of the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS). Statements were only included ('consensus in') in the final agreed consensus if at least 75% of respondents scored the statement as critical for inclusion. Statements were discarded ('consensus out') if at least 75% of respondents scored them as not important for inclusion. Reporting these results followed the Appraisal Guidelines for Research and Evaluation. Results: A total of 133 children's orthopaedic surgeons completed the first survey, and 109 the second. Out of 43 proposed statements included in the initial Delphi, 32 reached 'consensus in', 0 'consensus out', and 11 'no consensus'. These 11 statements were then reworded, amalgamated, or deleted before the second Delphi round of eight statements. All eight were accepted as 'consensus in', resulting in a total of 40 approved statements. Conclusion: In the many aspects of medicine where relevant evidence is not available for clinicians to base their practice, a Delphi consensus can provide a strong body of opinion that acts as a benchmark for good quality clinical care. We would recommend clinicians managing children with musculoskeletal infection follow the guidance in the consensus statements in this article, to ensure care in all medical settings is consistent and safe.

Standard setting for orthopaedic trauma competencies in postgraduate specialty training- catching those falling behind the curve.

BACKGROUND: The Curriculum for Trauma and Orthopaedics focuses on producing competent Day-One Consultants. However, the expected development trajectory is not clear. It is important, yet difficult to objectively identify trainees who are "falling behind". This project proposes practical, consensus-based thresholds of Operative Trauma Competence at each Waypoint stage of training. METHODS: 32 trainers and 73 trainees in one Deanery were identified. The trainers and trainees were asked their PBA level expectation of a trainee at ST4, ST6 and ST8 for nine trauma competencies. Lower quartile values were calculated providing thresholds. RESULTS: 53 (72%) trainees and 22 (69%) trainers responded. At ST8, the lower quartile threshold was level 4 for all procedures. At ST6, three operation groups became apparent: Group 1 (hip hemiarthroplasty, Dynamic hip screw; k-wire distal radius fracture and Weber C Ankle open reduction, internal fixation (ORIF)) Group 2 (Tibial Nail; Olecranon Tension band wire, ORIF radial shaft; distal radius plate fixation)- Group 3 (supracondylar fracture fixation)Threshold levels for procedures were: Group 1- 4a; Group 2-3b and Group 3- 3a.At ST4, there was more variation and spread in responses, however, expectations could still be similarly grouped: Group 1- 3a; Group 2- 2b and Group 3- 2a. CONCLUSION: In an increasingly competency-based training environment we provide tangible thresholds for expectations of orthopaedic trainees' progression and development. We identified two groups: basic trauma (Group 1 where level 4 competencies should be attained by ST6) and intermediate trauma (Groups 2 and 3 where level 4 competencies should be attained by ST8.).

The future of orthopaedic surgical education: Where do we go now?

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 will undoubtedly change the future landscape of medical and surgical education. The economic and environmental advantages of virtual learning are clear, while access to a wider range of resources and subject specialists makes the adoption of virtual learning within surgical education an attractive prospect. AIMS: This literature review aims to evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of virtual education in orthopaedics and how we might implement positive changes to educational practice in the future, as a result of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: We performed a review of the literature reporting on efficacy of learning outcomes achieved as a result of virtual education within orthopaedic surgery. Electronic searches were performed using NICE healthcare databases from the date of inception to March 2021. Relevant studies were identified, data extracted, and qualitative synthesis performed. RESULTS: 14 manuscripts with a total of 1548 participants (orthopaedic trainees or medical students) were included for analysis. Nine studies (n = 1109) selected compared e-learning to conventional learning material (control group). All nine studies reported significantly higher outcome scores for e-learning participants compared to control participants (p < 0.001 to p < 0.05). The remaining studies compared blended e-learning approaches or evaluated pre/post intervention improvements in learning outcomes. All studies demonstrated a significant improvement in learning outcomes (p < 0.0001 to p < 0.01). The majority of studies (64%) used a blended approach. No studies were identified reporting efficacy of webinars or videoconferencing within orthopaedic education. CONCLUSION: A blended approach, combining virtual teaching, face-to-face instruction and distance learning tools, based on the evidence we have provided, would improve the quality of knowledge reception and retention, and learner satisfaction. However, in order to be successful, it is vital that these educational programmes are designed with the needs of the learner in mind, and an awareness of best practice for virtual teaching and learning.

Principles of Bracing in the Early Management of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Bracing is considered a gold standard in treating Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) in infants under 6 months of age with reducible hips. A variety of braces are available that work on similar principles of limiting hip adduction and extension. This paper summarises the current evidence regarding bracing in DDH. Most of the literature pertains to the Pavlik harness (PH) and there are few studies for other brace types. Bracing eliminates dislocating forces from the hamstrings, the block to reduction of the psoas and improves the muscle line of pull to stabilise the hip joint. Recent studies have shown no benefit in bracing for stable dysplasia. The rates of PH treatment failure in Ortolani-positive hips have been reported to be high. Barlow positive hips have lower Graf grades and are more amenable to PH treatment. There is consensus that the earlier the diagnosis of DDH and initiation of PH treatment, the better the outcome. Failure rates due to unsuccessful reduction and AVN are higher with treatment initiated after age 4-6 months. Studies have shown no benefits of staged weaning of braces. While there is no maximum time in brace, current consensus suggests a minimum of 6 weeks. The key to successful bracing lies in education and communication with the family.

Multicentre study of physical abuse and limb fractures in young children in the East Anglia Region, UK.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the detection of physical abuse in young children with fractures is of uniform high standard in the East Anglia Region of the UK, and whether we can identify areas for improvement in our detection of high-risk groups. DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective 4-year study. SETTING: 7 hospitals across the East Anglia Region of Britain (East Anglia Paediatric Physical Abuse and Fractures study). PARTICIPANTS: Age groups and fractures indicated as being at higher risk for physical abuse (all children under 12 months of age, and fractures of humerus and femur in children under 36 months of age). OUTCOME MEASURES: Our criterion for physical abuse was the decision of a multiagency child protection case conference (CPCC). RESULTS: Probability of CPCC decision of physical abuse was highest in infants, ranging from 50% of fractures sustained in the first month of life (excluding obstetric injuries) to 10% at 12 months of age. Only 46%-86% of infants (under 12 months) with a fracture were assessed by a paediatrician for physical abuse after their fracture. Significant variation in the use of skeletal surveys and in CPCC decision of physical abuse was noted in children attending different hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: It is a concern that significant variation between hospitals was found in the investigation and detection of physical abuse as confirmed by CPCC decisions. To minimise failure to detect true cases of physical abuse, we recommend that all high-risk children should be assessed by a paediatrician prior to discharge from the emergency department. Our proposed criteria for assessment (where we found probability of CPCC decision of physical abuse was at least 10%) are any child under the age of 12 months with any fracture, under 18 months of age with femur fracture and under 24 months with humeral shaft fracture (not supracondylar).

Femoral diaphyseal stress fracture as the initial presentation of acute leukaemia in an adolescent.

A 14-year-old boy was referred to the orthopaedic clinic by his general practitioner, reporting of a 6-week history of left thigh pain. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Radiographs demonstrated a periosteal reaction at the proximal femur. MRI scans demonstrated a stress fracture of the femur, with no associated sinister features and no evidence of a pathological lesion. As the fracture healed and symptoms improved, the patient became unwell with weight loss, lethargy, chest and jaw pain and fevers. After multiple blood tests over a 25-day period, including five full blood counts and two normal blood films, a third blood film finally demonstrated blasts in keeping with acute leukaemia. We discuss a literature review of musculoskeletal manifestations of leukaemia and the often atypical presentations found.

Recurrent Proximal Femur Fractures in a Teenager With Osteogenesis Imperfecta on Continuous Bisphosphonate Therapy: Are We Overtreating?

Long-term bisphosphonate (BP) therapy in adults with osteoporosis is associated with atypical femoral fractures, caused by increased material bone density and prolonged suppression of bone remodeling which may reduce fracture toughness. In children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), long-term intravenous BP therapy improves bone structure and mass without further increasing the already hypermineralized bone matrix, and is generally regarded as safe. Here we report a teenage girl with OI type IV, who was started on cyclical intravenous pamidronate therapy at age 6 years because of recurrent fractures. Transiliac bone biopsy revealed classical structural features of OI but unusually low bone resorption surfaces. She made substantial improvements in functional ability, bone mass, and fracture rate. However, after 5 years of pamidronate therapy she started to develop recurrent, bilateral, nontraumatic, and proximal femur fractures, which satisfied the case definition for atypical femur fractures. Some fractures were preceded by periosteal reactions and prodromal pain. Pamidronate was discontinued after 7 years of therapy, following which she sustained two further nontraumatic femur fractures, and continued to show delayed tibial osteotomy healing. Despite rodding surgery, and very much in contrast to her affected, untreated, and normally mobile mother, she remains wheelchair-dependent. The case of this girl raises questions about the long-term safety of BP therapy in some children, in particular about the risk of oversuppressed bone remodeling with the potential for microcrack accumulation, delayed healing, and increased stiffness. The principal concern is whether there is point at which benefit from BP therapy could turn into harm, where fracture risk increases again. This case should stimulate debate whether current adult atypical femoral fracture guidance should apply to children, and whether low-frequency, low-dose cyclical, intermittent, or oral treatment maintenance regimens should be considered on a case-by-case basis. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Ewing's sarcoma of the pelvis: an unusual, but not to be missed, cause of an irritable hip.

A 15-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of non-specific right hip pain associated with pain in the back, right flank and foot. Her symptoms deteriorated, interfering with weight-bearing. Following admission, she was found to be febrile with a flexion deformity of her right-hip, and tenderness over the iliac crest and posterior pelvis. A markedly elevated C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, with an ultrasound-proven scan effusion within the right hip were all suggestive of septic arthritis. However, full blood count demonstrated a significant anaemia, which together with the tenderness around the pelvis was not in keeping with this diagnosis. Surgical washout was therefore delayed to obtain a MRI scan of the pelvis. The scan revealed a 5×5×3 cm necrotic soft tissue mass within the gluteal muscles, arising from the right ilium, which biopsy confirmed to be a Ewing's sarcoma.

Hydroxyapatite-coated collars reduce radiolucent line progression in cemented distal femoral bone tumor implants.

BACKGROUND: Aseptic loosening of massive bone tumor implants is a major cause of prosthesis failure. Evidence suggests that an osteointegrated hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated collar would reduce the incidence of aseptic loosening around the cemented intramedullary stem in distal femoral bone tumor prostheses. Because these implants often are used in young patients with a tumor, such treatment might extend the longevity of tumor implants. Questions/purposes We asked whether (1) HA-coated collars were more likely to osteointegrate; (2) HA collars were associated with fewer progressive radiolucent lines around the stem-cement interface; and (3) HA-coated collars were associated with less bone loss at the bone-shoulder implant junction? METHODS: Twenty-two patients were pair-matched to one of two groups--either (1) implants with a HA-coated ingrowth collar (HA Collar Group); or (2) implants without an ingrowth collar (Noncollar Group). Age, sex, and length of followup were similar in both groups. HA-coated collars were developed and used at our institution from 1992 to address the high failure rate attributable to aseptic loosening in patients with massive bone tumor implants. Before this, smooth titanium shafts were used routinely adjacent to bone at the transection site. The minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 7 years; range, 2-12 years). Radiographs obtained throughout the followup period were analyzed and osteointegration at the shaft of the implant quantified. Radiolucent line progression around the cemented stem was semi-quantitatively assessed and cortical bone loss at the bone-shoulder implant junction was measured during the followup period. RESULTS: Comparison of the most recent radiographs showed nine of 11 patients had osteointegrated HA collars, whereas only one patient in the Noncollar Group had osteointegration (p > 0.001). The radiolucent line score quantified around the cemented stem was lower in the HA Collar Group when compared with the Noncollar Group (p = 0.001). Results showed an increase in cortical bone loss at the bone-shoulder implant junction in the Noncollar Group when compared with the HA Collar Group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Osteointegration at the implant collar resulted in fewer radiolucent lines adjacent to the intramedullary cemented stem and decreased cortical bone loss immediately adjacent to the transection site. These results suggest that the HA collar may help reduce the risk of aseptic loosening in patients with this type of implant, but longer followup and a larger prospective comparison series are necessary to prove this more definitively.

Custom-made endoprosthetic reconstruction of the distal humerus for non-tumorous pathology.

Eight patients underwent custom-made endoprosthetic elbow reconstruction between 1989 and 2006 either for failed primary total elbow replacements or following complex fracture complications. A functional assessment using the Toronto Extremity Salvage (TES) score was performed. Patients were followed for a mean of 46.1 months (range : 25 to 88). One patient who presented with an infected periprosthetic fracture around a total elbow replacement, failed two-stage reconstruction and underwent excision arthroplasty. The remaining seven patients were available for functional follow-up. Average flexion deformity was 15 degrees (range: 7 to 35) and average flexion arc was 85 degrees (range : 70 to 130). The mean TES score was 67.3 (range: 36.6 to 95.9). Custom made endoprosthetic reconstruction allowed for a satisfactory outcome in all but one of these eight patients with severe bony destruction around the elbow in the absence of tumour infiltration.