Morel-Lavallée Lesion of the Knee in the Young Athlete: About 2 Cases After Sports Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of soft tissue swelling on exposed body parts in the young athlete is large and mostly includes benign self-limiting conditions, once underlying lesion to the bone, the cartilage, and the ligaments is excluded. Morel-Lavallée lesion represents a rare soft tissue injury requiring prompt intervention to ensure favorable outcome. CASES: A 10-year-old boy presented with 2-week-old swelling of the medial side of the knee without recent traumatic event. Unawareness of Morel-Lavallée lesion in the differential diagnosis led to delayed diagnosis and treatment. A 16-year-old boy came to our pediatric tertiary care center with a similar presentation and history. Timely intervention allowed for favorable outcome and early return to play. CONCLUSIONS: Morel-Lavallée lesion is a rare entity in the pediatric population, although underreporting due to unfamiliarity with the diagnosis is highly probable. Raising awareness among professionals in charge of young athletes should allow for better reporting as well as for elaboration of a standardized treatment plan, including rapid intervention and early return to play.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Upper Extremity Fractures in a Tertiary Care Center in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: Fractures in children are common and account for 10% to 25% of injuries in children with considerable effects on activity restriction and subsequent high socioeconomically impact. Eighty percent of all fractures in children occur at the upper extremity. The article investigates the epidemiology and fracture pattern of the upper extremity within a pediatric population consulting a tertiary referral hospital in Switzerland. METHODS: Study population included all patients younger than 18 years presenting with an upper extremity fracture. Recorded data were age, sex, side, season of the year, mechanism, type of fracture, and applied treatment. RESULTS: Fractures of the upper extremities represented 76% with a mean age of 9 years and 7 months. Compared with girls, boys had a risk ratio of 1.35 (1.14-1.6) of having a traumatic injury. The radius, with 298 fractures (37%), was the most injured bone. Overall simple fall from his or her height and soccer represented the main injury mechanisms accounting for 26% and 9%, respectively. Eighty-six percent of fractures were treated by cast with or without closed reduction, 11% (92) by closed reduction and pinning or elastic stable intramedullary, and only 3% of fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty-six percent of all fractures could be treated by conservative methods. Only 17% need surgical treatments by orthopedic surgeons. This shows how important it is to train residents in pediatrics for the treatment of upper limb fractures in children.

[Ankle sprain in youth athlete]. / Entorse de la cheville chez le jeune sportif.

Lateral ankle sprain is the most frequent musculoskeletal injury in the young athlete. Myths, dogma and common belief are regularly encountered when discussing this injury, for which the scientific literature does not prevail yet. In the youth, the growing skeleton further influences the diagnosis and therapeutic processes, as well as the healing potential. For the athlete, a fast recovery and return to sports without recurrence are a priority. In this specific context, an integrated management of the ankle sprain in the young athlete must be based on an adequate diagnosis, a sound knowledge of pediatrics pitfalls and peer-reviewed physiotherapy recommendations and consensus statements.

Lésion musculosquelettique la plus fréquente chez le jeune sportif, l'entorse de la cheville n'en reste pas moins un sujet médical où foisonnent les idées reçues, les dogmes et les mythes que la science a du mal à faire disparaître. Lorsqu'elle affecte un jeune, les pièges du squelette en croissance et le potentiel de guérison sont des éléments supplémentaires influençant le processus diagnostique et thérapeutique. Chez le sportif, le retour rapide à l'entraînement en évitant tout risque de récidive est une priorité. Dans ce contexte, la prise en charge intégrée de l'entorse de la cheville chez le jeune sportif doit être basée sur un bon diagnostic, une connaissance des pièges pédiatriques et des recommandations physiothérapeutiques basées sur l'évidence et les avis de consensus.

FIFA 11+ Kids: Challenges in implementing a prevention program.

Purpose: Soccer is a popular sport among children and adolescents that exposes to a high risk of injury. Several prevention programs, including the FIFA 11+ Kids program have been developed to decrease this injury rate. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge and use of the FIFA 11+ Kids program among soccer coaches of skeletally immature soccer players in a Swiss canton and analyze difficulties of implementing such a prevention program. Materials & methods: First, an online survey was sent to all soccer coaches involved in Swiss training programs for male players from 7 to 13 years of age. Coaches were identified through existing Swiss coaching networks. A total of 237 coaches completed the survey. Second, the FIFA 11+ Kids program was implemented in three soccer teams (players from 7 to 13 years of age) during 6 months in the same canton. Utilization of FIFA 11+ Kids program and compliance of coaches were recorded by the research staff. Results: Around 84% of the included coaches in the survey were certified. Of those, 59% had been taught injury prevention during their course(s). Only 14% of the included coaches knew one of the FIFA programs (11, 11+, 11+ Kids), of those, about one-third (10 out of 237) used the FIFA 11+ Kids program. After 6 months, none of the soccer coaches applied the entire FIFA 11+ Kids program twice a week. One coach had completely abandoned the program. The main reasons for their disapproval were the time and surveillance needed and the players' lack of motivation. They stated, however, that the exercises were good if used occasionally. Conclusion: Injury prevention should be integrated in every soccer coach education courses. An adaptation of the FIFA 11+ Kids program should be considered, especially for the youngest players.

Pedicle screw insertion: robotic assistance versus conventional C-arm fluoroscopy.

Bone-mounted robotic guidance for pedicle screw placement has been recently introduced, aiming at increasing accuracy. The aim of this prospective study was to compare this novel approach with the conventional fluoroscopy assisted freehand technique (not the two- or three-dimensional fluoroscopy-based navigation). Two groups were compared: 11 patients, constituting the robotical group, were instrumented with 64 pedicle screws; 23 other patients, constituting the fluoroscopic group, were also instrumented with 64 pedicle screws. Screw position was assessed by two independent observers on postoperative CT-scans using the Rampersaud A to D classification. No neurological complications were noted. Grade A (totally within pedicle margins) accounted for 79% of the screws in the robotically assisted and for 83% of the screws in the fluoroscopic group respectively (p = 0.8). Grade C and D screws, considered as misplacements, accounted for 4.7% of all robotically inserted screws and 7.8% of the fluoroscopically inserted screws (p = 0.71). The current study did not allow to state that robotically assisted screw placement supersedes the conventional fluoroscopy assisted technique, although the literature is more optimistic about the former.

A Single Retrograde Intramedullary Nail Technique for Treatment of Displaced Proximal Humeral Fractures in Children: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Displaced proximal humeral fractures in older children with low remodeling potential need to be reduced and fixed. There are many options for stabilization, including external fixation, rigid internal fixation with screws and plates, percutaneous pinning, and flexible intramedullary nailing. The use of 2 flexible retrograde nails, originated at the University of Nancy, France, became the most popular technique in Europe. The aim of this study was to describe and assess a modified, single retrograde nail technique to treat fractures of the proximal part of the humerus. METHODS: We performed a retrospective monocentric study. From June 2016 to May 2019, a modified retrograde nail technique with 1 prebent nail was used for the management of 21 consecutive children with a closed displaced proximal humeral fracture. Demographic and surgical data were collected. The surgical technique is similar to the classic elastic stable intramedullary nailing, but only 1 nail is used. The average surgical time and perioperative complications were used as criteria for the feasibility of this technique. Radiographs were obtained preoperatively; at 1, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively; and after implant removal at an average of 4.2 months postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were assessed on the basis of the shoulder range of motion documented in the medical records and by using the French edition of the QuickDASH (shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] questionnaire) evaluation scale at the time of implant removal. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with a mean age of 12.6 years and a mean follow-up of 6 months were included in the study. The mean surgical time was 49 minutes. The single intramedullary nail technique provided a satisfactory reduction of all fractures. No perioperative complication occurred. In 1 case, partial loss of reduction was observed on the first-week control radiograph. All patients had a healed fracture, no deficits, excellent results according to the QuickDASH score, a normal range of motion, and excellent strength of the shoulder joint at the time of implant removal (at a mean of 4.2 months). CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms the feasibility and efficacy of the single retrograde intramedullary nail technique to treat displaced proximal humeral fractures in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pilot licensing after aortic valve surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart malformation, and a high percentage of patients with this condition will develop complications over time. It is rare that pilots undergo aortic valve surgery, and the confirmation of flight-licensing requirements after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a challenge for the patient's cardiac surgeon and, particularly, for the Aeromedical Examiner (AME). Only AMEs are able to determine the flight status of pilots. Furthermore, in military and in civil aviation (e.g., Red Bull Air Race), the high G-load environment experienced by pilots is an exceptional physiological parameter, which must be considered postoperatively. METHODS: A review was conducted of the aeronautical, surgical and medical literature, and of European pilot-licensing regulations. Case studies are also reported for two Swiss Air Force pilots. RESULTS: According to European legislation, pilots can return to flight duty from the sixth postoperative month, with the following limitations: that an aortic bioprosthesis presents no restrictions in cardiac function, requires no cardioactive medications, yet requires a flight operation with co-pilot, the avoidance of accelerations over +3 Gz and, in military aviation, restricts the pilot to non-ejection-seat aircraft. The patient follow up must include both echocardiographic and rhythm assessments every six months. Mechanical prostheses cannot be certified because the required anticoagulation therapy is a disqualifying condition for pilot licensing. CONCLUSION: Pilot licensing after aortic valve surgery is possible, but with restrictions. The +Gz exposition is of concern in both military and civilian aviation (aerobatics). The choice of bioprosthesis type and size is determinant. Pericardial and stentless valves seem to show better flow characteristics under high-output conditions. Repetitive cardiological controls are mandatory for the early assessment of structural valve disease and rhythm disturbances. A pre-emptive timing is recommended when reoperation is indicated, without waiting for clinical manifestations of structural valve disease.

Patella Osteomyelitis Mimicking Sinding-Larsen and Johansson Apophysitis: A Pitfall Not to Miss.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of bony infection remains difficult during childhood. Osteomyelitis of the patella (OMP) is rare and produces few symptoms and no fever. A high level of suspicion is needed to avoid missing this uncommon type of bone infection. METHODS: /. RESULTS: We report an acute osteomyelitis of the patella treated by joint and patella puncture aspiration followed by antibiotics in a 12-year-old healthy boy. Clinical and radiological findings, orthopedic follow-up, and clinical outcome are presented. CONCLUSION: Making a diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis of the patella can be challenging especially in the pediatric population, as it produces few specific symptoms with mostly nonspecific biologic anomalies. The paucity in specific signs and symptoms, accompanied by the rare occurrence, often leads to incorrect initial diagnosis, such as overuse injury or apophysitis. Clinical examination with high suspicion for patella infection is key. Radiological exams including MRI are the main components of the adequate imaging studies. Computed tomography may be an excellent addendum to better visualize any bony lesion within the patella. Bone aspiration or biopsy is essential to confirm the diagnosis and offers a first step in the treatment of this infection, which can then be successfully treated with a normal course of antibiotics.