RESUMEN

Introduction: Hip impingement from slipped epiphysis and idiopathic cam is well known but not fully differentiated. Idiopathic cam can be a result of an undiagnosed slip. The mechanism of remodeling of slipped epiphysis deformity has also been controversial. The causes of recurrent femoral head deformity and new impingement beyond progression of the slip have not been studied. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of hips treated by arthroscopic femoral neck osteoplasty for impingement from slipped epiphysis were compared with a series of hips treated for idiopathic cam impingement. Demographics and clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic features were retrospectively retrieved. The same parameters were studied in another consecutive series of hips treated for slipped epiphysis and developed recurrent pain from impingement. The deformity was analyzed to understand the causes of recurrence in these hips. The medial most point where the femoral head sphericity ended was called the Alpha point and the tissue covering the bone at the Alpha point was identified. Results: Children with idiopathic cam were older, had less pain and limp, and less clinical deformity compared to those with slipped epiphysis. The damage pattern was chondrolabral separation and acetabular cartilage debonding from the subchondral bone by an articular cartilage covered bump in idiopathic cam impingement, while it was labral crushing and labral and cartilage abrasion by metaphyseal bone in slip impingement. Recurrent cam deformities after initial slips were from epiphyseal extension similar to the idiopathic cam deformity in 7 out of 9 hips. Discussion: Slipped epiphysis and idiopathic cam seem to be distinct entities at the time of presentation. They were different in all findings except for having pain with flexion and internal rotation in both groups. Remodeling of slip deformity seems to occur by wear of the metaphyseal prominence on the acetabulum. Recurrence or worsening of cam deformity in slips occurred by growth of the epiphysis on to the neck anteriorly which can appear as a decrease in the posterior slip. The relationship of the Alpha point to the physeal scar and the tissue covering the femoral head at the Alpha point help differentiate between epiphyseal and metaphyseal cam deformities. Level of Evidence: Level 3 retrospective comparative study.

RESUMEN

Purpose: To review reliable techniques for reconstructing or repairing chronic patella tendon tears and describe the unique case report of chronic patellar tendon tear with heterotopic ossification (HO). Case description: A 47-year-old male presented with chronic patellar tendon tears with HO, resulting in an inability to extend the right knee fully. Krackow suture repair augmented by autograft semitendinosus and gracilis was employed after debriding intra-substance patella tendon HO and fibrotic tissue. The repair was augmented using a method described by Chen et al. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient demonstrated an excellent Knee Society Score (86/100) at 6 months of follow-up. Proximal migration of the patella, poor tissue quality, scar tissue formation, and quadriceps atrophy pose unique challenges in managing chronic patellar tendon tears. Conclusion: HO increased the probability of patella baja after the reconstruction. To alleviate that, precise pre-op planning, careful method selection, and proper execution of the selected method are very important. A comprehensive review of 14 different methodologies for managing chronic patellar tendon tears, comprising eight case series and six case reports, was conducted. The selection of an appropriate technique should be based on individual patient characteristics, resource availability, and the surgeon's expertise.

RESUMEN

Purpose: Relative femoral neck lengthening (RNL) is a newer technique to correct coxa breva and coxa vara to relieve a femoro-acetabular impingement and improve hip abductor function without changing the position of the head on the shaft. Proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO) changes the position of the femoral head relative to the shaft. We studied the short-term complications of procedures that combined RNL with PFO. Methods: All hips that underwent RNL and PFO using a surgical dislocation and extended retinacular flap development were included. Hips that were treated only with intra-articular femoral osteotomies (IAFO) were excluded. Hips that underwent RNL and PFO, with IAFO and/or acetabular procedures were included. Intra-operative evaluation of the femoral head blood flow was performed with the drill hole technique. Clinical evaluation and hip radiographs were obtained at 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. Results: Seventy two patients (31 males, 41 females, 6-52 years of age) underwent 79 combined RNL and PFO. 22 hips underwent additional procedures like head reduction osteotomy, femoral neck osteotomy, and acetabular osteotomies. There were 6 major and 5 minor complications noted. Two hips developed non-unions, both with basicervical varus-producing osteotomies. Four hips developed femoral head ischemia. Two of these hips avoided collapse with early intervention. One hip had persistent abductor weakness requiring hardware removal and three hips, all in boys developed symptomatic widening of the hip on the operated side from varus-producing osteotomy. One hip had asymptomatic trochanteric non-union. Conclusion: RNL is routinely performed by releasing the short external rotator muscle tendon insertion from the proximal femur to raise the posterior retinacular flap. Though this technique protects the blood supply from direct injury, it seems to stretch the vessels with major corrections in the proximal femur. We recommend evaluating the blood flow intraoperatively and postoperatively and taking necessary steps early to decrease the stretch on the flap. It may be safer to avoid raising the flap for major extra-articular proximal femur corrections. Significance: The results of this study suggest ways to improve the safety of procedures that combine RNL and PFO.

RESUMEN

Background: Safe surgical dislocation of the hip is a versatile approach to the hip joint with a low complication rate. Hip joint instability is a devastating complication with poor prognosis. Methods: All hips treated surgically through the safe surgical dislocation approach were entered in a database and the complication of hip joint instability was studied prospectively from 2000 to 2021. Instability was diagnosed by intraoperative stress examination and on postoperative radiographs. The initial deformities treated, type of instability, presumed causes, treatment provided, response to the treatment, and final result were recorded as they happened during the course of the treatment. We considered patient's age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and initial diagnosis as risk factors. We evaluated the radiographs for femoral neck shortening, lack of greater trochanteric advancement, acetabular deformity, and incongruity of the hip joint. Anterior hip precautions were initiated in the middle of the study period. Results: 22/459 hips developed hip joint instability after surgical dislocation approach performed for hip preservation. Acetabular deficiency, coxa breva, coxa valga, posterior impingement, increased anteversion, lax soft tissues, medial thigh obesity and lack of postoperative precautions seemed to contribute to instability. 50% of the hips became normal. Chondrolysis and residual subluxation were common in the others. Conclusion: Surgical dislocation approach disrupts the soft tissue restraints of the hip and joint stability depends on bony morphology, abductor muscle tension, and postoperative precautions. Several risk factors were subjective and speculative, but awareness of all the potential risk factors and prevention and treatment options should decrease this complication. Level of Evidence: IV Case series.

RESUMEN

Septic arthritis of the pediatric hip is a surgical emergency that requires adequate lavage to decompress the hip, reduce degradative cartilage insult, and prevent coxarthrosis. In this report, we describe a simplified arthroscopic technique that may be performed using a single portal based on fluoroscopy and surface landmarks and without regular use of traction. We present results of a series of patients who underwent the simplified arthroscopic method for the management of pediatric septic hip. Data were obtained by a retrospective chart review of 13 consecutive patients (14 hips) with pediatric septic hip treated with arthroscopic lavage from 2010 to 2015. Age at the time of surgery ranged from 3 months to 8 years with three patients less than 1 year old. Ten hips (71%) returned for a routine follow-up with an average follow-up of 22 months. All 14 hips (100%) had complete resolution of symptoms. Two hips (14%) needed revision surgery due to inadequate response after the first lavage. One hip (7%) had transient femoral nerve palsy. Hip arthroscopy is an attractive and effective option for the management of pediatric septic hip. The limited equipment required and the ease of performing our simplified technique may broaden the application to the general orthopedist for the treatment of pediatric septic hip.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Pediatric femur fractures are frequently encountered injuries frequently treated with spica casting. Spica casting may, however, be expensive and burdensome to patients. A possible alternative is a long leg splint. METHODS: Patients aged 6 months to 5 years old who were treated for a femoral shaft fracture with a long leg splint extending above the waist were matched with a patient treated with a spica cast. RESULTS: At the time of healing, the alignment in the spica cast group was only significantly better than the alignment of the splint group with respect to coronal angulation.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: To document the course of the median nerve in the distal forearm in palmaris longus (PL) deficient forearms and elucidate features that help distinguish it from the PL. METHODS: In the cadaveric study, 56 cadaveric forearms were dissected and the location and course of the median nerve were documented. In the clinical study, 20 healthy subjects with absent PL were examined with provocative tests to elucidate the PL (Schaeffer's test and Thompson's test), and modified Durkan's and Phalen's tests. In the imaging study, one subject with a clearly visible and palpable median nerve was further evaluated with MRI with a superficial fiducial marker. RESULTS: Cadaveric dissection revealed that the median nerve was deep to the antebrachial fascia and superficial to the FDS tendons in the distal forearm. In 9 specimens without a PL, the median nerve was the most superficial structure deep and lay draped over the FDS tendons. In the clinical study, PL absence was bilateral in 4 subjects and unilateral in 16. The nerve was visible and palpable in 4 forearms and palpable but not visible in 20 forearms. In all 24 forearms, the nerve was palpable as a lax, mobile, cord-like structure that could be rolled over the taut FDS tendons. Tinel's and Durkan's signs were positive in 11 subjects. In the imaging study, MRI confirmed that the palpable structure was the median nerve. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the PL, the nerve is non-contractile and remains flaccid on provocative testing. It is usually palpable and may also be visible in thin forearms. Careful scrutiny may reveal it to be distinct from, and draped over underlying FDS tendons. These findings may help avoid inadvertent median nerve harvest in place of a PL tendon graft.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic lavage is a well-established, minimally invasive treatment for septic arthritis (SA) in adults, but the use of arthroscopy in the pediatric population is typically restricted to sports injuries and deformity. Previous research on arthroscopic lavage of septic joints in the pediatric population has been limited to case reports and small case series of older children. As such, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of arthroscopic treatment of SA in various joints in very young children. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2015, 24 children (aged 3 wk to 6 y) were treated for SA with arthroscopic lavage. A single portal was adequate for both inflow and outflow in most cases. A second portal was used in all knees and in other joints for synovectomy, when indicated. Drains were placed through the portal site and remained in place for 2 to 3 days. Antibiotics were managed by the infectious disease service. RESULTS: Nine hips, 9 knees, 4 ankles, and 2 shoulders were included. Portal placement, visualization, and adequate lavage were straight forward in all joints. There was 1 transient femoral nerve palsy and no other arthroscopy-associated complications (iatrogenic damage, difficult drain placement, or conversion to open). Two patients required repeat arthroscopic lavage for disease eradication, one of which required a second admission. A third patient underwent open irrigation following arthroscopic lavage with a resultant 1.125 average procedures per subject. At final follow-up (2 to 49 mo, average 16 mo), no recurrence of infection or decreased range of motion was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic lavage appears to be a safe, quick, and effective alternative to open arthrotomy for the treatment of SA in very young children. It is feasible in any large joint even in the infantile population, allowing for improved visualization and irrigation with little soft-tissue dissection and morbidity. Our relatively simple technique and positive results should encourage regular use of arthroscopic treatment of SA even in very young children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous in situ single screw fixation is the preferred treatment for stable and unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). The recommended screw placement is in the center of the epiphysis and perpendicular to the physis, which necessitates an anterior starting point for most SCFEs. A recent clinical study has shown good clinical results with a laterally based screw for SCFE, which is oblique to the physis. We sought to biomechanically compare these 2 techniques for load to failure and hypothesized that the laterally based oblique screw is equivalent or superior to an anteriorly based perpendicular screw. METHODS: Twenty-two paired immature porcine femurs were used to compare the techniques. A SCFE model was created in all femurs using a previously published technique by performing a 30-degree posterior closing wedge osteotomy through the proximal physis. In the control group, a screw was placed perpendicular to the slip with an anterior starting point. In the experimental group, the screw was started as close to the mid-lateral cortex of the proximal femur as possible while maintaining the screw anterior to the posterior cortex of the femoral neck and ending at the apex of the epiphysis ignoring the resultant angle to the physis for the experimental group. The specimens were then potted and loaded in a physiologically relevant posteroinferior direction (30 degrees posterior from vertical) to determine load to failure (N) and stiffness (N/mm). RESULTS: No statistical difference was found between the 2 groups in maximum load to failure or stiffness (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A laterally based screw oblique to the physis for in situ fixation in mild SCFE is not significantly different than an anteriorly based screw perpendicular to the physis in load to failure and stiffness in our study model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In light of no difference in load to failure of these 2 constructs, surgeons may be more comfortable with the traditional lateral entry point while still aiming for screw placement in the center of head.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To investigate the outcomes of arthroscopic femoral neck osteoplasty in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)-related impingement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 37 consecutive patients (40 hips; 19 male and 18 female patients; age range, 10 to 19 years) with SCFE who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoral neck osteoplasty over a 4-year period. Six hips were excluded because of the severity of the slip or conversion to an open procedure. The preoperative and postoperative slip angle, alpha angle, and internal rotation in flexion were compared. Patients were evaluated for pain, functional limitations, and obligatory external rotation deformity (OERD) at each follow-up visit. The mean follow-up period was 22 months (range, 12 to 56 months). RESULTS: We analyzed the results of 34 hips. Adequate distraction could not be obtained initially in 7 hips. The labral and acetabular cartilage damage appeared to be from crushing and abrasion from the bony prominence of the neck. The goals of complete pain relief and correction of OERD were achieved in 88% of the hips. OERD and pain persisted in 2 hips, and 2 patients had residual pain despite good motion. There was a statistically significant improvement in alpha angle (from 88.22° and 56.91°, P < .0001) and internal rotation in flexion (from -21.53° to 10.28°, P < .0001) with intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic femoral neck osteoplasty is effective in decreasing pain, the alpha angle, and OERD in mild to moderate SCFE. Morbid obesity, scarring from previous surgery, and the presence of screws in the anterior neck presented challenges to the arthroscopic technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous in situ single screw fixation is the preferred treatment for stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The recommended screw placement is in the center of the epiphysis and perpendicular to the physis. We reviewed the results of in situ fixation with the screw placed oblique to the physis. METHODS: Thirty-six stable slips were treated with a modified technique. The screw was started as close to the mid lateral cortex of the proximal femur as possible while maintaining the screw anterior to the posterior cortex of the femoral neck and ending at the apex of the epiphysis ignoring the resultant angle to the physis. Thirty-five of these hips were followed till physeal closure. RESULTS: Thirty-five of the 36 hips showed physeal closure at an average of 5 months. There were no screw-related complications or symptoms. The oblique screw path allowed for an extra screw thread to be placed in the epiphysis and also allowed adequate femoral neck osteoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Oblique placement of the screw for in situ fixation in stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis did not cause any deleterious effects and offered several potential advantages. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - Case series.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

UNLABELLED: Child abuse is a significant problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons in the USA. Fractures are the second most common presentation of physical abuse. In this case report, we present a 5-month-old male infant who initially presented with acute hip pain secondary to a femoral neck fracture as a result of abuse. The patient was taken to the operating room for open reduction and pinning of the femoral neck fracture. Further investigation found evidence of fractures of the bilateral femur and fibula at various stages of healing. To our knowledge, a femoral neck fracture in a nonambulatory infant resulting from abuse has not been reported previously. Physicians treating these injuries should consider child abuse in their differential diagnosis when presented with this clinical scenario. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Tillaux and Triplane fractures occur in children predominantly from external rotation mechanism. We hypothesized that in displaced fractures, the talus would shift laterally along with the distal fibula and the distal tibial epiphyseal fragment increasing the medial joint space. DESIGN: Consecutive cases evaluated retrospectively. SETTING: Level I and Level II centers. PATIENTS: Twenty-two skeletally immature patients with 14 displaced Triplane fractures and eight displaced Tillaux fractures were evaluated for medial joint space widening. INTERVENTION: Measurement of fracture displacement and medial joint space widening before and after intervention. RESULTS: Thirteen Triplane and six Tillaux fractures (86%) showed medial space widening of 1 to 9 mm and equal to the amount of fracture displacement. Reduction of the fracture reduced the medial space to normal. There were no known complications. CONCLUSIONS: Medial space widening of the ankle may be a sign of ankle fracture displacement. Anatomic reduction of the fracture reduces the medial space and may improve the results in Tillaux and Triplane fractures.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Posterior wall acetabular fractures are rare in the pediatric patient but require proper management to prevent significant complications. Plain radiographs and computed tomography scans are standard diagnostic imaging used with clinical examination of hip stability to determine if the injury requires open reduction and internal fixation. Two cases are presented of adolescent traumatic hip dislocations and posterior wall fractures in which radiography underestimated the extent of the posterior wall fracture. In one case, a magnetic resonance imaging study more clearly characterized the injury. Because the ossification of the posterior wall occurs throughout adolescence, magnetic resonance imaging may be a useful tool in characterizing these fractures and assisting with surgical planning.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Lipomeningocele is the most common cause of occult spinal dysraphism and spinal cord tethering. Children with this condition seem normal at birth except for cutaneous signs, and the initial complaints are usually musculoskeletal. We studied the orthopaedic deformities observed in this condition. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 159 patients with a diagnosis of lipoma of the lumbosacral spine that were examined in the Myelodysplasia Clinic over 25 years. Of these patients, 122 were treated by a single orthopaedic surgeon (L.D.) and were studied in detail. Of these 122 patients, 45 were over 15 years of age at the time of the final follow-up. RESULTS: Most patients had cutaneous stigmata. Foot deformities were the most common orthopaedic problems, followed by scoliosis. In patients over 15 years of age, the incidence of foot deformities was 44.2% (36 feet), with 20 feet requiring surgical treatment. The most common foot deformities were cavovarus, cavus, and equinocavovarus. In 70% of the surgical cases, good correction was achieved with only one procedure. Foot surgeries in patients under the age of 8 years were usually soft tissue procedures, and bony procedures were performed primarily in patients over the age of 11 years. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopaedic deformities are common at the initial presentation in patients with occult spinal dysraphism. A careful clinical examination with a high index of suspicion for spinal cord anomalies is indicated in all cases of spinal and lower extremity deformities. Foot deformities are very common and surgical treatment is usually successful. A thorough follow-up evaluation, including manual muscle strength testing, should be performed routinely to detect tethering of the cord in the early stages and to prevent worsening of the orthopaedic deformities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This was a retrospective case study. Level 4.

Asunto(s)