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Knee osteoarthritis in patients with achondroplasia is rare. Bowleg deformity is typical but corrective surgery is limited. Thus, primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) might be challenging due to the particular anatomy. We report on a patient with 11 year's follow-up after a TKA performed maintaining bowleg alignment, using a posterior stabilized, fixed-bearing design. Sequential X-rays showed radiolucencies on the femoral component within two years postoperatively, slightly increasing over time but stable at last follow-up. The Oxford Knee Score showed an excellent result at 11 years. Despite the peculiarities of a case report, TKA without concomitant osteotomies might be an option for such patients. Nevertheless, a thorough discussion about pros and cons is paramount.

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Isotretinoin, a vitamin A derivative, is known to induce premature epiphyseal closure. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy with neuroblastoma who demonstrated premature epiphyseal closure after 1 year of isotretinoin treatment (72.3 mg/m2/day). A bone bridge developed on the bilateral proximal tibial growth plate resulting in genu varum. We performed hemiepiphysiodesis on the bilateral proximal tibia in anticipation of the spontaneous resolution of the bone bridge. Genu varum on the left side was corrected with the resolution of bone bridge. For the remaining bone bridge on the right side, arthroscopy-assisted physeal bar resection was performed, and genu varum on the right lower extremity was also corrected. A regular review of the alignment of the upper and lower limbs is necessary to provide timely intervention in patients using isotretinoin, considering the possibility of premature epiphyseal closure.

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BACKGROUND: Lateral tibial bowing leads to varus placement of the tibial component during total knee replacement in varus knees. Lateralised tibial jig placement can improve the accuracy of the tibial cut. METHODS: A total of 227 patients (300 knees) undergoing total knee replacements were randomised into two groups. In the study group, the point of intersection of the distal tibial diaphyseal line at the tibial plateau drawn on long films was represented by zones. Knees with femoral bowing >5° (28%) were excluded. Tibial jig placement on the proximal tibia was lateralised according to the zones. In the control group, the mid-point of the tibial plateau was taken as a reference. Femoral and tibial bowing, postoperative limb alignment and component placement were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 216 knees that were studied, 106 were in the study group and 110 in the control group. Bowing ≥3° had a significant positive correlation with lateralisation of the proximal tibial reference (p < 0.001). The Incidence of tibial bowing ≥3° was 57.33%. The mean postoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle was 178.31 ±â€¯2.88° and 176.53 ±â€¯2.88° (p < 0.001), whereas the mean medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) was 89.91 ±â€¯1.42° and 88.79 ±â€¯1.72° (p < 0.001) in the study and control groups, respectively. Considering bowed tibiae alone, HKA angle and MPTA in the study group were 178.08 ±â€¯2.81° and 89.72 ±â€¯1.39° compared with 175.88 ±â€¯2.87° and 88.38 ±â€¯1.38° in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of tibial bowing in varus knees. Lateralised tibial jig placement improved tibial component placement and postoperative limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty in varus knees with tibial bowing.

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Introducción: la artrosis de rodilla puede llegar a ser una patología muy invalidante por sus síntomas, caracterizados por dolor, inseguridad y pérdida funcional. Es una patología degenerativa que ha aumentado su prevalencia en las últimas décadas, muy ligada al envejecimiento poblacional.Objetivo: validar la técnica de la ostectomía del peroné en el genu varo doloroso como nueva opción de tratamiento.Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio, prospectivo y lineal en el Hospital Militar “Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy” de Matanzas, desde abril del 2016 hasta agosto del 2017. Se aplicó la nueva técnica del Dr. Ying‑Ze Zhang, del Departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica del Tercer Hospital de la Universidad Médica de Hebei en Shijiazhuang, China. En la actualidad ya existe una casuística de 75 pacientes, con 84 rodillas operadas de los cuales se presentan los resultados de los primeros 11 pacientes, posterior al año de operado.Resultados: el promedio de edad fue de 64,3 años, (45 años el menor y 84 años el mayor); de los cuales 8 eran hombres y 3 mujeres. Se aplicó la escala visual analógica para el dolor pre y post-operatorio en cuanto a la marcha y al subir escalones; estando todos los pacientes al caminar, por encima de 6 y al subir escaleras por encima de 7. Después de un año de operados 10 pacientes se encontraban evaluados al caminar entre 0 y 3 puntos, y al subir escalones 9 en igual puntuación; 1 en 5, y solamente 1 paciente mantuvo igual puntuación antes de operarse. Valorando estas puntuaciones se evaluaron 9 pacientes de bien, 2 de regular, y se presentaron 3 complicaciones.Conclusiones: al año de seguimiento ocurre gran mejoría del dolor, mejorando la seguridad del paciente durante la marcha (AU).

Introduction: the fibular osteoarthritis could be a very invalidating disease due to its symptoms, characterized by pain, insecurity and functional loss. It is a degenerative disease whose prevalence has increased during the last decades, tightly linked to population ageing.Objective: to validate the technique of fibular ostectomy in the painful genu varum as a new treatment option.Materials and Methods: a prospective, lineal study was carried out in the Military Hospital “Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy”, of Matanzas, from April 2016 to August 2017. It was used the new technique of Dr. Ying-Ze Zhang, from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University in Shijiazhuang, China. Currently there is a series of cases of 75 patients, with 84 operated knees; the results of the first 11 operated patients, are presented here after a year of the surgery.Results: the average age was 64.3 years, 45 years the youngest and 84 years the eldest; from them, 8 were men and 3 women. The analogical visual scale for the pre and post-surgical pain was applied during the gait and when going upstairs. During the gait all the patients were above 6, and when climbing upstairs above 7. After a year from the operation 10 patients got an evaluation between 0 and 3 points during the gait, and 9 got the same score when climbing steps; one got 5, and only 1 patient kept the same score than before the operation. Taking into account these scores, 9 patients were evaluated as good, 2 regular, and there were 3 complications.Conclusions: after a one-year follow-up, the pain greatly improves, improving patients security during the gait (AU).

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Introducción: la artrosis de rodilla puede llegar a ser una patología muy invalidante por sus síntomas, caracterizados por dolor, inseguridad y pérdida funcional. Es una patología degenerativa que ha aumentado su prevalencia en las últimas décadas, muy ligada al envejecimiento poblacional. Objetivo: validar la técnica de la ostectomía del peroné en el genu varo doloroso como nueva opción de tratamiento. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio, prospectivo y lineal en el Hospital Militar "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy" de Matanzas, desde abril del 2016 hasta agosto del 2017. Se aplicó la nueva técnica del Dr. Ying-Ze Zhang, del Departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica del Tercer Hospital de la Universidad Médica de Hebei en Shijiazhuang, China. En la actualidad ya existe una casuística de 75 pacientes, con 84 rodillas operadas de los cuales se presentan los resultados de los primeros 11 pacientes, posterior al año de operado. Resultados: el promedio de edad fue de 64,3 años, (45 años el menor y 84 años el mayor); de los cuales 8 eran hombres y 3 mujeres. Se aplicó la escala visual analógica para el dolor pre y post-operatorio en cuanto a la marcha y al subir escalones; estando todos los pacientes al caminar, por encima de 6 y al subir escaleras por encima de 7. Después de un año de operados 10 pacientes se encontraban evaluados al caminar entre 0 y 3 puntos, y al subir escalones 9 en igual puntuación; 1 en 5, y solamente 1 paciente mantuvo igual puntuación antes de operarse. Valorando estas puntuaciones se evaluaron 9 pacientes de bien, 2 de regular, y se presentaron 3 complicaciones. Conclusiones: al año de seguimiento ocurre gran mejoría del dolor, mejorando la seguridad del paciente durante la marcha (AU).

Introduction: the fibular osteoarthritis could be a very invalidating disease due to its symptoms, characterized by pain, insecurity and functional loss. It is a degenerative disease whose prevalence has increased during the last decades, tightly linked to population ageing. Objective: to validate the technique of fibular ostectomy in the painful genu varum as a new treatment option. Materials and Methods: a prospective, lineal study was carried out in the Military Hospital "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy", of Matanzas, from April 2016 to August 2017. It was used the new technique of Dr. Ying-Ze Zhang, from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University in Shijiazhuang, China. Currently there is a series of cases of 75 patients, with 84 operated knees; the results of the first 11 operated patients, are presented here after a year of the surgery. Results: the average age was 64.3 years, 45 years the youngest and 84 years the eldest; from them, 8 were men and 3 women. The analogical visual scale for the pre and post-surgical pain was applied during the gait and when going upstairs. During the gait all the patients were above 6, and when climbing upstairs above 7. After a year from the operation 10 patients got an evaluation between 0 and 3 points during the gait, and 9 got the same score when climbing steps; one got 5, and only 1 patient kept the same score than before the operation. Taking into account these scores, 9 patients were evaluated as good, 2 regular, and there were 3 complications. Conclusions: after a one-year follow-up, the pain greatly improves, improving patients' security during the gait (AU).

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La artrosis de rodilla puede llegar a ser una patología muy invalidante por los síntomas que produce, caracterizados por dolor, inseguridad y pérdida funcional. Es una patología degenerativa cuya prevalencia ha ido en aumento en las últimas décadas. Está muy ligada al aumento de las expectativas de vida de la población, fenómeno que ocurre en países del primer mundo con un alto nivel de salud y que ocurre igualmente en nuestro país dado el desarrollo de nuestro sistema de salud. Existen múltiples técnicas quirúrgicas para corregir la deformidad y aliviar el dolor; van desde osteotomías correctoras hasta las artroplastias, todas encaminadas al alivio del dolor en primer lugar y a corregir las deformidades, pero las últimas conllevan mayor tiempo de rehabilitación y son más costosas. Este trabajo va encaminado a la presentación de dos pacientes operados con la nueva técnica del Dr. Ying Ze Zhang, del Departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica del Tercer Hospital de la Universidad Médica de Hebei en Shijiazhuang, China, con la cual, a través de una osteotomía, se descomprime el compartimento interno y se quita tensión ósea en el externo por la resección peronea. Sus objetivos son actuar sobre el dolor, mejorar la función y la marcha como beneficios de este proceder de mínima acción sobre las partes articulares y lograr la rápida incorporación del paciente a su vida social; esto es tema para la obtención del doctorado por parte del autor principal del presente trabajo (AU).

Knee osteoarthritis could be a very disabling disease due to the symptoms it produces, characterized by pain, insecurity and functional loss. It is a degenerative disease which prevalence has increased in the last decades tightly related to the increment of the population's life expectancy, phenomenon occurring in the developed countries with a high life level and also occurring in our country because of the development of our health system. There are several surgical techniques to correct deformation and to relieve pain. They go through correcting osteotomies to arthroplasties, all of them aimed, firstly to pain relieving and also to correcting deformations. The last ones need more rehabilitation time and are more expensive. This work is devoted to presenting two patients operated with the new technique of Dr. Yin-Ze Zhang, from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Third Hospital of the Medical University of Hebei, in Shijiazhuang, China, with which, through an osteotomy, the internal compartment is decompressed and the bone tension in the external one is finished due to the peroneal excision. Its aims are acting upon the pain, improving function and gait as a benefit of this minimal action procedure on the articular parts and achieving the faster incorporation of the patient to his social life; this is the theme the main author of this article is going to develop for obtaining the doctorate in sciences (AU).

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La artrosis de rodilla puede llegar a ser una patología muy invalidante por los síntomas que produce, caracterizados por dolor, inseguridad y pérdida funcional. Es una patología degenerativa cuya prevalencia ha ido en aumento en las últimas décadas. Está muy ligada al aumento de las expectativas de vida de la población, fenómeno que ocurre en países del primer mundo con un alto nivel de salud y que ocurre igualmente en nuestro país dado el desarrollo de nuestro sistema de salud. Existen múltiples técnicas quirúrgicas para corregir la deformidad y aliviar el dolor; van desde osteotomías correctoras hasta las artroplastias, todas encaminadas al alivio del dolor en primer lugar y a corregir las deformidades, pero las últimas conllevan mayor tiempo de rehabilitación y son más costosas. Este trabajo va encaminado a la presentación de dos pacientes operados con la nueva técnica del Dr. Ying Ze Zhang, del Departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica del Tercer Hospital de la Universidad Médica de Hebei en Shijiazhuang, China, con la cual, a través de una osteotomía, se descomprime el compartimento interno y se quita tensión ósea en el externo por la resección peronea. Sus objetivos son actuar sobre el dolor, mejorar la función y la marcha como beneficios de este proceder de mínima acción sobre las partes articulares y lograr la rápida incorporación del paciente a su vida social; esto es tema para la obtención del doctorado por parte del autor principal del presente trabajo (AU).

Knee osteoarthritis could be a very disabling disease due to the symptoms it produces, characterized by pain, insecurity and functional loss. It is a degenerative disease which prevalence has increased in the last decades tightly related to the increment of the population's life expectancy, phenomenon occurring in the developed countries with a high life level and also occurring in our country because of the development of our health system. There are several surgical techniques to correct deformation and to relieve pain. They go through correcting osteotomies to arthroplasties, all of them aimed, firstly to pain relieving and also to correcting deformations. The last ones need more rehabilitation time and are more expensive. This work is devoted to presenting two patients operated with the new technique of Dr. Yin-Ze Zhang, from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Third Hospital of the Medical University of Hebei, in Shijiazhuang, China, with which, through an osteotomy, the internal compartment is decompressed and the bone tension in the external one is finished due to the peroneal excision. Its aims are acting upon the pain, improving function and gait as a benefit of this minimal action procedure on the articular parts and achieving the faster incorporation of the patient to his social life; this is the theme the main author of this article is going to develop for obtaining the doctorate in sciences (AU).

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PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical and radiological results of simultaneous bilateral correction of genu varum with Smart frame. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2015, a total of 25 patients (10 females, 15 males) who had bilateral genu varum deformity were operated bilaterally with tibial and fibular osteotomy in the same session, using Smart frame. The mean follow-up period was 28.7 (range, 13-45) months. All patients had bilateral tibial varus deformity. Femoral deformity was corrected in an earlier session in nine patients. Mechanical axis deviation (MAD), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Short Form-36 questionnaire was filled by the patients preoperatively and during the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean preoperative MAD was 37.6 mm (range, 9-98 mm), which improved to 8.4 mm (range, 3-44 mm) postoperatively ( p < 0.05). The mean preoperative mMPTA was 76°, which improved to 89° ( p < 0.05). The mean preoperative PPTA was 75.5°, which improved to 80.3 ( p < 0.05). Ten problems (20%), two obstacles (4%) and no sequelae occurred in 50 legs of 25 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Smart frame is an accurate and reliable method for performing bilateral simultaneous deformity correction in patients with bilateral genu varum deformity. It can be applied for various childhood-induced severe tibial deformities such as achondroplasia, rickets, skeletal dysplasia and Blount's disease.

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OBJECTIVE: To reduce unnecessary orthopedic referrals by developing a protocol for managing physiologic bow legs in the primary care environment through the use of a noninvasive technique that simultaneously tracks normal varus progression and screens for potential pathologic bowing requiring an orthopedic referral. METHODS: Retrospective study of 155 patients with physiologic genu varum and 10 with infantile Blount`s disease. We used fingerbreadth measurements to document progression or resolution of bow legs. Final diagnoses were made by one orthopedic surgeon using clinical and radiographic evidence. We divided genu varum patients into 3 groups: patients presenting with bow legs before 18 months of age (MOA), patients presenting between 18 and 23 MOA, and patients presenting at 24 MOA or older for analyses relevant to the development of the follow-up protocol. RESULTS: Physiologic genu varum patients walked earlier than average infants (10 months vs 12-15 months; P<.001). Physiologic genu varum patients presenting before 18 MOA demonstrated initial signs of correction between 18 and 24 MOA and resolution by 30 MOA. Physiologic genu varum patients presenting between 18 and 23 MOA demonstrated initial signs of correction between 24 MOA and 30 MOA and resolution by 36 MOA. CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians can manage most children presenting with bow legs. Management focuses on following the progression or resolution of varus with regular follow-up. For patients presenting with bow legs, we recommend a follow-up protocol using mainly well-child checkups and a simple clinical assessment to monitor varus progression and screen for pathologic bowing.

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INTRODUCTION: Defective mineralization of osteoid matrix prior to physeal closure causes rickets. Poor calcification of the cartilage matrix in the zone of provisional calcification causes flattened skull, rachitic rosary, bowed legs, coxa vara and brittle bones. The recent literature has seen an increase in the incidence of the disease in both developing and developed nations. We evaluated behaviour of lower limb deformities due to nutritional rickets in 117 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2011 for clinical and radiological evaluation of knee deformities in nutritional rickets. A total of 117 patients with 198 coronal plane knee deformities between 2 years and 12 years age of rickets were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: In our study, there were 65 genu varum and 133 genu valgum deformities. Seven genu varum (10.7%) and 37 genu valgum (28%) deformities were regarded as failure. Fifty eight genu varum got corrected completely obtaining an average of 5° of valgum in an average of 6.3 months. The average rate of spontaneous correction was 1.9° a month. Ninety six valgum got corrected obtaining an average of 4.7 valgum in an average of 13.3 months. The average rate of spontaneous correction was 0.92° a month. CONCLUSION: Most of the rachitic deformities get corrected with age. Genu varum is having better chances and a faster rate of correction as compared with genu valgum. Early surgery may be indicated in late presenting cases. We believe varum above 4 years and 18° of valgum above 9 years usually do not correct and may require surgical intervention.

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We report an unusual case of recurrent fever, inflammatory knee pain, genu varum, persistent anemia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate in a 28-month-old boy as late manifestations of congenital syphilis (CS). Despite standard penicillin treatment at the end of the first month of life, it recurred later in life, more than once. In the first relapse, manifested by a likely gumma lesion, the prior penicillin treatment plus a negative venereal disease research laboratory result unduly led to exclusion of CS. A second treatment with penicillin led to complete clinical resolution. Although rare, bow legs, recurrent fever, anemia, and inflammatory arthralgias may be manifestations of late CS. Congenital syphilis should be considered throughout early childhood, especially if history of syphilis infection is present. A negative venereal disease research laboratory result does not exclude late syphilis, present in nearly 30% of these patients. The possibility of atypical symptoms of this "great masquerader" should always be borne in mind.

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Introducción: Las deformidades angulares de las extremidades inferiores durante la infancia son un motivo frecuente de consulta en pediatría. Sin embargo, poco se sabe acerca de la relación entre la práctica deportiva y las adaptaciones estructurales durante la etapa de crecimiento. Objetivo: Describir las diferencias en el alineamiento de las extremidades inferiores (genu varo v/s genu valgo) entre un grupo de niños controles sanos y un grupo de futbolistas en formación. Material y método: Consistente en un estudio tipo observacional transversal. Se examinó un total de 206 niños entre 8 y 15 años de edad, de sexo masculino, 103 corresponden a controles sanos no deportistas de un servicio pediátrico de Santiago de Chile y 103 a jugadores seleccionados de fútbol del Club Deportivo Universidad Católica. Se evaluó la distancia intermaleolar, intercondílea y el ángulo femorotibial. Resultados: El ángulo femorotibial en la población control tuvo una media de 7,8°, mientras que en los futbolistas se constató una media de 3,49°. La distancia intercondílea en el grupo control tuvo una media de 0,07 cm, en cambio, en los futbolistas fue de 1,06 cm. Por último, la distancia intermaleolar en controles fue de 6,01 cm y en los futbolistas 0,77 cm. Todas con un p < 0,005. Estas diferencias son estadísticamente significativas para ángulo femorotibial y las distancias intercondílea e intermaleolar. Discusión: Se observa una tendencia a mayor varo de rodillas en los niños que practican fútbol, comparado con los no deportistas. Las siguientes líneas de investigación pueden estar orientadas a correlacionar estas variaciones anatómicas con riesgo de lesionabilidad, particularmente en la práctica deportiva. De esta manera, se podría planificar medidas preventivas en esta población objetivo (AU)

Introduction: Angular deformities of the lower extremities during childhood are a frequent reason for consultation in pediatrics. Is known that the soccer players have tendency to genu varus legs compared with general population. Is poor known about the relationship between soccer and structural adaptations during the growth stage. Objective: to describe the differences in lower tips alignment between a control group of healthy children and a group of soccer players. Material and method: is a transversal observational study, 206 male children between 8 to 15 years old were examinated. 103 are from the control group ( no athletes children from a pediatric care center) and 103 are from the case group ( athletes children from Universidad Católica Football Club. Intermalleolar distance, intercondylar distance and femorotibial angle were evaluated. Results: Femorotibial angle in control group was 7,8º on average, while in soccer player group was 3,49º on average. Intercondylar distance in control group was 0,07 centimeters on average, while in soccer player group was 1,06 centimeters on average. Finally, intermalleolar distance in control group was 6,01 centimeters on average and soccer player group was 0,77 centimeters on average. All results with a p >0,005. These differences found in both group are statistically significants for all measurements. Discussion: A tendency to genu varum was observed in soccer player group compared with control group of healthy children. The following investigation may be oriented to correlate these anatomical variations with risk of injury, particularly, in the sporting context. In this way, some medical measures could be planned to reduce the risk of skeletal injuries (AU)

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Most dislocations of the patella occur during sports activities. The entities instability, maltracking and loss of tracking should be defined by patient history, clinical examination and radiological evaluation including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on these criteria a new classification of patella dislocations (5 types) was established which allows a standardized treatment algorithm. Type 1 is a simple (traumatic) dislocation without maltracking and without instability. Type 2 has a high redislocation risk (defined as instability) without maltracking. An isolated stabilizing surgical procedure, such as medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) augmentation is successful in most cases. Type 3 is characterized by instability and maltracking. Maltracking can be caused by soft tissue contracture or muscular deficits (type 3a), patella alta (type 3b), pathological tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance (type 3c), genu valgum (type 3d) and torsional deformities (type 3e). In these types an isolated soft tissue procedure is usually not sufficient. The bony pathologies additionally need to be addressed to regain physiological patella tracking. Type 4 includes severe trochlea dysplasia with loss of patella tracking. Usually trochleaplasty is needed to stabilize the patella and to prevent redislocation. Type 5 is based on patella maltracking without instability and can be found in patients with a pathological knee baseline or special forms of torsional deformities. Although patella dislocations in trained athletes are seldom due to the stabilizing muscular status, the treatment strategy is similar to that of normal persons. Additional cartilage injuries, type of sports and time for rehabilitation have to be considered for optimal treatment.

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Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome is a rarely reported cause of bowed legs; hence a thorough clinical and radiological examination is needed for its diagnosis. In view of the paucity of reports guiding the treatment of the deformity, we propose a one-level/two-level osteotomy with intramedullary nail fixation as a treatment modality for the tibial bowing.

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INTRODUCTION: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are often accompanied by postural deformity or malalignment. Genu varo or genu valgo can be found in the knees. It is necessary to have a diagnostic support test for diagnosis as well as for follow-up of cases since these diseases are frequently progressive and over time have serious repercussions on patient quality of life. Objective. To evaluate a software program that processes digitalized photographs as a diagnostic test for measuring the mechanical axis in patients with genu varo and genu valgo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mechanical axis in both knees was measured by means of radiography (golden standard) and by means of a software program (proposed diagnostic test) in one hundred patients. Mechanical axis was considered to be abnormal when the angle was equal to or greater than four degrees. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined. Interobserver variation was evaluated with kappa statistics. RESULTS: In relation to right knee genu varo, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictivie value were 0.84, 0.87, 0.84, and 0.87, respectively, and for the left knee values were 0.86, 0.87, 0.84, and 0.89, respectively. For genu valgo in the right knee, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.78, 0.98, 0.95, and 0.92, respectively, and in the left knee were 0.88, 0.95, 0.88, and 0.95, respectively. Kappa value was 0.9 in the right knee and 0.8 in the left knee. CONCLUSION: The software program (diagnostic test) was useful for diagnosing genu varo or genu valgo, representing a safe and low-cost study.

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OBJECTIVE: To identify, by systematic review, patient characteristics that can be used by health care practitioners to predict the likelihood of knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression. METHODS: A search was conducted of the electronic databases Medline, EMBase, CINAHL, AMED, and Web of Science in November 2010. Two reviewers screened articles using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study participants were adults with established knee OA. Outcome measures for disease progression were change in pain or function or deterioration in radiographic features. Included studies identified clinically relevant prognostic factors at baseline and reported a statistical association with outcome. Minimum followup was 1 year. Articles were assessed for bias, and strength of evidence was summarized for potential predictors of progression. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included, of which 26 were of high quality. Age, varus knee alignment, presence of OA in multiple joints, and radiographic features had strong evidence as predictors of knee OA progression. Body mass index was a strong predictor for long-term progression (>3 years). Moderate participation in physical activity was not associated with progression. Numerous variables had limited or conflicting evidence. CONCLUSION: Relatively few predictive variables have strong supporting evidence; numerous variables have limited or conflicting evidence. All variables with strong evidence can be easily evaluated and utilized in clinical practice. Existing knowledge should be developed in future research, particularly in cases where study numbers are low or findings are limited or conflicting. Standardized measurement of potential predictors and outcome measures is recommended.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the percentiles of interpopliteal distance to diagnose bowleg in 0-6 year-old children. Measurement of interpopliteal distance is a simple but valuable indicator in clinical examination to diagnose bowleg. We analyzed data from the anthropometry of Turkish children aged 0-6 years. The primary sampling unit included 21 family health centers (Aile Sagligi Merkezi) located in the city center and suburbs of Kayseri, Turkey. A total of 2,873 children and adolescents (1,419 boys, 1,454 girls), whose parents gave consent were included in the study. The smoothed percentiles and Z-scores were calculated by age and gender in 0-6 year-old children in quarter year intervals except for the 0-28-day newborn period. We found a significant correlation (r: 0.60, p < 0.001) between body weight and interpopliteal distance (after onset of walking). We consider that percentiles of interpopliteal distance can be used in the follow-up of children who may be at risk of bone and growth disorders. The zone between -2 standard deviation (SD) and +2SD values can be used to decide if the child has a normal growth pattern.

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Tibial tray malalignment has been associated with increased subsidence and failure. We constructed a finite element model of knee arthroplasty to determine the biomechanical factors involved in increasing the risk of subsidence with malalignment. Four fresh-frozen human knees were implanted with a tibial tray and subjected to forces representative of walking for up to 100,000 cycles. Cyclic displacement was measured between the tray and proximal tibia. The vertical load was shifted medially to generate a load distribution ratio of 55:45 (medial/lateral) to represent neutral alignment or 75:25 to represent varus alignment. Subjected specific geometry and material properties were obtained from qCT scans of tibia to construct a finite element model. The tray was subjected to a single load cycle representing experimental conditions. Tray displacement computed by the model matched that measured experimentally. Forces representing varus tray alignment generated greater strains in the proximal tibia and a greater volume of bone was subjected to strains higher than the fatigue threshold. Local compressive strains directly correlated with experimental subsidence and failure. Our results indicate that failure after tray malalignment is likely due to fatigue damage to the proximal tibia rather than shear across the implant-bone interface or failure of the cement mantle.

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OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of lower limb deformities physiologically decreases after 5 years of age. It remains high in some tropical and subtropical regions where it has been associated with severe vitamin D deficiency, low calcium/milk intakes, malnutrition, and/or fluoride overexposure. Very little data is available in apparently healthy Caucasian children and adolescents. DESIGN: We evaluated the prevalence of genu varum/valgum and other clinical symptoms, and assessed vitamin D status and markers of calcium metabolism in 226 apparently healthy European full-time boarders (7-16 years) seen during winter-spring and fed a cereal-based diet with little access to meat, milk, and dairy products. A cohort of 71 white children and adolescents hospitalized for acute illness served as age-matched controls. RESULTS: Association studies showed a high prevalence of lower limb deformities (36%) and higher alkaline phosphate activities in the 21% of children and adolescent full-time boarders with serum 25-(OH)D levels ≤ 30 nmol/l, and low serum calcium in the 74% of boarders with 25-(OH)D levels ≤ 50 nmol/l, compared with boarders with higher vitamin D status. No such anomalies were found in the control cohort despite lower serum 25-(OH)D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Low 25-(OH)D levels, at least during winter-spring, combined with additional risk factors such as very low calcium/milk intakes and possibly digestive disorders, are associated with an increased risk of genu varum/valgum in European children and adolescents. Thus, dietary fortification, or supplementation with vitamin D, may be recommended, at least during the winter, to European children and adolescents with either none or insufficient calcium/dairy product intakes.

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