Spastic muscles show permanent contraction but also paradoxical muscular weakness. Compartmental muscular pressure in normal subjects oscillates between 0 and 5 mmHg.

To study compartmental pressure in the posterior superficial compartment of the leg in children with spastic paralysis, to identify its variations after a percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon, and to find any possible connection with arterial pressure or weight.

Twelve patients who had undergone a percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon were studied. Six of them were tetraplegic and three hemiplegic, with bilateral and unilateral tenotomies respectively. The following variables were taken into consideration: age, weight, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure and pressure of the superficial compartment of the leg, both pre- and post- tenotomy. The measurement of the compartmental pressure was taken using an automatic calibration monitor with an error of measure of ± 1 mmHg. Statistics: descriptive, non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon, Kruskall- Willis).

The average age was 9.3 years old, 11 in men and 7.5 in women. 89.5% of the total population was male and 10.5 % female. The average weight was 27.2 Kilograms, 28.1 Kg. in men and 20.5 Kg. in women. Systolic pressure was 94.1 mmHg and diastolic pressure 41.3 mmHg. Pre-tenotomy compartmental pressure was 12.1 mmHg and 7.9 mmHg post-tenotomy, decreasing 34.5 % (p= 0.08, N.S.). Systolic pressure had no relation to pre-tenotomy (r = −0.16) o post-tenotomy (r = −0.13) compartmental pressure. Diastolic pressure had no relation either (p =0.2 and r=−0.36), respectively. The pressure of the superficial compartment of the leg is higher than normal in spastic patients, decreasing, although not significantly, after a percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon is performed.

The Acetabular Index and the Physeal Angle of the proximal femur are a radiographic assessment of the morphology of the acetabulum and the proximal physis, respectively. Their values to decrease with age and it remains unknown whether any correlation exists between them or if weightbearing has any influence. X-rays belonging to 30 infants (60 hips), 4 boys and 26 girls, were studied between 2003 and 2006, measuring the Acetabular Index (AI) and the Femoral Proximal Physeal Angle (PPA). Measurements were taken using a goniometer (error ± 1°). All the cases had ultrasound scans at 4 months of age, with alpha angles smaller than 50° (Graf type IIa) and cephalic coverage between 33% and 50%. Anteroposterior hip X-rays were taken at 3 months (pre-weightbearing) and 4–10 months (post-weightbearing). Statistics: t-Test and correlation.

The AI was 21.5° (19.5° boys, 21.8° girls) pre-weightbearing and 20.9° (20.8° boys, 21° girls) post- weightbearing. The PPA was 76.5° (75.9° boys, 76.6° girls) pre-weightbearing and 74.9° (75.5° boys, 74.8° girls) post-weightbearing. AI and PPA decreased pre- and post- weightbearing, 2′8% and 2′1% respectively. The decrease was considered significant in the PPA (p = 0.02), especially in girls (p = 0.009), and not significant in the IA. Differences were found between sexes: the AI increased in boys (+6.3%) and decreased in girls (−8.3%), and the PPA decreased in both boys (−0.5%) and girls (−2.3%). The side had no influence. No relevant correlation was found between AI and PPA, both pre- (r = − 0.15, p = 0.27) and post- weightbearing (r = − 0.24, p = 0.07).

We did not find any relevant correlation between IA and PPA values, neither previous to weightbearing, nor in the months after weightbearing occurs. The measured angles suffered a decrease after weightbearing but the only significant decrease was in the PPA.

Objective: To study deformities in tibial fractures that are treated orthopedically.

Material and Methods: A prospective study of 42 tibial fractures treated orthopedically (1996–2003), Average age was 8.9 years, Nineteen (45.2%) were male and 23 (54.3%) were female. Average follow-up was 59.6 months. Nineteen of the fractures (45.2%) were medial third and 23 (54.8%) were distal. The fracture line was spiral in 26 cases (61.9%), oblique in 10 cases (23.8%) and transverse in 6 (4.8%). In 18 cases (42.9%), there was a facture of the fibula and in 24 cases there was not (57.1%). Exclusion criteria: previous fractures, angular deformities less than 5 and surgical treatment. At one year post-concolidation, antero-posterior and lateral X-rays were taken and if the angular deformity was greater than 5 a tibial CT was done to measure axial rotation. Descriptive statistical and non-parametrical studies was done with signification p < 0.05.

Results: Varus deformity was 5.8, valgus 6, recurvatum 6.5 and antecurvatum 4, In 23 cases (54.8%), an association varus and recurvatum was found, in 9 cases (21.4%) valgus- recurvatum were associated, and in five cases each there was varus- and valgus- antecurvatum associations (11.9%). Healthy tibia had an external rotation of 38.2, while the rotation of fractured tibia was virtually the same at 38.5. In fractures of the medial third, external rotation decreased 8.3(55.6% cases). When the fibula was intact, external rotation was 6.4(40%) and decreased 8.7 (17.5%). When was fractured, decreased 6.5(30% cases). Localization and fracture line had no impact on results. external tibial rotation was greater for intact fibula than for fractured ones (p= 0.03).

Conclusions: 1) The majority of tibias treated orthopedically consolidated in varus or valgus-antecurvatum, 2) When there was a lesion of the fibula, the consolidation of the external rotation of the tibia increased, when there was no lesion to the fibula, it decreased.