Purpose. To establish the early outcome, satisfaction and complications of sinus tarsi implants in the management of symptomatic flexible flatfeet for a paediatric population. Methods and results. We included all patients aged 18 years or less who were treated for flexible flatfeet with a sinus tarsi implant between January 2010 and June 2012. We excluded patients who had a history of clubfeet or tarsal coalition. 34 patients had 59 implants. The mean age at surgery was 13.7 yrs (9–17 yrs), with mean follow-up of 22 months (range 10–35). Mean AOFAS improved from 65.7 to 87.9 (p<0.001), with an improvement in AOFAS pain scores (p=0.0001). Radiographic correction occurred in all feet, with average improvement of the anteroposterior talar-second metatarsal angle of 16 degrees, and the lateral talar-first metatarsal angle of 9 degrees. Implant placement satisfaction rate was 86%, with 81% claiming that they would have the procedure again. Complications included peroneal spasm (8%), extrusion (7%), revision (5%), and removal (5%). Peroneal spasm was recalcitrant in 3 of the 5 cases, and those with spasm had a higher average forefoot abduction measurement (35 degrees) than the remaining treated cases (25 degrees). Conclusion. In paediatric patients with flexible flatfeet, utilisation of the sinus tarsi implant has good short-term outcome, with our failure and revision rates comparable to other published studies in the adult population. We introduce the concept of isolated subtalar hyperlaxity which appeared to be a distinct etiological factor. A learning curve in assessing implant size was noted. Overcorrection and implant migration were the indications for revision surgery. Severe forefoot abduction appears to have a poorer outcome, and may be associated with peroneal spasm. Level of evidence: IV

We present a retrospective study of 27 patients treated by callus distraction using a unilateral external fixator of our own design for nonunion with bone loss and shortening of the femur caused by suppurative osteomyelitis. The unilateral external fixator was used either alone or in combination with an intramedullary nail. The mean age of the patients was 13.6 years (8 to 18). The fixator was used alone in 13 patients and with an intramedullary nail in 14. The bone results at a mean follow-up of 88 months (37 to 144) were excellent in 16 patients and good in 11. The functional results were excellent in 18 patients and good in nine. However, four patients still had draining sinuses at the latest follow-up. A residual deformity greater than 7° was present in seven femora, but this did not adversely affect function or require further treatment

Aim. Historically, surgeons have focused on isolated simple coalition resection in symptomatic tarsal coalition with concomitant rigid flat foot. However, recent evidence suggests that coalitions with severe preoperative planovalgus malposition treated with resection alone are associated with continued disability and deformity. We believe that concomitant severe flatfoot should be considered as much as a pathological component and pain generator as the coalition itself. Our primary hypothesis is that simple resection of middle facet tarsal coalitions and simultaneous flat foot reconstruction can improve clinical outcomes. Method. We identified eleven children (13 feet) who had resections of middle facet tarsal coalitions with or without complex foot reconstruction (calcaneal lengthening, medial cuneiform osteotomy) for concurrent severe planovalgus between 2003 and 2011. Clinical examination, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hind-foot scores, and radiographic assessments were evaluated after resection of middle facet tarsal coalitions with simultaneous flat foot reconstruction. Results. Isolated coalition resection provided short to intermediate term pain relief for three children that had this as a solitary procedure. Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy performed as an additional procedure in patients with very severe and stiff planovalgus provided excellent correction and symptomatic pain relief in all six patients (Mean AOFAS: 91). Two patients had insertion of sinus tarsi implants in addition to resection also had satisfactory hind foot function (Mean AOFAS: 87.3) post operatively. Conclusion. This study shows that calcaneal lengthening osteotomy in addition to coalition resection in patients with severe rigid flat feet provides excellent pain relief and function. Rigid flat feet should be considered as a significant contributor to the pain complex in this cohort of patients

Purpose. Analyze the results of reconstruction of post osteomyelitic bone defect using non-vascularised fibula graft in children and correlation of results with magnitude of defect. Methods. 11 boys and 15 girls (mean age 6.8±2.33 years) were prospectively enrolled in the study. All had primary acute hematogeneous osteomyelitis with diaphyseal sequestration and active discharging sinuses. 7 femur, 12 tibia, 3 humerus, 3 radius and 1 ulna were the bone involved. As first step a radical debridement and sequestrectomy was performed. Second step was considered after a ‘dry’ period judged clinically and by normalized CRP. A subperiosteal resection of fibula was done and used as graft to fill in the diaphyseal defect. Graft was stabilized using intramedullary ‘K’ wires and supported by post-operative casts. Weight-bearing was started on radiological evidence of union. Results. mean follow up was 3.02±0.74 years with mean union time of 38.76±12.02 weeks. Delayed union (n=4) was seen at sites with large discrepancy between diameter of native bone and graft (like proximal tibial metaphysis). These cases united with plate fixation and bone grafting. There was weak positive correlation between union time and preoperative bone defect (+0.699). Subgroup analysis showed that there no significant difference between union times of patients with defect <4cms (mean of 31.7±11.5 weeks) and defect >4<6cms (mean 36.6±9 weeks), however the union time of patients with defect >6cms was significantly more (51±6.7 weeks). Conclusion. Non-vascularised fibula graft gives predictable results in children with post-osteomyelitic bone defects. Delayed unions are expected if the size of bone defect is >6cms or there is large discrepancy between the diameters of native and grafted bone

We reviewed the long-term radiological outcome, complications and revision operations in 19 children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and hip dysplasia who underwent combined peri-iliac osteotomy and femoral varus derotation osteotomy. They had a mean age of 7.5 years (1.6 to 10.9) and comprised 22 hip dislocations and subluxations. We also studied the outcome for the contralateral hip. At a mean follow-up of 11.7 years (10 to 15.1) the Melbourne cerebral palsy (CP) hip classification was grade 2 in 16 hips, grade 3 in five, and grade 5 in one. There were five complications seen in four hips (21%, four patients), including one dislocation, one subluxation, one coxa vara with adduction deformity, one subtrochanteric fracture and one infection. A recurrent soft-tissue contracture occurred in five hips and ten required revision surgery.

In pre-adolescent children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy good long-term outcomes can be achieved after reconstruction of the hip; regular follow-up is required.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:259–65.

We present a retrospective review of 167 patients aged 18 years and under who were treated for chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis at our elective orthopaedic hospital in Malawi over a period of four years. The median age at presentation was eight years (1 to 18). There were 239 hospital admissions for treatment during the period of the study. In 117 patients one admission was necessary, in 35 two, and in 15 more than two.

A surgical strategy of infection control followed by reconstruction and stabilisation was employed, based on the Beit CURE radiological classification of chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis as a guide to treatment. At a minimum follow-up of one year after the end of the study none of the patients had returned to our hospital with recurrent infection.

A total of 350 operations were performed on the 167 patients. This represented 6.7% of all children’s operations performed in our hospital during this period. One operation only was required in 110 patients and none required more than three. Below-knee amputation was performed in two patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis as the best surgical option for function. The most common organism cultured from operative specimens was Staphylococcus aureus, and the tibia was the bone most commonly affected. Polyostotic osteomyelitis occurred in four patients. We believe this is the largest reported series of patients treated for chronic haematogenous osteomyelitis.

Fractures of the odontoid in children with an open basilar synchondrosis differ from those which occur in older children and adults. We have reviewed the morphology of these fractures and present a classification system for them.

There were four distinct patterns of fracture (types IA to IC and type II) which were distinguished by the site of the fracture, the degree of displacement and the presence or absence of atlantoaxial dislocation. Children with a closed synchondrosis were classified using the system devised by Anderson and D’Alonzo. Those with an open synchondrosis had a comparatively lower incidence of traumatic brain injury, a higher rate of missed diagnosis and a shorter mean stay in hospital. Certain subtypes (type IA and type II) are likely to be missed on plain radiographs and therefore more advanced imaging is recommended. We suggest staged treatment with initial stabilisation in a Halo body jacket and early fusion for those with unstable injuries, severe displacement or neurological involvement.

Nonunion of the humerus with bone loss and shortening due to osteomyelitis is rare but difficult to treat. We describe our experience with a callus distraction technique using a monolateral external fixator for the treatment of this condition.

Between October 1994 and January 2004, 11 patients were treated. There were seven males and four females, with a mean age of 14 years (10 to 17). The mean bone loss was 1.9 cm (1 to 2.7) and the mean length discrepancy in the upper limb was 5.6 cm (3.5 to 8.0).

The mean follow-up was for 106 months (54 to 166). The mean external fixation index was 34.8 days/cm (29.8 to 40.5). The mean lengthening was 9.5 cm (5.5 to 13.4). There were seven excellent results, three good and one poor. There were nine excellent functional results and two good.

The treatment of humeral nonunion with bone loss and shortening due to osteomyelitis by callus distraction is a safe and effective means of improving function and cosmesis.

The results of a functional, clinical and radiological study of 30 children (60 hips) with whole-body cerebral palsy were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 10.2 years (9.5 to 11). Correction of windsweep deformity of the hips was performed by bilateral simultaneous combined soft-tissue and bony surgery at a mean age of 7.7 years (3.1 to 12.2).

We were able to recall 22 patients; five had died of unrelated causes and three were lost to follow-up. Evaluation involved interviews with patients/carers and clinical and radiological examination.

The gross motor functional classification system was used to assess overall motor function and showed improvement in seven patients. Of the 12 patients thought to have pain pre-operatively, only one had pain post-operatively. Improved handling was reported in 18 of 22 patients (82%). Those with handling problems were attributed by the carers to growth of the patients. All patients/carers considered the procedure worthwhile. The range of hip movements improved, and the mean windsweep index improved from 50 pre-operatively to 36 at follow-up.

The migration percentage and centre-edge angle were assessed on plain radiographs. Radiological containment improved, the mean migration percentage improved from 50 pre-operatively to 20 at follow-up and the mean centre-edge angle improved from −5° to 29°.

No statistical difference was noted between the three-year and ten-year follow-up results, indicating that the improvements in clinical and radiological outcome had been maintained.