We reviewed 24 feet in 15 patients who had undergone talectomy for recurrent equinovarus deformity; 21 were associated with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, two with myelomeningocele and one with idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus. The mean follow-up was 20 years. Good results were achieved in eight feet (33%) in which further surgery was not needed and walking was painless; a fair result was obtained in ten feet (42%) in which further surgery for recurrence of a hindfoot deformity had been necessary but walking was painless; the remaining six feet (25%) were poor, with pain on walking. All patients wore normal shoes and could walk independently, except one who was wheelchair-bound because of other joint problems. Recurrent deformity, the development of tibiocalcaneal arthritis and spontaneous fusion of the tibia to the calcaneum were all seen in these patients

We performed CT to investigate how treatment may modify the basic skeletal pathology of congenital club foot. Two homogenous groups of patients treated by one of the authors (EI) or under his supervision were studied. The first included 32 patients with 47 club feet reviewed at a mean age of 25 years and treated by manipulation, application of toe-to-groin plaster casts and an extensive posteromedial release. The second included 32 patients with 49 club feet reviewed at a mean age of 19 years and treated by the Ponseti manipulation technique, application of toe-to-groin plaster casts and a limited posterior release. At follow-up the shape of the subtalar, talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints was found to be altered in many feet in both groups. This did not appear to be influenced significantly by the type of treatment performed. Correction of the heel varus and the increased declination angle of the neck of the talus was better in the club feet of the second group, whereas reduction of the medial subluxation of the navicular was better in the first. There was a marked increase in the external ankle torsion angle in the first group and a moderate increase of this angle in the second group, in which medial subluxation of the cuboid on the anterior apophysis of the calcaneum was always corrected. Equinus was corrected in both groups but three-dimensional CT reconstruction of the whole foot showed that cavus, supination and adduction deformities were corrected much better in the second group

Aims

The treatment of tibial aplasia is controversial. Amputation represents the gold standard with good functional results, but is frequently refused by the families. In these patients, treatment with reconstructive limb salvage can be considered. Due to the complexity of the deformity, this remains challenging and should be staged. The present study evaluated the role of femoro-pedal distraction using a circular external fixator in reconstructive treatment of tibial aplasia. The purpose of femoro-pedal distraction is to realign the limb and achieve soft tissue lengthening to allow subsequent reconstructive surgery.

Aims

We aimed to describe the epidemiological, biological, and bacteriological characteristics of osteoarticular infections (OAIs) caused by Kingella kingae.

In this study we evaluated the results of midtarsal release and open reduction for the treatment of children with convex congenital foot (CCF) (vertical talus) and compared them with the published results of peritalar release. Between 1977 and 2009, a total of 22 children (31 feet) underwent this procedure. In 15 children (48%) the CCF was isolated and in the remainder it was not (seven with arthrogryposis, two with spinal dysraphism, one with a polymalformative syndrome and six with an undefined neurological disorder).

Pre-operatively, the mean tibiotalar angle was 150.2° (106° to 175°) and the mean calcaneal pitch angle was -19.3° (-72° to 4°). The procedure included talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joint capsulotomies, lengthening of tendons of tibialis anterior and the extensors of the toes, allowing reduction of the midtarsal joints. Lengthening of the Achilles tendon was necessary in 23 feet (74%).

The mean follow-up was 11 years (2 to 21). The results, as assessed by the Adelaar score, were good in 24 feet (77.4%), fair in six (19.3%) and poor in one foot (3.3%), with no difference between those with isolated CCF and those without. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society midfoot score was 89.9 (54 to 100) and 77.8 (36 to 93) for those with isolated CCF and those without, respectively. At the final follow-up, the mean tibiotalar (120°; 90 to 152) and calcaneal pitch angles (4°; -13 to 22) had improved significantly (p < 0.0001). Dislocation of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints was completely reduced in 22 (70.9%) and 29 (93.6%) of feet, respectively. Three children (five feet) underwent further surgery at a mean of 8.5 years post-operatively, three with pes planovalgus and two in whom the deformity had been undercorrected. No child developed avascular necrosis of the talus.

Midtarsal joint release and open reduction is a satisfactory procedure, which may provide better results than peritalar release. Complications include the development of pes planovalgus and persistent dorsal subluxation of the talonavicular joint.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:837–44.

The accurate assessment of skeletal maturity is essential in the management of orthopaedic conditions in the growing child. In order to identify the time of peak height velocity (PHV) in adolescents, two systems for assessing skeletal maturity have been described recently; the calcaneal apophyseal ossification method and the Sanders hand scores.

The purpose of this study was to compare these methods in assessing skeletal maturity relative to PHV. We studied the radiographs of a historical group of 94 healthy children (49 females and 45 males), who had been followed longitudinally between the ages of three and 18 years with serial radiographs and physical examination. Radiographs of the foot and hand were undertaken in these children at least annually between the ages of ten and 15 years. We reviewed 738 radiographs of the foot and 694 radiographs of the hand. PHV was calculated from measurements of height taken at the time of the radiographs.

Prior to PHV we observed four of six stages of calcaneal apophyseal ossification and two of eight Sanders stages. Calcaneal stage 3 and Sanders stage 2 was seen to occur about 0.9 years before PHV, while calcaneal stage 4 and Sanders stage 3 occurred approximately 0.5 years after PHV.

The stages of the calcaneal and Sanders systems can be used in combination, offering better assessment of skeletal maturity with respect to PHV than either system alone.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1710–17.

Aims

To compare the structural durability of hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HATCP) to autologous iliac crest bone graft in calcaneal lengthening osteotomy (CLO) for pes planovalgus in childhood.

The results of further soft-tissue release of 79 feet in 60 children with recurrent idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus were evaluated. The mean age of the children at the time of re-operation was 5.8 years (15 months to 14.5 years). Soft-tissue release was performed in all 79 feet and combined with distal calcaneal excision in 52 feet. The mean follow-up was 12 years (4 to 32). At the latest follow-up the result was excellent or good in 61 feet (77%) according to the Ghanem and Seringe scoring system. The results was considered as fair in 14 feet (18%), all of whom had functional problems and eight had anatomical abnormalities. Four feet (5%) were graded as poor on both functional and anatomical grounds.

The results were independent of the age at which revision was undertaken.

A total of 38 relapsed congenital clubfeet (16 stiff, 22 partially correctable) underwent revision of soft-tissue surgery, with or without a bony procedure, and transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior at a mean age of 4.8 years (2.0 to 10.1). The tendon was transferred to the third cuneiform in five cases, to the base of the third metatarsal in ten and to the base of the fourth in 23. The patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 24.8 years (10.8 to 35.6). A total of 11 feet were regarded as failures (one a tendon failure, five with a subtalar fusion due to over-correction, and five with a triple arthrodesis due to under-correction or relapse).

In the remaining feet the clinical outcome was excellent or good in 20 and fair or poor in seven. The mean Laaveg-Ponseti score was 81.6 of 100 points (52 to 92). Stiffness was mild in four feet and moderate or severe in 23.

Comparison between the post-operative and follow-up radiographs showed statistically significant variations of the talo-first metatarsal angle towards abduction. Variations of the talocalcaneal angles and of the overlap ratio were not significant.

Extensive surgery for relapsed clubfoot has a high rate of poor long-term results. The addition of transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior can restore balance and may provide some improvement of forefoot adduction. However, it has a considerable complication rate, including failure of transfer, over-correction, and weakening of dorsiflexion. The procedure should be reserved for those limited cases in which muscle imbalance is a causative or contributing factor.

We undertook a randomised clinical trial to compare treatment times and failure rates between above- and below-knee Ponseti casting groups. Eligible children with idiopathic clubfoot, treated using the Ponseti method, were randomised to either below- or above-knee plaster of Paris casting. Outcome measures were total treatment time and the occurrence of failure, defined as two slippages or a treatment time above eight weeks.

A total of 26 children (33 feet) were entered into the trial. The above-knee group comprised 17 feet in 13 children (ten boys and three girls, median age 13 days (1 to 40)) and the below-knee group comprised 16 feet in 13 children (ten boys and three girls, median age 13 days (5 to 20)). Because of six failures (37.5%) in the below-knee group, the trial was stopped early for ethical reasons. The rate of failure was significantly higher in the below-knee group (p = 0.039). The median treatment times of six weeks in the below-knee and four weeks in the above-knee group differed significantly (p = 0.01).

This study demonstrates that the use of a below-knee plaster of Paris cast in conjunction with the Ponseti technique leads to unacceptably high failure rates and significantly longer treatment times. Therefore, this technique is not recommended.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1570–4.

Survivors of infantile meningococcal septicaemia often develop progressive skeletal deformity as a result of physeal damage at many sites, particularly in the lower limb. Distal tibial physeal arrest typically occurs with sparing of the distal fibular physis leading to a rapidly progressive varus deformity. There have been reports of isolated cases of this deformity, but to our knowledge there have been no papers which specifically describe the development of the deformity and the options for treatment.

Surgery to correct this deformity is complex because of the patient’s age, previous scarring and the multiplanar nature of the deformity. The surgical goal is to restore leg-length equality and the mechanical axis at the end of growth. Surgery should be planned and staged throughout growth in order to achieve the best functional results.

We report our experience in six patients (seven ankles) with this deformity, who were managed by corrective osteotomy using a programmable circular fixator.

A delay in the diagnosis of paediatric acute and subacute haematogenous osteomyelitis can lead to potentially devastating morbidity. There are no definitive guidelines for diagnosis, and recommendations in the literature are generally based on expert opinions, case series and cohort studies.

All articles in the English literature on paediatric osteomyelitis were searched using MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library and reference lists. A total of 1854 papers were identified, 132 of which were examined in detail. All aspects of osteomyelitis were investigated in order to formulate recommendations.

On admission 40% of children are afebrile. The tibia and femur are the most commonly affected long bones. Clinical examination, blood and radiological tests are only reliable for diagnosis in combination. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism detected, but isolation of Kingella kingae is increasing. Antibiotic treatment is usually sufficient to eradicate the infection, with a short course intravenously and early conversion to oral treatment. Surgery is indicated only in specific situations.

Most studies were retrospective and there is a need for large, multicentre, randomised, controlled trials to define protocols for diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, evidence-based algorithms are suggested for accurate and early diagnosis and effective treatment.

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.

The databases of the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems of two hospitals were searched and all children who had a lateral radiograph of the ankle during their attendance at the emergency department were identified. In 227 radiographs, Bohler’s and Gissane’s angles were measured on two separate occasions and by two separate authors to allow calculation of inter- and intra-observer variation. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess the reliability of the measurements.

For Bohler’s angle the overall inter-observer reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90 and the intra-observer reliability 0.95, giving excellent agreement. This reliability was maintained across the age groups. For Gissane’s angle, inter- and intra-observer reliability was only fair or poor across most age groups.

Further analysis of the Bohler’s angle showed a significant variation in the mean angle with age. Contrary to published opinion, the angle is not uniformly lower than that of adults but varies with age, peaking towards the end of the first decade before attaining adult values. The age-related radiologic changes presented here may help in the interpretation of injuries to the hindfoot in children.

Achilles tenotomy is a recognised step in the Ponseti technique for the correction of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus in most percutaneous cases. Its use has been limited in part by concern that the subsequent natural history of the tendon is unknown. In a study of 11 tendons in eight infants, eight tendons were shown to be clinically intact and ten had ultrasonographic evidence of continuity three weeks after tenotomy. At six weeks after tenotomy all tendons had both clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of continuity.