We compared the accuracy of the growth remaining method of assessing leg-length discrepancy (LLD) with the straight-line graph method, the multiplier method and their variants. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 44 patients treated by percutaneous epiphysiodesis for LLD. All were followed up until maturity. We used the modified Green–Anderson growth-remaining method (Method 1) to plan the timing of epiphysiodesis. Then we presumed that the other four methods described below were used pre-operatively for calculating the timing of epiphysiodesis. We then assumed that these four methods were used pre-operatively. Method 2 was the original Green–Anderson growth-remaining method; Method 3, Paley’s multiplier method using bone age; Method 4, Paley’s multiplier method using chronological age; and Method 5, Moseley’s straight-line graph method. We compared ‘Expected LLD at maturity with surgery’ with ‘Final LLD at maturity with surgery’ for each method. Statistical analysis revealed that ‘Expected LLD at maturity with surgery’ was significantly different from ‘Final LLD at maturity with surgery’. Method 2 was the most accurate. There was a significant correlation between ‘Expected LLD at maturity with surgery’ and ‘Final LLD at maturity with surgery’, the greatest correlation being with Method 2. Generally all the methods generated an overcorrected value. No method generates the precise ‘Expected LLD at maturity with surgery’. It is essential that an analysis of the pattern of growth is taken into account when predicting final LLD. As many additional data as possible are required. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:993–1000

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. There is no consensus regarding optimum timing and frequency of ultrasound (US) for monitoring response to Pavlik harness (PH) treatment in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The purpose of our study was to determine if a limited-frequency hip US assessment had an adverse effect on treatment outcomes compared to traditional comprehensive US monitoring. Methods. This study was a single-centre noninferiority randomized controlled trial. Infants aged under six months whose hips were reduced and centred in the harness at initiation of treatment (stable dysplastic or subluxable), or initially decentred (subluxated or dislocated) but reduced and centred within four weeks of PH treatment, were randomized to our current standard US monitoring protocol (every clinic visit) or to a limited-frequency US protocol (US only at end of treatment). Groups were compared based on α angle and femoral head coverage at the end of PH treatment, acetabular indices, and International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grade on one-year follow-up radiographs. Results. Overall, 100 patients were included; 42 patients completed the standard protocol (SP) and 40 completed the limited protocol (LP). There was no significant difference in mean right α angle at the end of treatment (SP 70.0° (SD 3.2°) ; LP 68.7° (SD 2.9°); p = 0.033), nor on the left (SP 69.0° (SD 3.5°); LP 68.1° (SD 3.3°); p = 0.128). There was no significant difference in mean right acetabular index at follow-up (SP 23.1° (SD 4.3°); LP 22.0° (SD 4.1°); p = 0.129), nor on the left (SP 23.3° (SD 4.2°); LP 22.8° (SD 3.9°); p = 0.284). All hips had femoral head coverage of > 50% at end of treatment, and all were IHDI grade 1 at follow-up. In addition, the LP group underwent a 60% reduction in US use once stable. Conclusion. Our study supports reducing the frequency of US assessment during PH treatment of DDH once a hip is reduced and centred. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1081–1088

Aims. Osteonecrosis (ON) can cause considerable morbidity in young people who undergo treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The aims of this study were to determine the operations undertaken for ON in this population in the UK, along with the timing of these operations and any sequential procedures that are used in different joints. We also explored the outcomes of those patients treated by core decompression (CD), and compared this with conservative management, in both the pre- or post-collapse stages of ON. Methods. UK treatment centres were contacted to obtain details regarding surgical interventions and long-term outcomes for patients who were treated for ALL and who developed ON in UKALL 2003 (the national leukaemia study which recruited patients aged 1 to 24 years at diagnosis of ALL between 2003 and 2011). Imaging of patients with ON affecting the femoral head was requested and was used to score all lesions, with subsequent imaging used to determine the final grade. Kaplan-Meier failure time plots were used to compare the use of CD with non surgical management. Results. Detailed information was received for 85 patients who had developed ON during the course of their ALL treatment. A total of 206 joints were affected by ON. Of all joints affected by ON, 21% required arthroplasty, and 43% of all hips affected went on to be replaced. CD was performed in 30% of hips affected by ON. The majority of the hips were grade 4 or 5 at initial diagnosis of ON. There was no significant difference in time to joint collapse between those joints in which CD was performed, compared with no joint-preserving surgical intervention. Conclusion. There is a high incidence of surgery in young people who have received treatment for ALL and who have developed ON. Our results suggest that CD of the femoral head in this group of patients does not delay or improve the rates of femoral head survival. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(3):589–596

Permanent growth arrest of the longer bone is an option in the treatment of minor leg-length discrepancies. The use of a tension band plating technique to produce a temporary epiphysiodesis is appealing as it avoids the need for accurate timing of the procedure in relation to remaining growth. We performed an animal study to establish if control of growth in a long bone is possible with tension band plating. Animals (pigs) were randomised to temporary epiphysiodesis on either the right or left tibia. Implants were removed after ten weeks. Both tibiae were examined using MRI at baseline, and after ten and 15 weeks. The median interphyseal distance was significantly shorter on the treated tibiae after both ten weeks (p = 0.04) and 15 weeks (p = 0.04). On T. 1. -weighted images the metaphyseal water content was significantly reduced after ten weeks on the treated side (p = 0.04) but returned to values comparable with the untreated side at 15 weeks (p = 0.14). Return of growth was observed in all animals after removal of implants. Temporary epiphysiodesis can be obtained using tension band plating. The technique is not yet in common clinical practice but might avoid the need for the accurate timing of epiphysiodesis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:855–60

Aims

Management of displaced paediatric supracondylar elbow fractures remains widely debated and actual practice is unclear. This national trainee collaboration aimed to evaluate surgical and postoperative management of these injuries across the UK.

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Radiological residual acetabular dysplasia (RAD) has been reported in up to 30% of children who had successful brace treatment of infant developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Predicting those who will resolve and those who may need corrective surgery is important to optimize follow-up protocols. In this study we have aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of RAD at two years and five years post-bracing.

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The aim of this study was to produce clinical consensus recommendations about the non-surgical treatment of children with Perthes’ disease. The recommendations are intended to support clinical practice in a condition for which there is no robust evidence to guide optimal care.

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Given the possible radiation damage and inaccuracy of radiological investigations, particularly in children, ultrasound and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) may offer alternative methods of evaluating new bone formation when limb lengthening is undertaken in paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to assess the use of ultrasound combined with SMI in monitoring new bone formation during limb lengthening in children.

Aims

Temporary hemiepiphysiodesis (HED) is applied to children and adolescents to correct angular deformities (ADs) in long bones through guided growth. Traditional Blount staples or two-hole plates are mainly used for this indication. Despite precise surgical techniques and attentive postoperative follow-up, implant-associated complications are frequently described. To address these pitfalls, a flexible staple was developed to combine the advantages of the established implants. This study provides the first results of guided growth using the new implant and compares these with the established two-hole plates and Blount staples.

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Children with spinal dysraphism can develop various musculoskeletal deformities, necessitating a range of orthopaedic interventions, causing significant morbidity, and making considerable demands on resources. This systematic review aimed to identify what outcome measures have been reported in the literature for children with spinal dysraphism who undergo orthopaedic interventions involving the lower limbs.

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The aim of this study was to gain a consensus for best practice of the assessment and management of children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) in order to provide a benchmark for practitioners and guide the best consistent care.

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We investigated the prevalence of late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), abduction bracing treatment, and surgical procedures performed following the implementation of universal ultrasound screening versus selective ultrasound screening programmes.

Although equinus gait is the most common abnormality in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) there is no consistency in recommendations for treatment, and evidence for best practice is lacking. The Baumann procedure allows selective fractional lengthening of the gastrocnemii and soleus muscles but the long-term outcome is not known. We followed a group of 18 children (21 limbs) with diplegic CP for ten years using three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis. The kinematic parameters of the ankle joint improved significantly following this procedure and were maintained until the end of follow-up. We observed a normalisation of the timing of the key kinematic and kinetic parameters, and an increase in the maximum generation of power of the ankle. There was a low rate of overcorrection (9.5%, n = 2), and a rate of recurrent equinus similar to that found with other techniques (23.8%, n = 5). As the procedure does not impair the muscle architecture, and allows for selective correction of the contracted gastrocnemii and soleus, it may be recommended as the preferred method for correction of a mild fixed equinus deformity

Aims

The aim of this study was to gain an agreement on the management of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) up to walking age in order to provide a benchmark for practitioners and guide consistent, high-quality care for children with CTEV.

We examined differences in the rate of open reduction, operating time, length of hospital stay and outcome between two groups of children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus who underwent surgery either within 12 hours of the injury or later. There were 77 children with type-3 supracondylar fractures. Of these, in 43 the fracture was reduced and pinned within 12 hours and in 34 more than 12 hours after injury. Both groups were similar in regard to gender, age and length of follow-up. Bivariate and logistical regression analysis showed no statistical difference between the groups. The number of peri-operative complications was low and did not affect the outcome regardless of the timing of treatment. Our study confirmed that the treatment of uncomplicated displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus can be early or delayed. In these circumstances operations at night can be avoided

Aims

Temporary epiphysiodesis (ED) is commonly applied in children and adolescents to treat leg length discrepancies (LLDs) and tall stature. Traditional Blount staples or modern two-hole plates are used in clinical practice. However, they require accurate planning, precise surgical techniques, and attentive follow-up to achieve the desired outcome without complications. This study reports the results of ED using a novel rigid staple (RigidTack) incorporating safety, as well as technical and procedural success according to the idea, development, evaluation, assessment, long-term (IDEAL) study framework.

Aims. The aims of this study were to describe the course of non-operatively managed, bilateral Perthes’ disease, and to determine specific prognostic factors for the radiographic and clinical outcome. . Patients and Methods. We identified 40 children with a mean age of 5.9 years (1.8 to 13.5), who were managed non-operatively for bilateral Perthes’ disease from our prospective, multicentre study of this condition, which included all children in Norway who were diagnosed with Perthes’ disease in the five-year period between 1996 and 2000. All children were followed up for five years. . The hips were classified according to the Catterall classification. A modified three-group Stulberg classification was used as an outcome measure, with a spherical femoral head being defined as a good outcome, an oval head as fair, and a flat femoral head as a poor outcome. . Results. Concurrent, simultaneous bilateral Perthes’ disease was seen in 23 children and 17 had the sequential onset of bilateral disease. The mean delay in onset for the second hip in the latter group was 1.9 years (0.3 to 5.5). . The five-year radiographic outcome was good in 30 (39%), fair in 25 (33%) and poor in 21 (28%) of the hips. The strongest predictors of poor outcome were > 50% necrosis of the femoral head, with odds ratio (OR) 19.6, and age at diagnosis > 6 years (OR 3.3). Other risk factors for poor outcome were the timing of the onset of disease, where children with the sequential onset of bilateral disease had a higher risk than those with the concurrent onset of bilateral disease (p = 0.021, chi-squared test). . Following a diagnosis of Perthes’ disease in one hip, there was a 5% chance of developing it in the contralateral hip. . Conclusion. These results imply that we need to distinguish between children with concurrent onset and those with sequential onset of bilateral Perthes’ disease, as the outcomes may be different. This has not been previously described. Children with concurrent onset of bilateral disease had a similar outcome to our previous series of those with unilateral disease, whereas children with sequential onset of bilateral disease had a worse prognosis. The increased risk of developing Perthes’ disease in the contralateral hip in those with unilateral disease is important information for the child and parents. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:569–75

Aims

The most important complication of treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head, which can result in proximal femoral growth disturbances leading to pain, dysfunction, and eventually to early onset osteoarthritis. In this study, we aimed to identify morphological variants in hip joint development that are predictive of a poor outcome.

Between July 1994 and June 2004, 60 patients with 76 slipped upper femoral epiphyses were managed within the adult trauma service of three hospitals. Treatment was by a single cannulated screw. Of these cases, 53 were unilateral, in 17 of which uncomplicated prophylactic fixation of the contralateral hip was performed. Of the other 36 cases, nine presented with a subsequent slip despite ongoing out-patient care. The subsequent slip was unpredictable in timing and unrelated to the age at the initial slip. It was more often unstable and in one case avascular necrosis developed. The overall rate of avascular necrosis, although in accordance with the literature, was 60% in acute unstable slips with a slip angle greater than 40°. In our experience, prophylactic fixation was safer than continued observation of the contralateral hip