We reviewed the results of anterior hip release for fixed flexion deformity in 57 hips in 38 children with spina bifida at an average follow-up of 8.9 years (2 to 22). The indication for this operation was a fixed flexion deformity of more than 30° which interfered with function. In 43 hips there was a good outcome in that the fixed flexion deformity remained less than 30° at follow-up. Four hips had a good initial result but deteriorated after an average of five years, and ten had a poor outcome with deformity of over 30°. Six hips required a repeated anterior hip release and two of these were successful. The success of anterior hip release could not be related to the neurological level or the age at operation. Successful surgery correlated with the walking ability of the child at the latest follow-up

1. Correction of equinus deformity in cerebral palsy either by elongation of the tendo calcaneus or by gastrocnemius recession gives satisfactory results without splintage or bracing after operation. 2. Gastrocnemius recession is the operation of choice in paraplegic spastic cerebral palsy, and wherever possible in tetraplegic cerebral palsy. In hemiplegia the whole of the triceps surae is usually involved, and elongation of the tendo calcaneus is almost always needed. 3. Correction at operation should aim to result in a mild degree of equinus deformity at the end of the growth period in hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy. Over-enthusiastic gastrocnemius recession can lead to excessive weakness of the calf in some patients

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 report a prospective case-controlled study which compared the outcome of knee replacement in seriously deformed and slightly deformed knees. There were 51 knees with varus or valgus deformity greater than 20 degrees matched for age, gender, disease, type of prosthesis and time of operation with a control group in which the alignment of the leg was within 5 degrees of normal. The clinical outcome at a mean 5.5 years was similar in the two groups. Some deformity persisted in 14 patients in the first group, 13 of whom were initially in valgus. These patients had a significantly poorer mean clinical outcome. Lateral dislocation or subluxation of the patella was found in four knees, all of which had had valgus deformity of 30 degrees or more

Equinus deformity of the ankle is one of the serious orthopaedic problems associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sixty-nine patients (age range 4 to 17 years) were treated, 43 conservatively and 26 operatively. They were followed up at six-monthly intervals for a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years. The patients were divided into three groups: independently mobile, mobile in calipers, and wheelchair-bound. It was found that conservative treatment could at best only minimise progression of the deformity. The indications for surgery, the operative procedure and the postoperative management are described; all varied according to the stage of the disease. The postoperative follow-up suggests that, though the deformity recurs, the patients have several years of benefit from the procedure

At our institution surgical correction of symptomatic flat foot deformities in children has been guided by a paradigm in which radiographs and pedobarography are used in the assessment of outcome following treatment. Retrospective review of children with symptomatic flat feet who had undergone surgical correction was performed to assess the outcome and establish the relationship between the static alignment and the dynamic loading of the foot. A total of 17 children (21 feet) were assessed before and after correction of soft-tissue contractures and lateral column lengthening, using standardised radiological and pedobarographic techniques for which normative data were available. We found significantly improved static segmental alignment of the foot, significantly improved mediolateral dimension foot loading, and worsened fore-aft foot loading, following surgical treatment. Only four significant associations were found between radiological measures of static segmental alignment and dynamic loading of the foot. Weakness of the plantar flexors of the ankle was a common post-operative finding. Surgeons should be judicious in the magnitude of lengthening of the plantar flexors that is undertaken and use techniques that minimise subsequent weakening of this muscle group. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:706–13

Segmental vessel ligation during anterior spinal surgery has been associated with paraplegia. However, the incidence and risk factors for this devastating complication are debated. We reviewed 346 consecutive paediatric and adolescent patients ranging in age from three to 18 years who underwent surgery for anterior spinal deformity through a thoracic or thoracoabdominal approach, during which 2651 segmental vessels were ligated. There were 173 patients with idiopathic scoliosis, 80 with congenital scoliosis or kyphosis, 43 with neuromuscular and 31 with syndromic scoliosis, 12 with a scoliosis associated with intraspinal abnormalities, and seven with a kyphosis. There was only one neurological complication, which occurred in a patient with a 127° congenital thoracic scoliosis due to a unilateral unsegmented bar with contralateral hemivertebrae at the same level associated with a thoracic diastematomyelia and tethered cord. This patient was operated upon early in the series, when intra-operative spinal cord monitoring was not available. Intra-operative spinal cord monitoring with the use of somatosensory evoked potentials alone or with motor evoked potentials was performed in 331 patients. This showed no evidence of signal change after ligation of the segmental vessels. In our experience, unilateral segmental vessel ligation carries no risk of neurological damage to the spinal cord unless performed in patients with complex congenital spinal deformities occurring primarily in the thoracic spine and associated with intraspinal anomalies at the same level, where the vascular supply to the cord may be abnormal

We performed limb lengthening and correction of deformity of nine long bones of the lower limb in six children (mean age, 14.7 years) with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). All had femoral lengthening and three also had ipsilateral tibial lengthening. Angular deformities were corrected simultaneously. Five limb segments were treated using a monolateral external fixator and four with the Ilizarov frame. In three children, lengthening was done over previously inserted femoral intramedullary rods. The mean lengthening achieved was 6.26 cm (mean healing index, 33.25 days/cm). Significant complications included one deep infection, one fracture of the femur and one anterior angulation deformity of the tibia. The abnormal bone of OI tolerated the external fixators throughout the period of lengthening without any episodes of migration of wires or pins through the soft bone. The regenerate bone formed within the time which is normally expected in limb-lengthening procedures performed for other conditions. We conclude that despite the abnormal bone characteristics, distraction osteogenesis to correct limb-length discrepancy and angular deformity can be performed safely in children with OI

1. The indications for talectomy in the treatment of equinovarus deformity in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and spina bifida are discussed. 2. The technique of the operation is described, with variations which may be necessary in special circumstances. 3. The results of forty-one operations are analysed. 4. It is concluded that the operation has a useful place in the management of equinovarus deformity in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and spina bifida, especially between the ages of one and five years

Spasm or contracture of gastrocnemius causes an equinus deformity of the ankle in both cerebral palsy and hemiplegia. Its release is therefore required in the treatment of those patients who do not respond to conservative measures. The Vulpius procedure is a simple and effective method for the release of gastrocnemius and is particularly indicated when long periods of immobilisation of the foot and ankle are not desirable. We have used this procedure with good results to correct an equinus deformity in 230 adults with a cerebrovascular accident and various associated medical conditions. It is not only effective in cerebral palsy, but should be considered at an early stage in all adult patients with deformity of the ankle and foot in whom spasm of gastrocnemius is the major cause

We describe three patients who developed gross calcaneus deformity following surgery for talipes equinovarus. One also had an associated valgus deformity and another had supination of the forefoot; all had intractable problems with footwear. Operation for transfer of the tibialis anterior to the heel, with correction of the associated deformities, was successful and improved both their gait and the shoe problems

In Japan, osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip secondary to acetabular dysplasia is very common, and there are few data concerning the pathogeneses and incidence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We have attempted to clarify the radiological prevalence of painful FAI in a cohort of Japanese patients and to investigate the radiological findings. We identified 176 symptomatic patients (202 hips) with Tönnis grade 0 or 1 osteoarthritis, whom we prospectively studied between August 2011 and July 2012. There were 61 men (65 hips) and 115 women (137 hips) with a mean age of 51.8 years (11 to 83). Radiological analyses included the α-angle, centre–edge angle, cross-over sign, pistol grip deformity and femoral head neck ratio. Of the 202 hips, 79 (39.1%) had acetabular dysplasia, while 80 hips (39.6%) had no known aetiology. We found evidence of FAI in 60 hips (29.7%). Radiological FAI findings associated with cam deformity were the most common. There was a significant relationship between the pistol grip deformity and both the α-angle (p < 0.001) and femoral head–neck ratio (p = 0.024). Radiological evidence of symptomatic FAI was not uncommon in these Japanese patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;96-B:172–6

We reviewed our experience of tibialis anterior transfer and anterior release for calcaneus deformity in 46 feet of 26 ambulant patients with myelomeningocele. At an average follow-up of 8.4 years (2 to 17.6) there were 89% who had satisfactory results; 64% of the patients having tibialis anterior transfers were able to stand on their toes. Hip abductor power was a good predictor of a functional transfer. Pre-operative trophic ulceration of the heel increased from 3.2% to 33% if surgery was delayed. Secondary deformities, two-thirds of them into valgus, developed in 76% of feet

In a consecutive series of 124 children with spina bifida we found that 220 (89%) of the 248 feet were deformed: 70 had a calcaneus deformity; 126 were in equinus; 16 were in valgus; 3 were in varus; and 5 had convex pes valgus. Operations were performed on 171 (78%) of the deformed feet. Spasticity of the muscles controlling the foot was detected in 36 (51%) of the 70 calcaneus feet and in 22 (17%) of the 126 equinus feet. The deformities were symmetrical in 94 children. There is a high incidence of foot deformity in patients with spina bifida who have no voluntary activity in the motors of the feet

Aims

Hip displacement, common in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), causes pain and hinders adequate care. Hip reconstructive surgery (HRS) is performed to treat hip displacement; however, only a few studies have quantitatively assessed femoral head sphericity after HRS. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess improvement in hip sphericity after HRS in patients with CP.

The Madelung deformity can result in pain and decreased function of the wrist and hand. None of the surgical techniques available has been shown consistently to improve grip strength, range of movement or relieve pain. In this prospective study we have treated 18 patients with the Madelung deformity (25 wrists) by wedge subtraction osteotomy of the radius and shortening of the ulna. Our results show statistically significant improvement in grip strength and range of movement of the wrist and forearm. Pain improved in 80% of the patients and 88% were satisfied with the appearance. One patient had a wound infection and another developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Two had some recurrence due to continued growth of the ulna and it is recommended that the procedure be delayed until skeletal maturity, or else combined with epiphysiodesis of the ulna

Comparisons were made between 54 children with resolving congenital talipes equinovarus deformity and 81 children whose feet required surgical correction. There was a significant difference in the incidence of bilateral deformity, sex ratio and family history of congenital talipes in the two groups. The children with resolving deformity had feet which were indistinguishable from the normal side of unilaterally affected children in their calf muscle measurements at six weeks of age, and in the range of movement and radiographs at four years of age. Those requiring surgery had varying degrees of muscle reduction, and although often well corrected, had a reduced range of movement and altered joint anatomy at four years of age. This suggests that they are two distinct populations

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) measure the conduction pathways from the periphery to the brain and can demonstrate the site of neurological impairment in a variety of locomotor conditions. SSEPs were studied in 44 children (64 feet) with surgically corrected club feet. Four children had unreproducible responses, 18 showed abnormal recordings and 22 showed normal responses. In a further 31 feet (21 children) subjected to motor electrophysiological tests, 16 (52%) were abnormal. Overall, 44 of 95 feet (46%) showed abnormal SSEPs or motor electrophysiological tests. Neurological abnormality was related both to the severity of the deformity and the surgical outcome. It was seen in 38% of feet with grade-2 and in 53% of feet with grade-3 deformity. A fair surgical result was obtained in 36% of feet with a conduction deficit and in only 6% with no abnormality. These results suggest an association between neurological abnormality as demonstrated by SSEPs or motor electrophysiological studies and the severity of deformity in club foot and its response to surgical treatment

We report two cases with windswept deformities of the lower extremities. All deformities were corrected by fixator-assisted intramedullary nailing. At the latest follow-up, the patients had normal alignment, without symptoms and no loss of correction

Between July 2000 and April 2004, 19 patients with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy who required an assistive device to walk had combined lengthening-transfer of the medial hamstrings as part of multilevel surgery. A standardised physical examination, measurement of the Functional Mobility Scale score and video or instrumented gait analysis were performed pre- and post-operatively. Static parameters (popliteal angle, flexion deformity of the knee) and sagittal knee kinematic parameters (knee flexion at initial contact, minimum knee flexion during stance, mean knee flexion during stance) were recorded. The mean length of follow-up was 25 months (14 to 45). Statistically significant improvements in static and dynamic outcome parameters were found, corresponding to improvements in gait and functional mobility as determined by the Functional Mobility Scale. Mild hyperextension of the knee during gait developed in two patients and was controlled by adjustment of their ankle-foot orthosis. Residual flexion deformity > 10° occurred in both knees of one patient and was treated by anterior distal femoral physeal stapling. Two children also showed an improvement of one level in the Gross Motor Function Classification System