Between September 2004 and December 2005 we carried out a prospective study of all cases of sepsis of the hip in childhood at a South African regional hospital with a large local population, and which also took referrals from nine rural hospitals. The clinical, radiological, ultrasound and bacteriological features were assessed. All the hips were drained by arthrotomy and the diagnosis was confirmed microbiologically and histologically. Hips with tuberculosis were excluded. The children were reviewed in a dedicated clinic at a mean follow-up of 8.1 months (3 to 18). There were 40 hips with sepsis in 38 patients. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Nine (24%) had multi-focal sepsis. Overall, 13 hips (34%) had a full and uncomplicated clinical and radiological recovery and 25 (66%) had complications. All patients treated by arthrotomy and appropriate antibiotics within five days of the onset of symptoms had an uncomplicated recovery. Initial misdiagnosis was associated with a delay to arthrotomy. However, ‘deprivation’, consultation with a traditional healer, maternal educational attainment and distance to a primary health-care facility were not associated with delay to arthrotomy. The early correct diagnosis of this condition, common in the developing world, remains a significant factor in improving the clinical outcome

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which patient demographics, clinical presentation, and blood parameters vary in Kingella kingae septic arthritis when compared with those of other organisms, and whether this difference needs to be considered when assessing children in whom a diagnosis of septic arthritis is suspected. Methods. A prospective case series was undertaken at a single UK paediatric institution between October 2012 and November 2018 of all patients referred with suspected septic arthritis. We recorded the clinical, biochemical, and microbiological findings in all patients. Results. A total of 160 patients underwent arthrotomy for a presumed septic arthritis. Of these, no organism was identified in 61 and only 25 of these were both culture- and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-negative. A total of 36 patients did not undergo PCR analysis. Of the remaining 99 culture- and PCR-positive patients, K. kingae was the most commonly isolated organism (42%, n = 42). The knee (n = 21), shoulder (n = 9), and hip (n = 5) were the three most commonly affected joints. A total of 28 cases (66%) of K. kingae infection were detected only on PCR. The mean age of K. kingae-positive cases (16.1 months) was significantly lower than that of those whose septic arthitis was due to other organisms (49.4 months; p < 0.001). The mean CRP was significantly lower in the K. kingae group than in the other organism group (p < 0.001). The mean ESR/CRP ratio was significantly higher in K. kingae (2.84) than in other infections (1.55; p < 0.008). The mean ESR and ESR/CRP were not significantly different from those in the 'no organism identified' group. Conclusion. K. kingae was the most commonly isolated organism from paediatric culture- and/or PCR-positive confirmed septic arthritis, with only one third of cases detected on routine cultures. It is important to develop and maintain a clinical suspicion for K. kingae infection in young patients presenting atypically. Routine PCR testing is recommended in these patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(3):584–588

We reviewed eight children (ten shoulders) who had suffered neonatal sepsis, after a mean follow-up of 14 years (11 to 15). The delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was one day in five patients, two days in three and seven days in one. All ten shoulders were treated by aspiration, followed by arthrotomy in two. At follow-up, five of the ten shoulders had a full range of movement and the others had minimal restriction of external rotation. Shortening of 10 cm was present in one patient, while two with bilateral involvement had disproportionally short humeri. Early diagnosis and treatment favour the outcome in septic arthritis of the shoulder. With late diagnosis, deformation of the humeral head and shortening of the humerus cause marked cosmetic abnormality but negligible functional loss

We undertook a prospective study of 61 children in Malawi with septic arthritis of the shoulder. They were randomised into two groups, treated by aspiration (group 1, 31 patients) or arthrotomy (group 2, 30 patients). Both received antibiotics for six weeks. We studied the results of blood tests, microbiology, and the clinical and radiological outcome one year after diagnosis. Only one patient was sickle-cell positive and three were HIV-positive. Non-typhoidal Salmonella species accounted for 86% (19/22) of the positive joint cultures in group 1 and 73% (16/22) in group 2. Of the 33 radiographs available for review at follow-up at six months, 23 (70%) showed evidence of glenohumeral damage. There was no statistical difference in radiological outcome for the two groups. We devised and validated a scoring system, the Blantyre Septic Joint Score, for the assessment of joints based upon swelling, tenderness, function and range of movement. Despite the radiological changes only one of the 24 joints examined at one year had any deficit in these parameters. There was no statistical difference in the clinical outcome for the two treatment groups at any stage during the period of follow-up

Aims

The aims of this study were to evaluate the abductor function in moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), comparing the results of a corrective osteotomy at the base of the femoral neck and osteoplasty with 1) in situ epiphysiodesis for mild SCFE, 2) contralateral unaffected hips, and 3) hips from healthy individuals.

The crucial differentiation between septic arthritis and transient synovitis of the hip in children can be difficult. In 1999, Kocher et al introduced four clinical predictors which were highly predictive (99.6%) of septic arthritis. These included fever (temperature ≥ 38.5°C), inability to bear weight, white blood-cell count > 12.0 × 10⁹ cells/L and ESR ≥ 40 mm/hr; CRP ≥ 20 mg/L was later added as a fifth predictor. We retrospectively evaluated these predictors to differentiate septic arthritis from transient synovitis of the hip in children over a four-year period in a primary referral general hospital. When all five were positive, the predicted probability of septic arthritis in this study was only 59.9%, with fever being the best predictor. When applied to low-prevalence diseases, even highly specific tests yield a high number of false positives and the predictive value is thereby diminished.

Clinical predictors should be applied with caution when assessing a child with an irritable hip, and a high index of suspicion, and close observation of patients at risk should be maintained.

McFarland fractures of the medial malleolus in children, also classified as Salter–Harris Type III and IV fractures, are associated with a high incidence of premature growth plate arrest. In order to identify prognostic factors for the development of complications we reviewed 20 children with a McFarland fracture that was treated surgically, at a mean follow-up of 8.9 years (3.5 to 17.4). Seven children (35%) developed premature growth arrest with angular deformity. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale for all patients was 98.3 (87 to 100) and the mean modified Weber protocol was 1.15 (0 to 5). There was a significant correlation between initial displacement (p = 0.004) and operative delay (p = 0.007) with premature growth arrest. Both risk factors act independently and additively, such that all children with both risk factors developed premature arrest whereas children with no risk factor did not. We recommend that fractures of the medial malleolus in children should be treated by anatomical reduction and screw fixation within one day of injury.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:419–23.

We have investigated whether early anatomical open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) reduces the incidence of complications of fracture of the femoral neck in children, including avascular necrosis, compared with closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF). We retrospectively reviewed 27 such fractures (15 type-II and 12 type-III displaced fractures) in children younger than 16 years of age seen in our hospital between February 1989 and March 2007. We divided the patients into three groups according to the quality of the reduction (anatomical, acceptable, and unacceptable) and the clinical results into two groups (satisfactory and unsatisfactory). Of the 15 fractures treated by ORIF, 14 (93.3%) had anatomical reduction and reduction was acceptable in one. Of the 12 treated by CRIF, three (25.0%) had anatomical reduction, eight had acceptable reduction (66.7%), and one (8.3%) unacceptable reduction. Of the 15 fractures treated by ORIF, 14 (93.3%) had a good result and one a fair result. Of the 12 treated by CRIF, seven (58.3%) had a good result, two (16.7%) a fair result and three (25.0%) a poor result. There were seven complications in five patients.

ORIF gives better reduction with fewer complications, including avascular necrosis, than does CRIF in fractures of the femoral neck in children.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus is known to cause severe skin, soft tissue and lung infections. However, until recently it has not been described as causing life-threatening musculoskeletal infection. We present four patients suffering from osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, widespread intravascular thrombosis and overwhelming sepsis from proven Panton-Valentine leukocidin-secreting Staphylococcus aureus. Aggressive, early and repeated surgical intervention is required in the treatment of these patients.

The Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin not only destroys host neutrophils, immunocompromising the patient, but also increases the risk of intravascular coagulopathy. This combination leads to widespread involvement of bone with glutinous pus which is difficult to drain, and makes the delivery of antibiotics and eradication of infection very difficult without surgical intervention.

Difficulties posed in managing developmental dysplasia of the hip diagnosed late include a high-placed femoral head, contracted soft tissues and a dysplastic acetabulum. A combination of open reduction with femoral shortening of untreated congenital dislocations is a well-established practice. Femoral shortening prevents excessive pressure on the located femoral head which can cause avascular necrosis. Instability due to a coexisting dysplastic shallow acetabulum is common, and so a pelvic osteotomy is performed to achieve a stable and concentric hip reduction. We retrospectively reviewed 15 patients (18 hips) presenting with developmental dysplasia of the hip aged four years and above who were treated by a one-stage combined procedure performed by the senior author. The mean age at operation was five years and nine months (4 years to 11 years). The mean follow-up was six years ten months (2 years and 8 months to 8 years and 8 months). All patients were followed up clinically and radiologically in accordance with McKay’s criteria and the modified Severin classification. According to the McKay criteria, 12 hips were rated excellent and six were good. All but one had a full range of movement. Eight had a limb-length discrepancy of about 1 cm. All were Trendelenburg negative. The modified Severin classification demonstrated four hips of grade IA, six of grade IB, and eight of grade II. One patient had avascular necrosis and one an early subluxation requiring revision.

One-stage correction of congenital dislocation of the hip in an older child is a safe and effective treatment with good results in the short to medium term.