Introduction

Ilizarov fixators are reliant on tensioned fine wires for stability. The tension in the wires is generated using specific tensioning devices. Loss of wire tension over time may lead of loss a stability and complications. A series of in vitro experiments were undertaken to explore wire tensioner accuracy, the impact of fixation bolt torque and initial tension on loss of tension in ilizarov constructs under static and dynamic loads.

Abstract

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to determine if paediatric proximal humerus fractures undergo significant displacement resulting in change in management.

A retrospective analysis was performed on children who presented with proximal humeral fractures to our institution between 2009 and 2014. Patients were included if they were diagnosed with a fracture of the proximal humerus in the absence of an underlying bone cyst or pathological condition. Patients with open fractures, multiple fractures, neurologic, or vascular injuries were excluded. The primary endpoint was conversion to operative treatment after initial non-operative management. Secondary endpoints were a healed fracture with acceptable alignment at the final radiographic evaluation, as well as the number of follow-up radiographs obtained after the initiation of non-operative management.

A decision to manage the fracture operatively at the initial presentation was made in 14 out of 239 patients. Of the 225 patients that were initially managed non-operatively, only 1 patient underwent subsequent surgical management. In this series, no non-unions, re-fractures, nor fracture-dislocations were identified.

These data support that the majority of management decisions for paediatric proximal humeral fractures are made at the initial presentation. Once non-operative management is chosen, routine follow-up imaging rarely leads to any change in treatment.

Although most uncomplicated paediatric fractures do not require routine long-term follow-up with an orthopaedic surgeon, practitioners with limited experience dealing with paediatrics fractures will often defer to a strategy of unnecessary frequent clinical and radiographic follow-up. Development of an evidence-based clinical care pathway may help reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to this patient population and reduce costs to patient families and the healthcare system.

A retrospective analysis including patients who presented to SickKids hospital between October 2009 and October 2014 for management of clavicle fractures was performed. Patients with previous clavicle fractures, perinatal injury, multiple fractures, non-accidental injury, underlying bone disease, sternoclavicular dislocations, fractures of the medial clavicular physis and fractures that were managed at external hospitals were excluded from the analysis. Variables including age, gender, previous injury, fracture laterality, mechanism of injury, polytrauma, surgical intervention and complications and number of clinic visits were recorded for all patients. Radiographs were analysed to determine the fracture location (medial, middle or lateral), type (simple or comminuted), displacement and shortening.

339 patients (226 males, 113 females) with an average age of 8.1 (range 0.1–17.8) were reviewed. Diagnoses of open fractures, skin tenting or neurovascular injury were rare, 0.6%, 4.1%, and 0%, respectively. 6 (1.8%) patients underwent surgical management. All decisions for surgery were made on the first consultation with the orthopaedic surgeon. For patients managed non-operatively, the mean number of clinic visits including initial consultation in the emergency department was 2.0 (±1.2). The mean number of radiology department appointments was 4.1 (± 1.0) where patients received a mean number of 4.2 (±2.9) radiographs. Complications in the non-operative group were minimal; 2 refractures in our series and no known cases of non-union. All patients achieved clinical and radiographic union and returned to sport after fracture healing.

Our series suggests that the decision to treat operatively is made at the initial assessment. If no surgical indications were present at the initial assessment by the primary-care physician, then routine clinical or radiographic follow up is unnecessary. Development of a paediatric clavicle fracture pathway may reduce patient radiation exposure and reduce costs incurred by the healthcare system and patients' families without jeopardising patient outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of adults with spina bifida cystica (SBC) who had been treated either operatively or non-operatively for scoliosis during childhood.

We reviewed 45 patients with a SBC scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥ 50º) who had been treated at one of two children’s hospitals between 1991 and 2007. Of these, 34 (75.6%) had been treated operatively and 11 (24.4%) non-operatively. After a mean follow-up of 14.1 years (standard deviation (sd) 4.3) clinical, radiological and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes were evaluated using the Spina Bifida Spine Questionnaire (SBSQ) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Although patients in the two groups were demographically similar, those who had undergone surgery had a larger mean Cobb angle (88.0º (sd 20.5; 50.0 to 122.0); versus 65.7º (sd 22.0; 51.0 to 115.0); p < 0.01) and a larger mean clavicle–rib intersection difference (12.3 mm; (sd 8.5; 1 to 37); versus 4.1 mm, (sd 5.9; 0 to 16); p = 0.01) than those treated non-operatively. Both groups were statistically similar at follow-up with respect to walking capacity, neurological motor level, sitting balance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes.

Spinal fusion in SBC scoliosis corrects coronal deformity and stops progression of the curve but has no clear effect on HRQOL.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1244–51

Summary Statement

Bio-impedance analysis (BIA) provides a convenient method for the estimation of whole body and segmental measurement of skeletal muscle mass (SMM). BIA-measured SMM parameters may be effectively used for the normalisation of muscle strength and removing body-size dependence.

The incidence of clinically significant avascular necrosis (AVN) following medial open reduction of the dislocated hip in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) remains unknown. We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify all clinical studies reporting the results of medial open reduction surgery. A total of 14 papers reporting 734 hips met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 10.9 years (2 to 28). The rate of clinically significant AVN (types 2 to 4) was 20% (149/734). From these papers 221 hips in 174 children had sufficient information to permit more detailed analysis. The rate of AVN increased with the length of follow-up to 24% at skeletal maturity, with type 2 AVN predominating in hips after five years’ follow-up. The presence of AVN resulted in a higher incidence of an unsatisfactory outcome at skeletal maturity (55% vs 20% in hips with no AVN; p < 0.001). A higher rate of AVN was identified when surgery was performed in children aged < 12 months, and when hips were immobilised in ≥ 60°of abduction post-operatively. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age at operation, need for further surgery and post-operative hip abduction of ≥ 60° increased the risk of the development of clinically significant AVN.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:279–86.

Aim

To compare the rate and severity of avascular necrosis following medial open and closed reduction in developmental hip dysplasia and the resulting influence on femoral and acetabular development.

Purpose We report the long term outcome of a minimally invasive technique avoiding the risks associated with open reduction and bone grafting in paediatric lateral condyle fracture non-unions.

Methods The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children's radiology database was searched to isolate all those who sustained a lateral condyle elbow fracture and had developed a non-union between the years 1998 and 2008. This identified 16 patients who had undergone percutaneous fixation for the treatment of their non union. Each individuals clinical notes and radiographs were reviewed from presentation to final follow-up.

Results Median age at injury was 5.1 (3.2, 7.2) in the successful and 2.8 (2.1, 4.7) in the unsuccessful groups (p=0.18). 11 patients (68.7%) had been initially managed non-operatively. Median time from injury to non-union diagnosis was 15.7 weeks in the successful, and 225.5 weeks in the unsuccessful group (p=0.039).

Mean time to union post fixation was 16.2 weeks (+/- 6.74) and mean time to surgery was 5.2 weeks (+/- 4.11). Surgery was successful, defined as radiological and clinical union, in 12 of 16 patients (75%). 43.8% had metalwork removal and no cases of avascular necrosis were reported.

Conclusion We have demonstrated this technique to be successful in those non-unions addressed within 16 weeks from initial injury to diagnosis. We had 4 failures, these occurred in patients whose non-unions were diagnosed more than 31 weeks from the time of injury (31; 68; 383; 427 weeks). Each of these failures had been managed non-operatively as part of their primary treatment plan.

Percutaneous fixation is feasible and safe. Patients not achieving union were diagnosed significantly later. There was a trend towards successfully treated patients being younger.

Background: Long term follow up data on patients following ankle fracture is scarce. As a follow on from a year long prospective audit of patients admitted to a trauma unit data was collected on a cohort of such patients at a minimum of 4 years post injury to ascertain functional outcome.

Methods: All patients with ankle fractures requiring admission to the Royal Preston Hospital in the period August 2004 to August 2005 were identified. Patients with multiple injuries were excluded. One hundred and one patients were confirmed as fulfilling the criteria that all medical notes were present and the patient had a principle injury of a malleolar fracture. Patients were then invited to a follow up clinic. Functional outcome relating to work and leisure pursuits, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score (AOFAS) and a Visual Analogue Scale for residual pain were recorded.

Results: Utilising the Weber classification there were 63% B, 24% C fractures and 5% A fractures. 91 patients underwent surgical fixation. The most common post hospital discharge complication was excessive swelling and 17 patients’ required additional surgery. The only factor that predicted length of follow up before discharge was the presence of diabetes. The Weber classification had no predictive value for length of follow up. 90% of patients returned to their previous work. All ankle fractures had a significant impact on social activities, 45% with a Weber C fracture patients had not returned to their previous sporting activities. The median AOFAS score was 85/100. The median VAS pain score was 9 out of 100. Fifty-eight patients had a change to the type of footwear tolerated.

Conclusion: Patients with an ankle fracture requiring admission to hospital have significant residual symptoms at a minimum four years post injury. Weber B and C fractures have significant long term effects on ADL.

Little is known about the priorities of patients undergoing surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. This study explores the priorities of adolescents and contrasts them from their parents and their surgeons. Fifty-five pairs of children and parents underwent structured interviews separately, to explore their concerns, desires and expectations both about scoliosis and surgery. Surgeons of these patients and from across Canada completed a similar questionnaire. We found a significant mismatch between child, parent and surgeon priorities. This mismatch has implications on matters relating to decision making, informed consent, understanding of patient satisfaction, and measuring outcomes that are meaningful to patients.

To define the concerns, desires (goals) and expectations of adolescents undergoing surgery for idiopathic scoliosis and to contrast them from their parents and surgeons.

We conducted structured interviews of fifty-five pairs of adolescents and parents separately. The questionnaire had sections on concerns, desires and expectations regarding both scoliosis and surgery, with items pertaining to present and future effects on appearance, pain, physical and psychosocial function and health. Parents also reported what their child’s responses might be. Their surgeons (four) and paediatric spine surgeons (twenty-four) across Canada completed the same questionnaire. Analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA, intra-class correlation coefficients and kappa statistics.

Parents were more concerned than their children about present and future consequences of scoliosis. Surgeons were least concerned. Children, parents and surgeons agreed that improving physical appearance was the primary goal of surgery. Surgeons agreed very little about the natural history of scoliosis, other goals of surgery and the likelihood of specific outcomes. Parents wanted more from surgery than their children. Parents and patients had greater expectations of surgery than surgeons. Adolescents had different priorities from their parents, but parents were aware of this difference and knew what their child’s priorities were.

Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, their parents and surgeons have different priorities. This mismatch might stem from uncertainty about the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis for individual patients.

Knowledge of patient priorities is vital for shared decision making, informed consent, understanding patient satisfaction, and for measuring outcomes that matter most to patients.

Funding:

Orthopaedic Research & Education Foundation: (Unni. G. Narayanan: AAOS/OREF Health Services research Fellowship award)

Purpose: To assess the change in disease-specific quality of life associated with operating on patients with AIS, compared to non operative patients.

Methods: The Climent Quality of Life for Spinal Deformities Scale (QLPSD)was administered prospectively to 119 patients undergoing scoliosis surgery and 42 patients followed for bracing or observation. Change in quality of life after two years (adjusted for baseline quality of life) was used to estimate the short term benefit of scoliosis surgery. Bracing status was also analyzed at baseline as a covariate to determine its effect on improvement in quality of life.

Results: The operated group experienced an increase in quality of life of 4.3 points (95% C.I. 0.69, 7.88) on the 105 point Climent scale. Although statistically significant, this increase was lower than the 5.5 point cutoff we had defined a priori as clinically significant. Among the operative patients, there was no difference in the quality of life score between those braced at baseline (91.2) and those not (90.5) (p=0.73). In non operative patients, those braced had a baseline quality of life score of 88.2, and those not braced 83.3, this difference was also not significant (p=0.13).

Conclusions: Scoliosis surgery results in a small increase, of questionable clinical significance, in spine-related quality of life at two years.

Funding : Commerical funding

Funding Parties : This trial was funded by (in alphabetical order) Canadian Institutes of Health Research, DePuyAcroMed-Johnson & Johnson Medical Products, and Synthes, Canada.

Five surgeons independently rated clinical photographs of forty patients with AIS. Ratings of shoulder blades, shoulder symmetry, and waist symmetry were related to “overall appearance”, and were also correlated with rib prominence and Cobb angle. Because the components of surgeons’ ratings of appearance differed, this may lead to inconsistent recommendations regarding surgery.

To identify patient characteristics associated with surgeons’ ratings of patient physical deformity in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).

Five surgeons independently rated clinical photographs of forty patients with AIS. Surgeons separately rated the appearance of patients’ shoulder blades, shoulder symmetry, waist symmetry and also rated their “overall appearance” [in five categories from zero (best) to five (worst)]. The following clinical and radiographic data was also collected: rib prominence, vertebral rotation, shoulder height, spinal imbalance, Cobb angle, age, sex, and body mass index.

Surgeons’ mean rating for “overall appearance” was moderately correlated with rib prominence (r = 0.48), vertebral rotation (r = 0.44) and Cobb angle (r = 0.53). Surgeons’ rating of patients’ “overall appearance” was affected by each of: shoulder blades (p = 0.001), shoulder symmetry (p = 0.01) and waist symmetry (p = 0.001). However, each surgeon weighted components of patients’ appearance differently to arrive at their overall rating of appearance (p< 0.006).

Because patients’ physical appearance is an important element of surgical decision making, differences among surgeons could be contributing to inconsistent recommendations.

Surgeons’ ratings of physical appearance are based on surgeons’ ratings of patients’ shoulder blades, waist symmetry and shoulder symmetry but surgeons weight those elements differently.

Surgeon decision making is complicated. It is based on radiographs and subjective assessment. Patients’ appearance undoubtedly influences surgeon recommendation for surgery. We need to clarify surgeons’ ratings and improve the criteria for surgeon decision making.

Funding: This trial was funded by (in alphabetical order) The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, DePuyAcroMed-Johnson & Johnson Medical Products, and Synthes, Canada.

Introduction and Aims: Little is known about the priorities of patients undergoing surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. Surgery, a major undertaking, is recommended to correct or prevent worsening deformity, and to avoid uncertain future consequences. This study aims to define the concerns, desires (goals) and expectations of adolescents undergoing surgery for idiopathic scoliosis.

Method: We conducted structured interviews of 55 pairs of adolescents, who had spinal fusion, and their parents separately. The questionnaire included sections on concerns, desires and expectations regarding both scoliosis and surgery, with items about present and future effects on appearance, pain, physical and psychosocial function and health. Parents reported both their priorities and what their child’s responses might be. Patients’ surgeons (four) completed the same questionnaire. Paediatric spine surgeons across Canada (24) were also surveyed. Surgeons were asked to respond as if their child was a patient. Analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA, intra-class correlation coefficients and kappa statistics.

Results: Parents were significantly more concerned than their children about present and future consequences of scoliosis and of spine fusion surgery. Surgeons were the least concerned about the consequences of scoliosis, even when asked to respond as if their child was the patient. Children, their parents and surgeons did agree that improving physical appearance was the primary goal of surgery. However, surgeons agreed very little among themselves about the natural history of scoliosis, other goals of surgery and about the likelihood of specific outcomes. Consequently, with the exception of improving physical appearance, surgeons’ goals and expectations of surgery were significantly different from those of either the patients or parents. Parents consistently wanted and expected more from surgery than their children. Parents and patients had greater expectations of surgery than surgeons. Although adolescents had different priorities from their parents, parents were aware of these differences and reliably predicted what their children’s priorities were.

Conclusion: Idiopathic scoliosis patients, their parents, and surgeons have different priorities. Surgeons’ opinions about the natural history of scoliosis and treatment goals are discordant. These findings have important implications on shared decision-making and informed consent, and might contribute to better understanding and measurement of outcomes that matter to patients, including satisfaction.

Introduction and Aims: There is a variety of different procedures advocated to address the problems of cosmesis and limited abduction in Sprengel’s shoulders which are based on an understanding of the morphology of the deformity from two-dimensional images. We have reviewed the morphology of the scapulae using 3D CT to determine whether there are sub-groups in which different treatments would be more appropriate.

Method: We assessed 14 consecutive patients (age two to 21 years) between 1996–2002, using a spiral CT scanner with 1.5mm and 3mm slices. These were then reconstructed to give 3D images. These images were then rotated and measured to determine the dimensions, elevation, rotation and shape of the scapula, compared to the normal side. We also looked for the presence of an omovertebral connection and superior hook, and at the range of movement of the shoulder and incidence of associated anomalies.

Results: There was marked variation in the elevation of the scapulae. Three of the 14 had a very abnormal, small, high scapula with multiple associated anomalies. We called these dysplastic. The other 11 scapulae were longer (105%, range 64–132%) and narrower (85%, range 50–133%). They were rotated so the glenoid faced caudally. One out of 11 had a superior hook. The location of the tether could be determined by the shape of the medial border. There is a sub-group of Sprengel’s with a dysplastic scapula and multiple associated abnormalities. These may represent a difference in aetiology. Within the non-dysplastic group there was a wide variation in the size, elevation, orientation and length of the supra spinous portion of the scapulae.

Conclusion: We believe that there are different subgroups of Sprengel shoulder in whom different procedures are indicated and that CT scanning with 3D reconstruction is essential to adequately plan the procedure.

Diagnosis of infective discitis may be difficult as presentation is usually non-specific with little symptomatology and few signs in the early stages. This dilemma is further complicated by the fact there is a long latent period between the onset of symptoms and plain radiograph changes and a high index of suspicion must be maintained. We reviewed 30 cases referred to our unit for treatment between 1996 and 2001 with an emphasis on time to diagnosis.

90% of patients complained of some degree of back pain at initial presentation and 70% had symptoms of active infection. 60% had a history of recent sepsis and a further 23% had been extensively investigated for pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO).

The mean time to diagnosis from first presentation to a member of the medical profession was 54 days (range 0–183 days). 35% of patients were diagnosed incidentally on a CT scan while investigating abdominal and chest symptoms or PUO so these diagnoses could potentially have been delayed further.

23% of patients required acute surgical treatment and in this sub-group the mean time to diagnosis was 61 days (range 14–91 days).

16% of patients died as a result of discitis. In this subgroup the mean time to diagnosis was 74 days (range 56–183 days).

Many patients were extensively investigated for PUO or sepsis of unknown cause despite having persistent back pain. Although a small sample, delay in diagnosis seems to increase death rates. Many of these patients had first presented to their general practitioner or a physician for investigation, however discitis is rarely cited as a differential diagnosis of PUO in medical textbooks.

A high index of suspicion must be maintained in patients with back pain, especially that of a non-mechanical nature. Discitis should be considered early in such patients especially those with evidence of infection. Discitis must always be included in the differential diagnosis of pyrexia of unknown origin.

This study was designed to assess the standard of orthopaedic training of Senior House Officers in the U.K. and to determine the optimum time that should be spent in these posts before registrar training.

Two MCQ papers were constructed. One for the pre test and one for the post test. Questions covered all aspects of orthopaedics and trauma including operative surgery. The paper was firstly tested on controls including medical students, house officers, registrars of various grades and consultants. There was no statistical difference in the results for the two papers within the groups indicating that pre and post test papers were of similar standard. In addition the average scores in the tests increased proportionately to the experience and grade of the control.

129 SHOs from 25 hospitals in 10 different regions were tested by MCQ examination at the beginning of their 6-month post. They were again tested at the end of the job. The differences in score were compared. This difference was then correlated with the experience and career intention of the SHO.

There was no statistical difference between pre and post test results in all groups of SHOs in the study (student t test). The best improvement in scores during this six month period were seen in SHOs of 1–1.5 years orthopaedic experience. SHOs of more than 3 years experience demonstrated the smallest improvement in their score. There was a net loss of seven trainees with a career intention of orthopaedics to other disciplines.

In the vast majority of Senior House Officer posts in this country, very little seems to be learnt during a six-month attachment. This is especially so for those who are doing orthopaedics for the first time as well as very experienced SHOs.

Broad, depressed pin-site scars often remain after the use of external fixators. We describe a new method of surgical revision which combines W-plasty to break up the outline of the scar, with burial of a dermal island to improve the surface contour. We obtained excellent results with this technique in five patients (19 scars).