Glutamate regulates the expression of apoptosis-related genes and triggers the apoptosis of fibroblasts in rotator cuff tendons. Subacromial bursitis is always accompanied by symptomatic rotator cuff tear (RCT). However, no study has been reported on the presence of glutamate in subacromial bursa and on its involvement of shoulder pain in patients who had RCT. The purposes of this study were to determine whether the glutamate expression in subacromial bursa is associated with the presence of RCT and with the severity of shoulder pain accompanying RCT.

Subacromial bursal tissues were harvested from patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff tendon repair or glenoid labral repair with intact rotator cuff tendon. Glutamate tissue concentrations were measured, using a glutamate assay kit. Expressions of glutamate and its receptors in subacromial bursae were histologically determined. The sizes of RCT were determined by arthroscopic findings, using the DeOrio and Cofield classification. The severity of shoulder pain was determined, using visual analog scale (VAS). Any associations between glutamate concentrations and the size of RCT were evaluated, using logistic regression analysis. The correlation between glutamate concentrations and the severity of pain was determined, using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Differences with a probability <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Glutamate concentrations showed significant differences between the torn tendon group and the intact tendon group (P = 0.009). Concentrations of glutamate significantly increased according to increases in tear size (P < 0.001). In histological studies, the expressions of glutamate and of its ionotropic and metabotropic receptors have been confirmed in subacromial bursa. Glutamate concentrations were significantly correlated with pain on VAS (Rho=0.56 and P =0.01).

The expression of glutamate in subacromial bursa is significantly associated with the presence of RCT and significantly correlated with its accompanying shoulder pain.

Acknowledgements: This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program, through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2015R1D1A3A01018955 and 2017R1D1A1B03035232).

The rotator cuff tendinopathy is one of the most common shoulder problems leading to full-thickness rotator cuff tendon tear and, eventually, to degenerative arthritis. Recent research on rotator cuff tendon degeneration has focused on its relationship to cell death. The types of cell death known to be associated with rotator cuff tendon degeneration are apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagic cell death. The increased incidence of cell death in degenerative tendon tissue may affect the rates of collagen synthesis and repair, possibly weakening tendon tissue and increasing the risk of tendon rupture. The biomolecular mechanisms of the degenerative changes leading to apoptotic cell death in rotator cuff tenofibroblasts have been identified as oxidative-stress-related cascade mechanisms. Furthermore, apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagic cell death are all known to be mediated by oxidative stress, a condition in which ROS (reactive oxygen species) are overproduced. Lower levels of oxidative stress trigger apoptosis; higher levels mediate necrosis. Although the signaltransduction pathway leading to autophagy has not yet been fully established, ROS are known to be essential to autophagy. A neuronal theory regarding rotator cuff degeneration has been developed from the findings that glutamate, a neural transmitter, is present in increased concentrations in tendon tissues with tendinopathy and that it induces rat supraspinatus tendon cell death. Recent studies have reported that hypoxia involved in rotator cuff tendon degeneration. Because antioxidants are known to scavenge for intracellular ROS, some studies have been conducted to determine whether antioxidants can reduce cell death in rotator cuff tendon-origin fibroblasts. The first study reported that an antioxidant has the ability to reduce apoptosis in oxidative-stressed rotator cuff tenofibroblasts. The second study reported that antioxidants have both antiapoptotic effects and antinecrotic effects on rotator cuff tendon-origin fibroblasts exposed to an oxidative stimulus. The third study reported that an antioxidant has antiautophagic-cell-death effects on rotator cuff tendon-origin fibroblasts exposed to an oxidative stimulus. The fourth study reported that glutamate markedly increases cell death in rotator cuff tendonorigin fibroblasts. The glutamate-induced cytotoxic effects were reduced by an antioxidant, demonstrating its cytoprotective effects against glutamate-induced tenofibroblast cell death. The fifth study reported that hypoxia significantly increases intracellular ROS and apoptosis. The hypoxia-induced cytotoxic effects were markedly attenuated by antioxidants, demonstrating their cytoprotective effects against hypoxia-induced tenofibroblast cell death. In conclusion, antioxidants have cytoprotective effects on tenofibroblasts exposed in vitro to an oxidative stressor, a neurotransmitter, or hypoxia. These cytoprotective effects result from antiapoptotic, antinecrotic, and antiautophagic actions involving the inhibition of ROS formation. These findings suggest that antioxidants may have therapeutic potential for rotator cuff tendinopathy. Further studies must be conducted in order to apply these in vitro findings to clinical situations.

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess and compare active rotation of the forearm in normal subjects after the application of a short-arm cast (SAC) in the semisupination position and a long-arm cast (LAC) in the neutral position. A clinical study was also conducted to compare the functional outcomes of using a SAC in the semisupination position with those of using a LAC in the neutral position in patients who underwent arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) foveal repair.

Introduction

The degree of cartilage degeneration assessed intraoperatively may not be sufficient as a criterion for patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is useful for detecting osteoarthritic involvement deeper in the subchondral bone. The purpose of the study was to determine whether SPECT/CT reflected the cartilage lesion underneath the patella in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) and whether clinical outcomes after TKA without patellar resurfacing differed according to the severity of patellofemoral (PF) OA determined by visual assessment and SPECT/CT findings.

Introduction

Positive expectations can increase compliance with treatment and realistic expectations may reduce postoperative dissatisfaction. Recently there are articles regarding expectations of patients from their TKA in western literature and only few articles based on Korean populations which don't encompass the whole spectrum of expectations in Korean patients. In all those articles based on pre-operative expectation, results were applied to whole expectation category uniformly not differentially. We aimed to document the pre-operative expectations in Korean patients undergoing total knee replacement using an established survey form and to determine whether expectations were influenced by socio-demographic factors and socio-demographic factors influences expectation items in particular category uniformly or differentially.

Introduction

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is becoming an increasingly popular option in single compartment osteoarthritis. As a result, diverse re-operations including revisions to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has also increase. The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution of causes of re-operations after UKA and to analyze the types of re-operations.

The aims of this study were to report functional outcomes of salvage procedures for patients with cerebral palsy (CP) who have chronic dislocation of the hip using validated scoring systems, and to compare the results of three surgical techniques.

We reviewed 37 patients retrospectively. The mean age at the time of surgery was 12.2 years (8 to 22) and the mean follow-up was 56 months (24 to 114). Patients were divided into three groups: 14 who underwent proximal femoral resection arthroplasty (PFRA group 1), ten who underwent subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy (SVO group 2), and 13 who underwent subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy with resection of the femoral head (SVO with FHR group 3). All patients were evaluated using the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL).

Significant improvements occurred in most CPCHILD and PedsQL subsection scores following surgery in all patients, without significant differences between the groups. There were 12 post-operative complications. Less severe complications were seen in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3.

Salvage surgery appears to provide pain relief in patients with CP who have painful chronic dislocation of the hip. The three salvage procedures produced similar results, however, we recommend the use of PFRA as the complications are less severe.

Take home message: Salvage surgery can be of benefit to patients with CP with chronic painful hip dislocation, but should be limited to selected patients considering complications.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:137–43.

Severe hallux valgus deformity is conventionally treated with proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Distal metatarsal osteotomy with an associated soft-tissue procedure can also be used in moderate to severe deformity. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy in severe hallux valgus deformity with a soft-tissue release in both. A total of 110 consecutive female patients (110 feet) were included in a prospective randomised controlled study. A total of 56 patients underwent a proximal procedure and 54 a distal operation. The mean follow-up was 39 months (24 to 54) in the proximal group and 38 months (24 to 52) in the distal group. At follow-up the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, tibial sesamoid position, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score, patient satisfaction level, and complications were similar in each group. Both methods showed significant post-operative improvement and high levels of patient satisfaction. Our results suggest that the distal chevron osteotomy with an associated distal soft-tissue procedure provides a satisfactory method for correcting severe hallux valgus deformity.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:510–16.

In distal fibular resection without reconstruction, the stabilising effect of the lateral malleolus is lost. Thus, the ankle may collapse into valgus and may be unstable in varus. Here, we describe a child who underwent successful staged surgical correction of a severe neglected valgus deformity after excision of the distal fibula for a Ewing’s sarcoma.

In recent years, the progressive technology of hemodialysis provides long-term survival for renal failure patients. On the other hand, avascular necrosis of the femoral head from the use of steroids or renal osteodystorophy or femoral neck fracture due to amyloid arthropathy have increased. In such cases, bipolar femoral head prosthesis (FHP) and total hip replacement (THR) are usually performed. But it is at risk of developing severe complications, such as early loosening or infection of the implant.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the stability of the cementless stems in radiograms and clinical results after FHP or THR using three types cementless prosthesis in hemodialysis patients.

The study included 14 patients (19 hips) on hemodialysis who underwent FHP or THR using three types cementless prosthesis at our institution between 1983 to 2005 and we could follow up at least two years. There were 8 women (11 hips) and 6 men (8 hips) with an average age of 43.9 years (range, 20–88). The average follow-up was 6.75 years. The average hemodialysis term was 10.5 years. Three types of hip prosthesis (7 stems were CLS, 6 stems were IMC, 6 stems were Duetto S-I) has been used for the treatment at our institution in the past. The initial diagnosis was avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 8 hips, femoral neck fracture in 5, osteoarthritis in 4 and amyloid arthropathy in two. We assessed at least 3° of varus-valgus deviation or at least 3 mm of subsidence as aseptic loosening of stems, and assessed radiolucent line and stress shielding of the stems in radiograms, also. As for clinical results, we measured postoperative infection rate and revision rate.

Aseptic loosening of stems were identified in 3 hips (15.8%). Radiolucent lines were identified in 5%–26% of hips categolised by Gruen’s classification zone I-VII, although their zones differed according to the stem model. Stress shieldings were identified in 10 hips (53%), most of which were level 1, according to the criteria described by Engh et al. Infection rate and revision rate were 5.3% (1 hip) and it was a long-term hemodialysis patient.

Several studies report, there is a high probability that early loosening of the stems is associated with amyloid deposition. We experienced early loosening of the stems in our case and considered prevention of amyloid deposition very important in improving the prognosis of the arthroplasty. We must follow carefully hemodialysis patients after an operation because their nutrition level is low and their bodies are compromised due to steroids use and their postoperative infection rate is high.

We checked intraoperative patellar tracking with both ‘towel clip technique’ and the ‘no thumb technique’ on 354 patients (571 knees) who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty to decide whether to do or not to do lateral retinacular release.

All surgical procedures consisted of medial parapatellar arthrotomy and patellar resurfacing. Patellar tracking was assessed under pneumatic tourniquette with the no thumb technique first and reevaluated with the towel clip technique. The tracking was graded as total contact, good contact, lateral contact, and subluxation. The knees graded as total or good contact with the no thumb technique were classified into group A; those graded lateral contact or subluxation by the no thumb technique but total or good contact by the towel clip technique were classified into group B; and those graded lateral contact or subluxation by both techniques were classified into group C, in which lateral releases were performed. We classified 371, 148, and 52 knees into groups A, B, and C respectively. Patellar lateral tilting in the Merchant view was reviewed preoperatively and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively.

There were no statistical differences on postoperative patellar tilting among the groups. Assessment of the patellar tracking using only the no thumb technique may overestimate the need for lateral retinacular release. The use of the no thumb technique as a screening test, and reevaluation with the towel clip technique, may reduce unnecessary lateral retinacular release.

Computer navigation for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been increasingly used because it improves the accuracy of implant placement. However, some clinical cases have reported complications caused from pin holes during the computer navigated surgery. The objective of this study is to analyse the femoral fracture risk cause by the pin hole in the computer navigated TKA by using finite element analysis.

Three dimensional finite element model of the human femur was developed from CT images. A parametric investigation was conducted to analyse the femoral fracture risk for the following parameters: hole sizes (3, 4, and 5 mm) and hole position (70, 100, and 130 mm above the distal end). Four different penetrations (unicortical, bicortical, half-bicortical, and transcortical) methods in tubular bone were considered in each model, where the half-bicortical penetration was defined that the pin hole was located between the holes of bicortical and transcortical penetrations. The finite element model was rigidly fixed to a distance of 25 mm above the distal end. The vertical load of 1500 N and the torsional load of 12 Nm were applied to the femoral head. The maximum von-Mises stress, which was chosen as the fracture risk factor, was then investigated around pin hole.

The maximum von-Mises stress around the pin hole was the highest in the transcortical penetration for different hole sizes: 7.8~8.5, 15.7~16.2, 15.5~16.8, and 25.5~45.3 MPa under the vertical load, and 9.6~10.5, 9.7~11.0, 8.8~10.2, and 14.2~33.8 MPa under the torsional load in unicortical, bicortical, half-bicortical, and transcortical penetrations, respectively. For the different hole position, the maximum von-Mises stress around the pin hole was: 6.0~7.8, 15.7~24.7, 16.3~19.6, and 12.2~22.4 MPa under the vertical load, and 9.6~10.7, 9.7~11.5, 8.7~9.8, and 12.2~16.6 MPa under the torsional load in unicortical, bicortical, half-bicortical, and transcortical penetrations, respectively.

For the pin hole size, the maximum stress increased only in the transcortical penetration regardless of the loads as the pin hole size increased. However, there was little meaningful difference between the hole positions for each penetration method. The results of this study suggested that it would be beneficial to avoid using the transcortical penetration and large size of pin with respect to reduction of femoral fracture risk since the high stress may cause the femoral fracture.

Audible squeaking following ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a rare but troublesome problem. We retrospectively reviewed records of 1002 patients where a ceramic-on-ceramic THA had been done during the study period. Fifteen patients complained of squeaking, at any time following their arthroplasty. Fourteen of these 15 patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. The demographics of these patients were compared to that of all the other patients who did not have squeaking following ceramic-on-ceramic THA. The radiographic data was compared to a control group matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), primary diagnosis, type of implant, date of surgery and length of follow-up.

There were 12 males and 2 females of a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 25–65 years). These 14 patients were found to have significantly higher BMI of 25.98 kg/m2 (range, 21.6–32.3 kg/m2) as compared to the other patients who had ceramic-on-ceramic THA (mean, 23.61 kg/m2; range, 15.8 –30.3 kg/m2) (p=0.005). The lateral opening angle was found to be significantly lower (mean, 34°; range 29°–40°) in these patients than the matched control group (mean, 38°; range 30°–41°) (p=0.016). Mean acetabular anteversion was 22° (range 9°–37°), which was not significantly different to that of the matched controls (mean 23°; range 2°–33°) (p=.957). Limb length shortening of more than 5mm was observed in 12 of the 14 (85.7%) patients as compared to only 4 of 14 (28.6%) patients in the matched control group. Two patients had intermittent squeaking while the other 12 had continuous squeaking. Flexion and sitting cross legged were identified as the movements which most commonly (11 of 12) resulted in squeaking. Mean Harris hip score (HHS) improved from 44 (range, 19–66) to 94 (range, 88–100) and most patients (13 of 14) were satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.

Thus the incidence of squeaking was found to be low (1.5%, 15 of 1002) in our series. We identified high BMI, decreased lateral opening angle and limb length shortening as factors associated with occurrence of squeaking. Proper patient selection, implant placement, and avoidance of limb length discrepancy are likely to further reduce the incidence of this complication of ceramic-on-ceramic THA.

This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of a new subtrochanteric osteotomy technique for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in cases with a high dislocated hip secondary to the sequelae of a septic hip in childhood. Eighteen patients (20 hips), aged 25 to 65 years (average 47.3 years), underwent THA using a cement-less conical stem (Cone prosthesis^®; Protek AG, Berne, Switzerland) with a new subtrochanteric osteotomy technique and were followed for an average of 23.6 months. All patients were graded as type III (high dislocation) according to the Hartofilakidis classification, and according to the Crowe classification 3 cases were of type III and 17 were of type IV.

The procedure was performed through a posterolateral approach and a provisional osteotomy was usually performed at the inferior half of the lesser trochanter. All acetabular component was inserted at the true acetabular and the acetabular cup was inserted in 5 cases and only a liner was inserted after cementing in 15 cases. The stem size and the amount of stem insertion was decided according to the preoperative planning and soft tissue tension. After final reduction, the greater trochanter was re-attached to the proximal femur with the hip in the abducted position. Cables or a grip system (Dall Miles^®, Stryker Orthopaedics Inc., Mahwah, NJ, USA) were used for fixation, and if possible, additional screws were inserted.

Postoperatively, range of motion exercises were encouraged after 2 to 3 weeks of bed rest and non-weight bearing crutch ambulation followed. Weight bearing was permitted only after obtaining radiological confirmation of bone union, but then active exercises were strongly encouraged to stretch abductors. Mean duration of surgery was 180.6 minutes, and mean perioperative blood loss was 1424.1ml. There were no intra-operative complications. Post-operative dislocation occurred in 2 cases and partial femoral nerve palsy developed in 1 case. Mean Harris Hip Score improved from 42.4 to 84.2. Mean lateral opening angle of acetabular cup and liner was 34.7 0 and mean anteversion was 20.8 0. All femoral components were implanted in neutral to 5 degrees of valgus, and mean leg lengthening was 36.5mm. The mean time to greater trochanter union was 3.72 months.

Primary THA in highly dislocated hips due to the sequelae of septic hip in childhood using the described subtrochanteric osteotomy and a cone prosthesis was found to be safe and effective at restoring leg length and trochanteric rotation. But more follow-up is required to more comprehensively establish the long-term results of the described procedure.

Aim: The diagnosis of partial biceps tears cannot be made reliably with existing physical exam tests. Diagnostic arthroscopy is recommended if this diagnosis is suspected.

The accuracy of the physical examination for biceps pathology remains controversial. The goal of this study was to investigate the validity and clinical usefulness of various physical tests used for diagnosing partial tears of the biceps tendon.

Materials & Methods: The study was a prospective blinded study of 847 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic procedures for a variety of shoulder conditions. Forty subjects were found at the time of arthroscopy to have partial biceps tears (24 men and 16 women) with an average age of 59 YO (range from 18 to 83 YO). A pre-operative physical examination using 9 different commonly used tests was performed for all the patients. Statistical analysis included sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) and likelihood ratios (LR) for these tests.

Results: The prevalence rate of partial tears was 5 percent of all arthroscopic procedures. Associated conditions included rotator cuff tears (85 percent) and anterior instability (7.5 percent). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and the LR for the Speed_s test were 50 percent, 67 percent, 8 percent and 96 percent and 1.51, respectively. None of the other tests was sensitive (less than 50 percent). The lift-off sign had a LR of 2.61 but had a sensitivity of only 28 percent.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of partial biceps tears cannot be made reliably with existing physical exam tests. Diagnostic arthroscopy is recommended if this diagnosis is suspected.

Aim: Distal clavicle excision (DCE) is the treatment of choice for A–C joint arthritis.The overall complication rate for open, isolated DCE is higher than previously reported.

Distal clavicle excision (DCE) is the treatment of choice for A–C joint arthritis. Isolated DCE., as an open procedure has been considered to be a safe procedure, and it is the gold standard for comparison for arthroscopic distal clavicle excision. This study attempts to define the incidence of complications after isolated, open DCE.

Materials & Methods: This prospective, non-randomized study included 702 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder. 580 patients were included in the control group. All patients underwent a thorough preoperative evaluation and final diagnosis was given after arthroscopic evaluation. There were 42 patients with isolated A–C joint arthritis, which underwent an open D.C.E. Mean follow up was 16.7 months. There were 30 men and 12 women with a mean age of 42,6 (± 12,5) years. The dominant arm was involved in 30 patients. 16 patients participated in sports while 9 of them were competitive athletes. 38 (90%) patients had symptomatic arthritis, 2(5%) cases were of osteolysis and separation arthritis each.

Results: 22 (52%) of the 42 patients developed complications. There were 2 deep infections and 2 stitches abscesses. 4 (9.5%) patients developed a stiff shoulder and 1(2.4%) patient developed heterotopic ossification. 16 (38%) patients had tenderness in A–C joint for a period over 3 months while 6 (14%) patients had local tenderness at the last follow up. Painful scar was present in 2 (5%) patients over 3 months.

Conclusions: The overall complication rate for open, isolated DCE is higher than previously reported. Patients should be advised of these possibilities and this study serves as a baseline for comparison for future study.

Cryopreserved patellar tendon allografts are often recommended for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) because living donor fibroblasts are thought to promote repair. Animal studies, however, indicate that ligaments regenerate from recipient rather than donor cells. If applicable to man, these observations suggest that allograft cell viability is unimportant. We therefore used short tandem repeat analysis with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to determine the source of cells in nine human ACLs reconstructed with cryopreserved patellar tendon allografts. PCR amplification of donor and recipient DNA obtained before operation and DNA from the graft obtained two to ten months after transplantation revealed the genotype of cells and showed only recipient cells in the graft area. Rather than preserve the viability of donor cells, a technique is required which will facilitate the introduction of recipient cells into patellar tendon allografts.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of treatment of the infected total knee arthroplasty by two-stage revision using antibiotics-impregnated cement spacer and beads.

Materials and methods: Out of 56 total knee arthroplasty revisions, 26 revisions were performed for infected total knee arthroplasties between 1985 and 1996. Two cases of infected total knee arthroplasties were treated by immediate replacement and four cases by arthrodesis. Twenty infected total knee arthroplasties had been revised by two-stage revision and followed-up for 38.6 months in average (range, 18–105 months). They were nine male and eleven female patients of 61.6 years old in average. The primary cause of arthroplasty was osteoarthritis in all. Infection was diagnosed by physical finding, radiography, preoperative aspiration, culture of the pus from draining sinus and culture of surgical specimen. Twelve cases revealed positive growth of causative bacteria, while eight were not identified. The protocol for two-stage revision began with the removal of infected implants and cement. The surrounding bony and soft tissue were thoroughly debrided and cleaned. The dead space between femur and t

Results: Two-stage revision was successful in nineteen cases. One case revealed the recurrence of infection eleven months after reimplantation and underwent the repetition of the same two-stage procedure. At the final follow-up, the average Hospital for Special Surgery score was 81.1 points, the average Knee Society knee score was 78.6 points and the average function score was 76.7 points. Patients could regain average 105 degrees of knee flexion.

Conclusion: The result of two-stage revision for infected total knee arthroplasty is satisfactory, showing that this can be the method of choice for infection treatment and functional restoration. This procedure using antibiotics-impregnated cement spacer and beads can control infection and improve functional results.

The purpose of current study was to describe the results of complex acetabular fractures treated with open reduction using transtrochanteric approach and arthrotomy of the hip joint. Fourteen consecutive patients with both column fractures of the acetabulum were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. All patients had various associated injuries. Among them, one patient had pelvic abscess associated with traumatic bowel perforation. The acetabulum was approached with Y-shaped triradiate incision, osteotomy of the greater trochanter, and arthrotomy of the hip joint. During the operation, the osteochondral fragments were removed and torn labrum was resected. In 6 patients the fracture was fixed with reconstruction plates and in 8 patients the fracture was fixed with plates and wires. All the patients were followed for an average of 4.6 years(range, 2–8 years). The clinical evaluation was done by the method of Merle d’Aubigne. All the fractures and all osteotomies united at the latest follow up. One patient had delayed hematogenous infection at 5.5 years after the operation. Although myositis ossificans developed in 3 patients it was neither progressive after 1 year nor associated with significant limitation of hip motion. Four patients had narrowing of the hip joint space. Three of them had osteophyte formation around the femoral head. No femoral head necrosis was observed. Eleven patients had excellent or good outcomes in clinical score. No patient underwent total hip arthroplasty. This extensile approach allowed a good exposure of the fracture site, more accurate reduction, and easier fixation of fracture fragments. It also allowed the removal of osteochondral fragments and the resection of torn labrum. However, 3 patients showed osteophyte formation around the femoral head. We are concerned about the further progression of the osteophyte and its clinical implication.

We describe a three-year-old boy who had spontaneous regeneration of the entire lateral malleolus after injury, including the epiphysis, physis and metaphysis.