Results and complications of percutaneous pelvic osteotomy and intertrochanteric varus shortening osteotomy in 54 consecutively operated GMFCS level IV and V cerebral palsy patients

Purpose

This retrospective study evaluated mid-to-long-term outcome of a minimally invasive percutaneous pelvic osteotomy (PPO) approach combined with varus derotational shortening osteotomy (VDRSO) and soft tissue release in children with severe CP.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of all patients presenting with a diagnosis of CP with hip subluxation or dislocation treated surgically by simultaneous soft tissue release, VDRSO, and PPO between 2002 and 2015. Eligible patients included those with a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegia or CP GMFCS level IV or V with unilateral or bilateral hip subluxation or dislocation and surgical treatment of the deformity by simultaneous soft tissue release, VDRSO and PPO. All anterior–posterior (AP) radiographs of the pelvis were reviewed and Reimers migration percentage (MP) and acetabular angle (AA) were measured.

Results

In total, 54 children and adolescents (34 boys, 20 girls) with CP GMFCS level IV and V were treated during study period: 38 (70.4%) classified GMFCS level IV and 16 (29.6%) classified GMFCS level V. A total of 64 consecutive hips underwent simultaneous PPO associated with VDRSO. Overall, at the time of chart and radiograph review, mean age was 9.1 ± 3.3 years (range 4–16.5) and mean follow-up was 43.9 ± 19.5 months (range 3–72). Mean migration percentage improved from 66.8 ± 19.8% (range 33–100) preoperatively to 8.1 ± 16.5% (range 0–70) at last follow-up. Mean acetabular angle improved from 32.7° ± 7.1° (range 20–50) preoperatively to 14° ± 6.7° (range 0–27) at last follow-up. Only one case of bone graft dislodgment was observed. We did not observe any cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. All operated hips were pain free at the time of last follow-up.

Conclusion

PPO through a less invasive surgical approach offers a valuable alternative to standard techniques as it gives similar outcome but with less muscle stripping and less time in surgery.

Level of evidence

III.

     

The Root-Ely Modified Test of Rectus Femoris Spasticity Has Reliability in Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Background

Stiff-knee gait is a common gait deviation in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) due to rectus femoris (RF) muscle spasticity. The Duncan-Ely test is a velocity-dependent measurement of spasticity that is recorded as positive or negative. At our institution, we use a modification of the Duncan-Ely test, a 5-point ordinal rating scale, which delineates where the catch occurs within the rapid arc of knee flexion. It has been named the Root-Ely test.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Duncan-Ely and Root-Ely tests in pediatric patients with CP.

Methods

A convenience sample of 20 ambulatory subjects was recruited; mean age was 10.5?±?4.5 years, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were I–III. Five clinicians measured each individual’s RF spasticity using the Root-Ely protocol during a single visit. Simple κ statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were utilized for intra-rater reliability and weighted κ statistics with 95% CI for inter-rater reliability.

Results

The Root-Ely scale intra-rater reliability was 0.77 to 0.90 and inter-rater reliability was 0.32 to 0.87. Inter-rater reliability was good to excellent among experienced clinicians and fair to moderate in new clinicians.

Conclusion

The Root-Ely 5-point scale has acceptable intra- and inter-rater reliability in pediatric individuals with CP among experienced clinicians. The Root-Ely test allows experienced clinicians to reliably quantify severity of RF spasticity and may give orthopaedic surgeons a clinical tool to better predict ideal candidates for RF transfers in individuals with CP in order to improve stiff-knee gait.

     

Annual changes in radiographic indices of the spine in cerebral palsy patients

Purpose

We estimated the annual changes in radiographic indices of the spine in cerebral palsy (CP) patients and analyzed the factors that influence its progression rate.

Methods

We included CP patients who had undergone whole-spine radiography more than twice and were followed for at least 1 year. The scoliosis Cobb angle, coronal balance, apical vertebral translation, apical rotation, and pelvic obliquity were measured on anteroposterior (AP) radiographs; thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles, and sagittal balance was measured on lateral radiographs; and migration percentage was measured on AP hip radiographs to determine hip instability. For each gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level, the Cobb angles, apical vertebral translation, coronal and sagittal balance, and pelvic obliquity were adjusted by multiple factors with a linear mixed model.

Results

A total of 184 patients (774 radiographs) were included in this study. There was no significant annual change in scoliosis Cobb, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis angles in the GMFCS level I–II and III groups. In the GMFCS level IV–V group, there was an annual increase of 3.4° in the scoliosis Cobb angle (p = 0.020). The thoracic kyphosis angle increased by 2.2° (p = 0.018) annually in the GMFCS level IV–V group. Apical vertebral translation increased by 5.4 mm (p = 0.029) annually in the GMFCS level IV–V group. Progression of coronal and sagittal balance and pelvic obliquity with aging were not statistically significant. Sex, hip instability, hip surgery, and triradiate cartilage did not affect the progression of scoliosis and the balance of the spine and pelvis.

Conclusions

The scoliosis Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, and apical vertebral translation in the GMFCS level IV–V CP patients progressed with age. These findings can predict radiographic progression of scoliosis in CP patients.

     

A balanced approach for stable hips in children with cerebral palsy: a combination of moderate VDRO and pelvic osteotomy

Background

Hip reconstructive surgery in cerebral palsy (CP) patients necessitates either femoral varus derotational osteotomy (VDRO) or pelvic osteotomy, or both. The purpose of this study is to review the results of a moderate varisation [planned neck shaft angle (NSA) of 130°] in combination with pelvic osteotomy for a consecutive series of patients.

Methods

Patients with CP who had been treated at our institution for hip dysplasia, subluxation or dislocation with VDRO in combination with pelvic osteotomy between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed.

Results

Forty patients with a mean follow-up of 5.4 years were included. The mean age at the time of operation was 8.9 years. The majority were non-ambulant children [GMFCS I–III: n = 11 (27.5 %); GMFCS IV–V: n = 29 (72.5 %)]. In total, 57 hips were treated with both femoral and pelvic osteotomy. The mean pre-operative NSA angle of 152.3° was reduced to 132.6° post-operatively. Additional adductor tenotomy was performed in nine hips (16 %) at initial operation. Reimers’ migration percentage (MP) was improved from 63.6 % pre-operatively to 2.7 % post-operatively and showed a mean of 9.7 % at the final review. The results were good in 96.5 % (n = 55) with centred, stable hips (MP <33 %), fair in one with a subluxated hip (MP 42 %) and poor in one requiring revision pelvic osteotomy for ventral instability.

Conclusions

This approach maintains good hip abduction and reduces soft-tissue surgery. Moderate varisation in VDRO in combination with pelvic osteotomy leads to good mid-term results with stable, pain-free hips, even in patients with severe spastic quadriplegia.

     

Individualized evaluation of lumbar bone mineral density in children with cerebral palsy

Summary

Lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used in children with cerebral palsy (CP) to evaluate bone health. LS-BMD results in children with CP are influenced significantly by their height, BMI, and mobility level. An adjustment for these parameters might improve the clinical significance of the method.

Purpose/introduction

DXA evaluation is considered useful in children with CP to assess bone health. For this purpose, LS-BMD is often used. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of height, BMI, and reduced mobility level of children with CP on LS-BMD and to develop a method to adjust individual results of LS-BMD for these factors.

Methods

We conducted a monocentric retrospective analysis of data collected in children and adolescents with CP, who participated in a rehabilitation program and had no history of recurrent fractures. The DXA scan was part of the routine examination for participants older than 4 years of age. The relationship between height and BMI for age Z-scores and age-adjusted LS-BMD Z-scores was analyzed.

Results

LS-DXA scans of 500 children and adolescents with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–V) were included in the statistical analysis (217 female). The mean age was 9.4 years (±?3.7 years). Children with moderate to severe CP had significantly (p?<?0.001) lower LS-BMD Z-scores than children with mild CP. We provided nomograms to adjust individual LS-BMD results to their height, BMI, and mobility level.

Conclusions

LS-BMD results in children with CP were influenced significantly by their height, BMI, and mobility level. An adjustment of the LS-BMD results to height, BMI, and mobility level might improve the clinical significance of an individual result.

     

Patients with chronic non-specific low back pain who reported reduction in pain and improvement in function also demonstrated an improvement in gait pattern

Purpose

To assess the changes in gait pattern and clinical symptoms of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) following a home-based biomechanical treatment (HBBT).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 60 CNSLBP patients. All patients underwent a gait evaluation and completed self-assessment questionnaires at pre-treatment and after 3 and 6 months of a HBBT (AposTherapy). Twenty-four healthy, aged-matched individuals served as a reference group.

Results

Significant differences were found in all gait parameters and clinical symptoms between patients with CNSLBP and healthy people before treatment. Significant improvements were found in all gait parameters and clinical measures following 6 months of therapy including an increase in gait velocity (10.6 %), step length (5.6 %), cadence (5 %), and quality of life and a decrease in pain (13.3 %). There were no significant differences between groups in the gait parameters following 6 months of treatment.

Conclusions

Significant differences exist between patients with CNSLBP and healthy controls in terms of gait pattern and self-assessed health status. The examined HBBT led to significant improvements in gait pattern, reduction in pain, improved function and increased quality of life. However, future studies should validate these results while comparing this treatment to other treatment modalities.

     

Frey’s procedure for chronic pancreatitis improves the nutritional status of these patients

Purpose

The aim of surgical intervention for chronic pancreatitis (CP) is to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. However, the precise effect of surgery on the nutritional status of CP patients, which is often impaired by exocrine and endocrine pancreatic dysfunction, has not been elucidated. We conducted this study to evaluate whether Frey’s procedure improves the nutritional status of CP patients.

Methods

The nutritional status of 35 patients who underwent Frey’s procedure for CP at our institute between April 2005 and December 2014, was assessed by the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) scoring before and 1 year after the surgery, and compared with that of seven CP patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. The occurrence of postoperative hepatic steatosis was also monitored.

Results

The nutritional status improved after Frey’s procedure, but not after pancreatoduodenectomy. The median postoperative CONUT score after Frey’s procedure was significantly lower than the preoperative score (1.0 ± 0.5 vs. 4.0 ± 2.5; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Frey’s procedure is superior to pancreatoduodenectomy for improving the nutritional status of CP patients.

     

Simulated Ankle Equinus Affects Knee Kinematics During Gait

Background

It is critical to distinguish gait compensations from true abnormalities when planning interventions to improve gait in individuals with neuromuscular disorders.

Questions/Purposes

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of isolated ankle equinus on knee kinematics during the initial contact phase of gait.

Methods

Ten healthy subjects (29?+?4.3 years) participated, and testing occurred in a motion analysis laboratory. This cross-sectional study investigated five gait conditions in each subject: shoe alone, shoe with unilateral ankle foot orthosis locked at neutral, 10°, 20°, and 30° of fixed ankle plantar flexion. Gait kinematics were recorded and calculated with 3D motion analysis. The difference between the shoe and each brace condition was analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA. The primary outcome was knee flexion at initial contact.

Results

With greater than 10° simulated ankle equinus, the primary gait compensation pattern was increased knee flexion at initial contact. A significant degree of knee flexion occurred ranging from 7° to 22°.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that observed knee flexion at initial contact may be a compensation pattern in individuals with >10° ankle equinus. However, in individuals with ≤10° ankle equinus, observed knee flexion may represent a true gait deviation. This has clinical significance in the realm of cerebral palsy for treatment planning to improve gait.

     

Osteoporosis in adults with cerebral palsy: feasibility of DXA screening and risk factors for low bone density

Summary

This study aims to describe osteoporosis screening in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify any associated factors. Bone mineral density (BMD) was often lower than expected-for-age in these adults, and present even in young adulthood, particularly at the spine. Low BMD is frequent in adults with CP.

Introduction

This study aims to describe the feasibility of dual-energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify factors associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), including longitudinal changes.

Methods

A retrospective chart review study of these adults seen at an urban academic rehabilitation clinic and who underwent DXA scan(s). BMD and Z-scores for the lumbar spine, hips, and femoral (neck and total) were recorded. The change in BMD and Z-scores from baseline to follow-up DEXA, Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS), CP pattern (hemiplegic, diplegic, or quadriplegic), body mass index (BMI), and transfer and ambulation status were assessed.

Results

Forty-two patients (83 % less than age 50 years) had at least one DXA. Seventeen had at least two studies, 15 without pharmacologic interventions between studies. Thirteen fractures in eight subjects were noted, most often lower limb. Fifty percent of spine studies in individuals under 50 had a Z-score of less than ?2, while 25 and 30.8 % of these individuals had such scores at the right and left total hip sites, respectively. Need for transfer assistance was associated with lower BMD and Z-scores at all hip sites, but not the lumbar spine. Progressive abnormalities were seen at follow-up DXAs at some sites, however these were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Lower than expected-for-age BMD was very frequent in adults with CP with mobility limitations, present at both spine and hip sites. Low BMI and need for transfer assistance had a negative impact on BMD. Although not statistically significant, progression of abnormalities was seen at follow-up for DXAs Z-scores at some sites, which suggests longitudinal studies in this population are needed.

     

The long-term effect of comprehensive geriatric care on gait after hip fracture: the Trondheim Hip Fracture Trial—a randomised controlled trial

Summary

At present, most hip fracture patients are treated in orthopaedic wards. This study showed that a relatively short hospital intervention based on principles of comprehensive geriatric assessment resulted in safer and more efficient gait as long as 1 year following the fracture as compared to conventional orthopaedic treatment.

Introduction

Hip fracture patients are frail, and the fracture is usually followed by substantial decline in gait function. Few studies have assessed gait characteristics other than gait speed and knowledge about the effect of early intervention on long-term gait outcome is sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of pre- and post-surgery Comprehensive Geriatric Care (CGC) on ability to walk, self-reported mobility and gait characteristics in hip fracture patients.

Methods

Two armed, parallel group randomised controlled trial comparing CGC to conventional Orthopaedic Care (OC) in pre- and early post-surgery phase. Hip fracture patients (n?=?397), community-dwelling, age >70 years and able to walk at time of the fracture were included. Spatial and temporal gait characteristics were collected using an instrumented walkway (GAITRite® system) 4 and 12 months post-surgery.

Results

Participants who received CGC had significantly higher gait speed, less asymmetry, better gait control and more efficient gait patterns, more participants were able to walk and participants reported better mobility 4 and 12 months following the fracture as compared to participants receiving OC.

Conclusions

Pre- and post-surgery CGC showed an effect on gait as long as 1 year after hip fracture. These findings underscore the importance of targeting the vulnerability of these patients at an early stage to prevent gait decline in the long run. As presently, most hip fracture patients are treated in orthopaedic wards with larger focus on the fracture than on frailty, these results are important to inform new models for hip fracture care.

     

Intrathecal baclofen pumps do not accelerate progression of scoliosis in quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy

Purpose

To compare scoliosis progression in quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy with and without intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps.

Methods

A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted. Patients with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, GMFCS level 5, treated with ITB pumps with follow-up >1 year were matched to comparable cases by age and baseline Cobb angle without ITB pumps. Annual and peak coronal curve progression, pelvic obliquity progression and need for spinal fusion were compared.

Results

ITB group: 25 patients (9 female), mean age at pump insertion 9.4 and Risser 0.9. Initial Cobb angle 25.6° and pelvic tilt 3.2°. Follow-up 4.3 (1.0–7.8) years. Cobb angle at follow-up 76.1° and pelvic tilt 18.9°. Non-ITB group: 25 patients (14 female), mean age at baseline 9.2 and Risser 1.0. Initial Cobb angle 29.7° and pelvic tilt 7.1°. Follow-up 3.5 (1.0–7.5) years. Cobb angle at follow-up 69.1° and pelvic tilt 21.0°. The two groups were statistically similar for baseline age, Cobb angle and Risser grade. Mean curve progression was 13.6°/year for the ITB group vs 12.6°/year for the non-ITB group (p = 0.39). Peak curve progression was similar between the groups. Pelvic tilt progression was comparable; ITB group 4.5°/year vs non-ITB 4.6°/year (p = 0.97). During follow-up 5 patients in the ITB group and 9 in the non-ITB group required spinal fusion surgery for curve progression (p = 0.35).

Conclusions

Patients with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy with and without ITB pumps showed significant curve progression over time. ITB pumps do not appear to alter the natural history of curve progression in this population.

     

The effect of an external hip joint stabiliser on gait function after surgery for tumours located around the circumference of the pelvis: analysis of seven cases of internal hemipelvectomy or proximal femur resection

Purpose

Limb-sparing resection of malignant pelvic tumours provides the opportunity for patients to obtain better post-operative mobility. However, because few studies have examined in detail the gait function of patients following pelvic tumour resection, the factors affecting gait performance remain to be clarified. Here, with the laboratory-based computer-assisted gait analysis, we evaluated these patients' gait objectively and the impact of a hip-stabilising supporter on gait improvement was simultaneously examined.

Methods

Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed to obtain cross-sectional data for seven post-operative patients (mean age, 42.7 years; range, 20–61 years) who underwent various types of resection, including P1/4 internal hemipelvectomy (IH), P1/2/3 IH, and proximal femur resection with prosthetic reconstruction. To assess the immediate effects of a hip joint stabiliser, we instructed subjects to walk at their self-selected preferred speed and compared gait parameters with and without use of the hip stabiliser.

Results

At baseline, the average walking speed was 0.75 m/s (95 % CI 0.53–0.97). As shown by the intra-subject comparison, the hip stabiliser increased walking speed in all but one subject, increasing both temporal and spatial parameters. Ground reaction force of operated limbs increased for some subjects, while step length increased on at least one side in all subjects.

Conclusions

Improvement in the gait parameters is indicative of better control provided by the external hip stabiliser over the affected limb. Moreover, our findings show the potential of a biomechanical approach to improve gait function following pelvic tumour resection.

     

Komplikationsmanagement im Internet Marketing

Background

New patients come more and more often over the internet; therefore internet marketing plays an increasingly important role.

Question

How can physicians build an effective internet marketing strategy and avoid complications?

Method

Selection and authorization of a reputable agency.

Results

New customer acquisition through high visibility in the internet, at the same time increasing the image and awareness.

Conclusions

In the overall “marketing mix” internet marketing has become indispensable to physicians who want to be successful. Those who are well positioned in Google are well known by their target audience and thus receive a higher response.

     

Evaluation of lower limb kinetics during gait,sprint and hop tests before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional status prior to and at different times after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to analyze the changes in the kinetic patterns of the involved and uninvolved lower limb during gait, sprint and three hop tests.

Materials and methods

Seventy-four male patients with an ACL injury were included in the study. All patients performed a standardized kinetic protocol including gait, sprint and three hop tests (single-leg hop, drop vertical jump and vertical jump tests), preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months after ACLR with a semitendinosus gracilis tendon autograft. Measurements were performed with two force plates. The lower limb symmetry index (LSI) was calculated to determine whether a side-to-side leg difference was classified as normal (LSI >90%) or abnormal (LSI <90%).

Results

The LSI presented high values (>90%) at almost all times before and after ACLR in gait, sprint and single-leg hop tests (p < 0.005), with a tendency to increase postoperatively. A lower LSI was observed (<90%) in tests where both extremities were tested simultaneously, such as the drop vertical jump and vertical hop tests (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We observed a tendency to increase symmetry restoration in the kinetics of the involved and uninvolved limb up to twelve months after ACLR, especially in those tests, in which, both limbs were tested individually (gait analysis, sprint and single-leg hop tests). Therefore, the isolation of the involved and uninvolved limb seems to be a critical component in the functional rehabilitation and evaluation of patients before and after ACLR.

Level of evidence

level III.

     

No difference in flexion power despite iliopsoas fatty degeneration in healed hip fractures with large lesser trochanter displacement

Objective

To evaluate iliopsoas atrophy and loss of function after displaced lesser trochanter fracture of the hip.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

District hospital.

Patients

Twenty consecutive patients with pertrochanteric fracture and displacement of the lesser trochanter of?>?20 mm.

Intervention

Fracture fixation with either an intramedullary nail or a plate.

Outcome measurements

Clinical scores (Harris hip, WOMAC), hip flexion strength measurements, and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Results

Compared with the contralateral non-operated side, the affected side showed no difference in hip flexion force in the supine upright neutral position and at 30° of flexion (205.4 N vs 221.7 N and 178.9 N vs. 192.1 N at 0° and 30° flexion, respectively). However, the affected side showed a significantly greater degree of fatty infiltration compared with the contralateral side (global fatty degeneration index 1.085 vs 0.784), predominantly within the psoas and iliacus muscles.

Conclusion

Severe displacement of the lesser trochanter (>?20 mm) in pertrochanteric fractures did not reduce hip flexion strength compared with the contralateral side. Displacement of the lesser trochanter in such cases can lead to fatty infiltration of the iliopsoas muscle unit. The amount of displacement of the lesser trochanter did not affect the degree of fatty infiltration.

Level of evidence

II.

     

Harnröhrenrekonstruktion bei vorausgegangener Hypospadieoperation

Background

The tasks involved in reconstructing the urethra after failed hypospadias repair range from correction of a trivial meatal stenosis to reconstruction of the entire anterior urethra.

Objectives

To describe pathological findings in the urethra after failed hypospadias repair and the respective surgical methods used for their correction.

Materials and methods

The various pathological findings after unsuccessful hypospadias surgery are classified according to their location and complexity.

Results

The general rules of reconstruction that should be applied in each particular situation are described.

Conclusions

Successful reconstruction of the urethra in patients with failed hypospadias surgery requires experience and good knowledge of the anatomy of the normal and hypospadic urethra and penis. Mastery of plastic surgical techniques and profound knowledge of the various surgical methods of hypospadias surgery are essential.

     

Short- and long-term outcomes of the Frey procedure for chronic pancreatitis: a single-center experience and summary of outcomes in Japan

Purpose

To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of the Frey procedure for chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods

The subjects of this study were 12 patients who underwent the Frey procedure for CP between January, 2000 and December, 2016. We assessed pain relief, weight gain, and exocrine/endocrine insufficiency during follow-up.

Results

The study population comprised 11 men and 1 woman (91.7% vs. 8.3%; mean age, 50.3 ± 6.8 years; range 39–61 years). Pancreatitis was caused by alcohol in 9 (75%) patients and was idiopathic in 3 (25%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 82.5 ± 46.5 months (range 16.9–152.1 months). There was no operative mortality, but three patients (25%) suffered postoperative morbidity. All patients were pain-free at the time of discharge. There was no case of new-onset diabetes mellitus after surgery, although one patient (8.3%) suffered exocrine insufficiency. The body weight and body mass index of all patients improved during follow-up. Only one patient continued to suffer pain in the long term.

Conclusion

The findings of this long-term follow-up of patients who underwent the Frey procedure suggest that it offers effective pain relief and is a safe technique for the management of CP.

     

Windswept hip deformity in children with cerebral palsy: a population-based prospective follow-up

Purpose

To analyze the development of windswept hip deformity (WS) in a total population of children with cerebral palsy (CP) up to 20 years of age, the association between WS and hip dislocation, and femoral varus osteotomy and scoliosis, and the impact of a hip surveillance program on the subsequent incidence of WS.

Methods

This is a prospective study on children with CP in southern Sweden included in the Swedish follow-up programme and registry for CP (CPUP). All children born between 1990 and 1995 with CP were included; those born between 1990 and 1991 did not partake in the hip surveillance program until they were older (3–5 years of age) and served as a historic control group. Children born between 1992 and 1995 were included in the hip surveillance program from about 2 years of age and constituted the study group.

Results

In the control group, 12 of 68 children (18 %) developed WS. In the study group of 139 children, 13 (9 %) developed WS (p = 0.071). Of all 25 children with WS, 21 also developed scoliosis and 5 developed a hip dislocation. The number of children with WS starting in the lower extremities was significantly lower in the study group (p = 0.028). No difference between the two groups was seen regarding WS that started in combination with scoliosis.

Conclusion

With early inclusion in a hip surveillance program and early treatment of contractures, it appears possible to reduce the frequency of WS starting in the lower extremities.

     

Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability in the radiographic diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head following reconstructive hip surgery in children with cerebral palsy

Purpose

The incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) following reconstructive hip surgery in cerebral palsy (CP) ranges from 0 to 69 % in the current literature. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-observer reliability of radiographically diagnosing AVN in children with CP after hip surgery.

Methods

A retrospective review of 65 children with CP who had reconstructive hip surgery between 2009 and 2012 at BC Children’s Hospital was completed. Anterior–posterior and lateral radiographs were presented to four pediatric orthopaedic surgeons over two rounds. Surgeons were asked to review the set of unidentified radiographs and comment ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for the presence of AVN. Two weeks later the same set of radiographs was sent in a different order and the surgeons were again asked to comment on AVN. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was determined using kappa statistics.

Results

The intra-observer reliability ranged from 0.65 to 0.88 with an average score of 0.76. Inter-observer reliability showed greater variability, ranging from 0.41 to 0.77 with an average score of 0.56 across all surgeons.

Conclusions

Although the intra-rater reliability produced a strength of “good” and the inter-rater reliability a strength of “moderate” agreement, the variability within these scores is clinically important as it demonstrates the difficulty in identifying AVN. This may explain the variability in AVN that is reported in the literature. The need for further education and research in the diagnosis of AVN in children with CP who have undergone reconstructive hip surgery is clinically necessary.

     

The posterior bundle of the elbow medial collateral ligament: biomechanical study and proposal for a new reconstruction surgical technique

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to evaluate if during a common activity as walking, altered quadriceps muscular activity may be present in patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) patients.

Methods

Forty subjects with clinically diagnosed PFPS and forty healthy males matching in age, weight, height and level of sport activity were enrolled in the study. Subjects were asked to walk on an instrumented walking path at their self-selected speed. Force platform and motion tracking system were used for the analysis of the gait. Wireless surface EMG probes were used to evaluate quadriceps muscles activity. Rectus femoris, vastus medialis and lateralis activity percentage, onset and offset time, walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, knee ROM during gait were measured and reported. Tegner activity questionnaire was reported.

Results

Patient group showed a significant increasing in all quadriceps muscles activity when compared to the control (p < 0.05). In particular, for VM and VL muscle onset time was anticipated and offset time was postponed in PFPS group when compared with healthy group (p < 0.05). Knee range of motion during walking was significantly decreased in the patient group.

Conclusions

Young athletes with PFPS showed increased length of quadriceps muscles activity and reduced functional knee Rom while walking, comparing with healthy subjects, in particular muscular onset was anticipated in respect of the loading response event of the gait. Nonetheless, walking parameters were not affected by these alterations.