Morphometric changes in the acetabulum after Dega osteotomy in patients with cerebral palsy

We carried out a morphometric analysis of the acetabulum following Dega osteotomy in patients with cerebral palsy using three-dimensional CT. We assessed 17 acetabula in 12 patients with instability of the hip. A Dega osteotomy and varus derotation femoral osteotomy were performed in all 17 hips. Three-dimensional CT scans were taken before and approximately one year after operation. Acetabular cover was evaluated using anterosuperior, superolateral and posterosuperior acetabular indices, and the change in the acetabular volume was calculated. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. After the osteotomy, the anterosuperior, superolateral and posterosuperior cover had improved significantly towards the value seen in a control group. The mean acetabular volume increased by 68%.     

Hip reconstruction surgery is successful in restoring joint congruity in patients with cerebral palsy: long-term outcome

Purpose

Neurogenic hip dislocation is frequently observed in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). If the hip is not centred but not dislocated, the hip joint can be recentered with minor operative effort. Reconstructive procedures are indicated if the femoral head is subluxated or dislocated. There are no data as to when destruction of the femoral head requires a salvage procedure or whether hip reconstruction surgery is successful in restoring joint congruity in patients with CP. Our aim was to investigate femoral head plasticity after hip reconstruction surgery in a long-term outcome study.

Methods

We studied a large cohort of patients with CP and high hip dislocation (Tönnis grade IV) before surgery. Sixty-eight patients were assessed, of whom 23 presented with bilateral high hip dislocation, and 91 complex hip reconstructions were conducted. Standardised radiographic examination was performed before and directly after surgery and at the long-term follow-up examination.

Results

Pain was the most frequent reason for complex hip-joint reconstruction (49 patients, 72 %). An impressive improvement in pain was demonstrated postoperatively. Forty-five hip joints presented aspheric incongruity postoperatively, which improved on average 7.7 years after surgery and 59 hip joints showed congruency. Only 15 % of patients experienced pain at the time of final follow-up, and that was of low intensity.

Conclusions

Early conservative treatment for hip dislocation is helpful, and operative reconstruction should also be scheduled early. Continued surveillance is necessary, and Reimers index is useful for monitoring the development of hip centering. In case of hip pain and femoral head deformity, our long-term study indicates that hip reconstruction surgery as a part of multilevel surgery improves pain and function in patients with CP and Tönnis IV hip dislocation, even if the hip joint is incongruent after operation. This incongruity improves over the long-term. If possible, a reconstruction procedure should be performed before the femoral head becomes deformed. High plasticity of the hip joint suggest that even if the femoral head is deformed, hip reconstruction can be recommended.     

Rehabilitation after femoral osteotomy in cerebral palsy

This is a study of the time required to return to preoperative functional levels after proximal femoral osteotomy in children with cerebral palsy. Seventy-one consecutive children who underwent proximal femoral osteotomy to treat an unstable hip secondary to cerebral palsy are retrospectively reviewed. All children returned to their preoperative ambulatory function within 30 months of the procedure. Children who were community or household ambulators returned to their preoperative function at a mean of 7 months after osteotomy, while wheelchair and therapeutic ambulators required a mean of 10 months. Children who had regular visits with a licensed therapist tended to return to function more quickly than those who had exercises preformed by their parents or care-takers after instruction by a therapist. The authors conclude that families should be advised that rehabilitation after osteotomy requires on average 7-10 months, but times up to 30 months are possible.     

Recurrence after femoral derotational osteotomy in cerebral palsy

The authors studied the long-term results of femoral derotational osteotomy (FDO) for medial femoral torsion in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Thirty children with 45 femurs that underwent distal FDO were followed for a mean of 6.5 years. Although correction was achieved after surgery, recurrence occurred during follow-up in 15 femurs. Preoperative mean external hip rotation of 10.7 +/- 7.2 degrees increased to 41.3 +/- 16.6 degrees 1 year after surgery and decreased to 28.2 +/- 14.7 degrees 5 years after surgery. On kinematic data, maximum hip rotation in stance of 30 degrees before surgery decreased to 8.7 degrees 1 year after surgery and increased to 16.1 degrees 5 years after surgery. Minimum hip rotation of 10.4 degrees before surgery was corrected to -4.3 degrees 1 year after surgery and was 0.8 degrees 5 years after surgery. Passive hip external rotation and kinematic hip rotation showed progressive deterioration of the initial correction. Patients having surgery prior to age 10 were more likely to show deterioration.     

Effectiveness of femoral varus osteotomy in patients with cerebral palsy

This is a retrospective review of 144 hips in 99 patients treated with femoral varus osteotomy between 1975 and 1995. Average follow-up was 5 years (range, 2-15 years). The majority of patients (67%) were nonambulatory spastic quadriparetics. The average age at the time of surgery was 7.7 years (range, 3-15 years). Radiographic parameters analyzed were the neck-shaft and center-edge (CE) angles and Reimer's migration index (MI). Results were considered good if the CE angle was >20 degrees and the MI <30%, fair if the CE angle was 0 degrees - 20 degrees and the MI 30-50%, and poor if the patient had persistent pain, a CE angle of <0 degrees , or an MI >50%. Twelve hips (8%) remained painful at final follow-up, and 12 hips (8%) dislocated despite surgery. Previous surgery, unilateral surgery, performing a pelvic osteotomy, and age at the time of surgery had no statistical influence on outcome. Good results were obtained in 43.1%, fair in 41.5%, and poor in 15.4%. Only the quality of the reduction obtained at surgery, judged by the increase in CE angle and the reduction in MI, had a statistical influence on final result. Athetoid patients fared as well as those with spasticity. Femoral varus osteotomy was effective in providing a stable pain-free hip in 84% of patients.     

Chiari osteotomy in cerebral palsy

Twelve cerebrospastic patients underwent 13 Chiari osteotomies for the treatment of subluxed or dislocated hips. Twelve of these 13 hips were reexamined 24-80 months later. Ten patients had painless located hips. The two failures had pelvic obliquity that resulted in redislocation.     

Rotational osteotomy with submuscular plating in skeletally immature patients with cerebral palsy

Background

In cerebral palsy, intoeing gait with increased femoral anteversion is not uncommon and often requires surgical intervention. Although several conventional methods have been used, complications are common. We applied a new technique of rotational osteotomy with submuscular plating in skeletally immature patients with cerebral palsy.

Methods

Eighteen patients (26 femora, 8 bilateral) with a mean age of 8.7 years (range, 6–16) were prospectively treated with this technique. The anatomic distribution of patients was hemiplegia (n = 7), diplegia (n = 8), and asymmetric diplegia (n = 3). Percutaneous osteotomy was performed at the middle of the femoral shaft. After rotational correction, submuscular plating was done using a locking compression plate. Femoral anteversion was evaluated by a trochanteric prominence angle test (TPAT) and computed tomography.

Results

In all cases, each osteotomy healed in an average of 12 weeks (range, 10–14). The mean femoral anteversion by TPAT improved to 12° (range, 5°–30°) after surgery from 44° (range, 30°–65°) (p < 0.001). There were no complications of deep infection, implant failure, or limb length discrepancy over 1 cm.

Conclusions

In skeletally immature patients with cerebral palsy, femoral anteversion can be safely corrected using submuscular plating with a locking compression plate.     

A Dega-type osteotomy after closure of the triradiate cartilage in non-walking patients with severe cerebral palsy

A total of 47 non-walking patients (52 hips) with severe cerebral palsy and with a mean age of 14 years, (9 to 27) underwent a Dega-type pelvic osteotomy after closure of the triradiate cartilage, together with a derotation varus-shortening femoral osteotomy and soft-tissue correction for hip displacement which caused pain and/or difficulties in sitting. The mean follow-up was 48 months (12 to 153). The migration percentage improved from a pre-operative mean of 70% (26% to 100%) to 10% (0% to 100%) post-operatively. In five hips the post-operative migration percentage was greater than 25%, which was associated with continuing pain in two patients. Three patients had persistent hip pain and a migration percentage less than 25%. In five hips a fracture through the acetabulum occurred, and in another there was avascular necrosis of the superior acetabular segment, but these had no adverse effect on functional outcome. We conclude that it is possible to perform a satisfactory pelvic osteotomy of this type in these patients after the triradiate cartilage has been closed.     

One-stage hip reconstruction in children with cerebral palsy: long-term results at skeletal maturity

Purpose

Hip subluxation is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Surgery is indicated in case of pain or progressive increase of Reimers index on radiographs. Peri-iliac osteotomy combined with femoral osteotomy is one of the numerous operative techniques available, but results at skeletal maturity remain unclear. The purpose of this radiological study was to report the long-term results of this procedure.

Materials and methods

Twenty hips in 20 children were retrospectively evaluated at skeletal maturity. Mean age at surgery was 8.1 years and follow-up averaged 9.1 years. All patients underwent Dega acetabuloplasty, soft-tissue release and femoral-shortening varus derotation osteotomy without open reduction. Reimers index, acetabular angle (AA) and neck-shaft angle (NSA) were compared on preoperative, postoperative and latest follow-up radiographs.

Results

Dega osteotomy significantly improved the AA and the correction remained stable at maturity. The NSA significantly decreased postoperatively (153°–115°), but recurrence of the valgus deformity (130°) of the proximal femur was observed at maturity. Consequently, Reimers index followed the same evolution. No case of osteonecrosis was reported but one hip dislocated and one subluxated during follow-up.

Conclusion

Progressive recurrence of the valgus deformity of the proximal femur, attributable to adductors spasticity and gluteus medius weakness, led to a significant increase in the Reimers index. However, hip coverage remained >70 % at maturity in 90 % of the hips. This one-stage procedure without hip dislocation efficaciously corrected acetabulum dysplasia and successfully treated neurological hips in CP patients.

Level of evidence

IV: retrospective study.     

Long-term results of rotational acetabular osteotomy for dysplasia of the hip in adult ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy

We performed rotational acetabular osteotomy in order to treat dysplasia of the hip in five ambulatory adults with cerebral palsy. There was one man and four women, with a mean age of 21 years (16 to 27) who were followed up for a mean of 12 years and two months.The mean Sharp angle improved from 52 degrees to 43 degrees , the mean acetabular index from 30.2 degrees to 2.8 degrees , the mean centre-edge angle from -5.6 degrees to 29.2 degrees , and the mean acetabular head index from 49.2 to 88.2. There was no progression of joint degeneration and relief from pain was maintained.Our results suggest that rotational acetabular osteotomy is a valuable option for the treatment of acetabular dysplasia in adults with cerebral palsy who have incapacitating pain in the hip.     

Percutaneous pelvic osteotomy in cerebral palsy patients: Surgical technique and indications

AIM: To describe the surgical technique of and indications for percutaneous pelvic osteotomy in patients with severe cerebral palsy.METHODS: Twenty-one non-ambulatory children and adolescents (22 hips) were consecutively treated with percutaneous pelvic osteotomy, which was used in conjunction with varus, derotational, shortening femoral osteotomy and soft tissue release, to correct progressive hip subluxation and acetabular dysplasia. The age, gender, Gross Motor Function Classification System level, side(s) of operated hip, total time of follow-up, immediate post-operative immobilization, complications, and the need for revision surgery were recorded for all patients.RESULTS: Seventeen patients (81%) were classified as GMFCS level IV, and 4 (19%) patients were classified as GMFCS level V. At the time of surgery, the mean age was 10.3 years (range: 4-15 years). The mean Reimers’ migration percentage improved from 63% (range: 3%-100%) pre-operatively to 6.5% (range: 0%-70%) at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). The mean acetabular angle (AA) improved from 34.1° (range: 19°-50°) pre-operatively to 14.1° (range: 5°-27°) (P < 0.05). Surgical correction of MP and AA was comparable in hips with open (n = 14) or closed (n = 8) triradiate cartilage (P < 0.05). All operated hips were pain-free at the time of the final follow-up visit, although one patient had pain for 6 mo after surgery. We did not observe any cases of bone graft dislodgement or avascular necrosis of the femoral head.CONCLUSION: Pelvic osteotomy through a less invasive surgical approach appears to be a valid alternative with similar outcomes to those of standard techniques. This method allows for less muscle stripping and blood loss and a shorter operating time.     

Factors affecting femoral varus osteotomy in cerebral palsy: a long-term result over 10 years

The present study was conducted to review the long-term results of femoral varus osteotomy with/without pelvic osteotomy of spastic cerebral palsy. We also evaluated the spastic hip score with following factors: migration index of Reimer's, Shenton's line, shape of the femoral head, shape of the roof of the acetabulum, and presence of windblown effect. Of the 31 children (61 hips) reviewed, 49 hips (80%) had satisfactory outcomes after 10 years of follow-up. Twelve hips showed unsatisfactory outcomes with recurrent dislocation or significant osteoarthritis. A low preoperative spastic hip score was more indicative of a better outcome.     

Analysis of results of treatment of hallux valgus by Dega osteotomy]

The evaluation included sixty eight feet (forty one patients) treated with Dega osteotomy for hallux valgus deformity. Patient's average age at the time of surgery was 47 years (ranging from 11 to 65). The average duration of follow-up was 4.5 years (ranging from 2 to 10). The clinical and X-ray examination found good results in 29% of cases, fair results in 59% and poor results in 12% of cases. Fair results were associated with persistent wide forefoot and shortening of first metatarsal bone. Poor results were associated with persistent valgus deformity of hallux, jatrogenic hallux varus (2 cases), shortening of first metatarsal bone amounting to more than 1.0 cm.     

Palliative Schanz osteotomy for irreducible hip dislocation in adolescent patients with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Palliative Schanz osteotomy is one of the options for treatment of irreducible hip dislocation in adolescent patients with cerebral palsy. MATERIAL: In 1992 to 2002, Schanz osteotomy was indicated on 46 occasions in 27 nonambulatory patients with the quadriplegic form of cerebral palsy aged 9 to 18 years. METHODS: In the postoperative evaluation, emphasis was placed on the clinical presentation, i.e., improved motion of the hip joints and pain alleviation. X-ray examination was carried out at 2 to 6 months after surgery. RESULTS In all patients, the range of motion in the hip increased in abduction or flexion according to the osteotomy technique used. Because of severe pain, one patient (2.17 %) had to undergo subsequent resection of the femoral head. Transient pain in the hip persisted in four patients (8.7%). DISCUSSION In patients older that 10 years, reconstructive surgery for neurogenic dislocations has an uncertain outcome and a palliative procedure is often the only method of choice for treatment of irreducible dislocations. Schanz angulation osteotomy can provide a better range of motion, alleviate pain and facilitate the care of patients, particularly if they are nonambulatory. CONCLUSIONS Schanz osteotomy is a less invasive method than resection of the proximal femur and should be used preferably in older children with neurogenic hip dislocation in whom reconstructive surgery is not indicated.     

Femoral varus-derotation osteotomy in spastic cerebral palsy

Twenty children (twenty hips) with spastic cerebral palsy underwent femoral varus-derotation osteotomy for which the principal indication was inadequate coverage of the femoral head. Other infrequent indications included pain, valgus angulation of the femoral neck, and dislocation of the hip. The age at surgery ranged from four to fifteen years. Each child had muscle releases before the osteotomy was done. At follow-up, at least seven years later, the femoral head in twenty hips was well centered. Four hips remained subluxated but were less subluxated than before the osteotomy. One hip remained dislocated. The center-edge angle averaged -8 degrees preoperatively and +17 degrees at follow-up. The neck-shaft angle averaged 155 degrees preoperatively, 114 degrees immediately post-operatively, and 125 degrees at follow-up. Femoral varus-derotation osteotomy, when combined with muscle releases, can allow children with spastic cerebral palsy to maintain their ambulatory status and may decrease pain about the hip.     

The Baumann procedure to correct equinus gait in children with diplegic cerebral palsy: long-term results

Although equinus gait is the most common abnormality in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) there is no consistency in recommendations for treatment, and evidence for best practice is lacking. The Baumann procedure allows selective fractional lengthening of the gastrocnemii and soleus muscles but the long-term outcome is not known. We followed a group of 18 children (21 limbs) with diplegic CP for ten years using three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis. The kinematic parameters of the ankle joint improved significantly following this procedure and were maintained until the end of follow-up. We observed a normalisation of the timing of the key kinematic and kinetic parameters, and an increase in the maximum generation of power of the ankle. There was a low rate of overcorrection (9.5%, n = 2), and a rate of recurrent equinus similar to that found with other techniques (23.8%, n = 5). As the procedure does not impair the muscle architecture, and allows for selective correction of the contracted gastrocnemii and soleus, it may be recommended as the preferred method for correction of a mild fixed equinus deformity.     

Long-term results of hip arthroplasty in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy

Osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to dislocation and dysplasia is a common problem in patients with cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of total hip replacement (THR) in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy. Eighteen total hip arthroplasties were performed in 16 ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy. The patient's mean age at surgery was 42 ± 8 years (range 32–58 years), and the mean follow-up was 10 ± 6 years (range 2–18 years). Data were obtained by a standardised telephone interview. There was a significant postoperative reduction in pain on the NAS (narrative analogue scale) from 8.4 preoperatively to 1.1 postoperatively (p = 0.002). At follow-up no stem had been revised. Three cups were revised for aseptic loosening at two and six years, and one cup was revised for recurrent dislocation of the hip. One hip was revised for infection 12 years after the index surgery. One hip dislocated (three months postoperatively) and was treated by closed reduction. In ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy and secondary osteoarthritis of the hip THR can provide long-term pain relief and improved function. The rate of long term complications was moderate in this series; however, the dislocation rate was higher than in standard OA cases.     

Results of tibial rotational osteotomy without concomitant fibular osteotomy in children with cerebral palsy

A retrospective review was performed of 46 consecutive ambulatory children with cerebral palsy and tibial torsion who underwent 72 distal tibial derotational osteotomies without concomitant fibular osteotomy. The average amount of derotation measured at surgery was 21 +/- 5 degrees. The average change in thigh-foot angle at follow-up was 21 +/- 9 degrees. There were eight perioperative complications (11%): three delayed unions, three superficial wound dehiscences, one case of osteomyelitis, and one superficial pin tract infection. There were no incidences of malunion or nonunion. Preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional gait analysis data were used to determine the effect of distal tibial osteotomy on foot progression angle in seven subjects (11 limbs). Foot progression improved significantly. This study shows that distal tibial osteotomy alone (without concomitant fibular osteotomy) is an effective and safe procedure for correcting and maintaining correction of tibial torsion in patients with cerebral palsy.