Treatment of Hip Dislocation in Cerebral Palsy with Extraarticular Intervention

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Hip dislocation is one of the major causes of disability in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Surgical treatment can be achieved using different techniques including proximal femoral varus derotation osteotomy (FVDRO), pelvic osteotomies, and open hip reduction (OHR). However, we claim that pathologies originating from extraarticular structures in the dislocated hip in CP can be reconstructed by extraarticular methods and OHR may not always be necessary. Therefore, this study aims to discuss the results of hip reconstruction with extraarticular intervention in patients with CP. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 141 hips (95 patients) were included in the study. All patients underwent FVDRO, either with or without a Dega osteotomy. Changes in the Acetabular Index (AI), Migration Index (MI), neck-shaft angle (NSA), and center-edge angle (CEA) were assessed on the preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up anterior-posterior radiographs of the pelvis. RESULTS Median age was 8 years (range between 4-18 years). The average follow-up duration was 5 years (range between 2-9 years). Changes in AI, MI, NSA and CEA values were statistically significant for postop and follow-up periods when compared to preoperative values. Of the 141 operated hips, 8 (5.6%) hips required revision surgery due to redislocation/resubluxation detected at the follow-ups, and unilateral operation can be accepted as a risk factor for redislocation. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that reconstructive treatment consisting of FVDRO, medial capsulotomy (in the case of reduction difficulty) and transiliac osteotomy (in the case of acetabular dysplasia) provides satisfactory outcomes in hip dislocation in CP. Key words: hip displacement, cerebral palsy, hip reduction.

The Coexistence of Spontaneous Femoral Nerve Palsy and Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in a Breech-Presenting Newborn: A Rare Case Presentation

CASE

In this report, we present an infant who was diagnosed with femoral nerve palsy (FNP) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) on the same side after delivery. The patient was treated with hip alternative abduction orthosis, which did not force hip flexion with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSION

FNP in newborns with DDH is usually described as a possible complication of the Pavlik harness treatment. However, there is only one report that presents 2 cases. Our objective is to raise awareness of this very rare condition because performing an early intervention is vital to achieving an optimal therapeutic result.

How the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting paediatric orthopaedic practice in Turkey

PURPOSE

Changes to routine clinical approaches during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are necessary to decrease the risk of infection in patients and healthcare providers. Because the treatment of many conditions is time sensitive, it is crucial to modify the management of paediatric orthopaedic cases by minimizing any subsequent morbidity. Our purpose was to describe the different measures and management strategies that have been applied by paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and to show how paediatric orthopaedic practice is affected in Turkey.

METHODS

All active practicing members of the Turkish Society of Children's Orthopedic Surgery (TSCOS) were contacted via telephone and asked to fill out a survey (24 questions). For participants, either an email or web link was sent to their mobile phones. An online survey generator was used.

RESULTS

A total of 54 survey responses were collected, for a response rate of 55%. In all, 62% reported a 75% decrease in their outpatient frequency, whilst 75% reported a 75% decrease in their surgery frequency. A total of 86% of the performed surgeries were emergency cases. None of the participants performed elective surgeries, and 61% did not have the consent form specific to COVID. Choice of protective measures have changed considerably; 96% stated that they needed an algorithm to follow for situations such as pandemic.

CONCLUSION

This national survey revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on paediatric orthopaedic practice and practitioner response varies in terms of reactions and precautions. The necessity of creating a protocol based on what we have learned must be taken into consideration.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

The split transfer of tibialis anterior tendon to peroneus tertius tendon for equinovarus foot in children with cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the results of the split anterior tibialis tendon transfer (SPLATT) to peroneus tertius (PT) for equinovarus foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

The medical records of 25 ambulatory CP patients (mean age: 8.7±3.2 years, range: 4-16 years) with equinovarus foot (33 feet), who underwent SPLATT to PT surgery between 2014 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. A senior surgeon performed all the surgical procedures. SPLATT was performed as part of a single-event multilevel surgery for the lower limb, and the concomitant procedures on the same extremity were recorded. The patients who required any additional foot or ankle surgery that could affect the clinical outcome (except heel cord lengthening) were excluded from the study. The Kling's College Criteria were used to evaluate the procedural outcome of the foot position and gait, and the associated complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 28.8±5 months (range: 24-42 months). The postoperative Kling scores were excellent for 27 feet of the patients who had a plantigrade foot, without fixed or postural deformity, in a regular shoe, having no calluses; good for 5 cases for those who walked with less than 5° varus, valgus, or equinus posture of the hind foot, wearing regular shoes, having no callosities; and fair for 1 case for those who had recurrence of the deformity. There was only one wound detachment, which was treated with wound care and dressing. None of the patients had overcorrection, infection, or bone fracture.

CONCLUSION

The dynamic SPLATT to PT surgery for the management of the equinovarus foot deformities in the CP patients is a safe and less complicated surgical alternative with a good functional outcome. It is a safe and effective treatment method for the management of equinovarus foot deformities in CP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Therapeutic study.

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for tibial derotation osteotomies in children with cerebral palsy

Objective

Tibial derotation osteotomy can be used in the treatment of rotational deformities in case of ineffective conservative management. Our aim was to evaluate the results of the patients who underwent minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis for tibial derotation osteotomies.

Methods

Total of 16 patients (17 procedures) were included in this study. Mean age was 11.5 (3–25) years. We clinically assessed the tibial torsion by measuring the thigh-foot angle (TFA). No immobilization was used postoperatively and range of motion exercises were begun immediately. The patient was allowed weight-bearing activity, as tolerated, when callus formation was seen on the radiographs, at approximately three to four weeks after surgery.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 27.5 months. Mean preoperative and follow up TFA were 27° of internal rotation and 3.74° of external rotation, respectively. A mean of 22.3° improvement was achieved postoperatively. There was only one wound detachment, which was accepted as a complication and healed with local wound care.

Conclusions

The recurrence risk and correction loss can be decreased with plate-screw fixation. Minimal invasive surgery would also decrease the risk of wound complications.

Level of evidence

Level IV, Therapeutic study.

Intramedullary nail with integrated cephalocervical screws in the intertrochanteric fractures treatment: Position of screws in fracture stability

BACKGROUND

Stable fracture fixation is important in the treatment of intertrochanteric femur (ITF) fractures in the elderly population to prevent the loss of reduction, achieve early mobility, and restore independence. The aim of this study was to present the results of surgical treatment of stable and unstable ITF fractures using a trochanteric antegrade intramedullary nail with two cephalocervical screws in an integrated mechanism (Intertan®; Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN) and evaluate the relationship between the loss of reduction and screw position in the femoral neck in two planes.

METHODS

The authors investigated all varus misalignments and losses of reduction in 57 patients (22 males, 35 females) treated for ITF fractures with the Intertan® between 2010 and 2011. Two indices (screw alignment index in the frontal projection [SAIcoronal] and screw alignment index in the lateral projection [SAIsagittal]) were defined to evaluate the loss of reduction. Patients were also evaluated according to the Harris hip score and Barthel independence index.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 77.1 years. The mean follow-up period was 21.7 months. All patients achieved complete union. We did not detect any varus collapse or loss of reduction. At the end of the follow-up period, the mean Barthel independence index was 90.7, and the mean Harris hip score was 83.7.

CONCLUSION

The use of a trochanteric antegrade intramedullary nail with two cephalocervical screws allows for linear intraoperative compression and rotational stability of the head/neck fragment, prevents reduction loss, and has a wide application area in the femoral head. Its inherent continuous stability permits early weight-bearing and mobilization. It is a safe and an efficient option for the treatment of ITF fractures.

Surgical correction of hallux valgus deformity in children with cerebral palsy

Objective

This study aimed to present a treatment algorithm for the correction of the hallux valgus deformity in Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients and to discuss the outcomes based on our clinical and radiological results.

Methods

29 patients (45 feet) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients at the time of the surgery was 14 (range 6–22) years. The mean follow-up was 33 (range 22–59) months. A reconstructive procedure was performed on 19 patients (27 feet); a soft tissue surgery and exostectomy of the bunion in six patients (11 feet); and MTP joint arthrodesis in four patients (7 feet). The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the anteroposterior intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were used for radiologic evaluation and the DuPont Bunion Rating Score was used for clinical evaluation.

Results

The follow-up period was 36 (range 22–59) months in reconstructive group, 27 (range 24–29) months in soft tissue group, and 29 (range 23–41) months in MTP arthrodesis group. Significant improvements were detected in hallux valgus angle in three groups postoperatively but in soft tissue group correction loss was observed during follow up. Best results were achieved in arthrodesis group and worse in soft tissue group in terms of clinical evaluation.

Conclusion

According to our results isolated soft tissue procedures are ineffective in CP patients. Soft tissue procedure combined with metatarsal osteotomy has satisfactory results.

Level of evidence

Level IV, therapeutic study.