ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of medial malleolus screw epiphyseodesis for pediatric ankle valgus correction and calculate the correction rate, and analyse the influence factors on deformity correction and the risk factors of deformity recurrence after screw removal.Methods:Medical records and radiographs of patients undergoing screw hemiepiphyseodesis of the medial physis of the distal tibia for ankle valgus between Jan 2011 and Dec 2020, at a single pediatric orthopedic department were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 41 patients (49 ankles) were included in following study, including 28 male patients and 13 female patients; with 24 left sides and 25 right sides. Median age at surgery was 10.75 (4.5, 13.9) years, and median follow-up time was 27 (12, 64) months. According to the clinical diagnosis: hereditary multiple exostoses were 23 ankles, fibula hemimelia were 5 ankles, tibia hemimelia were 2 ankles, endochondromatosis were 5 ankles, neurofibromatosis were 5 ankles, traumatic fracture were 6 ankles, and fibrous dysplasia were 3 ankles. The lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) was measured on ankle weight-bearing X-ray to evaluate the deformity correction. Malhotra classification was used to describe shortening of the fibula at the ankle.Results:Eventually effective correction were obtained in 36 ankles, with an overall effective rate of 73.5%. Screw type (partial-thread or full-thread), screw length (whether to the contralateral cortex), washer used, clinical diagnosis, and age are not independent risk factors for effective correction. Multiple linear regression analysis ( R 2=0.67) was applied for postoperative correction amplitude in effective correction cases, and the length of correction time ( P<0.001), clinical diagnosis ( P=0.013) and preoperative LDTA ( P=0.002) were significant predictive factors after adjusting for age differences. One-way ANOVA were used to compare data between different clinical diagnosis, showed a significant difference in the mean postoperative correction rate ( F=5.05, P=0.003). Conclusion:Medial malleolus screw epiphyseodesis is an effective and reliable method for the treatment of ankle valgus deformity in children; different clinical diagnosis can produce significant differences in the correction rate of ankle valgus deformity.
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Objective To explore adaptability of the patellofemoral joint after combined soft-tissue surgery in treatment of habitual patellar dislocation at different age. Methods Seventy-three children with habitual patellar dislocation were retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2007. There were 24 males and 49 females, with a mean age of 7.1 years(ranged 3-15). The mean follow-up period was 38 months (ranged 25-98). There were 24 patients with 30 knees aged from 3 to 8 years in A group and 49 cases with 69 knees aged from 8 to 15 years in B group. The combined soft-tissue surgery procedure consists of lateral capsular release, medial retinacular tightening of the knee, vastus medialis muscle transfer to the patella, medial and distal transfer of the half patellar tendon. Patella axial and knee lateral X-ray examination were obtained.Femoral trochlear angle,patellar height changes, patellofemoral congruence angle and patellar tilt angle (Laurin angle) were measured to evaluate adaptability of the patellofemoral joint. Results The data of 73 cases were complete. At the last visit, no recurrence of patellar lateral dislocation was found and two cases had patella medial dislocation. Femoral trochlear angle improved from 150.1°±5.1° preoperatively to 144.3°±6.0° postoperatively (P ＜0.05) in A group, while similar changes had not found (P ＞ 0.05) in B group. There were no difference in A and B group in regard to patellar height, congruence angle and Laurin angle. Conclusion The combined soft-tissue surgery had effect on patellofemoral joint remodel in children with habitual patellar dislocation. These procedures can significantly promote development of the femoral condyle, decrease femoral trochlear angle and improve adaptability of the patellofemoral joint in children under the age of 8 years. But it had no obvious influence on older than 8-year-old children.
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Objective To discuss the characteristics, treatment method and prognosis of tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture in children. Methods From January 1995 to December 2007, there were 25 cases (23 boys and 2 girls). The age at injury ranged from 12 to 16 years(average 13.5 years). All cases were unilateral involved (10 of left, 15 of right). All of the injuries resulted from participation in athletic activities, 10 in basketball, 7 while jumping, and 8 in football game. According to the classification of Ogden, there were 1 type 1A, 4 type 1B, 5 type 2A, 7 type 2B, 4 type 3A, and 4 type 3B fractures. One type 1A fracture was treated nonoperatively with east immobilization, and other 24 fractures with open reduction and internal fixation. Results All of 25 cases were followed from 14 months to 7 years (average 43 months). The range of motion of knee joint was 0°-140° 3 months after operation, and all of them recovered to pre-injury levels of activity by 6 months after operation. According to Mosier clinical assessment system, the final outcome was evaluated as excellent in all. Wound healed primary, no compartment syndrome was found. The time of bony union ranged from 2 to 5 months, with the mean time of 3 months. No complications of infection, ex-tremities deformity and inner fixation failure were found. Conclusion The tuberosity avulsion fracture in children is an uncommon and special type of epiphyseal injury. These fractures occur in the narrow range of 13 to 16 years of age. The majority of patients are males, and most of them are unilateral involved. This in-jury has an excellent outcome without deformity or functional loss, once adequate reduction and fixation of fracture fragments have been achieved.