Late sequelae of hip septic arthritis in children

Septic arthritis of the hip in children has multiple sequelae and may result in severe disability. Significant morbidity can be prevented by early recognition and treatment. The authors reviewed 13 children with 14 hips with sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip. All of children had history of hip septic arthritis before age of 4 years. Six were male subjects, and 7 were female subjects. We evaluated the history, clinical findings and radiographs of all children who had been treated at the Imam Khomeini hospital between 1986 and 2001 for septic arthritis of the hip. Final results of operations in patients include range of motion, presence or absence pain, joint stability, limb-length discrepancy were assessed. Three hips had mild pain in usual daily activities and one patient with cerebral palsy experienced hip instability. Most of patients [80%] had flexion contracture about 10-15 degrees .Final results showed average limb length discrepancy was about 2.8 cm. Septic arthritis of the hip in children may result in a spectrum of residual problems and the significant complications can be averted by early detection and treatment. Treatment in younger age cause better outcome.

Angular deformities of the lower limb in children

Angular deformities of the lower limbs are common during childhood. In most cases this represents a variation in the normal growth pattern and is an entirely benign condition. Presence of symmetrical deformities and absence of symptoms, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes indicates a benign condition with excellent long-term outcome. In contrast, deformities which are asymmetrical and associated with pain, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes may indicate a serious underlying cause and require treatment. Little is known about the relationship between sport participation and body adaptations during growth. Intense soccer participation increases the degree of genu varum in males from the age of 16. Since, according to some investigation, genu varum predisposes individuals to more injuries, efforts to reduce the development of genu varum in soccer players are warranted. In this article major topics of angular deformities of the knees in pediatric population are particularly reviewed

Flatfoot in children: how to approach?

Although the exact incidence of flatfoot in children is unknown, it is very common and is, in fact, one of the most common conditions seen in pediatric orthopedic practices. All children are born with flat feet, and more than 30% of neonates have a calcaneovalgus deformity of both feet. This condition is not painful and generally resolves without treatment; very rarely is corrective casting necessary. For the pediatrician evaluating flatfoot, it is important to differentiate between flexible and nonflexible [rigid] flatfoot, and to classify the condition as painful or painless. Most children who present to a pediatrician for evaluation of flatfoot will have a flexible flatfoot that does not require treatment. On the other hand, other conditions that do require treatment, such as congenital vertical talus, tarsal coalition, and skew-foot often present as nonflexible flatfoot. Surgical management is rarely indicated for a true flexible flatfoot. The longitudinal arch of the foot is not present at birth and slowly develops during childhood, usually by about age five or six. It is a process that occurs throughout growth and is not affected by the presence or absence of external arch support. Sometimes the arch takes even longer to take shape, but this still usually does not cause any problems. A variety of tendon transfers and reconstructive procedures have been advocated, but none has proved uniformly successful. Nor have any of the various types of supports ever been shown to change the arch architecture. It should be borne in mind that painful flexible flat foot requires treatment, often with several types of shoe inserts and supports and as a last resort by operative procedures. Although parents are often concerned about pediatric flatfoot, the child is usually found to be asymptomatic, and no treatment is indicated. In most instances, the best treatment is simply taking enough time to convince the family that no treatment is necessary

Proteus syndrome: a case report

The Proteus syndrome comprises an association of asymmetrical overgrowth of almost any part of the body, verrucous epidermal naevi, vascular malformations and lipoma-like subcutaneous hamartoma. Both sexes are affected with equal frequency and severity and it is not transmitted genetically. Here a 16-year-old man with asymmetric overgrowth of the extremities, macrodactyly, cerebriform hypertrophy of the soles and various skin and bony lesions is reported diagnosed as Proteus syndrome