Is the level of vitamin D deficiency correlated with the severity and bilaterality in slipped capital femoral epiphysis? A case series study.

The aim of the study is to find the correlation between vitamin D level and the severity of slippage and bilateral development in slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) cases if any. Thirty-nine patients with moderate-severe stable SCFE were evaluated regarding their vitamin D level and to which extent the severity of vitamin D deficiency, if present, can be correlated with the severity and bilaterality of the slip. Vitamin D serum level was assessed pre- operatively for all patients. In case of deficiency, the patient underwent in situ pinning unless performed before his/her presentation. Alongside, he/she received a vitamin D course until correction prior to the definitive surgery (Imhäuser osteotomy with osteochondroplasty) 6-12 weeks after. Thereafter, osteotomy healing and physis closure were monitored radiologically. Results show that all patients but one had vitamin D deficiency, with an average of 14.39 ng/mL, necessitating vitamin D therapy before proceeding to the definitive surgery. No correlation existed between vitamin D level and Southwick angle severity with a p-value of 0.85. A negative correlation existed between vitamin D level and bilaterality, but not statistically significant (p-value 0.192). Patients' osteotomy healing was uneventful, and physeal closure was achieved in all the cases that had in situ pinning. We conclude that the severity of Vitamin D deficiency could be linked to the bilateral development of SCFE but not the severity of slippage. Treatment of Vitamin D deficiency facilitates physeal closure.

Intertrochanteric Imhäuser osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty in treatment of moderate-severe stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a case series study.

The aim of the study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Imhäuser osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty in the treatment of moderate-severe stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) on short-term basis. Nineteen patients (20 hips) with moderate-severe stable SCFE were surgically treated by Imhäuser osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty and followed up for 3-4 years. The cases aged between 12 and 18 years at the time of surgery and complained of a variety of symptoms and signs that included pain, limping, limited range of motion (ROM), and/or abductor weakness. The outcomes were assessed using clinical and radiological parameters as well as functional outcome measures: "Harris hip score" (HHS) and "The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index" (WOMAC). There were statistically significant improvements in flexion, internal rotation, and abduction ROM. HHS and WOMAC improved significantly with final follow-up scores at 86.76 and 6.4%, respectively. The radiological parameters showed significant improvement regarding Southwick angle (mean 12.8°), alpha angle of Nötzli (mean 29.85°), Hilgenreiner epiphyseal angle (mean 37.65°), neck shaft angle (mean 140.63°), and acetabulo-trochanteric distance (median14.1 mm) at the end of follow-up period. Imhäuser osteotomy combined with osteochondroplasty is a good option in moderate-severe stable SCFE treatment.

Flexion Deformities of the Wrist and Fingers in Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Protocol of Management.

BACKGROUND: Literature is confusing regarding grading and treatment of flexion deformities of wrist and fingers in spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The most established classification is that described by Zancolli; unfortunately, it has its shortcomings which we experienced in the beginning of our approach to manage this rather difficult deformity. We thus modified Zancolli's classification and developed a classification system and treatment protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with spastic CP were operated upon due to flexion deformity of the wrist and fingers and were included in this study. Age ranged from 4 to 14 years, average 7 years. There were twenty boys and ten girls. RESULTS: The average followup was 18 months (range 9 months - 3 years). The power of wrist dorsiflexion, the "House's classification of upper extremity functional use" and the clinical assessment of hand function were used for evaluation; they improved in all patients and this improvement was statistically significant. In all patients, cosmetic appearance improved without any residual flexion deformity. CONCLUSION: This study introduces a new grading system for flexion deformity of wrist and fingers in spastic CP that correlates with severity of the condition and allows a treatment protocol to be established.

Vertical scapular osteotomy in congenital high scapula.

PURPOSE: Children with congenital high scapula (CHS) have a cosmetic and functional problem due to limited shoulder abduction. Treatment options include excision of the prominent superior angle, scapular relocation procedures and subtotal scapulectomy. Excision of the superomedial angle results only in cosmetic improvement. Subtotal scapulectomy and relocation procedures are associated with ugly scars, extensive bleeding and high incidence of brachial plexus injuries. Vertical scapular osteotomy (VSO) is another surgical option that provides cosmetic and functional improvement. The aim of this study is to assess medium to long term results of VSO in treatment of CHS. METHODS: This is a prospective case series study. Seven children with CHS were treated at our unit. Age ranged from 5-13 years with an average of 8.4 years. All children were females with unilateral affection. All children underwent a VSO as described by Campbell. We used the Cavendish grading system together with combined shoulder abduction for assessment. Follow up averaged 4.6 years. RESULTS: All children and parents were extremely satisfied with the results of surgery. All patients experienced an improvement in global shoulder abduction with an average gain in abduction of 52.9°. All patients experienced an improvement in cosmetic appearance with better shoulder levelling. The Cavendish grade improved in all patients. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the results of previous authors demonstrating that CHS can be treated successfully with a VSO. The procedure is simple and its results are reproducible.

Anthropometric and nutritional parameters in Egyptian children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) present with various degrees of short stature and nutritional disorders. Thus, we aimed to evaluate anthropometric and nutritional parameters in OI children and their variability among various types. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with OI (types I, II, and IV) were subjected to the following anthropometric measurements: standing height (Ht), sitting height (SH), arm span, weight (Wt), and head circumference (HC), with calculation of Ht, SH, Wt, body mass index (BMI), and HC standard deviation scores (SDSs), and relative arm span. Triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT), subscapular skinfold thickness (SSFT), and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured, as well as dietary intake of macronutrients and calcium; also, energy requirements were calculated. RESULTS: Ht SDS was reduced in OI-III and OI-IV compared to OI-I; SH SDS was reduced in OI-III compared to OI-I. HC SDS was more increased in OI-III than in OI-I and OI-IV. BMI SDS correlated with TSFT, SSFT, and MUAC. OI-III patients had the highest percentage of energy intake. The frequency of low macronutrient and calcium intake was highest in OI-III, while the frequency of low fat intake was highest in OI-I. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric and nutritional parameters differ among OI types. Assessment of anthropometric measurements and nutritional status in OI patients is important.

Pauwels' osteotomy for surgical correction of infantile coxa vara.

Infantile coxa vara can be corrected by valgus osteotomies, but recurrence is high. Achieving an Hilgenreiner epiphyseal angle (HEA) of 40° or less prevents recurrence. In this study, Pauwels' osteotomy is stabilized using a rigid method of fixation. The aim of the study is to confirm previous reports regarding the correction of the physeal inclination to 40° or less to prevent recurrence. Thirty-one hips with infantile coxa vara were subjected to an intertrochanteric Y-shaped valgus osteotomy. In 27 hips, the HEA was corrected to 40° or less and none had a recurrence. This study confirms previous recommendations regarding the correction of HEA to 40° or less to avoid recurrence.

Congenital dislocation of the knee: a protocol for management based on degree of knee flexion.

PURPOSE: Congenital dislocation of the knee (CDK) is a relatively rare condition. It may occur as an isolated deformity, it may be associated with musculoskeletal anomalies such as developmental dysplasia of the hip and clubfoot, or it may occur as part of a syndrome such as arthrogryposis multiplex congenita or Larsen syndrome, or it may occur in paralytic conditions such as meningomyelocele. Treatment options include serial casting, percutaneous quadriceps recession (PQR) and V-Y quadricepsplasty (VYQ). The aim of this study is to evaluate the medium-term results of PQR and VYQ, and to set a protocol of management for CDK based on a modified grading system. METHODS: Eleven infants with 21 CDK were treated at our unit. Five knees were treated with serial casting, 12 knees with PQR and four knees with VYQ. Follow up averaged 41 months. RESULTS: Twelve knees achieved excellent results, seven knees achieved good results and two knees achieved fair results. CONCLUSION: A modified grading system for CDK is introduced. Based on this, we recommend the following. Serial casting is performed in patients with GI CDK. In GII CDK in neonates (babies up to the age of 1 month) serial casting is started. A maximum of four weekly manipulations and castings are attempted. If a range of flexion >90° is achieved, serial casting is continued; if range of flexion remains <90° it is necessary to proceed to PQR. In babies older than 1 month when first seen; PQR is performed from the start. VYQ is indicated in patients with GIII CDK or in recurrent cases.