Effect of the Pavlik harness used in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip on unaided sitting and independent walking age.

Background: Pavlik harness is the most widely used orthosis in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Pavlik harness on the development of "unaided sitting" and "independent walking" in infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Methods: This prospective study, conducted from 2017 to 2020, included infants undergoing Pavlik harness therapy. Inclusion criteria comprised gestational age > 37 weeks, treatment initiation before 6 months of age, and no prior treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip. We assessed treatment initiation age, treatment duration, and the age of achieving unaided sitting and independent walking. Results: In the patient group, unaided sitting commenced at a mean age of 6.8 ± 1.6 (range: 4-11) months, while independent walking began at a mean age of 12.7 ± 1.8 (range: 9-18) months. By 15 months, 92% of the patients achieved independent walking. In the control group, unaided sitting occurred at a mean age of 6.1 ± 1.1 (range: 4-8) months, and independent walking at 11.8 ± 1.6 (range: 9-18) months. A significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of Pavlik harness usage and the age of unaided sitting (p < 0.001) and independent walking (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study indicates that Pavlik harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip is generally safe and does not lead to clinically significant delays in unaided sitting and independent walking. However, some minor delays may occur due to extended orthosis use. Level of evidence: level III-prospective cohort study.

Salter osteotomy has lower fluoroscopy exposure time compared to Tonnis lateral acetabuloplasty.

Salter osteotomy and Tonnis lateral acetabuloplasty (TLA) are pelvic osteotomies with similar indications and clinical results used in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of our study was to compare the intraoperative fluoroscopy exposure time (FET) in patients with DDH treated with the Salter osteotomy and TLA. In this study, data were collected prospectively and compared after the study was completed. The patients were evaluated in three groups: pelvic osteotomy (group 1), open reduction with pelvic osteotomy (group 2) and open reduction + pelvic osteotomy + femoral shortening (group 3). Pelvic osteotomy techniques in each group were further analyzed in two subgroups as Salter osteotomy and TLA. Age, sex, surgery side, degree of dysplasia according to the Tönnis classification, duration of anesthesia and intraoperative FET (seconds) were recorded. A total of 109 patients (93 girls and 16 boys) were included in the study; 29 patients in group 1, 50 in group 2 and 30 in group 3. Although the patients who underwent Salter osteotomy and TLA were similar in all three groups in terms of age, sex, surgery side, Tönnis classification and duration of anesthesia, FET was longer in the patients who underwent TLA (group 1, P < 0.001; group 2, P < 0.001; group 3, P = 0.005). The use of the Salter osteotomy technique in the treatment of acetabular dysplasia in patients with DDH seems to be more advantageous in terms of FET than TLA osteotomy. It would be beneficial to consider this result in terms of radiation safety. Level of Evidence: II.

Isokinetic Analysis of Flexible Flatfoot: Is It a Weakness of Proprioception and Muscle Strength?

BACKGROUND: Although flexible flatfoot (FF) in children is a foot deformity that is frequently encountered in daily orthopedics practice, its etiology is still controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a weakness in muscle strength and proprioception in patients with FF. METHODS: The study group consisted of 16 cases with FF, and the control group consisted of 25 volunteers with normal feet. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength and proprioception of movement directions of plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, eversion (EV), and inversion (INV) in both groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in strength of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion muscles, whereas in the control group, proprioception of all four movement directions and strengths of the EV and INV muscles were found to be statistically significantly higher (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: There is weakness in EV and INV muscle strength and proprioception disorder in patients with FF. We recommend conducting further studies that validate muscle weakness and proprioception disorders with different study designs and evaluate the effectiveness of improving muscle strength and proprioception weakness in FF.

Evolution of the angular deformity and limb length discrepancy of congenital posteromedial bowing of the tibia over time.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the natural history of congenital posteromedial bowing of the tibia (CPMBT) deformity during growth and to evaluate the outcomes of lengthening by an Ilizarov frame in CPMBT patients with limb length discrepancy (LLD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2019, a total of 22 patients (12 males, 10 females; mean age: 10.5±4.4 years; range, 6 to 19 years) with the diagnosis of CPMBT and followed closely from birth until skeletal maturity were retrospectively analyzed. The radiographic evaluation included the anteroposterior and lateral interphyseal angle and full leg standing radiographs. Limb lengthening by an Ilizarov frame was performed for an estimated LLD over 40 mm. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from six days to 10 months at the time of presentation, while the mean age at the final follow-up was 10.5±4.4 years. Posterior medial bowing was satisfactorily remodeled in 13 (59%) patients those were not operated either for deformity or LLD. The mean LLD was 21±4.1 mm in 13 nonoperated CPMBT patients. Nine of 22 (41%) patients underwent lengthening for LLD. Five of the nine CPMBT patients were operated under the age of 10 years, while four were operated over the age of 10 years. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the current study, CPMBT was satisfactorily remodeled in more than half of the patients, and the majority of patients did not undergo surgery for angular deformity and LLD within 10 years of their lives. Based on these findings, although most of the patients' deformities remodeled, it should be kept in mind that some may require lengthening surgery.

Disability and Quality of Life After Talectomy for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.

BACKGROUND: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is one of the causes of rigid and resistant clubfoot. Talectomy is considered as a primary or salvage procedure for recurrent equinovarus deformity in these patients. We conducted this study to assess patients with AMC who underwent talectomy for the correction of foot and ankle deformities in terms of health-related quality of life and disability. METHODS: Patients under 10 years of age with a primary diagnosis of AMC who underwent talectomy and attended follow-up for at least 5 years were included in this study. We also formed an age- and gender-matched control group consisting of 20 individuals without any foot-ankle problem in order to compare the measurements between the AMC and healthy groups. Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OxAFQ) was administered as a health-related quality of life instrument to objectively measure the disability of the pediatric patients. RESULTS: Twenty patients (10 girls, 10 boys) who underwent a total of 35 talectomy operations with an average follow-up of 7.2 years and a control group of 20 similarly aged unaffected children were included in the study. The mean OxAFQ scores were significantly lower in the AMC group than in the controls for all domains (physical, emotional, and school and play), especially for the one concerning satisfaction with footwear The presence of plantigrade foot and absence of forefoot supination were significantly associated with the physical and footwear domains of the OxAFQ scores. The presence of hindfoot varus, midfoot adductus, dorsal bunion, and having less than 10 degrees of dorsiflexion had no effect on the OxAFQ scores. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the major driving factors for satisfaction after talectomy for AMC were plantigrade foot and absence of forefoot supination. The mean OxAFQ scores were universally lower in the AMC group than controls. Finding comfortable footwear is a major concern for the AMC patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Multivariate analysis of the predictive value of asymmetric skin creases in diagnosis of decentralized developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with asymmetrical skin crease (ASC) in the inguinal, gluteal and thigh regions and to determine which ASC has the most predictive value for the diagnosis of hip dislocation in infants. This study was planned as a prospective, observational study and conducted between 1 October 2020 and 1 June 2021. Asymmetric distribution of skin creases was evaluated separately in three regions (inguinal, gluteal and thigh). Then, hip ultrasonography (USG) was performed and the Graf method was used to classify the cases as 'centralized' [Graf types I, IIa (-), IIb and IIc] and 'decentralized' (Graf types IId, III and IV). The relationship between the groups was evaluated using univariate and then multivariate analyses. A total of 241 patients were included in the study. The number of patients with ASC was 49 (21%). While 36 of these 49 patients had centralized hips, 13 had decentralized hips ( P < 0.001). Sixty-five percent (13/20) of 20 infants with decentralized hips had ASC in at least one of the inguinal, gluteal or thigh regions. The presence of ASC in the inguinal ( P < 0.001) and gluteal ( P < 0.014) regions increased the risk of the decentralized hip in the child, whereas the presence of ASC in the isolated thigh region did not increase the risk of the dislocated hip ( P = 0.534). Inguinal ASC and gluteal ASC are reliable findings in DDH screening, but the relationship of isolated thigh ASC with DDH could not be demonstrated statistically. Level of Evidence: Level II - diagnostic study.

Correlation of postoperative magnetic resonance image measurements with persisting acetabular dysplasia in open reduction of developmental hip dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate correlation of post-reduction magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based parameters with residual acetabular dysplasia in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients who underwent open reduction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 62 hips of 54 children (5 males, 57 females; mean age: 8.5±3.5 months; range, 0 to 24 months) with a diagnosis of DDH who underwent open reduction between January 2012 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The acetabular head index (AHI), head coverage index (HCI), sphericity, bony acetabular index (BAI), cartilage acetabular index (CAI), anterior acetabular index (AAI), posterior acetabular index (PAI), abduction angle (AA), and acetabular medial wall thickness were measured by MRI. The correlation between MRI measurements and residual acetabular dysplasia was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 23.7±10.1 (range, 12 to 56) months. The mean age at the final examination was 47.6±10.4 months. The age at the time of operation (r=0.250, p=0.049), medial wall thickness (r=0.304, p=0.016), AAI (r=0.729, p<0.001), PAI (r=0.590, p<0.001), and early postoperative AI (r=0.900, p<0.001) at the third postoperative month were positively correlated with the last follow-up AI. The AHI (r=-0.512, p<0.001), sphericity (r=-0,661, p<0.001), and HCI (r=-0.554, p< 0.001) were negatively correlated with the last follow-up AI. CONCLUSION: Post-reduction MRI parameters can be used to evaluate correlation with persistent acetabular dysplasia in DDH patients.

Three dimensional gait analyses in dizygotic twin athletes.

Gait analysis and gait indices are frequently used to evaluate gait pathologies and outcomes. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in gait parameters of dizygotic twin athletes according to each other and athletes group who are similar age but non-twin. Eighty-four athletes without any disease that could cause gait pathology were included the study. Time-distance measurements, kinematic - kinetic variables, and gait deviation index (GDI) of the gait functions of twin athletes (17 boys and 25 girls, height: 153.9 ± 15 cm, weight: 45.9 ± 12 kg, leg length 80.5 ± 11 cm) were compared with each other and with 42 sex and age matched non-twins athletes (height: 155 ± 15 cm, weight: 47 ± 14 kg, leg length 80.6 ± 9.8 cm, mean age 11.8 ± 2.29, range 6-15 years). No statistically significant difference was found about the time, distance parameters and GDIs in comparison of twin athletes with each other and the non-twin group. Additionally, kinetic and kinematic variables were similar in between twins. We measured lower adduction angles and higher abduction angles in non-twin athletes in comparison to the twin athletes (p = 0.01, 0.04). Additionally, the angle of knee flexion at the first contact was higher in non-twins (p = 0.003).Being dizygotic twin seems to have no clinical effect on gait function in athletes.

Complications, Additional Surgery, and Joint Survival Analysis After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

The reported incidence of complications following medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) varies. The authors sought to assess the complications, additional surgeries, and joint survival following MOWHTO in patients with isolated medial compartment arthrosis during a mean follow-up of 10 years. This retrospective study involved patients implanted with spacer plates, angle adjustable plates, or inverse L-type plates with wedges between 2000 and 2010. A total of 504 knees from 441 patients were examined. Mean age of the study population was 52.6±7.0 years, with 56 (11.1%) knees from men and 448 (88.9%) from women. The 10-year Kaplan-Meier joint survival rate was 94.8%. Overall complication rate for MOWHTO was 63.7%, with complications in 20.3% of treated knees requiring additional surgery. In this population, although the overall complication rate and the need for additional surgery were high, the need for additional surgery resulting from serious complications was low (2.6%). The high joint survival rate and low rate of additional surgery for serious complications indicate that MOWHTO can be safely applied in patients with isolated medial gonarthrosis. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(5):303-314.].

Does Adductor Tenotomy Need During Closed Reduction Have a Prognostic Value in the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Between 6 and 12 Months of Age? "Adductor Tenotomy in the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia''.

BACKGROUND: Adductor tenotomy is needed for clinically complex hips with soft-tissue contractures. It may be proposed that the patients who need adductor tenotomy during closed reduction would have poorer prognosis than the ones without need for adductor tenotomy. The main purposes were to compare the normalization of acetabular index angle (AI), to determine the incidence of femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN), and to predict the need for any secondary surgical intervention between the patients who need adductor tenotomy and those who do not during closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 65 hips treated between 6 and 12 months of age. The mean age at the time of surgery was 8.1 ± 1.4 (6-12) months and the mean follow-up was 4.2 ± 1.5 years. Improvement of AI, rate and severity of AVN, and need for secondary surgery with its predictors were evaluated. RESULTS: Adductor tenotomy was performed in 22 hips (Group 1), but not in 43 hips (Group 2). Normalization of the AI was - 14.8° ± 3.5° versus - 14.3° ± 3.2°. The overall incidence of AVN was 18.4%. The rate of secondary surgical intervention was higher in Group 1 (63.1% versus 36.9%) (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was detected regarding the improvement of AI as well as the incidence of AVN between the groups. The need for adductor tenotomy during closed reduction was one of the main predictors of the possible secondary surgery.

Increased femoral anteversion related to infratrochanteric femoral torsion is associated with ACL rupture.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between femoral torsion and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and determine the level of torsion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: The medical records of patients who were diagnosed with ACL injury were reviewed retrospectively. This descriptive epidemiological study included 2344 patients. MRI scans were examined and patients with femur and knee MRI scans obtained at the same time were identified (ACL-deficient group). Twenty-eight of them had femur and knee MRI scans because of an incidental benign lesion in the distal femur. Patients who were diagnosed with enchondroma were followed up by MRI evaluation of the femur and were randomly selected as controls. Supratrochanteric torsion (STT), infratrochanteric torsion (ITT), and femoral anteversion (FA) were measured by orthopedic surgeons with at least 5 years of experience. RESULTS: Age, sex, and side properties were similar in both groups. The mean FA values were 19.4 ± 3.0 degrees and 11.9 ± 2.0 degrees in the ACL-deficient and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). STT was similar in the ACL-deficient and control groups [mean: 38.2 ± 4.3 and 37.7 ± 3.3, respectively, (n.s.)]. ITT was increased in the ACL-deficient group compared with the control group (mean - 18.8 ± 4.3 and - 25.8 ± 3.8, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, increased FA was associated with ACL rupture. Further, the torsional abnormality was developed from the ITT. We concluded that each ACL-deficient patient should be assessed by a clinician for torsional abnormality using physical examination. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A Formula to Predict the Magnitude of Achilles Tendon Lengthening Required to Correct Equinus Deformity.

OBJECTIVES: Achilles tendon lengthening (ATL) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in paediatric orthopaedic surgery. An appropriate adjustment of the amount of ATL is crucial to avoid insufficient or excessive lengthening. However, there is currently no effective method to preoperatively calculate the tendon length needed for equinus deformity correction. Thus, in this study we evaluated the accuracy of a calculation using a mathematical model based on the law of cosines. METHODS: A total of 16 feet of 14 patients who were scheduled for ATL surgery due to equinus deformity were included in the study. ATL surgery was performed using a standard Z-plasty technique. Calculation of the amount of ATL using the law of cosines, and assessments of intraoperative lengthening of the tendon, were performed in a double-blind manner. The extent of lengthening resulting from the two methods was then compared. RESULTS: The mean ATL determined intraoperatively was 23.67 ± 8.7 mm, and that obtained using the cosine-based method was 22.49 ± 8.6 mm. Thus, the new method showed excellent statistical agreement with the actual lengthening performed during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The required dimension of ATL can be calculated preoperatively using the mathematical formula presented here. The advantages of this approach are that it allows accurate tendon lengthening and reduces the size of the surgical incision.

Obesity-related metabolic and endocrine disorders diagnosed during postoperative follow-up of slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Background and purpose - Patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) are phenotypically overweight or obese and may therefore require clinical follow-up of obesity-related disorders. We evaluated obesity-related disorders such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and vitamin-D deficiency during the postoperative period in patients with SCFE. Patients and methods - 51 patients who were operated and followed-up for SCFE and 62 healthy adolescents without SCFE (control group) were included in this retrospective study. Patients' BMI, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride), fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and serum vitamin D levels were evaluated. Results - At the time of surgery, 45 patients in the SCFE group were overweight or obese (BMI >25). At the latest follow-up, 42 patients in the SCFE group and 53 patients in the control group were overweight/obese. Abnormal serum lipid profile and ratio of total dyslipidemia were similar between the groups. 8 patients had abnormal HbA1c levels in the SCFE group and mean HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the SCFE group (p = 0.03). All patients and controls had low levels of vitamin D. Interpretation - Although serum lipid profile and vitamin D levels were detected as similar in SCFE and control groups, the potential risk of type 2 DM identified via abnormal HbA1c levels was significantly higher in patients with SCFE. We recommend that patients diagnosed with SCFE should be considered as potential candidates for type 2 DM; thus follow-up after surgical treatment should include not only orthopedic outcomes but also evaluation of future risk for DM.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis by using proximal humeral locking plate.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical and radiological results of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA) with proximal humeral locking plate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight patients (7 female, 1 male; average age 53 years (range: 24-67)) who underwent TTCA with proximal humeral locking plate between 2009 and 2011, were retrospectively evaluated with AOFAS hindfoot scale and Maryland foot score system. The mean follow up was 32.6 months (range: 23-54). RESULTS: Complete fusion was achieved in 7 patients. Soft tissue infection was observed in 2 patients and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in 3 patients. All patients recovered with medical treatment. At the final follow-up, mean AOFAS Hindfoot score was 60 (range: 41-81) and Maryland Foot Score was 67.8 (range: 41-85). The satisfactory rates of AOFAS and MFS were found as 12.5% (1/8) and 50% (4/8), respectively. One patient had an incomplete union with 5 degrees of heel varus deformity and 5 degrees of equinus deformity was observed in another. There were no implant failure or deformation of the plate during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that proximal humeral plate may be an alternative for fixation in tibiotalocalcaneal fusion surgery.