Standing and walking age in children with idiopathic clubfoot: French physiotherapy versus Ponseti method.

PURPOSE: A mild delay in gross motor milestones and walking age has been reported in infants with clubfoot. The influence of different treatments on motor development has been poorly investigated. Some parents and physical therapists express concern that the Ponseti method (PM) and its constraints (abduction brace, casts) would affect development more than the French physical therapy method (FM) due to greater immobilization and lesser stimulation.The purpose of this study was to evaluate achievement of three motor milestones (pull-to-standing, cruising and independent walking) in two groups of clubfoot patients treated at two experienced institutes respectively with the PM and FM. METHODS: In all, 52 consecutive infants (full-term at birth, mean age at beginning of treatment 24.3 days (sd 10), mean Dimeglio score 12 (sd 3.4)) were prospectively enrolled (26 patients per centre) and followed up to walking age recording milestones. RESULTS: The two groups were not different in terms of age at the beginning of treatment (p = 0.067) and rate of tenotomy. Age at tenotomy was significantly lower in the PM group (p = 0.000). Severity (p = 0.004) and number of bilateral cases (p = 0.012) were higher in the PM group. A non-significant difference was found for age of achievement of pull-to-standing (p = 0.109), cruising (p = 0.253) and independent ambulation (p = 0.349) between the two groups. Overall, milestones were achieved approximately two months later than normal population. Sex, severity, laterality and need of tenotomy were not found to significantly influence milestones. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that infants with clubfoot are expected to have a minimum delay in motor development. Infants treated with the PM and those treated with the FM did not show significant differences in gross motor milestones achievement at walking age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II - Prospective comparative therapeutic studies.

Interobserver reliability of Diméglio and Pirani score and their subcomponents in the evaluation of idiopathic clubfoot in a clinical setting: a need for improved scoring systems.

PURPOSE: Diméglio (DimS) and Pirani (PirS) scores are the most commonly used scoring systems for evaluation of clubfoot, with many centres performing both. Interobserver reliability of their global score has been rated high in a few studies, but agreement of their subcomponents has been poorly investigated. The aim of the study was to assess interrater reliability of global scores and of items in a clinical setting and to analyse overlapping features of the two scores. METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive idiopathic clubfeet undergoing correction using the Ponseti method were independently evaluated at each casting session by two trained paediatric orthopaedic surgeons using both scores. Interobserver reliability of collected data was analysed; a kappa coefficient > 0.60 was considered adequate. RESULTS: For DimS and PirS, the Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.87 and 0.91 (p < .0001) respectively, and kappa coefficients were 0.23 and 0.31. Among subcomponents, kappa values were rated > 0.60 only for equinus and curvature of lateral border in PirS; muscular abnormality in DimS was rated 0.74 but a high prevalence index (0.94) indicated influence of scarce prevalence of this feature. All other items showed k < 0.60 and were considered to be improved.For overlapping features: posterior and medial crease showed similar agreement in the two systems, items describing equinus and midfoot adduction were much more reliable in PirS than in DimS. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical setting, despite a high correlation of evaluations for total scores, the interobserver agreement of DimS and PirS was not adequate and only a few items were substantially reliable. Simultaneous use of two scores seemed redundant and some overlapping features showed different reliability according to criterion or scale used. Future scoring systems should improve these limitations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I - Diagnostic studies.

How evolution of the nailing system improves results and reduces orthopedic complications: more than 2000 cases of trochanteric fractures treated with the Gamma Nail System.

PURPOSE: The incidence of trochanteric fractures has increased significantly during the last few decades, especially in elderly patients with osteoporosis. The dynamic/sliding hip screw and the cephalomedullary nail are the most commonly used fixation methods to treat trochanteric fractures. The improvements in the Gamma Nail System (GNS) associated with a correct surgical technique reduced the postoperative orthopedic complications. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of the different Gamma Nails. METHODS: The present study is a retrospective analysis of 2144 patients treated with GNS between January 1997 and December 2011 for trochanteric fractures, classified according to AO classification method. The patients were divided into three groups according to the nailing system: 525 were treated with Standard Gamma Nail (SGN), 422 with Trochanteric Gamma Nail (TGN) and 1197 with Gamma3 Nail. RESULTS: The overall incidence of intra-operative complications was 1.21 %; the incidence of intra-operative complications for each group was 1.71 % for SGN group, 0.47 % for TGN group and 1.25 % for Gamma3 Nail group. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 5.48 %, and the incidence for each group was 10.73 % for SGN group, 9.92 % for TGN group and 2.92 % for Gamma3 Nail group. CONCLUSION: The GNS is a safe device with a low rate of intra-operative complications. The evolution of this nail system reduces postoperative complications, thus improving the results at follow-up and confirming that the Gamma3 Nail is a safe and predictable device to fix trochanteric fracture.

Multifocal humeral fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Multifocal humeral fractures are extremely rare. These may affect the neck and the shaft, the shaft alone, or the diaphysis and the distal humerus. There is no classification of these fractures in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2010, 717 patients with humeral fracture were treated surgically at our department. Thirty-five patients presented with an associated fracture of the proximal and diaphyseal humerus: synthesis was performed with plate and screws in 34 patients, and the remaining patient had an open fracture that was treated with an external fixator. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 3 years and 3 months. A classification is proposed in which type A fractures are those affecting the proximal and the humeral shaft, type B the diaphysis alone, and type C the diaphysis in association with the distal humerus. Type A fractures are then divided into three subgroups: A-I, undisplaced fracture of the proximal humerus and displaced shaft fracture; A-II: displaced fracture of the proximal and humeral shaft; and A-III: multifragmentary fracture affecting the proximal humerus and extending to the diaphysis. DISCUSSION: Multifocal humeral fractures are very rare and little described in the literature, both for classification and treatment. The AO classification describes bifocal fracture of the humeral diaphysis, type B and C. The classification suggested in this article mainly concerns fractures involving the proximal and humeral shaft. CONCLUSIONS: A simple classification of multifocal fractures is suggested to help the surgeon choose the most suitable type of synthesis for surgical treatment.

Results in treatment of distal femur fractures using polyaxial locking plate.

Indications and techniques of locked plate fixation for the treatment of challenging fractures continue to evolve. As design variant of classic locked plates, the polyaxial locked plate has the ability to alter the screw angle and thereby, enhance fracture fixation. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results in 89 patients with 90 fractures of the distal femur treated, between June 2006 and November 2011, with such a polyaxial locked plating system (Polyax™ Locked Plating System, DePuy, Warsaw, IN, USA). Seventy-seven fractures formed the report of this study. These cases were followed up until complete fracture healing or for a mean time of 77 weeks. At the time of last follow-up, 58 of 77 fractures (75.3 %) progressed to union without complication and radiographic healing occurred at a mean time of 16.3 weeks. Complications occurred in ten fractures that did not affect the healing and in nine fractures that showed delayed or non-union. The mean American Knee Society Score at the time of final follow-up was 83 for the Knee Score and 71.1 for the Functional Score. In conclusion, there is a high union rate for complex distal femoral fractures associated with a good clinical outcome in this series.

Surgical treatment for pelvic ring fractures in pediatric and adolescence age.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the pelvis in pediatric population are extremely rare. Children with complex pelvic fractures are most often pedestrians who have been struck by a motor vehicle. Head injuries are the main cause of death, unlike the adult, where severe hemorrhages are common and contribute to mortality. Long-term follow-up studies have reported significant residual morbidity in children's pelvic fractures treated non-operatively. The aim of this study is to analyze our cases in order to evaluate the final outcome and to suggest the surgical indications for the management of this kind of injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to July 2011, eight pediatric patients were surgically treated for pelvic ring fractures in our department. The functional result at follow-up was evaluated using the functional independence measure (FIM). RESULTS: In most cases the clinical outcome was good with functional recovery of the hip and complete resumption of physical activity. The mean FIM score was 125.3. One patient underwent permanent colostomy for perineal lacerations, one case showed a slight scoliosis at follow-up, and one patient showed the early fusion of the triradiate cartilage. One patient presented a deep thrombosis of the common femoral vein. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures of the pelvic ring should be carefully assessed by radiographs and CT scan. The centralization of these young patients is important to get the experience and ensure the proper treatment. A correct indication for surgery may prevent or limit the consequences of these complex fractures.

Transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior in relapsed congenital clubfoot: long-term results in 38 feet.

A total of 38 relapsed congenital clubfeet (16 stiff, 22 partially correctable) underwent revision of soft-tissue surgery, with or without a bony procedure, and transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior at a mean age of 4.8 years (2.0 to 10.1). The tendon was transferred to the third cuneiform in five cases, to the base of the third metatarsal in ten and to the base of the fourth in 23. The patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 24.8 years (10.8 to 35.6). A total of 11 feet were regarded as failures (one a tendon failure, five with a subtalar fusion due to over-correction, and five with a triple arthrodesis due to under-correction or relapse). In the remaining feet the clinical outcome was excellent or good in 20 and fair or poor in seven. The mean Laaveg-Ponseti score was 81.6 of 100 points (52 to 92). Stiffness was mild in four feet and moderate or severe in 23. Comparison between the post-operative and follow-up radiographs showed statistically significant variations of the talo-first metatarsal angle towards abduction. Variations of the talocalcaneal angles and of the overlap ratio were not significant. Extensive surgery for relapsed clubfoot has a high rate of poor long-term results. The addition of transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior can restore balance and may provide some improvement of forefoot adduction. However, it has a considerable complication rate, including failure of transfer, over-correction, and weakening of dorsiflexion. The procedure should be reserved for those limited cases in which muscle imbalance is a causative or contributing factor.

Instability and dislocation of the hip in Down syndrome: report of two cases and proposition of a diagnostic protocol.

The authors report two cases of children with Down syndrome presenting with different patterns of instability of the hip. A 4-year-old girl with delay in the acquisition of walking presented with a painless ''habitual dislocation''. An 11-year-old girl presented with ''subluxation'' of the hip, painful after long walks. Surgical treatment combining soft tissues and bone procedures (including reduction and plastic of the redundant capsule in both cases, differently associated with femoral varus and derotational osteotomy using Scaglietti screws and pelvic osteotomy according to Zanoli-Pemberton) provided excellent radiographic (improvement in radiographic indices) and functional (the first patient began walking without falls; pain disappeared in the second patient) result. With increasing life expectancy of patients with trisomy 21, the incidence of painful arthritis of the hip in adulthood is also rising, contributing to progressive loss of walking ability. Early diagnosis and correct treatment of young patients presenting with hip instability are mandatory to reduce this disabling pathologic condition. The authors review the literature about natural history and possible treatments of hip instability and dislocation, and propose a diagnostic protocol to use in the case of children with Down syndrome.