Intra-articular Radial Head Fractures: A Deceptive Type of Injury.

BACKGROUND: Isolated intra-articular radial head (IARH) fractures in skeletally immature patients represent a rare injury. Despite their initial benign radiologic appearance, these fractures are at risk for progressive radial head subluxation and may end with degenerative irreversible changes of the radiocapitellar joint. The aim of this study is to highlight the seriousness of these injuries and the importance of early diagnosis and a proper follow-up to achieve optimal outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 6 patients with IARH fractures treated at our institution between 2011 and 2016. All patients presented with Salter-Harris types III or IV fracture. Five of 6 fractures were initially undisplaced. Treatment, clinical, and radiographic results were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to treatment: patients included in group A were treated conservatively, whereas patients of group B were treated with early surgery. The final functional outcome was assessed using the Oxford Elbow Score (OES). The Broberg-Morrey classification was used for the radiographic results. RESULTS: Group A included 3 patients (average age, 11±2 y). They developed an initially missed posterior subluxation of the radiocapitellar joint that caused to all of them a painful elbow and limited range of motion (ROM). Despite rescue surgery, they all presented with limited ROM at the final follow-up, although no functional limitations (OES, 46.3±2.9). The radiographs showed early degenerative changes. Group B included 3 patients (average age, 11±1 y) all treated surgically within 1 week from the injury. They showed no limitation of ROM and good functional (OES, 47.7) and radiologic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: IARH fractures in skeletally immature children are deceptive injuries which are often underestimated. Surgeons should be aware of these fractures, especially when a discrepancy between the clinical signs and symptoms, and the radiologic appearance exists, as this may be the only red flag that allows their identification in the acute setting. An early and accurate diagnosis followed by prompt and more aggressive treatment when necessary is mandatory for successful results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

Complex iatrogenic clubfoot: is it a real entity?

In our study, we aimed to demonstrate whether a complex iatrogenic clubfoot really exists; identify the causative mechanisms; and determine the outcome if properly treated. We observed 54 clubfeet previously treated unsuccessfully by manipulation and casting elsewhere. All the feet had been classified at diagnosis as typical clubfeet. In 26 cases, the cast had slipped down, entrapping the foot in a plantar-flexed position. Nine clubfeet out of those 26 cases presented the clinical features of a complex iatrogenic deformity. These were treated with the modified Ponseti protocol and evaluated at follow-up according to the International Clubfoot Study Group Score. The length of follow-up averaged 7.2 years. Two feet showed an excellent result, five feet showed a good result, and two feet showed a fair result. The relapse rate was 55% in complex clubfeet. Relapsed clubfeet were treated by Achilles tenotomy or lengthening and anterior tibial tendon transfer. We believe that faulty manipulation and a poor casting technique may convert a typical clubfoot into a complex iatrogenic deformity. Risk factors include severe clubfoot, short and stubby foot, and unmolded casts slipping down.

Ponseti Treatment of Rigid Residual Deformity in Congenital Clubfoot After Walking Age.

BACKGROUND: There is no established treatment for rigid residual deformity of congenital clubfoot (CCF) after walking age. Soft-tissue procedures, osseous procedures, and external fixation have been performed with unpredictable results. We applied the Ponseti method to patients with this condition in order to improve the outcomes of treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 44 patients (68 feet) with congenital clubfoot whose mean age (and standard deviation) at treatment was 4.8 ± 1.6 years. All patients had been previously treated in other institutions by various conservative and surgical protocols. Residual deformity was evaluated using the International Clubfoot Study Group Score (ICFSGS), and stiffness was rated by the number of casts needed for deformity correction. Ponseti manipulation and cast application was performed. Equinus was usually treated with percutaneous heel-cord surgery, while the cavus deformity was treated with percutaneous fasciotomy when needed. Tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT) was performed in patients over 3 years old. At the time of follow-up, the results were evaluated using the ICFSGS. RESULTS: Before treatment, 12 feet were graded as fair and 56, as poor. Two to 4 casts were applied, with each cast worn for 4 weeks. Stiffness was moderate (2 casts) in 23 feet, severe (3 casts) in 30 feet, and very severe (4 casts) in 15 feet. Percutaneous heel-cord surgery was performed in 28 feet; open posterior release, in 5 feet; plantar fasciotomy, in 30 feet; and TATT, in 60 feet. The mean length of follow-up was 4.9 ± 1.8 years. Eight feet had an excellent result; 49 feet, a good result; and 11 feet, a fair result. No patient had pain. All of the feet showed significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Ponseti treatment with TATT, which was performed in 88% of the feet, was effective, and satisfactory results were achieved in 84% of the feet. At the time of follow-up, no patient showed an abnormal gait, all feet were plantigrade and flexible, but 2 feet (2.9%) had relapsed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Modified Murray Technique for Carpal Navicular Nonunion.

The authors report the results of long-term follow-up in 29 patients treated for non-union of the carpal navicular with a modified Murray technique performed through a lateral approach. Mean patient age at surgery was 22.5 years. Average time from injury to surgery for nonunion was 18 months. In 5 cases, mild signs of osteoarthritis of the radioscaphoid joint (scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse [SNAC] stage I) were present before surgery, and in 2 cases, radiographic signs of avascular necrosis of the proximal nonunion fragment were evident. In all cases, a corticocancellous nonvascularized bone graft taken from the distal part of the ipsilateral radius was used. Mean follow-up was 11.2 years. Nonunion had healed in 93.1% of cases. At follow-up, the 2 patients in whom nonunion had not healed had severe painful osteoarthritis of the wrist (SNAC stage IV). Twenty patients were asymptomatic, and 5 had occasional pain in the wrist. Wrist range of motion was restricted in all patients compared with the contralateral side. Mild osteoarthritis was observed in 6 patients (SNAC stage I). The average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 8.7 of 100. The modified Murray technique is reliable for treating nonunion of the carpal navicular. The union rate is high, and the incidence of wrist osteoarthritis is low compared with other studies. Early diagnosis and treatment of nonunion (a short interval between fracture and surgery) can minimize the risk of degenerative joint disease. Avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment is not an absolute contraindication to surgery.

Osteochondrosis of the accessory ossification centre of the medial malleolus.

We report a case of a painful accessory ossification centre of the medial malleolus in an 11-year-old girl who was not involved in sports activities. The patient was treated conservatively, with complete clinical and radiographic healing of the medial malleolus 6 months after the first presentation. We ruled out the uncommon pathological conditions causing chronic pain in the medial malleolus during skeletal growth, such as traction apophysitis of the medial malleolus, osteochondrosis, osteochondritis or avascular necrosis of the distal tibial epiphysis. We speculate that this painful condition may be classified as an osteochondrosis of the accessory ossification centre of the medial malleolus.

Biomechanical study of 16-mm threaded, 32-mm threaded, and fully threaded SCFE screw fixation.

BACKGROUND: The initial goals of the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) are to stabilize the epiphysis, prevent slip progression, and avoid complications. In situ fixation with a single screw is the most accepted procedure to provide an optimal fixation, but fixation failure and slip progression suggest that the procedure might be improved. The aim of the present study was to biomechanically compare partially threaded screws (16 mm and 32 mm) and fully threaded screws in an in vitro porcine model. METHODS: An unstable/acute SCFE was created in 18 skeletally immature porcine femurs through a type 1 Salter-Harris fracture. Each femur was fixed using a 6.5-mm stainless-steel cannulated screw inserted through the physis under fluoroscopic guidance. The screw was either 16 mm threaded, 32 mm threaded, or fully threaded (n=6 each group). Each specimen was cyclically tested to failure fixation by anterior-to-posterior loading through the femoral head. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected between the Newton cycles to failure of the 3 screw-thread groups. The 16-mm threaded group had the highest frequency of femoral neck failure. CONCLUSIONS: The 16-mm threaded screws had the highest rate of neck failure and did not demonstrate additional fixation stability over the 32-mm threaded and fully threaded screws. As femoral neck fracture is a rare but devastating complication in pediatric patients, clinical use of the 32-mm threaded and fully threaded screws may be indicated in SCFE fixation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of 32-mm or fully threaded screws is a valid SCFE treatment option. The increased number of threads in the metaphysis with these screws may confer additional biomechanical strength to the femoral neck.

Tibiofibular torsion in congenital clubfoot.

Tibiofibular torsion was measured by computed tomography in three series of patients affected by congenital clubfoot who were treated with different protocols. The normal leg of unilateral deformities served as the control. For the bilateral cases, only the right side was included in the study. The angle between the bicondylar axis of the tibia and the bimalleolar axis was the index of tibiofibular torsion. There were 34 clubfeet in the first series, treated with a posteromedial release, and 40 clubfeet in the second series, treated with a modified Ponseti method, whereas the third series included 16 clubfeet, treated with the original Ponseti method. All 90 clubfeet were graded at birth as group 3 according to the Manes classification. No patient had previous treatment. The patients of the first and the second series were followed up to maturity, whereas the patients of the third series were followed up to a maximum of 11 years of age. In the congenital clubfoot, the tibia and the fibula were externally rotated, in comparison with the normal leg; in fact, the average value of the angle of tibiofibular torsion was 32.2° in the first series, 23.9° in the second series, and 21.1° in the third series. In the normal tibiae, the average value of the angle of tibiofibular torsion was 21.4°. The difference between the first series and the normal controls was statistically significant, as was the difference between the first one and the other two series. The value of the tibiofibular torsion angle seems to be related to the manipulation technique used to treat clubfoot: when the manipulation does not allow a progressive eversion of the talus underneath the calcaneus, the external tibial torsion increases. At follow-up, an intoeing gait was present in seven treated clubfeet of the first series. In all of them except one, the highest value of the external tibial torsion angle was observed, with a low value of the Kite's angle and/or residual forefoot adduction. In the treated congenital clubfoot, persistent intoeing is not related to the angle of tibial torsion but rather to the amount of correction of calcaneal inversion and residual forefoot adduction.

An MRI volumetric study for leg muscles in congenital clubfoot.

PURPOSE: To investigate both volume and length of the three muscle compartments of the normal and the affected leg in unilateral congenital clubfoot. METHODS: Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (VMRI) of the anterior, lateral and postero-medial muscular compartments of both the normal and the clubfoot leg was obtained in three groups of seven patients each, whose mean age was, respectively, 4.8 months, 11.1 months and 4.7 years. At diagnosis, all the unilateral congenital clubfeet had a Pirani score ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 points, and all of them had been treated according to a strict Ponseti protocol. All the feet had percutaneous lengthening of the Achilles tendon. RESULTS: A mean difference in both volume and length was found between the three muscular compartments of the leg, with the muscles of the clubfoot side being thinner and shorter than those of the normal side. The distal tendon of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and triceps surae (Achilles tendon) were longer than normal on the clubfoot side. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the three muscle compartments of the clubfoot leg are thinner and shorter than normal in the patients of the three groups. The difference in the musculature volume of the postero-medial compartment between the normal and the affected side increased nine-fold from age group 2 to 3, while the difference in length increased by 20 %, thus, showing that the muscles of the postero-medial compartment tend to grow in both thickness and length much less than the muscles of the other leg compartments.