Symptomatic hallux valgus and dorsal bunion in adolescents with cerebral palsy: clinical and biomechanical factors.

AIM: The prevalence of severely symptomatic deformities of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) requiring arthrodesis is unknown. Recent literature regarding these deformities is limited. We studied the presentation of severe, symptomatic deformities of the first ray in a large population of children and adolescents with CP and their association with gross motor function, CP subtype, and other musculoskeletal deformities. METHOD: We identified 41 patients with CP and a symptomatic deformity of the first MTP joint, managed by arthrodesis, from a large population based database over a 21-year period. Information recorded included demographics, CP subtype, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), clinical presentation, and radiological features. RESULTS: Adolescents with spastic diplegia, at GMFCS levels II and III, were the most common group to develop symptomatic hallux valgus. In contrast, non-ambulant adolescents, at GMFCS levels IV and V, with dystonia or mixed tone, more commonly had dorsal bunions. INTERPRETATION: The type of first MTP joint deformity in patients with CP may be predicted by the type and distribution of movement disorder, and by GMFCS level. Specific patterns of associated musculoskeletal deformities may contribute to the development of these disorders and may provide a guide to surgical management. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The prevalence of severe bunions requiring fusion surgery was 2%. The two types of bunion were hallux valgus and dorsal bunion. The type of bunion can be identified on both clinical and radiological grounds. The cerebral palsy subtype is predictive of the type of bunion.

Coxa vara in postseptic arthritis of the hip in children.

The behavior and treatment of coxa vara and pseudarthrosis of the proximal femur secondary to sepsis is not well described. The aim of this study is to describe the pathoanatomy for coxa vara and pseudarthrosis in postseptic hips, evaluate progression of neck shaft angle (NSA), and discuss treatment. This is a retrospective case series of 20 patients (21 hips). There were 11 hips with predominant avascular necrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis without pseudarthrosis (type 1) and 10 with pseudarthrosis (type 2). The interobserver κ value was 0.79. There was a decrease in NSA from 110.3° to 99.3° during an average follow-up duration of 5.2 years (range: 2-14 years). The average change in NSA between the initial presentation and the final follow-up was 5.5° in type 1 and 17.1° in type 2. Nine patients underwent a surgical intervention. In cases where subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy was performed, the mean preoperative NSA was 94° and the mean NSA at the final follow-up was 128°; all operated pseudarthroses healed without bone grafting. Acetabuloplasty is not necessary in most cases.

Musculoskeletal Evaluation of Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common chronic disability of childhood. The problems involved are complex; not only do these children have problems of mobility, but a plethora of associated problems [1]. A recent definition of CP includes secondary musculoskeletal problems [2]. The inclusion of this in the definition recognises the significance of musculoskeletal problems and the impact these problems have on the lives of children with CP and their families. Orthopedic management of the child with CP aims to reduce the impact of these musculoskeletal problems to help the child with CP to reach his maximum potential [3]. To accurately assess children and prepare management plans, a combination of medical history, physical examination, functional assessment, medical imaging, observational and instrumented gait analysis, and assessment of patient and family goals must be interpreted [4]. A detailed annual orthopedic assessment for all children with CP is recommended [5]. For an ambulant child, more frequent assessments are required during periods of rapid growth, observed deterioration in physical examination measures, and after interventions, including gait correction surgery. For a non-ambulant child, more frequent assessments are indicated according to hip surveillance guidelines [6, 7], during periods of observed deterioration, and following interventions such as hip or spine surgery. A systematic and practiced routine is conducive to efficiency and accuracy [5]. This paper discusses the Physical Examination Protocol used by the Hugh Williamson Gait Analysis Laboratory, in Melbourne, Australia.

Management of post septic hip dislocations when the capital femoral epiphysis is present.

Delayed or missed diagnosis of septic arthritis of hip in children results in various sequelae. The group of post septic hip dislocations when the capital femoral epiphysis (CFE) is present has not been described in the commonly used classifications. This is a retrospective series of 21 hips in 18 children. The presence of the CFE was confirmed radiologically or at the time of intervention. The mean follow-up after intervention was 6.3 years. Interventions for dislocations included closed reduction ± adductor tenotomy, open reduction ± supplementary femoral procedures, and acetabular procedures. Results were evaluated clinically with Ponseti hip scoring and radiologically with the modified Severin grading. Closed reduction was successful in seven of 20 hips (35%) and open reduction in 13 of 14 hips. At follow-up, good clinical result was seen in nine of 18 cases (50%). The mean neck shaft angle was 129° in all hips and 124° after femoral varus osteotomy. There was one redislocation and three subluxations. The modified Severin classification was class 2 in five hips (good), class 3 in 12 hips (fair), class 4 in three hips (poor), and class 6 in one hip (failure). Septic hip dislocation with CFE present is a distinct entity. MRI is helpful for planning treatment. A significant number of patients need open reduction with other procedures. Femoral varus osteotomy may contribute to coxa vara. In the short term, intervention results in a stable, functional, and mobile hip.