Long-term outcomes of reconstructive treatment for painful dislocations in patients with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This report presents the long-term results of the hip joint reconstruction in patients with spastic hip disease through open reduction, proximal femur varus derotation osteotomy, and Dega transiliac osteotomy. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively patients diagnosed with a spastic form of bilateral cerebral palsy with painful hip subluxation or dislocation. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure. The minimum follow-up time was 15 years. The study group comprised 15 patients (22 hips), classified with the Gross Motor Function Classification System as levels IV and V. The hip joint range of motion and anteroposterior X-ray examination at the final follow-up visit were compared with pre-operative data. The pain level was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the femoral head shape was assessed using the Rutz classification. The patients' caregivers answered questions regarding pain during sitting, personal hygiene activities, and at rest. The caregivers' satisfaction with the treatment was also assessed with the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities questionnaire. Results: We observed a significant reduction of the hip joint pain and improvement in both radiological hip stability parameters and range of motion at the final follow-up visit. Based on the Rutz classification, one hip remained type B, while the other joints became type A. Reduced pain was reported in all three positions, with the most pronounced improvement during sitting and personal hygiene activities. Interestingly, patients with unilateral hip reconstruction were more prone to pain after reconstruction than those operated bilaterally. Conclusion: Primary reconstruction of the painful hip joint neurogenic dislocation results in a stable joint reduction, pain decrease, and improved quality of life in patients with cerebral palsy. Level of evidence: IV case series.

Reliability of assessing proximal femur geometry with Rutz classification schema in patients with cerebral palsy.

Our investigation aimed to assess the reliability of the femoral head shape classification system devised by Rutz et al . and observe its application in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) at different skeletal maturity levels. Four independent observers assessed anteroposterior radiographs of the hips of 60 patients with hip dysplasia associated with non-ambulatory CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V) and recorded the femoral head shape radiological grading system as described by Rutz et al . Radiographs were obtained from 20 patients in each of three age groups: under 8 years, between 8 and 12 years and above 12 years old, respectively. Inter-observer reliability was assessed by comparing the measurements of four different observers. To determine the intra-observer reliability, radiographs were reassessed after a 4-week interval. Accuracy was checked by comparing these measurements with the assessment of expert consensus. Validity was checked indirectly by observing the relationship between the Rutz grade and the migration percentage. The Rutz classification system's evaluation of femoral head shape showed moderate to substantial intra- and inter-observer reliability (mean κ  = 0.64 for intraobserver and mean κ  = 0.5 for interobserver). Specialist assessors had slightly higher intra-observer reliability than trainee assessors. The grade of femoral head shape was significantly associated with increasing migration percentage. Rutz's classification was shown to be reliable. Once the clinical utility of this classification can be established, it has the potential for broad application for prognostication and surgical decision-making and as an essential radiographic variable in studies involving the outcomes of hip displacement in CP. Level of evidence: III.

Outcomes of double-incision posterior knee release for severe knee flexion contracture.

Many surgical solutions for knee flexiondeformity in the pediatric population alter the anatomical bony alignment in the distal femur. Posterior knee capsule release has been presented as an alternative surgical procedurethat maintains the anatomical shape of relevant bones while solving the issue of knee flexion contracture. The aim of this study is to assess the results of a double-incision posteriorknee capsulotomy release performed on pediatric patients with neuromuscular or congenital severe knee flexion deformity. Thirty cases (24 patients, mean age 7.4 years) of severe knee flexion contractures were retrospectively analyzed in a cohort of varying underlying conditions (including spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, sclerodermia, and congenital patellar dislocations). Posterior knee release was performed through medial and lateral short incisions with subsequent serial casting. Range and pace of correction as well as the complication rate were recorded. Follow-up information (>1 year) included functionality (FMS scale) and pain (Kujala/Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Score [KOOS]) scales. Significant correction in the knee position was achieved in all analyzed knees (from mean 40.2° to 0.7°; P < 0.01). Twenty-nine out of 30 cases achieved correction by 7 days postoperatively (average number of casts: 1.93 ± 1.05). Overall complication rate in the analyzed cohort reached 6.7% (2/30 cases; double metaphyseal fracture and arthrofibrosis). At follow-up (22.3 months on average), functional ambulation and pain parameters improved drastically, with no further complications observed. Double-incision posterior knee release is an effective method of knee contracture release, which does not affect the axial alignment of the distal femoral bone. Thus, posterior knee release should be considered as potential alternatives to osteotomies and eight-plate corrections, which are currently the basic methods of knee contracture treatment.

Parents and Caregivers Satisfaction After Palliative Treatment of Spastic Hip Dislocation in Cerebral Palsy.

Objectives: Pain appearance is one the most common complication of spastic hip disease in children with cerebral palsy (CP). It determines child and caregiver quality of life and life priorities. Reconstruction hip surgery should be considered as a treatment of choice. Some clinical conditions give the inability to perform such a procedure. In our paper, we would like to present four palliative methods of spastic hip dislocation treatment in children with CP. Material: We analyzed four groups of patients treated because of hip pain. Inclusion criteria were pain appearance (visual analog scale-11 or numeric rating scale-11) and hip joint dislocation (migration percentage >80%). All patients were admitted to our department between 2008 and 2018. In the first group, patients were treated only by steroid injections to hip joints; in the second group, patients were recruits after hip interposition arthroplasty with shoulder spacer; in the third group, they were patients after valgus subtrochanteric osteotomy (Schanz); and in the fourth group, these were patients after proximal femoral resection (Castle procedure). The minimal follow-up time was 2 years. The first group consisted of 15 patients (15 hips) with a mean age of 15.5 (8-17) years; the second group, 20 patients (24 hips) with a mean age of 14.2 (9-22.6) years; the third group, 22 patients (24 hips) with a mean age of 13.5 (7-20.5) years; and the fourth group, 10 patients (15 hips) with a mean age of 12.9 (7-17.6) years. Methods: Radiological evaluation was based on a standardized anteroposterior X-ray of the hip joints. Pain severity before surgery and at the last follow-up time was measured by visual analog scale-11. Parents or caregivers were asked about their child's pain during sitting, perineal care, and rest. During the visit, all caregivers were asked about treatment satisfaction (no 0 to max 10) and if they would decide again for the same surgery. Results: In all groups of patients, we observed a decrease in pain complaints. The observed reduction of pain in the first group was from 7.88 (4-10) to 3.08 (0-8) (p = 0.05), but results of injection were observed only for 4 months (2-8), and it has to be repeated (average: two times). In the second group, level of pain was reduced from 4.93 (1-10) to 0.93 (0-5) (p < 0.001); in the third group, from 6.22 (3-10) to 0.59 (0-6) (p < 0.001); and in the fourth group, pain reduces from 5.43 (2-10) to 2.13 (0-5) (p < 0.001). Observed changes concerned mostly sitting position and perineal care. The complication rate was in the second group, 6 of 24 cases of extraarticular ossification; in the third group, 2 of 24 cases with extraarticular ossification, two cases of revision surgery. In the fourth group, two cases needed another femoral resection. In the first group, five patients died during follow-up time, so they were excluded from the study. In the steroid injection group, parents' treatment evaluation was 6.83 (0-10), and only in three cases that they would resign from the treatment. In the hip interposition arthroplasty group, caregivers' evaluation was 7.41 (0-10), and in five cases, parents did not accept the surgery. In the Schanz osteotomy group, parents' evaluation was 5.9 (0-10), and in eight cases, caregivers would not repeat surgery. In the proximal femoral resection group, satisfaction was the highest, 8.3 (3-10), and only two parents would not decide for surgery again. Conclusion: All procedures can be considered as palliative treatment options for pain complain in a spastic hip joint dislocation in children with CP. Steroid injections to the hip joint need to be repeated, and with the follow-up time, it becomes less effective. Steroid injection seems to be the treatment of choice for patients with general anesthesia contraindications. Interposition arthroplasty of the hip joint seems to give better final results, but the highest parents' satisfaction surprisingly was observed in the proximal femoral resection group, but differences were not statistically significant.

Good outcomes of modified Grammont and Langenskiöld technique in children with habitual patellar dislocation.

PURPOSE: In this study, the functional mid-term outcomes of the modified Grammont and Langenskiöld technique was assessed in skeletally immature patients with habitual patellar dislocation, with emphasis on knee function, pain, and other possible post-surgical complications. This is the first study concerning the application of the modified Grammont and Langenskiöld technique in habitual patellar dislocations. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study considered 10 patients (15 knees), ranging from 7 to 11 years old, who underwent the modified Grammont and Langenskiold procedure between 2015 and 2018. History of dislocation, patellar stability and range of motion (ROM) were analysed. To assess functional improvement and knee pain, the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale and KOOS-Child Knee Survey were used before and after surgical treatment. RESULTS: No history of dislocation was noted after surgical treatment. All 15 knees showed full ROM. There were no signs of genu recurvatum and no length discrepancies were found. The subjective assessment revealed significant improvement in the scores of the KOOS-Child questionnaire in all five sections (p < 0.001), as well as in The Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The modified Grammont and Langenskiöld technique yields remarkable results in terms of knee stability and knee function, while decreasing recurrence risk and intensity of pain in patients with challenging cases of patellofemoral joint dislocation. This surgical technique is most effective in cases where the patella remains dislocated continuously; however, it may also be used in immature patients with recurrent instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Unilateral and bilateral neurogenic dislocation of the hip joint--which deformity is more difficult to treat?

BACKGROUND: Authors present and compare the results of treatment of spastic hip dislocation in a group of patients with unilateral or bilateral dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed a group of 77 patients (109 hips) with a dislocated hip joint (MP>80%). The patients were divided into Group 1 (47 hip joints, 47 patients) with unilateral dislocation and Group 2 (62 hips, 31 patients) with bilateral dislocation. The mean duration of follow-up was 2.5 years (range 1.2-7.5) in Group 1 and 3.4 years (1.2-10.2) in Group 2. The hips were evaluated clinically and radiographically in the pre- and post-operative period. The relation of the femoral head to the acetabulum was described as the Acetabular Index (AI) and Reimers' migration percentage (MP). The Pelvic Femoral Angle (PFA) was used to measure the degree of windblown deformity. RESULTS: There were three cases of post-operative redislocation (MP>80%) and four cases of severe subluxation (MP>50%) in Group 1 compared to no dislocations in Group 2. In Group 1, AI improved from 31.3°(20°-50°) to 22.7°(3°-50°) and MP improved from 98.8% (85%-100%) to 23.4% (0%-100%). In Group 2, AI improved from 30.5° (10°-62°) to 19.9° (4°-40°) and MP improved from 98.8% (82%-100%) to 9.6% (0%-60%). In Group 1, PFA before surgery was -10.3° (-40° to 10°) for the dislocated side and 6.6° (-16° to 55°) for the non-dislocated side and after surgery it was -5.7° (-46 to 45) for the treated side and 5.6° (-18° to 45°) for the untreated side. In Group 2, PFA was -3.1° (-22° to 9°) before surgery and -0.15° (-18° to 25°) after surgery. We found improved ranges of motion for the movements investigated. CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological results of operative treatment presented in this paper allow for the conclusion that patients with unilateral dislocations run a higher risk of redislocation, subluxation, and windblown deformity.

Current experience in the treatment of neurogenic deformities of the hip joint in patients with myelomeningocoele.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to present the current approach to and an evaluation of the results of treatment of neurogenic deformities of the hip joints in children with myelomeningocoele (MMC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 210 patients with MMC admitted to the Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Poznan in the years 1970-2008. The study involved 131 hips (85 patients). The duration of follow-up was 1 to 38 years (mean 17.3 years). The clinical status of patients and treatment results were evaluated with regard to the assignment of the patient to one of 6 groups according to the modified Sharrard and Parsch classification. Radiographic evaluation included the femoral neck angle, anteversion angle, acetabular index, head-acetabular coefficient, centre-edge angle, focusing angle, and Labaziewicz distance angle. The operative treatment in Groups I-II consisted of correction of contractures. In Group III, we performed open reduction of the dislocation or subluxation, Mustard iliopsoas transfer, intertrochanteric femoral osteotomy and Dega's transiliac osteotomy, or shelf procedure. In Group IV patients, we corrected subluxations or dislocations. RESULTS: Surgery in patients from Groups I-II was associated with a high rate of recurrence. In Group III patients, we achieved good joint stability. The transferred iliopsoas muscle was active in 70% of the patients and 65% of the patients in this group became ambulant. More beneficial functional effects were observed after operative treatment in patients from Group IV. CONCLUSIONS: In Groups I-II recurrence of the deformity was often observed. In patients from Groups III-IV, good functional outcomes were noted after comprehensive surgical treatment.

Two-stage surgery in the treatment of spastic hip dislocation--comparison between early and late results of open reduction and derotation-varus femoral osteotomy combined with Dega pelvic osteotomy preceded by soft tissue release.

BACKGROUND: Authors present and compare early and late results of treatment of spastic hip dislocation in cerebral palsy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed a group of 77 patients (109 hips) with hip joint dislocation (MP>80%). The patients were divided into two groups: <3 years of follow-up vs. > 3 years of follow-up. The first group thus included 64 hips (47 patients) with mean follow-up duration of 2.2 years (range 1.1-3), and the second group had 45 hips (30 patients) with mean follow-up duration of 4.8 years (range 3.2-10.2). The hips were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The relation of the femoral head to the acetabulum was described as the Acetabular Index (AI) and Reimers' migration percentage (MP). RESULTS: In Group I, AI improved from 32.2°(17°-50°) to 22.2°(6°-45°), MP improved from 98.9% (82%-100%) to 15.9% (0%- 100%). In Group II, AI improved from 28.9° (10°-62°) to 19.4° (3°-50°). The changes in AI and MP were statistically significant. Group I demonstrated a reduction in the flexion contracture from 21.1° (0°-50°) to 10.7° (0°-30°), an increase in abduction from 19.5° (0°-60°) to 29.9° (0°-60°), and a decrease in the popliteal angle from 52.0° (0°-100°) to 34.2° (0°-85°). Group II showed a reduction in the flexion contracture from 24.6° (0°-60°) to 12.6° (0°-40°), an increase in abduction from 17.3° (-25°-80°) to 26.1° (-15°-80°), and a decrease in the popliteal angle from 61.4° (0°-120°) to 40.7° (10°-100°). These improvements were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Open reduction of the hip joint combined with derotation-varus femoral osteotomy and Dega pelvic osteotomy is a very effective treatment in spastic hip joint dislocation. We observed no statistically significant deterioration of results between the groups.

Incidence and risk factors of hip joint pain in children with severe cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: Pain is a serious complication associated with hip dislocation in cerebral palsy (CP), limiting patient independence and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the frequency of pain in severe CP patients with hip dislocation and to reveal factors associated with the hip pain. METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive new-intervention CP patients admitted to authors' institution with spastic quadriplegia, mean age 10.8 years (range 4.0-18.0 years) were enrolled: 31 females and 42 males, totally 99 dislocated hips. All patients were assessed level IV or V according to the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) and had poor communication skills. Pain severity was evaluated according to the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11). Data concerning previously applied physiotherapy was collected to divide the patients into subgroups: A - no abduction therapy (n = 24), B - abduction therapy (n = 35) and C - abduction therapy and horse-back riding (n = 13). On the pelvic antero-posterior radiographs head migration percentage was measured to reveal hip dislocation. Femoral head cartilage degenerative lesions were evaluated for size and location in 45 hips undergoing surgical treatment. RESULTS: Overall pain prevalence was 56%. The appearance of pain was associated with the patient age (p = 0.048), previous abduction physiotherapy (p < 0.00001), previous horse-back riding therapy (p < 0.00001) and anterior location of degenerative changes of the femoral head (p = 0.03). Pain intensity was related to the size of the degenerative cartilage lesions (p = 0.004) and to the degree of femoral anteversion (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive abduction exercises, hippotherapy and presence of degenerative cartilage lesions on the anterior part of femoral head may be considered risk factors for hip pain appearance in the dislocated hip of a child with severe spastic CP. Other associated factors are abduction exercise intensity, age, excessive femoral anteversion and size of degenerative cartilage lesions.

The use of computer tomography for preoperative planning and outcome assessment in surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis with pedicle screw based constructs - case presentation.

BACKGROUND: In recent years pedicle screw based constructs have been increasingly used in the operative management of scoliosis. The current principles of screw placement are based on normal anatomy and therefore may not be applicable in cases of severe vertebral deformity due to torsion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of computer tomography (CT) in preoperative planning and outcome assessment in operative management of idiopathic scoliosis with severe internal vertebral deformity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study presents our own experiences based on analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in two patients treated surgically due to Lenke type 1A idiopathic scoliosis. Due to extensive vertebral rotation and radiological appearance suggesting thin pedicles, spine CT with 3D reconstruction was performed as part of extended preoperative work-up in order to determine screw length and diameter, the point of screw introduction and angle of introduction in three planes. Vertebral rotation was evaluated according to the Aaro-Dahlborn method. Segments were also identified where pedicle screws could not be applied due to severe rotation or small pedicle diameter. RESULTS: Preoperative planning of screw placement enabled safe and accurate screw application, as confirmed by postoperative spine CT evidence. Satisfactory correction was achieved in both patients in the coronal and frontal planes. CONCLUSIONS: CT allows detailed preoperative planning of scoliosis surgery and identification of segments in which pedicle screws cannot be safely placed. This may lower the incidence of complications associated with inaccurate pedicle screw placement.

[Etiopathogenesis of spastic hip pain and dislocation in children]. / Analiza przyczyn dolegliwosci bólowych w przebiegu zwichniecia stawu biodrowego u chorych z postaczna spastyczna mózgowego porazenia dzieciecego.

UNLABELLED: The hip joint dislocation is one of the most serious complications associated with severe type of spastic cerebral palsy in children. The natural history of this secondary problem is poorly defined: how often and why the dislocated hip joint is going to be painful. The aim of our study was to specify prevalence of hip pain in the quadriplegic spastic type of cerebral palsy children with dislocated one or two hip joints. The next purpose was to establish correlation between cartilage degenerative changes and pain appearance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The clinical study population consisted of cerebral palsy children, who presented a unilateral or bilateral dislocation of the hip joint, operated in Department of Pediatric Orthopedics during the period 2002 through 2005. Performed surgical procedures allowed us to evaluate degenerative changes of femoral head cartilage. In 45 operated hips (33 patients) we discovered that 33 had degenerative cartilage lesions which in 25 cases (75%) were associated with pain appearance. RESULTS: We observed correlation between anterior location of the femoral head lesion and pain appearance, between the size of the lesion and intensity of pain complaints and also between femoral antetorsion and magnitude of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors of pain appearance in spastic dislocated hip joint are degenerative lesions on anterior face of femoral head cartilage, age of the patient, large antetorsion angle and cartilage lesion bigger than 1/4 of femoral head surface.