ABSTRACT
Background: Highly displaced proximal humeral fractures in children with low remodeling potential need to be reduced and fixed. The use of two flexible retrograde nails became the most popular fixation technique due to the excellent functional outcome, the low complication rates, and the possibility of early mobilization. A modified single retrograde technique has been suggested by the authors to address the main disadvantage of this technique, the long operative duration. The aim of this study was to compare these techniques in terms of efficacy, and clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective, monocentric study. Two groups of patients were defined: One was treated with the standard flexible retrograde double nail technique and the other with the modified single nail technique. The demographic and fracture characteristics were similar in both groups and the postoperative immobilization with a simple sling for 2 weeks. We compared the surgical duration for the initial fixation and hardware removal procedures. The Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, the secondary displacement at 1-week follow-up, the radiological union at 6-week follow-up, and the perioperative and short-term complications were also assessed for both groups. Results: The surgical duration of the initial fixation procedure was significantly shorter in single nail technique group (p = 0.005). The percentage of excellent Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (0) was similar in the two groups (p = 0.98). No secondary displacement was reported for the double nail technique group. In only one patient from the single nail technique group, we detected a secondary displacement at the first week control which did not need reoperation. In both groups, fractures were healed on the 6-week radiologic control. No cases of infection, superficial skin irritation, neurological damage, or complications related to implant removal were reported in both groups. Conclusions: The single nail technique of fixation proximal humeral fractures in children addresses the disadvantage of long surgical times, described until today, with the double nail technique without compromising the excellent functional and radiological short-term outcomes. Level of evidence: level III.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Circumscribed or pseudomalignant myositis ossificans (MO) is a rare and benign condition characterized by heterotopic bone formation in soft tissues. The clinical presentation of MO, imaging investigations, histological findings, and treatment strategies are unclear, especially in the pediatric population. Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar electronic databases to identify original articles and reviews in English or French of traumatic and non-traumatic MO. Studies were selected by 2 independent reviewers following the PRISMA recommendation and descriptive data were extracted. We harvest in each case the sex, age at diagnosis, location, presence of initial trauma, pre-emptive diagnosis, modalities of imagery used, realized biopsy, treatment performed, and type of follow-up. Results: Sixty pediatric cases of MO were identified between 2002 and 2023. Twenty-three patients (38.3%) were diagnosed with idiopathic/pseudomalignant and 37 patients (61.7%) with circumscribed. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 0.2-17 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1. The initial pre-emptive diagnosis was neoplasia in 13 patients (21.7%). The biopsy was percutaneous in 9 patients (15%) and incisional in 7 patients (11.7%). Histological analysis was achieved in 35 cases (57%). Surgical excision was the first line treatment in 46.7% of patients, and non-surgical in the remaining patients. The follow-up strategy was clinical in 16 patients (26.7%) or based on imaging investigation in 23 patients (38.3%). Discussion: Although MO in children is described as a rare pathology, identifying the benignity of the condition is essential to avoid unnecessary invasive treatment and to avoid delaying the treatment of a potentially life-threatening entity. It seems that there is no consensus established concerning the proper imaging for diagnosis. Clinicians should acknowledge that the absence of a triggering trauma tends to direct the investigation and the management toward a surgical attitude. Conservative management is key, however, surgical excision can be proposed on matured lesions on a case-by-case basis. The absence of recurrence is not excluded. Therefore, a close clinical follow-up is suggested for all cases. The true benefit of a radiological is questioned in a question known to be self-resolving.
ABSTRACT
Displaced proximal humeral fractures in older children with low remodeling potential need to be reduced and fixed. There are many options for stabilization, including external fixation, rigid internal fixation with screws and plates, percutaneous pinning, and flexible intramedullary nailing. The use of 2 flexible retrograde nails, originated at the University of Nancy, France, became the most popular technique in Europe. The aim of this study was to describe and assess a modified, single retrograde nail technique to treat fractures of the proximal part of the humerus. METHODS: We performed a retrospective monocentric study. From June 2016 to May 2019, a modified retrograde nail technique with 1 prebent nail was used for the management of 21 consecutive children with a closed displaced proximal humeral fracture. Demographic and surgical data were collected. The surgical technique is similar to the classic elastic stable intramedullary nailing, but only 1 nail is used. The average surgical time and perioperative complications were used as criteria for the feasibility of this technique. Radiographs were obtained preoperatively; at 1, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively; and after implant removal at an average of 4.2 months postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were assessed on the basis of the shoulder range of motion documented in the medical records and by using the French edition of the QuickDASH (shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] questionnaire) evaluation scale at the time of implant removal. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with a mean age of 12.6 years and a mean follow-up of 6 months were included in the study. The mean surgical time was 49 minutes. The single intramedullary nail technique provided a satisfactory reduction of all fractures. No perioperative complication occurred. In 1 case, partial loss of reduction was observed on the first-week control radiograph. All patients had a healed fracture, no deficits, excellent results according to the QuickDASH score, a normal range of motion, and excellent strength of the shoulder joint at the time of implant removal (at a mean of 4.2 months). CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms the feasibility and efficacy of the single retrograde intramedullary nail technique to treat displaced proximal humeral fractures in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of bony infection remains difficult during childhood. Osteomyelitis of the patella (OMP) is rare and produces few symptoms and no fever. A high level of suspicion is needed to avoid missing this uncommon type of bone infection. METHODS: /. RESULTS: We report an acute osteomyelitis of the patella treated by joint and patella puncture aspiration followed by antibiotics in a 12-year-old healthy boy. Clinical and radiological findings, orthopedic follow-up, and clinical outcome are presented. CONCLUSION: Making a diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis of the patella can be challenging especially in the pediatric population, as it produces few specific symptoms with mostly nonspecific biologic anomalies. The paucity in specific signs and symptoms, accompanied by the rare occurrence, often leads to incorrect initial diagnosis, such as overuse injury or apophysitis. Clinical examination with high suspicion for patella infection is key. Radiological exams including MRI are the main components of the adequate imaging studies. Computed tomography may be an excellent addendum to better visualize any bony lesion within the patella. Bone aspiration or biopsy is essential to confirm the diagnosis and offers a first step in the treatment of this infection, which can then be successfully treated with a normal course of antibiotics.
ABSTRACT
There is a regain of interest for knee osteotomies over the last decade. A better knowledge of their long-term benefits and potential adverse events has increased their importance in the treatment of unicompartmental osteoarthritis. Emerging indications result from increasing evidence that the control of knee alignment is crucial in knee instability, meniscal transplantation and cartilage repair.
Cette décennie a été marquée par un regain d'intérêt pour les ostéotomies autour du genou. Cet article présente les avancées qui ont permis de confirmer l'importance de cette chirurgie dans son indication historique, l'arthrose unicompartimentale. Il détaillera ensuite pourquoi la correction de l'axe mécanique s'avère de plus en plus indispensable dans le traitement de l'instabilité du genou et comme prérequis dans les procédures de greffe méniscale ou chondrale.
