Symptomatic bunionette deformity in adolescents: surgical treatment with metatarsal sliding osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Bunionette deformity is a painful osseous prominence on the lateral aspect of the head of the fifth metatarsal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of a fifth metatarsal sliding osteotomy for the treatment of this deformity in patients under 18 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 13 feet in 11 consecutive patients with bunionette deformity treated from January 2003 to January 2008 at 2 referral centers. Mean age was 14.8 years (95% confidence limit, SD 1.5 y); mean follow-up was 32.2 months (95% confidence limit, SD 11.7 mo); and clinical evaluation was made according to the modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Coughlin score. The IV-V intermetatarsal angle ( IV-V IMA), the width of the forefoot (WF), lateral deviation angle (LDA), and fifth metatarsophalangeal angle (5 MPA) were also measured preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The average postoperative AOFAS score was 91 ± 4.1 points. Seven patients (8 feet) had an excellent outcome and 4 patients (5 feet) a good outcome according to the Coughlin scoring rate. The IV-V IMA averaged 12.29 degrees ± 1.5 degrees preoperatively, while postoperatively it was 6.18 degrees ± 1.4 degrees (P<0.0001). The LDA improved from 7.74 degrees ± 1.7 degrees preoperatively to 4.25 degrees ± 1 degree after surgery (P<0.0001). The WF decreased from 8.01 ± 1.3 mm to 7.05 ± 1.3 mm (P<0.0001). The mean 5 MPA decreased from 21.7 degrees ± 4.1 degrees preoperatively to 7.63 degrees ± 3.4 degrees at final follow-up (P<0.0001). One patient developed a superficial infection around a K-wire. CONCLUSIONS: Metatarsal sliding osteotomy is a safe and effective method for the correction of symptomatic bunionette in patients below 18 years of age. Further research is required to compare this approach with other treatment methods in this specific age group. STUDY DESIGN: Case series (Level of evidence, IV).

Scaphoid nonunions in children and adolescents: surgical treatment with bone grafting and internal fixation.

PURPOSE: Scaphoid nonunions are extremely uncommon injuries in children. On account of the rarity of the injury, there is no agreement about the standard method of treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes after surgical treatment with bone grafting and internal fixation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 23 patients aged 18 years or less with unstable scaphoid nonunions who underwent bone grafting and internal fixation. Mean age at the time of surgery was 15.1 years and the average duration of clinical follow-up was 5.2 years (range, 1-17 y). Scaphoid Outcome Score was used to assess clinical results. Radiographic evaluation included preoperative and postoperative scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle, and the scaphoid length. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 23 patients (95.6%) achieved clinical and radiographic union in an average time of 10.3 weeks (8-14 wk). One patient required a second bone grafting to heal. Functional outcomes were excellent in 17 cases, and good in 6 cases. The average scapholunate angle was 53.4+/-5 degrees preoperatively and 51.2+/-7 degrees at the final follow-up. The mean radiolunate angle was 7.4+/-5 degrees preoperatively and 4.9+/-3.9 degrees at the final follow-up. Scaphoid length increased from 21.9+/-1.1 to 23.1+/-1.2 mm (P>0.05). There were no perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and radiologic outcomes are encouraging to recommend this method for scaphoid nonunions in children and adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Case series (level of evidence, IV).