Comparison between Malerba osteotomy and combined Evans/medial displacement calcaneal osteotomies for the management of flexible pes planus in young adults: a prospective randomised control trial, three years follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of Malerba osteotomy in comparison to the standardized combined Evans/Medial Displacement Calcaneal Osteotomy (MDCO) in the management of symptomatic flexible pes planus in young adults. METHODS: Prospective randomized control trial included 34 feet (33 patients), 17 cases in each group. Functionally, patients were assessed by AOFAS and FADI scores. Radiographic evaluation included calcaneal pitch, lateral talo-1st metatarsal, AP talo-first metatarsal, AP talo-calcaneal angles, and the talar coverage percentage. RESULTS: Pre-operative and three years follow-up scores and angles were compared between both groups. No statistically significant difference could be detected between both groups (P value 0.87). However, the data showed statistically significant difference in each group when comparing (pre-operative and third year follow-up scores and angles) (P value < 0.001). The mean union rate was eight weeks in Malerba group and nine weeks in Evans/MDCO group. No incidence of nonunion. Complications like calcaneocuboid subluxation, calcaneal anterior process fracture, and lateral column pain were exclusively reported in Evans/MDCO group. CONCLUSION: Malerba osteotomy is a strong valid option for the operative management of flexible pes planus in young adults. Authors recommend Malerba osteotomy in all mild and moderate deformities due to lower complication rate while the combined Evans/MDCO is preferred in severe deformity due to relatively higher corrective power with consideration of possible complications.

Acute correction of severe complex adolescent late-onset tibia vara by minimally invasive osteotomy and simple circular fixation: a case series with 2-year minimum follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Despite multiple published reviews, the optimum method of correction and stabilisation of Blount's disease remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of acute correction of late-onset tibial vara by percutaneous proximal tibial osteotomy with circular external fixation using two simple rings. Weighing up the pros and cons and to establish if this method would be the method of choice in similar severe cases especially in a context of limited resources. METHODS: This study was conducted between November 2016 and July 2020. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes and radiographs of 30 patients (32 tibiae) who had correction of severe late-onset tibia vara by proximal tibial osteotomy and Ilizarov external fixator. The mean age at the time of the operation was 16.6 (± 2.7) years (range 13-22). RESULTS: The mean proximal tibial angle was 65.7° (± 7.8) preoperatively and 89.8° (± 1.7) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean mechanical axis deviation improved from 56.2 (± 8.3) preoperatively to 2.8 (± 1.6) mm postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean femoral-tibial shaft angle was changed from -34.3° (± 6.7) preoperatively to 5.7° (± 2.8) after correction, with degree of correction ranging from 25° to 45°. Complications included overcorrection (three cases 9%) and pin tract infection (eight cases 25%). The mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee scoring system (HSS) improved from 51.03 (± 11.24) preoperatively to 94.2 (± 6.8) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean length of follow up period 33.22 (± 6.77) months, (rang: 25-46 months). At final follow up, all patients had full knee range of motion and normal function. All cases progressed to union and there were no cases of recurrence of deformity. CONCLUSION: This simple procedure provides secure fixation allowing early weight bearing and early return to function. It can be used in the context of health care systems with limited resources. It has a relatively low complication rate. Our results suggest that acute correction and simple circular frame fixation is an excellent treatment choice for cases of late-onset tibia vara, especially in severe deformities.

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on orthopaedic emergency presentations in a remote and rural population.

AIMS: COVID-19 remains the major focus of healthcare provision. Managing orthopaedic emergencies effectively, while at the same time protecting patients and staff, remains a challenge. We explore how the UK lockdown affected the rate, distribution, and type of orthopaedic emergency department (ED) presentations, using the same period in 2019 as reference. This article discusses considerations for the ED and trauma wards to help to maintain the safety of patients and healthcare providers with an emphasis on more remote geography. METHODS: The study was conducted from 23 March 2020 to 5 May 2020 during the full lockdown period (2020 group) and compared to the same time frame in 2019 (2019 group). Included are all patients who attended the ED at Raigmore Hospital during this period from both the local area and tertiary referral from throughout the UK Highlands. Data was collected and analyzed through the ED Information System (EDIS) as well as ward and theatre records. RESULTS: A total of 1,978 patients presented to the ED during the lockdown period, compared to 4,777 patients in the same timeframe in 2019; a reduction of 58.6%. Orthopaedic presentations in 2020 and 2019 were 736 (37.2%) and 1,729 (36.2%) respectively, representing a 57.4% reduction. During the lockdown, 43.6% of operations were major procedures (n = 48) and 56.4% were minor procedures (n = 62), representing a significant proportional shift. CONCLUSION: During the COVID- 19 lockdown period there was a significant reduction in ED attendances and orthopaedic presentations compared to 2019. We also observed that there was a proportional increase in fractures in elderly patients and in minor injuries requiring surgery. These represented the majority of the orthopaedic workload during the lockdown period of 2020. Given this shift towards smaller surgical procedures, we suggest that access to a minor operating theatre in or close to ED would be desirable in the event of a second wave or future crisis.

Hybrid fixation for adolescent both-bones diaphyseal forearm fractures: Preliminary results of a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Both-bone forearm fractures account for 3.4% of all pediatric fractures and 26% of all pediatric upper extremity fractures. Although non-operative management remains a feasible treatment option for children older than 10 years, they have a higher incidence for malunion due to their limited bone remodelling potential. Therefore, surgical intervention could be advocated for this age group, however the optimal method of surgical fixation in this age group remains controversial.Authors wanted to evaluate hybrid fixation (plating of ulna & elastic nail for radius) of adolescent both-bone forearm fractures in a large single-institution cohort of patients. METHODS: A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted at an academic Level 1 Trauma Center from February 2016 to February 2019.A total of 60 patients (age 10-16 years) with both-bones forearm fracture were enrolled. Patients were assessed radiographically for union as well as clinically using the "Outcome Grading System" developed by Martus et al. for functional assessment of surgical management of pediatric forearm fractures using forearm rotation range of motion & complications rate. RESULTS: At final follow up for each patient (24 months) Union was achieved in all cases. Delayed union occurred in 4 patients (2 radii & 2 ulnae) with no case of combined radius & ulnar delayed union. At final follow up, the mean supination range was 81.27° ± 4.1°, while the mean pronation range was 68.17° ± 3.03°. The "Outcome Grading System" results were: 48 cases (80%) scored excellent, 10 cases (16.7%) scored good & 2 cases (3.3%) scored fair. CONCLUSION: Hybrid fixation method in adolescent both-bones forearm fracture could be a viable option in managing these injuries & may reduce the problem of ulnar non-union encountered when using elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) in that age group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Therapeutic study.