Application of the “telescopic rod” in a combined surgical technique for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children

Background The current surgical treatment of choice is the combination surgical technique, involving tibial intramedullary fixation to maintain the mechanical axis and mechanical stability of tibial pseudarthrosis. In traditional combined surgery, the Williams rod is often used. Long-term intramedullary fixation of the foot and ankle will affect the ankle joint function of children. The intramedullary rod is relatively shorter due to the growth of the distal tibia. In addition, there are some complications such as epiphyseal bone bridge and high-arched foot. The use of a telescopic intramedullary rod may avoid these complications. Purposes To investigate the initial effect of the “telescopic rod” in a combined surgical technique for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children. Methods A retrospective study including 15 patients with Crawford type IV CPT who were treated using a combined surgical technique and the telescopic rod from January 2017 to May 2018. The average age at the time of surgery was 43.3 months (16–126 months). Of the 15 patients, 7 had proximal tibia dysplasia and 12 exhibited neurofibromatosis type 1. The combined surgical technique using the telescopic rod included the excision of pseudarthrosis, intramedullary rod insertion, installation of Ilizarov’s fixator, tibia-fibular cross union, and wrapping autogenic iliac bone graft. The incidence of refracture, ankle valgus, tibial valgus, and limb length discrepancy (LLD) in patients were investigated. Results All patients achieved primary union with an average follow-up time of 37.3 months (26–42 months). The mean primary union time was 4.5 months (4.0–5.6 months). Nine cases showed LLD (60%), with an average limb length of 1.1 cm (0.5–2.0 cm). Ankle valgus, proximal tibial valgus, telescopic rod displacement, and epiphyseal plate tethering occurred in 1 case (6.6%) (18°), 3 cases (20%) (10°, 5°, and 6°, respectively), 6 cases (40%), and 2 cases (13%), respectively. There were no refractures during the follow-up periods. Conclusion Although there are complications such as intramedullary rod displacement while using the telescopic rod in a combined surgery, the primary healing rate of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children is high.

The association between fibular status and frontal plane tibial alignment post-union in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia

Purpose Controversy exists regarding fibular status related to tibial alignment after congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) achieves union. We aimed to determine whether fibular status affected frontal plane tibial alignment post-CPT union. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2013, we followed 36 patients treated using a combined surgical technique (mean 6.6 years (2.2 to 9.4)). Outcome measures comprised medial proximal tibial angle, tibial diaphyseal angulation, lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), relative intramedullary rod length and relative fibula length discrepancy. Results The frequency of proximal tibial valgus deformity and ankle valgus deformity were significantly lower in the fibular integrity group than in the fibular un-integrity group (proximal tibial valgus deformity: 2/17 versus 11/19; p = 0.006; ankle valgus deformity: 10/17 versus 18/19; p = 0.016). The mean LDTA was notably higher in the fibular integrity group than in the fibular un-integrity group (81.2° (sd 6.7°) versus 71.3° (sd 6.6°); p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed in relative fibula length discrepancy between patients with fibular integrity (0.06 (0 to 0.11); Malhotra grade 0, n = 6; Malhotra grade I, n = 11) and those without (0.24 (0.01 to 0.36); Malhotra grade 2, n = 2; Malhotra grade 3, n = 17; p < 0.001). Ankle valgus deformity had a significant positive correlation with proximal tibial valgus deformity (r = 0.402; p = 0.015). Patients with an intact and normal length fibula had a lower frequency of ankle valgus deformity than those with an intact but shortening fibula (1/6 versus 9/11; p = 0.035). Conclusion Shortening or pseudarthrosis of the fibula was associated with ankle valgus and proximal tibial valgus deformities post-CPT union. Level of evidence III

Relationships between reference lines altered during leg shape correction as requested by the patient

Introduction Patients who want their leg shape changed often identify the O- or X-shaped legs with varus or valgus deformity striving for ideally shaped legs as classified by A. A. Artemiev. The purpose of the study was to compare changes in the relationship between reference lines as mechanical axis deviation (MAD), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), mechanical lateral distal tibial angle (mLDTA) and the associated duration of the correction (CP), fixation (FP) and frame-on periods (FoP) in patients who underwent correction to have the legs shape as requested and those who underwent tibial deformity correction. Material and methods There were 43 patients (84 segments operated on) in the cosmesis group and 15 participants (28 segments operated on) in orthopedic group. Preperative MAD, mMPTA, mLDTA measured 17.48 ± 1.14 mm medially, 84.90 ± 0.35° and 90.61 ± 0.39° in the cosmesis patients; 19.18 ± 2.86 mm medially, 84.04 ± 0.35°, 89.09 ± 0.37° in orthopaedic patients with no statistically significant differences observed between the groups. Results CP, FP and FoP lasted for 41.93 ± 3.96, 97.67 ± 7.78 and 139.60 ± 5.15 days in the cosmesis group, and 18.22 ± 3.05, 134.89 ± 9.42 and 153.00 ± 8.49 in controls. FP/CP, CP/FoP, FP/FoP measured 0.57 ≈ 1/2, 0.31 ≈ 1/3, 0.69 ≈ 2/3 in the cosmesis group and 0.15 ≈ 1/7; 0.12 ≈ 1/8; 0.88 ≈ 7/8 in controls. MAD, mMPTA, mLDTA measured 6.08 ± 0.87 mm laterally, 90.80 ± 0.31°, 88.62 ± 0.35° in the cosmesis participants, and 0.61 ± 0.82 mm laterally, 89.46 ± 0.54°, 87.68 ± 0. 63° in controls. Discussion There were no statistically significant differences in FoP with different duration of CP (≈ 1/3 FoP for the cosmesis group and ≈ 1/8 FoP for controls). The means of MAD, mMPTA of measured up to tibial valgus in cosmesis patients and were well within acceptable limits of normal in controls.Tibial valgus was caused by too much overcorrection (by ¼ on average).

Rotational Changes in the Tibia After High Tibial Valgus Osteotomy: A Comparative Study of Lateral Closing Versus Medial Opening Wedge Osteotomy

Background: After high tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO), rotational changes in the tibia may occur, which can affect the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint and may lead to anterior knee pain. Purpose: To compare the rotational changes in the tibia between closing wedge HTO (CWHTO) and opening wedge HTO (OWHTO). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Among the patients who underwent HTO between May 2012 and August 2015, 53 (28 CWHTO and 25 OWHTO) who had computed tomography scans before and at 1 year after the HTO were included. The following parameters were compared between CWHTO and OWHTO: (1) tibial torsion angle, (2) knee rotation angle, and (3) tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. During the last follow-up, patients were asked to rate their anterior knee pain when climbing the stairs, using the visual analog scale. Results: The tibial torsion angle significantly decreased (internal rotation of the distal fragment) after CWHTO (mean ± SD, –2.1°± 4.1°; P = .019) and OWHTO (–1.8°± 3.3°; P = .029). The knee rotation angle significantly decreased (external rotation of the proximal fragment) after OWHTO (–1.8°± 3.4°; P = .039) but was not changed after CWHTO (0.1°± 3.1°; P = .859). The mean TT-TG distance significantly decreased after CWHTO (–3.1 ± 3.0 mm; P < .001) but increased after OWHTO (2.0 ± 4.3 mm; P = .012). At the final follow-up (minimum, 4 years), the visual analog scale pain score during stair climbing was significantly higher after OWHTO than after CWHTO (3.1 ± 1.4 vs 2.2 ± 1.3, P = .024). Conclusion: Internal rotation of the distal fragment occurred after both CWHTO and OWHTO. However, external rotation of the proximal fragment and increased TT-TG distance occurred after OWHTO. Because such rotational changes could affect anterior knee pain, further studies are warranted to investigate the definite relationship between tibial rotational changes and anterior knee pain after HTO.

Initial angular deformity and its recovery of the proximal tibial metaphyseal fracture according to the cause: trampoline-related injury versus other injuries

Purpose This study investigated the initial angular deformity of proximal tibial metaphyseal fracture in children and its recovery during follow-up according to the cause of injury. Methods Prospective data about the patients with a proximal tibial metaphyseal fracture at the age less than six years and available follow-up data at two years post-trauma were retrospectively reviewed. They were grouped into trampoline-related injuries (TRI) and non-TRI groups based on the cause of injury. Proximal tibial valgus and recurvatum angles were measured to assess angular deformity on the coronal and sagittal planes, respectively. Results A total of 47 patients (33 TRI and 14 non-TRI) were included. Initially, the valgus angles were -1.5° in TRI and 1.6° in non-TRI groups (p < 0.001) and the recurvatum angles were 7.8° in TRI and 4.1° in non-TRI groups (p = 0.048). After two-year follow-up, the valgus angles were 0.2° in TRI and 0.9° in non-TRI groups (p = 0.070), and the recurvatum angles were 6.5° in TRI and 2.3° in non-TRI groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion For children with a proximal tibial metaphyseal fracture, the initial coronal deformity was different according to the injury cause (varus in TRI whereas valgus in non-TRI). Although there was a near complete recovery after approximately two years of follow-up in the coronal deformities, the sagittal deformity (genu recurvatum) seems to recover incompletely or tardily, especially for those caused by TRI. Level of Evidence III

Use of a Modified Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy with Double Cut and Medial Crescentic Closing Wedge Osteotomy to Treat Dogs with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Tibial Valgus Deformity

Objective The aim of this study was to report efficacy of a modified tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) with double cut and medial crescentic closing wedge osteotomy (TPLO/MCCWO) to treat dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture and concurrent tibial valgus. Study Design This study was a cases series. Materials and Methods Medical records of dogs that had TPLO with medial crescentic closing wedge osteotomy were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, body weight, pre- and postoperative tibial valgus angle, tibial plateau angle (TPA), surgical planning, corrective osteotomy technique, method of fixation, complications, and length of time to radiographic healing. Results Fifty-two surgical procedures performed in 45 dogs (7 bilateral) were included in the study. Mean age at surgery was 54 months, and body weight ranged from 5 to 63 kg (mean: 36.5 kg). Mean pre- and postoperative mechanical medial proximal tibial angle were 101° (98°–107°) and 92.80° (88°–97°) respectively. The mean pre- and postoperative TPA were 27.80° (16–35°) and 6.50° (3–11°) respectively. Intraoperative complications occurred in two stifles: in one stifle over-rotation of the proximal tibial segment resulted in a TPA of –8°, with immediate revision to a 5° TPA; in the second stifle a fissure of the lateral tibial cortex developed during insertion of a screw and required adjunctive fixation. No postoperative complications were recorded and all osteotomies healed uneventfully. Conclusions Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy/medial crescentic closing wedge osteotomy is an effective treatment for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture and tibial valgus allowing accurate correction of the tibial deformity with a low complication rate.