Age as a predictor of additional surgeries following initial closed reduction for children with developmental dysplasia of the hip: the 10-year experience of a national paediatric orthopaedic unit

Background and purpose: Dislocated and unstable hip joints which do not stabilize in an orthosis in the neonatal period require operative intervention to achieve a stable concentric joint. The aim of this study is to assess the requirement for further operative intervention in patients who have undergone successful closed reduction to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods: We identified all patients who had undergone closed reduction of an unstable hip joint at our institution within 10 years, with further identification of patients who underwent a second procedure. We used logistic regression to evaluate correlation between age at closed reduction and the probability of secondary procedures. Results: A total of 694 patients (84.5% females) who underwent a closed reduction in the study period were identified. 235 were excluded (patients with underlying genetic conditions, neuromuscular disorders, syndromic disorders). 250 patients had closed reductions only. 209 patients (45.5%) had at least 1 secondary procedure after their initial closed reduction. In multivariable analysis, female gender (OR 0.310; 95% CI, 0.108–0.885; p = 0.029) and patients aged ⩽12 months at the time of first surgery (OR 0.055; 95% CI, 0.007–0.423; p = 0.005) independently predicted being less likely to require a second surgery for their DDH. Discussion: In conclusion, we found that a significant proportion of children (45.5%) who underwent closed reduction of a dislocated hip required additional surgical intervention in early childhood. Our data show that those children who undergo later closed reduction of a dislocated hip in DDH after 12 months of age, and male infants, have a significantly higher incidence of additional surgical intervention.

MRI for paediatric flatfoot: Is it necessary?

Objective: To determine the additional benefit of MRI for children with flatfoot deformity assessed with weight-bearing radiographs in a specialist paediatric orthopaedic unit. Methods and materials: Patient cohort was obtained by searching the Radiology Information System for children referred for investigation of flatfoot. All patients with flatfoot on weight bearing radiographs who had undergone MRI were included. Radiographs were classified by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist as showing no underlying abnormality, talo-calcaneal coalition, calcaneo-navicular coalition, accessory navicular or other abnormality. MRI studies were classified similarly by a different consultant musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to the radiographic findings. Results: 33 males and 24 females were included (mean age 12.5 years; range 3–18 years). Twenty-four had bilateral abnormality, so 81 feet were assessed. Radiographs showed no specific abnormality (n = 51), talo-calcaneal coalition (n = 6), calcaneo-navicular coalition (n = 3), os naviculare (n = 12) or other abnormality (n = 9). MRI showed no specific abnormality (n = 40), talo-calcaneal coalition (n = 10), calcaneo-navicular coalition (n = 5), os naviculare (n = 12) or other abnormality (n = 14). Assuming MRI as the diagnostic gold standard, additional relevant diagnostic information was identified in 19 (23.5%) cases, while in the 51 cases for which radiographs provided no specific diagnosis MRI confirmed no underlying abnormality in 31 (60.8%). Conclusion: MRI is a valuable adjunct to weight bearing radiography for investigating paediatric flatfoot deformity. Advances in knowledge: MRI is of value in the assessment of paediatric flatfoot, additional diagnostic information to radiography being identified in 23.5% cases, while in 60.8% of cases for which radiographs provided no specific diagnosis MRI confirmed no underlying abnormality.

Trauma in Children during Lockdown for SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. A Brief Report

Purpose: The national lockdown established by the Italian government began on the 11th of March 2020 as a means to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The purpose of this brief report is to evaluate the effect of the national lockdown on the occurrence and characteristics of trauma in children during lockdown. Methods: All children admitted to our paediatric orthopaedic unit with a diagnosis of fracture or trauma, including sprains and contusions, between 11 March 2020 and 11 April 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Their demographic data, type of injury, anatomical location and need for hospitalisation were compared with the equivalent data of children admitted for trauma in the same period of 2018 and 2019. Results: Sixty-nine patients with trauma were admitted in 2020, with a significant decrease in comparison with 2019 (n = 261) and 2018 (n = 289) (p < 0.01). The patients were significantly younger, and the rate of fractures significantly increased in 2020 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Home confinement decreased admissions to the emergency department for trauma by shutting down outdoor activities, schools and sports activities. However, the rate of fractures increased in comparison with minor trauma, involved younger children and had a worse prognosis.

Retrospective study of patterns of vitamin D testing and status at a single institution paediatric orthopaedics and sports clinics

Objective(s)There has been a recent increase in awareness of the importance of bone health in children treated by paediatric orthopaedic and sports medicine providers. The purpose of this study was to assess our utilisation of 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)Vit D) testing in the past 10 years, and to evaluate the level of 25(OH)Vit D sufficiency in various populations of patients seen.DesignThis is a single site, retrospective medical record review study.SettingThe study took place at a single large, private, paediatric level 1 trauma teaching hospital in the Northeast USA.ParticipantsOur internal medical records query system identified all patients who have had 25(OH)Vit D testing in the past 10 years, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018. All patients included were seen on an outpatient basis at our Orthopaedic clinics.InterventionsNo interventions for strict research, however, eligible patients have had 25(OH)Vit D testing during their standard of care treatment.Main outcome measure(s)The varying number of 25(OH)Vit D testing that occurred over the study time period within Orthopaedic groups, and by Vit D levels as sufficient, insufficient and deficient. 25(OH)Vit D sufficiency was ≥30 ng/mL, insufficiency <30 ng/mL and deficiency were <20 ng/mL. Patients were stratified and analysed.ResultsBetween 2009 and 2018, there were 4426 patients who had 25(OH)Vit D testing. Vitamin D testing increased significantly (p<0.001) in the past 10 years. 43% of patients had sufficient 25(OH)Vit D levels, 41% had insufficient levels and 15% had deficient levels.ConclusionMore frequent testing has led to an increased identification of patients with insufficient and deficient 25(OH)Vit D levels. We found over 50% of patients tested were found to have 25(OH)Vit D levels under 30 ng/mL. There should be an increased awareness of patients with orthopaedic problems who may present with 25(OH) insufficiency.

Paediatric orthopaedic surgery

This chapter outlines childhood growth and the physis and the management of paediatric fractures. The chapter also outlines the approach to the limping child or the child with a non-accidental injury. Conditions such as hip dysplasia, Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, scoliosis and cerebral palsy are described in detail.

The reliability of the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System in children: an international validation study

Purpose To evaluate the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System and if it is reliable and reproducible when applied to the paediatric population globally. Methods A total of 12 paediatric orthopaedic surgeons were asked to review MRI and CT imaging of 25 paediatric patients with thoracolumbar spine traumatic injuries, in order to determine the classification of the lesions observed. The evaluators classified injuries into primary categories: A, B and C. Interobserver reliability was assessed for the initial reading by Fleiss’s kappa coefficient (kF) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). For A and B type injuries, sub-classification was conducted including A0-A4 and B1-B2 subtypes. Interobserver reliability across subclasses was assessed using Krippendorff’s alpha (αk) along with bootstrapped 95% CIs. A second round of classification was performed one-month later. Intraobserver reproducibility was assessed for the primary classifications using Fleiss’s kappa and sub-classification reproducibility was assessed by Krippendorff’s alpha (αk) along with 95% CIs. Results In total, 25 cases were read for a total of 300 initial and 300 repeated evaluations. Adjusted interobserver reliability was almost perfect (kF = 0.74; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.78) across all observers. Sub-classification reliability was substantial (αk= 0.67; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.81), Adjusted intraobserver reproducibility was almost perfect (kF = 0.91; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99) for both primary classifications and for sub-classifications (αk = 0.88; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.93). Conclusion The inter- and intraobserver reliability for the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System was high amongst paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. The AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System is a promising option as a uniform fracture classification in children. Level of Evidence III