Agnar Tegnander

Universal or selective screening of the neonatal hip using ultrasound? A prospective, randomised trial of 15,529 newborn infants.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether universal (all neonates) or selective (neonates belonging to the risk groups) ultrasound screening of the hips should be recommended at birth. We carried out a prospective, randomised trial between 1988 and 1992, including all newborn infants at our hospital. A total of 15 529 infants was randomised to either clinical screening and ultrasound examination of all hips or clinical screening of all hips and ultrasound examination only of those at risk. The effect of the screening was assessed by the rate of late detection of congenital or developmental hip dysplasia in the two groups. During follow-up of between six and 11 years, only one late-detected hip dysplasia was seen in the universal group, compared with five in the subjective group, representing a rate of 0.13 and 0.65 per 1,000, respectively. The difference in late detection between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). When clinical screening is of high quality, as in our study, the effect of an additional ultrasound examination, measured as late-presenting hip dysplasia, is marginal. Under such circumstances, we consider that universal ultrasound screening is not necessary, but recommend selective ultrasound screening for neonates with abnormal or suspicious clinical findings and those with risk factors for hip dysplasia.

Activation of the complement system and adverse effects of biodegradable pins of poly-lactic acid (Biofix®) in osteochondritis dissecans

Biodegradable pins of polyglycolic acid (PGA) or polylactic acid (PLA) have been used in the treatment of fractures and osteotomies during the past 5 years. Adverse effects reported have included swelling at the implantation site and sinus formation, considered to represent nonspecific foreign-body reactions. Recent reports, however, have shown severe reactions after intraarticular fracture fixation. Reactions in 2 patients, treated with polylactic pins for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in our hospital, prompted the present clinical investigation and further evaluation of the complement-activating potential of polylactic pins. 10 knees underwent arthroscopic fixation of an OCD-lesion with Biofix (PLA) pins. Clinical follow-ups were carried out at 2, 6, and 12 weeks and at 6 and 12 months. Blood samples were collected from 5 patients 9-24 months postoperatively for biocompatibility tests. Quantification of human C5a des Arg was performed with a recently developed sandwich ELISA technique, using neoepitope-specific monoclonal antibodies. 6 knees developed diffuse swelling and a prolonged postoperative course. 2 patients had a particularly prolonged course which could not be attributed to infection. Levels of C5a des Arg in plasma incubated in the presence of polylactic acid were higher than in plasma incubated in the absence of PLA. The high frequency of long-term postoperative inflammatory signs in these knees treated for OCD and the demonstration of a complement activation potential of PLA pins warrant further studies on the biocompatibility of this material. Until more information is available, we do not recommend intraarticular use of PLA pins.

Ultrasound screening for hip dysplasia in newborns

We evaluated risk factors for neonatal hip instability (NHI) at birth using ultrasonography and assessed the reliability of our ultrasound method by means of an interobserver study. The hips of 4,459 newborns were examined by ultrasound from 1988 to 1990. The ultrasound evaluation was based mainly on measurement of femoral head coverage (FHC) by the bony acetabular roof. The mean FHC was 56% in boys and 54% in girls (a significant difference). Fifty-five newborns with unstable hips had a mean FHC of 37%, which was significantly lower than that of the normal hips. Known risk factors for NHI were confirmed (breech position, family history of hip dysplasia, increased birth weight), but no new risk factors were detected. The interobserver study included 200 hips. The 95% confidence limit for interobserver variation in FHC (±2 SD) was ±8%. Because of this moderate interobserver variation, and because the incidence of late-detected hip dysplasia was low (0.2 per 1,000), we conclude that our method for ultrasound examination is sufficiently reliable for screening of hips in newborns.

The use of ultrasound in determining the initiation of treatment in instability of the hip in neonates

We have evaluated the effect of the use of ultrasound in determining the initiation of treatment in neonatal instability of the hip. A total of 99 newborn infants (1.5% of all live births) with neonatal hip instability did not have treatment from birth, but were re-examined at eight to 15 days. In the 31 who had persisting clinical instability and ultrasound abnormality, treatment was then started with a Frejka pillow. The hips in the remaining 68 infants showed spontaneous clinical stabilisation and improvement of the ultrasound findings. Treatment was therefore withheld. There was a marked trend towards normal development in mildly unstable hips, whereas no hips with severe instability did so spontaneously. Further follow-up showed normal development in all the hips which had been treated, and in all except five of the 68 untreated infants. These five infants showed persistent hip dysplasia on both ultrasound and radiological examination at four to five months of age. Treatment with an abduction splint was then started and their hips developed normally. Ultrasound is very useful in deciding on treatment if the examiners have adequate experience with the method. Its use substantially reduces the rate of treatment. Spontaneous resolution occurred in more than half of the unstable hips. Since five of the untreated infants developed hip dysplasia a strict follow-up is essential to identify and treat these cases.

Universal or selective screening of the neonatal hip using ultrasound

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether universal (all neonates) or selective (neonates belonging to the risk groups) ultrasound screening of the hips should be recommended at birth. We carried out a prospective, randomised trial between 1988 and 1992, including all newborn infants at our hospital. A total of 15 529 infants was randomised to either clinical screening and ultrasound examination of all hips or clinical screening of all hips and ultrasound examination only of those at risk. The effect of the screening was assessed by the rate of late detection of congenital or developmental hip dysplasia in the two groups. During follow-up of between six and 11 years, only one late-detected hip dysplasia was seen in the universal group, compared with five in the subjective group, representing a rate of 0.13 and 0.65 per 1,000, respectively. The difference in late detection between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). When clinical screening is of high quality, as in our study, the effect of an additional ultrasound examination, measured as late-presenting hip dysplasia, is marginal. Under such circumstances, we consider that universal ultrasound screening is not necessary, but recommend selective ultrasound screening for neonates with abnormal or suspicious clinical findings and those with risk factors for hip dysplasia.

Short-term results of the nonoperated isolated anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Summary: A review of reports on nonoperative treatment of acute, isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears shows a large variability in results. This may be caused by variations in study designs. To our knowledge, no prospective study on isolated ACL tears diagnosed through arthroscopy has been published. We are reporting the short-term results of a prospective study of 29 nonoperatively treated acute ACL injuries. All patients had a history of trauma, with contact sports resulting in 20 of 29 injuries. The mean age was 25 years. The mean follow-up was 33 months. Of the 29 patients, 11 required ligament reconstruction in the follow-up period because of considerable instabilities. Only two patients kept their activity level. All but two patients had a positive pivot shift. The reconstructed group was younger than the nonoperated group, had a higher preinjury level of activity both in sports and daily life, and in general had a desire to stay at the preinjury level. The nonreconstructed group had a lower preinjury activity level and was willing to reduce their postinjury level. When suggesting nonoperative treatment to a young patient with an isolated ACL tear, the surgeon should emphasize the importance of abandoning contact sports and obtaining good muscle strength. A young patient in a knee-demanding profession or insisting on continuing knee-demanding sports should have an early reconstruction carried out.

The natural history of hip abnormalities detected by ultrasound in clinically normal newborns: A 6–8 year radiographic follow-up study of 93 children

Ultrasound screening for hip dysplasia or dislocation has revealed a group of children with clinically normal hips, but with abnormal or suspicious ultrasound. During the 3-year period 1988-90, we found 170 children with this combination. We evaluated the natural history of these hips. 93 children were examined clinically and with standard radiography 6-8 years after birth. The center edge (CE) angle of Wiberg and migration percentage (MP) were measured on the radiographs. 87 children had not undergone any treatment, whereas treatment with an abduction orthosis had been initiated at approximately 4 months of age because of persisting dysplasia in 6 cases. All hips were radiographically normal at this follow-up. The mean CE value was 24 degrees (SD 6.5) and the mean MP was 13% (SD 5.2). 73 children had no complaints in their lower extremities, whereas 12 had intoeing gait, 1 had outtoeing gait, 2 had hip or knee pain, and 5 had other complaints not relevant to hip dysplasia. We conclude that infants with sonographically abnormal or suspicious hips, but with normal clinical findings, do not need immediate treatment because spontaneous resolution occurs in most of them. Postponement of treatment in the few with persistent dysplasia does not seem to affect the outcome.

Good results after treatment with the Frejka pillow for hip dysplasia in newborns: a 3-year to 6-year follow-up study.

Because there is no consensus with regard to the efficiency of the Frejka pillow in the treatment of hip joint dysplasia in newborns, the aim of the present study was to evaluate our results with this device. During the 3-year period 1988 to 1990, the Frejka pillow was used in 108 newborns with clinically unstable hips verified by ultrasonography. There were three treatment failures (2.8%), defined as infants who needed additional treatment with an abduction splint or hip-spica cast. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred in one patient (0.9%). At an age of 3 years to 6 years, 85 of the children attended a follow-up examination. An intoeing gait was observed in 17% and slightly reduced hip mobility in 20% of the patients. Compared with normal children, the patients had somewhat lower coverage of the femoral head by radiography, indicated by a lower centre-edge angle and a higher migration percentage, but the coverage was within the normal range in all cases. The mean anteversion angle was larger than that of normal children but only three patients had abnormally high anteversion angles. In conclusion, the results with the Frejka pillow were good, with few treatment failures and complications, and it is the most simple abduction device for the parents to handle. More rigid devices like the von Rosen splint seem to involve a slightly lower failure rate, but a higher risk of avascular necrosis. Therefore, we recommend the Frejka pillow when treatment is started within a few days of birth.

Ultrasonography of clinically unstable hips: A prospective study of 143 neonates at birth and early follow-up

We evaluated the ability of ultrasonography to reduce the treatment rate of hips with clinical instability or uncertain findings at birth. Among 9,514 live births during the period 1988-1990, unstable hips were detected in 143 neonates by the Ortolani and Barlow tests, whereas the physical examination was inconclusive in 59 cases. These 202 neonates were also examined by ultrasound and instability was confirmed in 108 neonates who were treated with the Frejka pillow. The mean femoral head coverage (FHC) was 37%, indicating slight subluxation in the majority of unstable hips. The remaining 94 infants had normal ultrasonographic findings and were not treated. Their mean FHC was 53% and all these hips developed normally, except in 2 girls, who were treated with an abduction splint from age 4-5 months because subluxation developed. We conclude that ultrasound improved the reliability of the neonatal hip evaluation, thus markedly reducing the number of treated infants. Sonography also reduced the use of radiography during followup.

Ultrasound measurements in hips of children above 2 years of age:Normal variations in 232 hips

In order to find the limits of normal variation of ultrasound measurements in children over 2 years of age, we examined 116 children and adolescents with normal hip joints. The children had been referred for various complaints from their lower extremities. Longitudinal ultrasound scanning from the lateral and anterior aspects was performed by the orthopedic surgeon as an integral part of the clinical examination. The most relevant parameters regarding hip dysplasia are those assessing the coverage of the femoral head: the lateral head distance (LHD, the distance from the lateral tangent of the bony epiphysis to the lateral bony acetabular rim) and the anterior head distance (AHD, measured as LHD, but from the anterior scan). The LHD increased with age; the upper normal limit (mean + 2 SD) increased from 4 mm at age 2-3 years to 7 mm at age 12-16 years. The AHD was larger in adolescents 12-16 years of age than in younger patients. The upper normal limit was 1 mm in the youngest and 2 mm in the oldest children. The mean (SD) differences (right minus left) in LHD and AHD were 0.3 (1.1) mm and 0.2 (1.0) mm, respectively. Radiographs were available in 15 of the patients and confirmed the ultrasound findings regarding femoral head coverage. Our findings should be of value in interpreting ultrasound measurements in older children.