Bibek Banskota

Hip arthrodesis in children: A review of 28 patients

Background: The best method of treating intractable hip pain in an unsalvageable hip joint in a child is still a subject open to debate. We believe that hip arthrodesis in such patients provides a painless and stable hip for most activities of daily living in our challenging rural terrain. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the functional ability of children with painful hip arthrosis treated by arthrodesis of the hip. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 28 children (out of 35) who had an arthrodesis of the hip performed between 1994 and 2008 was carried out. The average age was 14 years, with 12 males and 16 females. There was involvement of the right hip in 13 and left in 15 cases. The average duration of follow-up was 4.87 years. The preferred position of the hip for arthrodesis was 20–30° of flexion, neutral abduction-adduction, and neutral rotation, irrespective of the method of fixation. Results: The average duration of clinical and radiological arthrodesis was found to be 4 months (2–6 months). At the last follow-up, all patients were painfree and had good ambulatory capacity. The average Modified Harris Hip Score increased from 53 to 84 and the average post-surgical limb length discrepancy was 1.3 cm, which was well tolerated in all cases. Patients, however, had difficulty in squatting and had to modify their posture for foot care, putting on shoes, etc. Also, some patients complained of ipsilateral knee, contralateral hip, or low back pain with prolonged activity, but this was not severe enough to restrict activity except in one case that was known to have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and needed ambulatory aid. Conclusion: In an environment where pathology generally presents very late and often in a dramatic manner, where the patients socioeconomic status, understanding, compliance, and the logistics of follow-up are consistently a challenge in management, hip arthrodesis has been an important procedure for our patient group, with good short-term results and promising midterm, and, hopefully, long-term prospects. In our series of patients, we have been successful in restoring painfree mobility.

Clubfoot Etiology, Pathoanatomy, Basic Ponseti Technique, and Ponseti in Older Patients

Clubfoot is a common congenital condition that leads to disability when untreated. This chapter discusses the etiology and pathoanatomy of this condition and then describes the Ponseti method.

Neuroarthropathy of the hip following spinal cord injury.

We present the case of a 33-year-old male who sustained a burst fracture D12 vertebrae with spinal cord injury (ASIA impairment scale A) and a right mid-diaphysial femoral shaft fracture around 1.5 years back. The patient reported 1.5 years later with a swelling over the right buttock. Arthrotomy revealed serous fluid and fragmented bone debris. The biopsy showed a normal bony architecture with no evidence of infection and malignant cells. Hence, a diagnosis of Charcot’s hip was made. Charcot’s neuroarthropathy of the feet is a well-recognized entity in the setting of insensate feet resulting from causes such as diabetes or spina bifida. Although Charcot’s disease of the hips has been described, it is uncommon in association with spinal cord injury, syphilis and even with the use of epidural injection. The present case highlights the fact that neuroarthropathy of the hip can occur in isolation in the setting of a spinal cord injury, and this can lead to considerable morbidity.

Predictors of healthcare seeking delays among children with chronic musculoskeletal disorders in Nepal

Background: Healthcare seeking behaviors among children with musculoskeletal disorders are poorly understood. We sought to analyze healthcare seeking delays among children with chronic musculoskeletal conditions in Nepal and identify predictors of clinically significant delays. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a large pediatric musculoskeletal rehabilitation center in Nepal. Baseline sociodemographic data and healthcare seeking behaviors were assessed via interviews with 75 randomly selected caregivers. Delays of at least 3 months between disease recognition and presentation to a health worker were considered clinically significant. Predictors of significant delay were assessed via multivariable logistic regression. Results: Clubfoot was the most common condition seen in the study sample (N = 33; 37%). Mean and median presentation delays were 33 months and 14 months, respectively. Sixty-seven percent of children were delayed at least 3 months and 40% were delayed at least 2 years. Caregiver occupation in agriculture or unskilled labor was associated with an increased risk of delayed presentation (adjusted OR = 4.05; 95% CI: 1.36–12.09). Conclusions: Children with chronic musculoskeletal disorders in Nepal face significant delays in accessing healthcare. This poses a major clinical problem as the delayed diagnosis and treatment of childhood musculoskeletal disorders can complicate management options and decrease long-term quality of life.

Neglected Septic Arthritis in Children

The sequelae of septic arthritis can lead to considerable disability in children especially in weight-bearing joints. Various strategies are available for salvage, but the best results are with early diagnosis and treatment.

General Principles of Pediatric Trauma

Most childhood fractures can be adequately treated by nonoperative measures, especially given the remodeling potential in skeletally immature patients. Physeal fractures may be complicated by growth disturbance, resulting an angular deformity and limb length inequality. Treating fractures and/or dislocations that present in a delayed manner is challenging and the outcomes are inferior to when patients present for care immediately following injury.

Cerebral Palsy and Other Neuromuscular Conditions

Cerebral palsy and other conditions affecting the neuromuscular system remain largely unaddressed in low-resource settings. Prevention is better than treatment, and requires improvements in antenatal care to treat the complications of pregnancy as well as better care for postnatal infections. A subset of patients will benefit from surgical procedures if the proper indications are met and rehabilitation services are available.