R. Seringe

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Long-term follow-up from birth until skeletal maturity

PurposeThe aim of this retrospective long-term study was to review and present the effects of treatment for 11 children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, or amyoplasia, followed from birth until skeletal maturity.MethodsWe evaluated walking ability, age of beginning to walk, required ambulatory devices, age of independent walking and muscle strength.ResultsOur series showed babies with severe limb involvements without spine abnormalities. Despite the initial severity of involvement, nine patients finally became ambulators with flexion contracture of less than 20° on hips and 15° on knees, and six were independent walkers before the age of 2.5 years. The two non-ambulators presented severe scoliosis at skeletal maturity, which needed spinal fusion.ConclusionWe conclude that long-term ambulatory status at skeletal maturity is not correlated with the severity of condition at birth. A prognosis for ambulation at skeletal maturity will be done before 2.5xa0years of age. We believe that early aggressive management of children with severe arthrogryposis is warranted and justified.

Comparative study: Ponseti method versus French physiotherapy for initial treatment of idiopathic clubfoot deformity.

Background Nonoperative treatment avoids the complications after extensive surgery for idiopathic clubfeet. The purpose of this study was to compare retrospectively French physiotherapy and Ponseti method used to treat idiopathic clubfoot in 2 institutions. Methods Two hundred nineteen idiopathic clubfeet (146 patients) managed during a 3-year period (2000 to 2003) were included in this study: 116 clubfeet in group FM were treated according to modified French physiotherapy (with percutaneous heel-cord tenotomy in 17%) and 103 clubfeet in group PM were treated according to the Ponseti method. The use of further surgery was considered as failure of the nonoperative management: complete posteromedial release were noted poor, limited posterior release were noted fair, and nonrelease surgery or nonoperated feet were scored with the modified Ghanem score. Results After a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 2.5 to 7.4 y), similar rate of surgery was performed in both groups (21% in group FM and 16% in group PM) but complete posteromedial release was mainly done in group FM (19% of feet), and limited surgery was done in group PM. Results were noted excellent, good, fair, and poor in respectively 55%, 20%, 6%, and 19% of patients in group FM and 79%, 15%, 4%, and 2% of patients in group PM. Results for Dimeglio grade II clubfeet were not different, but results for grade III and grade IV clubfeet were better in PM group. Conclusions Ponseti method enables reduction of extensive surgery compared with French physiotherapy mainly for severe deformities.

Plantar opening-wedge osteotomy of cuneiform bones combined with selective plantar release and dwyer osteotomy for pes cavovarus in children.

Neurological pes cavovarus is a challenging deformity to treat during childhood. Based on physiopathology, we propose the following original surgical procedure. Plantar-opening wedge osteotomy of the three cuneiform bones, preceded by selective plantar release, corrects forefoot pronation which is the primum movens of the deformity, and corrects the cavus at its apex. A calcaneal valgisation closing wedge osteotomy, is indicated if pre-operative planning revealed subtalar joint stiffness, incompatible with secondary hind foot realignment in valgus. The follow-up had to be at least 5 years or to reach skeletal maturity. Twenty-six children (36 feet) satisfied these criteria. Mean age at surgery was 10.3 years old. All the children had a neurological disease which was progressive for 65% of them (75% of the feet). Mean follow-up was 6.9 years. This treatment was effective, with a mean percentage of cavus correction of 74%, reaching 100% for 31% of the feet. Complete or partial cavus correction was still observed at last follow-up for 75% of the feet. At last follow-up, global result was satisfactory in 63.9% and non satisfactory in 36.1% of feet. Flat-foot was observed, of minor type, in only 2 cases. Apart from triple arthrodesis, iterative surgery relative to residual deformity (foot adduction, plantar sticking of the first metatarsal head) was indicated for 4 feet (11%). A triple arthrodesis was required in 12 cases (33%). In conclusion, this treatment provides mid-term satisfactory correction of the cavus and may allow avoiding triple arthrodesis at skeletal maturity.

Closed reduction with traction for developmental dysplasia of the hip in children aged between one and five years

The treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip diagnosed after the first year of life remains controversial. A series of 36 children (47 hips), aged between one and 4.9 years underwent gradual closed reduction using the Petit-Morel method. A pelvic osteotomy was required in 43 hips (91.5%). The patients whose hips did not require pelvic osteotomy were among the youngest. The mean age at final follow-up was 16.1 years (11.3 to 32). The mean follow-up was 14.3 years (10 to 30). At the latest follow-up, 44 hips (93.6%) were graded as excellent or good according to the Severin classification. Closed reduction failed in only two hips (4.3%) which then required open reduction. Mild avascular necrosis was observed in one (2.1%). The accuracy of the reduction and associated low complication rate justify the use of the Petit-Morel technique as the treatment of choice for developmental dysplasia of the hip in patients aged between one and five years.

Natural History of Hips With Borderline Acetabular Index and Acetabular Dysplasia in Infants

Management of clinically stable hips with an increased age-related acetabular index (AI) remains controversial. The authors purpose was to document the natural history of such hips. Sixty-eight clinically stable hips with an increased age-related AI were followed up for a mean of 9.5 years. Four patterns of evolution were observed: type 1 (25 hips) had rapid progression to normal range in the first 2 years; type 2 (19 hips) had slow improvement, with AI values reaching the normal range between 4 and 11 years; type 3 (20 hips) had improved hip morphology with persistence of minor deviations from the normal values; and type 4 (4 hips) showed no improvement. Initially, none of the hips with type 1, 2, or 3 pattern showed radiologic signs of displacement; in contrast, all our type 4 hips were radiologically eccentered. Clinically stable and radiologically well-centered hips with an increased age-related AI improved spontaneously without treatment. For these cases, clinical and radiologic follow-up is all that is needed.

Clubfoot posteromedial release: advantages of tibialis anterior tendon lengthening.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the eventual advantages of tibialis anterior (TA) tendon lengthening during clubfoot posteromedial release. A continuous series of 60 idiopathic clubfeet has been retrospectively studied. Tibialis anterior lengthening (TAL) began to be performed in 1984. Two groups of 30 feet have been distinguished: without TAL (before 1984) and with TAL (after 1984). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups concerning mean age at surgery, preoperative clinical and radiologic data. Mean postoperative follow-up was 10 years and minimal follow-up required was 5 years. TAL decreased Triceps surae relative insufficiency and improved monopodal jump. TAL balanced TA and peroneus longus, decreased dynamic supination and balanced forefoot pronation and supination. The feet without TAL presented lack of anteromedial support (20% without TAL, 0% with TAL) and medial arch cavus with dorsal talo-navicular subluxation (20% without TAL, 3,3% with TAL). TAL decreased the rate of recurrence and surgical revision.

The incidence and treatment of rocker bottom deformity as a complication of the conservative treatment of idiopathic congenital clubfoot

Rocker bottom deformity may occur during the conservative treatment of idiopathic congenital clubfoot. Between 1975 and 1996, we treated 715 patients (1120 clubfeet) conservatively. A total of 23 patients (36 feet; 3.2%) developed a rocker bottom deformity. It is these patients that we have studied. The pathoanatomy of the rocker bottom deformity is characterised by a plantar convexity appearing between three and six months of age with the hindfoot equinus position remaining constant. The convexity initially involves the medial column, radiologically identified by the talo-first metatarsal angle and secondly by the lateral column, revealed radiologically as the calcaneo-fifth metatarsal angle. The apex of the deformity is usually at the midtrasal with a dorsal calcaneocuboid subluxation. Ideal management of clubfoot deformity should avoid this complication, with adequate manipulation and splinting and early Achilles percutaneous tenotomy if plantar convexity occurs. Adequate soft-tissue release provides satisfactory correction for rocker bottom deformity. However, this deformity requires more extensive and complex procedures than the standard surgical treatment of clubfoot. The need for lateral radiographs to ensure that the rocker bottom deformity is recognised early, is demonstrated.

Recurrent club-foot deformity following previous soft-tissue release MID-TERM OUTCOME AFTER REVISION SURGERY

The results of further soft-tissue release of 79 feet in 60 children with recurrent idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus were evaluated. The mean age of the children at the time of re-operation was 5.8 years (15 months to 14.5 years). Soft-tissue release was performed in all 79 feet and combined with distal calcaneal excision in 52 feet. The mean follow-up was 12 years (4 to 32). At the latest follow-up the result was excellent or good in 61 feet (77%) according to the Ghanem and Seringe scoring system. The results was considered as fair in 14 feet (18%), all of whom had functional problems and eight had anatomical abnormalities. Four feet (5%) were graded as poor on both functional and anatomical grounds. The results were independent of the age at which revision was undertaken.

Flatfoot in children and adolescents. Analysis of imaging findings and therapeutic implications.

INTRODUCTIONnPes planovalgus (PPV) is a complex three-dimensional deformity of which routine radiographs provide only a two-dimensional analysis.nnnHYPOTHESISnAngles and other radiographic parameters of the foot in children and adolescents, when studied on both the dorsoplantar and the lateral view, can be used to establish a radiographic classification system for PPV that provides useful therapeutic guidance in clinical practice.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA retrospective single-centre study was conducted on 65 feet in 35 patients aged 7 to 18 years and having adequate ossification. All patients had a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic or neurologic PPV and available weight-bearing dorsoplantar and strict lateral radiographs. We excluded pes planus due to tarsal coalition, congenital bone deformities, or overcorrection of talipes equinovarus (n=25). All possible axes were drawn and angles measured after an evaluation of interindividual agreement.nnnRESULTSnWe identified four patterns of PPV: subtalar pes planus (n=16) with marked subtalar valgus and longitudinal sag predominating at the talonavicular joint, midtarsal pes planus (n=12) without subtalar valgus but with marked midtarsal abduction and sag predominating at the cuneonavicular joint, mixed pes planus (n=28) with subtalar valgus, midtarsal abduction, and sag at both the talonavicular and cuneonavicular joints, and pes planocavus (n=9) with sag of the medial arch and cavus deformity of the lateral arch.nnnCONCLUSIONnThis original classification system provides therapeutic guidance by helping to match the surgical procedure to the nature and location of the deformities.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEnLevel IV.

Long-term results of treatment of congenital idiopathic clubfoot in 187 feet: outcome of the functional "French" method, if necessary completed by soft-tissue release.

Background: Two main options for treatment of congenital idiopathic clubfoot are the “French” functional method and the Ponseti method. The goal of this article was to evaluate the results of the functional treatment method, which, if necessary, is completed by a surgical release. Patients and Methods: A series of 187 feet (129 patients) underwent functional conservative treatment. At first evaluation, the feet were classified according to the classification of Dimeglio. All patients then underwent daily physiotherapy and splintage, which was progressively stopped during childhood. Among these 187 feet, 85 feet (45.5%) required soft-tissue release to correct the remaining deformity. Surgery, when required, consisted of a complete posterolateral and medial release procedure, combined with a lengthening of the tibialis anterior tendon in most cases and a bony lateral procedure in case of forefoot adduction. Results: At the latest follow-up (14.7 y; range, 7.4 to 23 y), results were “good” or “very good” in almost 98% of feet, according to the Ghanem and Seringe score. Severe feet at first consultation showed a worse result and required surgery more often than did the less severe ones. Among nonoperated feet, very good results were found in 99% of feet, and none had a fair or bad result. The average age at surgery was 2.5 years. Feet operated upon had lower results compared with the others. At last follow-up, among the operated feet, the results were excellent or good in 95% of the feet. The results were fair or bad in 4 cases; all 4 feet had been operated upon more than once. The results were not statistically dependent on age at the time of surgery, but feet operated upon before the age of 2 years had statistically more flattening of the talar dome and subtalar stiffness. Conclusions: The functional treatment of clubfoot leads to a very good result without the need for surgery in more than half of the patients. The initial severity of the feet is the main factor that influences the final result. The rate of feet not requiring surgery should be increased by recent modifications to the method, including percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. Level of Evidence: Level IV—retrospective series.