Yaniv Keren

Correction of residual clubfoot deformities in older children using the Taylor spatial butt frame and midfoot Gigli saw osteotomy.

Background: Residual clubfoot deformities in older children are a difficult surgical problem. The foot is stiff and almost always has already undergone some surgical intervention. The traditional approach includes soft-tissue release or osteotomy and external fixation (usually with an Ilizarov frame). Methods: In this study, we summarized our experience with the treatment of residual clubfoot deformities in older children using a percutaneous midfoot Gigli saw osteotomy and the Taylor spatial frame. There were 11 children in the study, with a mean age of 14.7 years, and mean frame fixation time was 15.1 weeks. Because the primary problems in these children were midfoot and forefoot deformities (forefoot adduction, supination, and cavus), a Butt frame was applied after the midfoot osteotomy. Results: At the time of frame removal, the goal of deformity correction was achieved in all the children. Two patients had partial recurrence of the deformities and were reoperated. One patient with residual supination is planned to be operated close to maturity. Complications included superficial pin-tract infection in 5 patients and premature consolidation of the osteotomy that needed reosteotomy. Conclusions: On the basis of our experience, we believe that midfoot osteotomy and correction by Taylor spatial frame is an effective and reliable surgical option for this challenging problem. Level of Evidence: Level 4—case series.

Submuscular plating of femoral fractures in children: the importance of anatomic plate precontouring

Despite many treatment options, the treatment of metaphyseal pediatric femoral fractures remains to be controversial. Fixation of most metaphyseal femoral fractures in older children is difficult to perform. Recently, bridging fixation of such fractures by submuscular plating has become popular. Plate precontouring as close as possible to anatomic bony structure is important, as the femur will subsequently reduce to the contour of the plate with screw placement. Our technique is using plates that are anatomically precontoured to a cadaver adolescent femur to ensure proper postoperative alignment. In this study we evaluate the effectiveness of submuscular plating performed in our institution using this technique, in 11 patients. All fractures united with good alignment. No major complication occurred. In conclusion, submuscular plating of adolescent femoral fractures with precontoured plates is an effective, predictable, and safe procedure.

Surgical treatment of residual osgood-schlatter disease in young adults: role of the mobile osseous fragment.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a well-known condition in late childhood characterized by pain over the tibial tubercle. This condition usually resolves spontaneously at skeletal maturity. Few patients develop pain over the tibial tubercle. Radiological examination demonstrates a round regular ossification over the tubercle. Treatment is usually symptomatic, but occasionally surgical treatment is necessary, usually due to the development of a painful ossicle. This article reports our experience with refractory Osgood-Schlatter disease in 22 patients. Most patients were operated under local anesthesia. A midline longitudinal skin incision was used, followed by subperiosteal dissection of the osseous fragment. The knee was put in soft dressing. Patients were encouraged to resume daily activity immediately postoperatively. No wound complications were noted. All patients returned to their previous level of physical activity within 12 weeks postoperatively. All but 1 were free of pain on kneeling or direct pressure over the knee joint. Based on our experience, we devised a treatment algorithm. We believe that the key factors for successful surgical treatment are clear visualization of separation on lateral knee radiographic view and a clinical mobility positive test (firm grasping of the prominent part of the tubercle and its sliding movement). Our results are uniformly good; the only failure related to mistaken inclusion criteria where the lateral radiograph did not show a distinctly separated fragment.

Deformity correction using supramalleolar gigli saw osteotomy and Taylor spatial frame: how to perform this osteotomy safely?

Supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO) is useful for the correction of various deformities around the ankle joint, especially deformities of the distal tibia secondary to partial growth arrest, foot equinus, and hindfoot deformities. By definition, this osteotomy cuts through the tibia and fibula approximately 2–3 cm above the ankle joint. It can be performed by various techniques, each of them have advantages and disadvantages. Gigli saw SMO can be performed percutaneously with minimal soft tissue dissection, leaving a very smooth bone surface, which is especially useful for the correction of rotational deformities. Over a period of 6 years we performed eight gigli saw SMO in seven male patients and one female patient with a mean age of 13.6 years. All patients had multiplanar deformities with some shortening (range 15–40 mm) and underwent correction and lengthening by Taylor spatial frame. Treatment goal was achieved in all patients with minimal complications. On the basis of our experience, we believe that gigli saw SMO can be performed safely. This osteotomy, in conjunction with the Taylor spatial frame, became our treatment of choice for the correction of ankle and hindfoot deformities. The evidence is level 4, case series.

Is Leclercia adecarboxylata a New and Unfamiliar Marine Pathogen

ABSTRACT Leclercia adecarboxylata infection is rarely reported in the context of human infections. In the scant cases reported in the literature, it usually involves individuals who are immunocompromised with infections of a polymicrobial nature. Recently, data have begun to accumulate suggesting that L. adecarboxylata is a pathogen associated with water environments. We review the literature regarding L. adecarboxylata infections and present a case of cellulitis and soft-tissue infection in the foot of a healthy surfer.

New treatment option for sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré.

Sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré continues to be a puzzling entity, with a nonspecific clinical description and course, an obscure pathogenesis, and no consensus on a predictable and helpful method of treatment. The proposed treatment options according to the literature are observation, analgesics and NSAIDs, and bone curettage. Here we present a 15-year-old girl treated by resection of a 12 cm-long lesion after failed conservative treatment, followed by bone transport using a circular external fixator. This treatment method has not been described previously for this condition. The duration of bone transport was 3 months, and the total duration of the frame treatment was 12 months. After hardware removal, and at 2.5-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and achieved good functional results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of bone resection and transport for the treatment of this condition, even though it is well described for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis and other conditions necessitating bone resection. On the basis of this case we suggest that resection and bone transport using a circular external fixator for the treatment of sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré might be an effective and safe method. Of course, being a rare entity, large cohorts are difficult to obtain, and more data and longer follow-up are required to form a convincing recommendation. Level IV evidence.

Correction of distal femoral valgus deformities in adolescents and young adults using minimally invasive fixator-assisted locking plating (FALP).

The treatment of distal femoral valgus deformities in skeletally mature patients might be a challenging surgical problem with significant morbidity. Treatment options are various and include osteotomy and external fixation, intramedullary nailing, and plating using standard and locking plates. We describe technical notes of minimally invasive technique of fixator-assisted plating using a supracondylar locking plate. During a period of 3 years, we operated on six patients (seven femurs) with distal femoral valgus deformities of different etiologies. All patients achieved correction of the deformities and started full weight bearing with radiographic evidence of union 6 weeks after correction. We believe that fixator-assisted locking plating has advantages over correction using external fixation and intramedullary nailing. This method of correction can be performed by a minimally invasive technique, precisely, and with minimal morbidity.

Multiplanar Deformities Correction Using Taylor Spatial Frame in Skeletally Immature Patients.

Background: Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) is a modern circular external fixator that, using a virtual hinge, is able to correct six axis deformities simultaneously. Despite the growing popularity of this method, few reports exist about its use in children and adolescents. To evaluate the effectiveness of TSF in correcting multiplanar deformities in patients with open physis, we reviewed the results of treatment in children who had at least two planes deformities of lower limbs. Methods: Over a period of 8 years, we treated 51 patients, 40 boys, 11 girls, with a mean age of 12.4 years (range, 2-16 years). All patients had open physis at the time of the TSF application. All patients had at least two deformities (angular and/or rotational). Fifty-five osteotomies (11 femoral, 44 tibial) were performed. Patients were divided into four groups: 13 with post-traumatic malunions, 18 with tibia vara, six with rickets, and 14 with miscellaneous deformities. Correction goal was determined as correction of deformities to population-average parameters of the lower limbs in frontal and sagittal views and normal mechanical axis deviation. Results: Correction goal was achieved in all except one patient; four patients had recurrence of deformities post-operatively and were re-operated. Most common complications were pin tract infection (20 patients), delayed union (2), regenerate translation (1), post-removal femoral fractures (2), knee subluxation (1), nonunion (1), and one patient developed chronic osteomyelitis secondary to deep pin tract infection. Conclusion: TSF allowed accurate correction of complex limb deformities in children and adolescents with relatively few serious complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV. Case series.

The Use of the Lotus Position During Spica Cast Application for the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Technical Note

Closed reduction and application of a spica cast is a standard treatment in children younger than 18 months. Proper abduction and flexion is crucial during cast application. The surgeon, who usually stands holding the lower limbs, often finds this position cumbersome and difficult to control limb position. During the past 6 years, we have used the lotus (crossed legs) position for the surgeon to achieve better control on hip flexion and abduction, therefore minimizing possible complications such as osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Normal isometric strength of rotatorcuff muscles in adults.

Objectives The most prevalent disorders of the shoulder are related to the muscles of rotator cuff. In order to develop a mechanical method for the evaluation of the rotator cuff muscles, we created a database of isometric force generation by the rotator cuff muscles in normal adult population. We hypothesised the existence of variations according to age, gender and dominancy of limb. Methods A total of 400 healthy adult volunteers were tested, classified into groups of 50 men and women for each decade of life. Maximal isometric force was measured at standardised positions for supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis muscles in both shoulders in every person. Torque of the force was calculated and normalised to lean body mass. The profiles of mean torque-time curves for each age and gender group were compared. Results Our data showed that men gradually gained maximal strength in the fifth decade, and showed decreased strength in the sixth. In women the maximal strength was gained in the fourth decade with gradual decline to the sixth decade of life. The dominant arm was stronger in most of the tested groups. The torque profiles of the rotator cuff muscles in men at all ages were significantly higher than that in women. Conclusions We found previously unrecognised variations of rotator cuff muscles’ isometric strength according to age, gender and dominancy in a normal population. The presented data may serve as a basis for the future studies for identification of the abnormal patterns of muscle isometric strength in patients with pathology of the rotator cuff muscles. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:214–19.