Background: this pilot study aimed at determining whether the application of a novel new method of generating pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), the Fracture Healing Patch (FHP), accelerates the healing of acute distal radius fractures (DRF) when compared to a sham treatment. Methods: 41 patients with DRFs treated with cast immobilization were included. Patients were allocated to a PEMF group (n = 20) or a control (sham) group (n = 21). All patients were assessed with regard to functional and radiological outcomes (X-rays and CT scans) at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks. Results: fractures treated with active PEMF demonstrated significantly higher extent of union at 4 weeks as assessed by CT (76% vs. 58%, p = 0.02). SF12 mean physical score was significantly higher in PEMF treated group (47 vs. 36, p = 0.005). Time to cast removal was significantly shorter in PEMF treated patients, 33 ± 5.9 days in PEMF vs. 39.8 ± 7.4 days in sham group (p = 0.002). Conclusion: early addition of PEMF treatment may accelerate bone healing which could lead to a shorter cast immobilization, thus allowing an earlier return to daily life activities and work. There were no complications related to the PEMF device (FHP).

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is an autologous cell composition that is obtained through a needle aspiration from the iliac crest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation with BMAC supplementation for clavicle fracture nonunion. This was a retrospective case series of 21 consecutive patients with clavicle fracture nonunion that were treated with ORIF and BMAC supplementation between 2013 and 2020. Patients were evaluated for fracture union, time to union, complications related to surgical and donor site, and functional outcome using the Quick Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (QDASH), subjective shoulder value (SSV), and pain. The mean age was 41.8 years. The mean follow-up was 36 months. Twenty (95.2%) patients demonstrated fracture union, with a mean time to union of 4.5 months. Good functional scores were achieved: SSV, 74.3; QDASH, 23.3; pain level, 3.1. There were no complications or pain related to the iliac crest donor site. Supplementary BMAC to ORIF in the treatment of clavicle fracture nonunion is a safe method, resulting in high rates of fracture union and good functional outcomes with minimal complications and pain.

Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy (TOP) is a self-limiting pathology with unspecified etiology. It is typically found in women in late pregnancy or early postpartum. A femoral neck fracture is an infrequent complication. Herein, we describe a TOP case in a 38-year-old female who suffered a displaced sub-capital femoral neck fracture without obvious trauma at 28 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent operative treatment using closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF), using cannulated screws, with no intraoperative complications. The postoperative radiograph revealed a collapse and further displacement of the femoral neck. A decision was made to postpone a definitive treatment to a postpartum date. The patient underwent a cesarean section at 38-week of gestation with no complications. At her latest follow-up, 24 months postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic. Pelvic and hip radiographs demonstrated consolidation of the fracture. Level of evidence: IV.

Background: The association between congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) remains contested. Some guidelines consider idiopathic clubfoot a DDH risk factor warranting routine hip ultrasonography, while others do not. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DDH in a large cohort of infants with idiopathic CTEV and assess whether routine screening is justified. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted at a single tertiary pediatric orthopaedic center. Children treated for idiopathic CTEV between July 2000 and November 2023 with a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. Teratologic and syndromic cases were excluded. All patients underwent routine hip ultrasonography at 6 weeks of age, classified by the Graf method. Hips graded Graf type 2B or higher received treatment. Results: A total of 515 patients (766 feet; 72% male) were included. Mean age at initiation of Ponseti casting was 14 days (SD: 14.2); mean follow-up was 7.3 years (SD: 4.1). DDH was identified in 4 patients (0.78%): 1 male (0.27%) and 3 females (2.05%). All 4 were classified as Graf type 2B or 2C; no frank dislocations were observed. DDH was successfully managed concurrently with CTEV treatment in all cases, with no recurrence. Conclusions: In this largest single-center series to date, the prevalence of DDH in idiopathic CTEV was comparable to population norms, indicating that idiopathic clubfoot is not an independent risk factor for DDH. These findings do not support routine hip ultrasound screening based on a clubfoot diagnosis alone in selective screening systems, though no change is warranted in universal screening systems. This may not apply to syndromic clubfoot, which was not evaluated here. Levels of Evidence: Level III—retrospective review of a prospective cohort.