Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes the spectrum of structural abnormalities that involve the growing hip. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to provide the best possible functional outcome. Persistence of hip dysplasia into adolescence and adulthood may result in abnormal gait, decreased strength and increased rate of degenerative hip and knee joint disease. Despite efforts to recognize and treat all cases of DDH soon after birth, diagnosis is delayed in some children, and outcomes deteriorate with increasing delay of presentation. Different screening programs for DDH were implicated. The suspicion is raised based on a physical examination soon after birth. Radiography and ultrasonography are used to confirm the diagnosis. The role of other imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, is still undetermined; however, extensive research is underway on this subject. Treatment depends on the age of the patient and the reducibility of the hip joint. At an early age and up to 6 mo, the main treatment is an abduction brace like the Pavlik harness. If this fails, closed reduction and spica casting is usually done. After the age of 18 mo, treatment usually consists of open reduction and hip reconstruction surgery. Various treatment protocols have been proposed. We summarize the current practice for detection and treatment of DDH, emphasizing updates in screening and treatment during the last two decades.
Over the past two decades, the Ponseti ‘conservative’ (non-surgical) method of clubfoot treatment has been almost universally adopted worldwide. As a result, the need for operative treatment for clubfoot has decreased dramatically. However, even Ponseti himself routinely used surgery for certain patients: at least 90% of feet need percutaneous tenotomy, and 15% to 40% may require tibialis anterior tendon transfer. Additionally, relapses are common, sometimes necessitating further surgical intervention. Relapses are recurrent deformities in previously well corrected feet. Residual deformities may be defined as persistent deformities in incompletely corrected feet. In addition, in many parts of the developing world, neglected clubfoot is still a major challenge. Many neglected feet can be treated with Ponseti principles, particularly in younger children. However, in older children and adults, surgical approaches are more likely to be needed. Major reasons for relapsed/residual clubfoot include incomplete application of the Ponseti principles, inability to adhere to the foot abduction brace protocol, failure to recommend a complete course of bracing and inadequate follow-up. Sometimes, despite excellent treatment, and perfect adherence to the bracing protocols, there are still relapses, related to intrinsic muscle imbalance. We describe several solutions that include reinstitution of Ponseti casting and ‘á la carte’ operative treatment. As an alternative for particularly stubborn cases, application of a hexapod external fixator can be a powerful tool. In order to be a full-service clubfoot specialist, and not only a Ponseti practitioner, one must have in their toolbox the full gamut of adjunctive surgical options. Level of Evidence: V
Pediatric forearm and wrist fractures are common; furthermore, some are displaced and require manipulation and reduction. The procedure is commonly performed without real-time image guidance and evaluated radiographically after reduction and casting, leading to multiple reduction attempts and malalignment. Although fluoroscopy can provide real-time assessment of fracture alignment during the procedure, it is not readily available in many emergency departments (EDs) and involves radiation exposure. Ultrasonography is an alternative real-time imaging modality that is inexpensive and readily available. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of real-time bedside sonography during closed reduction of distal and middle third forearm fractures can decrease the number of reduction attempts and reduce the number of patients requiring surgery. We compared the results of a conventional blind manipulation, fracture reduction, and casting to fracture reduction under real-time ultrasonographic guidance, in patients treated in our ED between 2014 and 2016. Overall, 458 patients with distal or middle third fractures were included. Of these reductions, 289 were performed without real-time imaging (group 1) and 169 under real-time ultrasound guidance (group 2). In group 1, 10% of patients required re-reduction, and 5% of patients needed surgery. In group 2, only one patient (0.6%) required re-reduction and 1% of patients required surgery due to fracture instability. In conclusion, the current study shows that real-time ultrasound-guided forearm fracture reduction is an effective and inexpensive method for correction of displaced forearm and wrist fractures in children, which does not involve any radiation exposure.