A retrospective study of 45 patients hospitalized with blastomycosis of bones or joints revealed 41 cases of osteomyelitis and 12 cases of septic arthritis. The majority were men (35 [78%] patients) and non-Aboriginal (32 [71%] patients). Median time from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization was shorter in women than men (male, 48 d; female, 14 d; P < 0.02), and shorter for Aboriginals than non-Aboriginals (non-Aboriginal, 50 d; Aboriginal, 19 d; P < 0.04). Cutaneous disease was present in 33 (73%) patients, and lung involvement was present in 29 (64%) patients. The most common osseous sites of involvement were the lower limb and axial skeleton. Common orthopaedic symptoms of bone lesions included bone pain in 42 (78%) patients, swelling in 32 (59%) patients, and soft tissue abscesses in 21 (39%) patients. Joint infection (12 patients) manifested as a monoarticular arthropathy presenting with effusion in 9 (75%) patients, pain in 8 (67%) patients, and decreased range of motion in 5 (42%) patients. Osseous blastomycosis can mimic bacterial infection and should be included in the differential diagnosis of bone and joint infection in patients who have visited or who live in geographic regions where B dermatitidis is endemic.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the outcome of pediatric patients who have undergone Maxwell-Brancheau arthroereisis (MBA) subtalar implants for the treatment of painful pediatric flatfoot deformities. In a retrospective study, 39 patients (68 feet) were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The mean age of the patients was 12 years (range, 6-16 years). The mean period of follow-up was 24 months (range, 6-61 months). Statistical evaluation was performed on all radiographic measurements. Additional surgical procedures (gastrocnemius recession, Achilles tendon lengthening, Kidner posterior tibial tendon advancement) were performed in 22 of 68 feet. There were 10 (15%) complications, which consisted of 10 reoperations in 10 feet. Implants were exchanged in 9 feet because of implant migration, undercorrection, and overcorrection. There was 1 reoperation (in 1 foot) for implant removal because of persistent sinus tarsi pain. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated an improvement of all parameters determined. The parameters that were evaluated include talonavicular joint coverage, as well as lateral and anterior-posterior talocalcaneal angles. There were significant changes noted in pre- and postoperative measurements (P < .001). The MBA implant is effective for the correction of painful, flexible flatfoot deformity in children in short-term follow-up. However, this is a multiplanar deformity, and additional procedures may be needed in addition to the MBA.

Objectives The objectives were 1) to compare the effects of adolescent sport-related concussion (SRC) and sport-related extremity fracture (SRF) on academic outcomes including change in school grades and school attendance; and 2) to determine which specific academic accommodations were most helpful during recovery from these injuries. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to compare changes in school grades, school attendance and academic accommodations among students (grades 8–12) with an SRC or SRF. School grades were extracted from student immediate pre- and post-injury report cards. Students completed attendance log books and an exit interview to determine which accommodations were helpful and how accommodating they perceived their school to be during their recovery. Results Overall, 124 students (92 with SRC and 32 with SRF) submitted both pre- and post-injury report cards. Students who sustained an SRC or SRF experienced similar decreases in grades post-injury (SRC: -1.0%; 95% CI: -2.1, 0.1 and SRF: -0.9%: 95% CI: -2.1, 0.3). Students with an SRC missed significantly more days of school compared to those with an SRF (median of 4 days [IQR: 1, 7] versus 1 day [IQR: 0, 4], p<0.0001). In total, 60/113 (53.1%) SRC students reported their school to be very accommodating while only 31/77 (40.3%) SRF students reported their school to be very accommodating (p = 0.082). Conclusions Students who sustain an SRC miss significantly more days of school but demonstrate similar changes in school grades post-injury compared to those with an SRF. Future studies are needed to identify the pre- and post-injury factors associated with poor academic functioning following concussion and identify measures that can be taken to help optimize academic outcomes in these patients.

Comprehensive care of pediatric SRC patients requires access to appropriate diagnostic resources and the multidisciplinary collaboration of experts with national and provincially-recognized training in TBI.