Background: Musculoskeletal infection is a major cause of morbidity in the pediatric population. Despite the canonical teaching that an irritable joint and signs of infection likely represent an infected joint space, recent evidence in the pediatric hip has demonstrated that alternative diagnoses are equally or more likely and that combinations of pathologies are common. The knee is the second most commonly infected joint in children, yet there remains a paucity of available data regarding the epidemiology and workup of the infected pediatric knee. The authors hypothesize that there is heterogeneity of pathologies, including combinations of pathologies, that presents as a potentially infected knee in a child. The authors aim to show the utility of magnetic resonance imaging and epidemiologic and laboratory markers in the workup of these patients. Methods: A retrospective review of all consults made to the pediatric orthopaedic surgery team at a single tertiary care center from September 2009 through December 2015 regarding a concern for potential knee infection was performed. Excluded from the study were patients with penetrating trauma, postoperative infection, open fracture, no C-reactive protein (CRP) within 24 hours of admission, sickle cell disease, an immunocompromised state, or chronic osteomyelitis. Results: A total of 120 patients were analyzed in this study. There was marked variability in pathologies. Patients with isolated osteomyelitis or osteomyelitis+septic arthritis were older, had an increased admission CRP, were more likely to be infected with Staphylococcus aureus, required an increased duration of antibiotics, and had an increased incidence of musculoskeletal complications than patients with isolated septic arthritis. Conclusions: When considering a child with an irritable knee, a heterogeneity of potential underlying pathologies and combinations of pathologies are possible. Importantly, the age of the patient and CRP can guide a clinician when considering further workup. Older patients with a higher admission CRP value warrant an immediate magnetic resonance imaging, as they are likely to have osteomyelitis, which was associated with worse outcomes when compared with patients with isolated septic arthritis. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective research study.
Summary: Gartland type III posterolateral (IIIB) supracondylar humerus fractures are common among the pediatric population and can lead to concomitant injury, including compromise of the brachial artery and median nerve and long-term deformity, such as cubitus varus. These fractures can be difficult to reduce, and there is little consensus regarding the optimal technique for closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Here, we discuss the management of Gartland III posterolateral supracondylar humerus fractures, including an in-depth technical description of the methods of operative fixation. We describe a lateral pin-only fixation technique for Gartland III posterolateral supracondylar humerus fractures that uses the intact periosteum during reduction of the distal fragment to assist in realigning the medial and lateral columns anatomically. We also discuss a safe method for placing a medial-based pin if there is persistent rotational instability at the fracture site after placement of the laterally based pins.
Background: Although intravenous (IV) infiltration is relatively common, data regarding complications and outcomes of this problem remain limited. In addition, there is wide variation in institutional protocols for the management of IV infiltrations. Through retrospective review, we aim to delineate complications and outcomes, and propose an algorithm for the management of these injuries. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had an IV infiltration at a tertiary care center’s inpatient and outpatient facilities between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. Results: In all, 479 patients with 495 infiltrations were included, with a mean age of 36.7 years. The upper extremity was involved in 89.6% of events. Of all the events, 8.6% led to a superficial soft tissue infection, 3.2% led to necrosis or eschar formation, and 1.9% led to ulceration or full-thickness wound formation. There were zero cases of compartment syndrome. Only 5.1% resulted in any long-term defects; none resulted in a functional defect of the extremity. Patients with vascular disease did not experience worse outcomes compared with healthy individuals. Plastic or orthopedic surgery was consulted in 25.3% of events. No emergent surgical intervention was required, 7 (1.4%) required bedside procedures, and 7 (1.4%) patients underwent nonacute operations. Conclusions: A specialist was consulted in about one-quarter of IV infiltrations, yet none were surgical emergencies. Instead, most complications could be monitored and managed by a primary team. Therefore, we propose algorithms involving nursing staff, wound care teams, and primary physicians with limited specialist consultation to manage these injuries.
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic connective-tissue disorder with bone fragility. To avoid iatrogenic fractures, healthcare providers have traditionally avoided using non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) cuffs and extremity tourniquets in the OI population in the perioperative setting. Here, we hypothesize that these procedures do not lead to iatrogenic fractures or other complications in patients with OI. A retrospective study of all children with OI who underwent surgery at a single tertiary care children’s hospital from 1998 to 2018 was performed. Patient positioning and the use of NIBP cuffs, arterial lines, and extremity tourniquets were documented. Fractures and other complications were recorded. Forty-nine patients with a median age of 7.9 years (range: 0.2–17.7) were identified. These patients underwent 273 procedures, of which 229 were orthopaedic operations. A total of 246 (90.1%) procedures included the use of an NIBP cuff, 61 (22.3%) an extremity tourniquet, and 40 (14.7%) an arterial line. Pediatric patients with OI did not experience any iatrogenic fractures related to hemodynamic monitoring or extremity tourniquet use during the 20-year period of this study. Given the benefits of continuous intra-operative hemodynamic monitoring and extremity tourniquets, we recommend that NIBP cuffs, arterial lines, and tourniquets be selectively considered for use in children with OI.
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in adults are frequently accompanied by meniscal and articular cartilage damage. However, little is known regarding the association, if any, between physical maturity, hypermobility, or bone bruising and these associated injuries in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Purpose: To determine if physical maturity, hypermobility, and/or bone bruising is associated with concomitant meniscal and articular cartilage injury in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: At 10 institutions in the United States, consecutive skeletally immature patients with complete ACL tears were enrolled between January 2016 and June 2020. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of variables on the likelihood of articular cartilage and meniscal injury. Results: A total of 748 patients were analyzed. Of these, 85 patients (11.4%) had articular cartilage injuries. These patients had a higher bone age (13.9 vs 13.1 years; P = .001), a higher Tanner stage ( P = .009), and increased height (162.9 vs 159.9 cm; P = .03) and were heavier (57.8 vs 54.0 kg; P = .02). For each additional Tanner stage, the odds of articular cartilage injury increased approximately 1.6 times ( P < .001). Of the total patients, 423 (56.6%) had meniscal tears. Those with meniscal tears were older (12.6 vs 12.0 years; P < .001), had a higher bone age (13.5 vs 12.8 years; P < .001), had a higher Tanner stage ( P = .002), had increased height (162.2 vs 157.6 cm; P < .001), and were heavier (56.6 vs 51.6 kg; P < .001). For each additional Tanner stage, the odds of a meniscal tear increased approximately 1.3 times ( P < .001). No association was detected between hypermobility or bone bruising and the likelihood of articular cartilage or meniscal injury. Multivariable regression revealed that increasing Tanner stage was associated with an increasing risk of articular cartilage injury, while weight was associated with an increasing risk of meniscal injury. Conclusion: Increasing physical maturity is associated with increased risks of concomitant articular cartilage and meniscal injury in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Hypermobility and bone bruising are not associated with articular cartilage or meniscal injury, suggesting that physical maturity, rather than ligamentous laxity, is the primary risk factor for associated injuries in skeletally immature patients with an ACL tear.
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