No abstract

PurposeFoot and ankle deformities are common orthopaedic disorders in children with Down syndrome. However, radiographic measurements of the foot and ankle have not been previously reported. The aim of this study is to describe the foot and ankle deformity in children with Down syndrome.MethodsChildren who had foot and ankle radiographs in the standing weight-bearing position were selected. Three groups of patients were identified. The relationship of radiographic measurements with age, body mass index and pain is discussed. In all, 41 children (79 feet) had foot radiographs and 60 children (117 ankles) had ankle radiographs, with 15 children overlapping between Groups I and II.ResultsIn Group I, hallux valgus deformity was seen before ten years of age and hallux valgus angle increased afterwards. Metatarsus adductus angle showed a significant increase (p = 0.006) with obesity and was higher in patients who had foot pain (p = 0.05). In Group II, none of the ankle measurements showed a significant difference with age or body mass index percentiles. Tibiotalar angle (TTA) and medial distal tibial angle (MDTA) were higher in patients who had ankle pain. In Group III, correlation analysis was performed between the different measurements with the strongest correlations found between TTA and MDTA.ConclusionIn children with Down syndrome, radiographic evaluation of the foot and ankle reveals higher prevalence of deformities than clinical examination. However, foot and ankle radiographs are needed only for symptomatic children with pain and gait changes.Level of EvidenceLevel IV - Prognostic Study

Type IV - prognostic and therapeutic study.

PurposeAchondroplasia is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia, affecting more than 250 000 individuals worldwide. In these patients, the developing knee undergoes multiple anatomical changes. The purpose of this study was to characterise the intra-articular knee anatomy in children with achondroplasia who underwent knee arthroscopy.MethodsRecords of achondroplasia patients who underwent knee arthroscopy between 2009 and 2014 were reviewed. Demographic data, operative reports, follow-up notes, MRI and arthroscopy images were reviewed. Bony, cartilaginous and ligamentous changes were noted. The trochlea sulcus angle was measured from intra-operative arthroscopic images.ResultsA total of 12 knee arthroscopies in nine patients were performed. The mean age at surgery was 16.9 years (12 to 22). In all patients, the indication for surgery was knee pain and/or mechanical symptoms that were refractory to non-operative treatment. Three anatomical variations involving the distal femur were found in all knees: a deep femoral trochlea; a high A-shaped intercondylar notch; and a vertically oriented anterior cruciate ligament. The average trochlea sulcus angle measured 123°. Pathology included: synovial plica (one knee); chondral lesions (three knees); discoid lateral meniscus (11 knees); and meniscal tears (six knees). All patients were pain-free and returned to normal activity at final follow-up.ConclusionChildren with achondroplasia have characteristic distal femur anatomy noted during knee arthroscopy. These variations should be considered normal during knee arthroscopy in these patients. Arthroscopic findings confirmed previous MRI findings within this specific population with the addition of a deep trochlear groove which was not previously reported.

Level IV-prognostic and therapeutic study.

Level IV-prognostic study.

Level IV-diagnostic study.

Background/Aims: The physiological interaction between the intrathecal baclofen (ITB) delivery system and the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting system in a patient who had both systems implanted has not been reported previously. The aim of our report is to evaluate the effect that one system's infection might have on the other. Methods: Records of children who were followed at our institution between 2004 and 2015 for management of their ITB systems were reviewed. In this group, children who had VP shunts were identified, and those who had any of their ITB or VP systems infected were included. Results: Out of 313 children managed with ITB therapy at our institution, 31 (24%) children had VP shunts. Two patients had infection in both systems, and 3 patients had infection in 1 system. Conclusion: This report suggests that if aspiration from both systems showed positive cultures, the treatment would be removal of both systems. If the primarily not infected system does not show positive cultures, it does not need to be removed. Close follow-up is recommended, and any sign of infection or malfunction of the primarily not infected device should be approached with a high level of suspicion.