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Casting is a routine procedure used for fracture care in the pediatric population. The purpose of this review is to provide pearls and pitfalls that our institution has learned from previous literature. When applying the cast, we recommend using cotton padding for the liner and fiberglass or plaster depending on how much swelling is expected. A well-molded cast must be applied in order to prevent further fracture displacement. Cast valving is a valuable technique that allows a decrease in pressure which prevents discomfort and complications like compartment syndrome. Preventing thermal injuries, skin complications, and a wet cast are other important considerations when caring for casts. Appropriate use of a cast saw, avoiding pressure spots, and properly covering the cast are ways to respectively prevent those complications. Lastly, patient education remains one of the most valuable tools in ensuring proper cast maintenance.

Background:Meniscal pathology in children and adolescents is now a common occurrence because of their ever-increasing participation in youth sports.Purpose:To investigate the outcomes of arthroscopic meniscal repair in an adolescent cohort and analyze the variables that may affect outcomes, specifically the number of fixation sites utilized during repair.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A retrospective review of all children and adolescents younger than 18 years who underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair at a single institution was performed. Patient characteristics, operative details (eg, tear pattern, tear location, method of repair, and number of fixation sites [determined based on the number of sutures used for repair]), and concomitant procedures were recorded.Results:A total of 175 primary meniscal repairs met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Of this cohort, 115 were able to be contacted and were included in the final study cohort. The mean follow-up was 41 months. The mean age of the children was 14.9 years, and 91 (79%) had concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with their meniscal repair. The mean Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee functional outcome score was 91 (range, 43-100), and the mean Lysholm functional outcome score was 91 (range, 47-100). Of the 115 meniscal repairs, there were a total of 19 reoperations (17%); 15 (13%) were because of meniscal repair failures. The only variable that statistically increased the risk of meniscal repair failure was low number of fixation sites, with the failure group having a mean of 1.79 sutures and the nonfailure group having a mean of 2.97 sutures (P = .03).Conclusion:Successful meniscal repairs and a lower failure rate may be achieved with a greater number of fixation sites with promising results at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Validated functional outcome scores were good, with a 13% failure rate. Larger cohort, longer term, multicenter multisurgeon data are still needed to further elucidate the number of fixation sites needed when performing a meniscal repair in the pediatric and adolescent knee.

Background:Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the knee, whether occurring secondary to osteochondritis dissecans or a traumatic osteochondral fracture, are commonly encountered in the pediatric and adolescent population. Given the potential for healing in this population, coupled with adequate surgical reduction and stability of OCL fixation, an opportunity exists to avoid a major restorative procedure and the associated substantial costs and potential morbidity.Purpose:To analyze the outcomes of bioabsorbable fixation of OCLs in the adolescent knee at a minimum of 2 years.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:An institutional review board–approved retrospective review was performed of patients younger than 18 years who underwent bioabsorbable fixation of an OCL of the knee with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Patient demographics, operative details, and postoperative clinical findings were detailed and recorded. All cases were performed by a single surgeon.Results:There were 38 patients treated surgically for an OCL between 2009 and 2016. Of these, 38 patients (mean age, 14.7 years) were evaluated at a mean of 59 months. OCL fixation consisted of a mean of 1.4 bioabsorbable screws and 1.5 darts. At final follow-up, mean pre- and postoperative Tegner scores were 6.6 and 6.4, respectively, while Lysholm and Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee scores were 89.8 and 88.1, respectively. A total of 6 patients underwent secondary procedures postoperatively. One patient required a secondary procedure related to OCL fixation, which was secondary to a proud implant. The other secondary procedures included second-look arthroscopic surgery for pain after an injury postoperatively, planned anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, staged medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, and manipulation under anesthesia for arthrofibrosis (n = 2). None of the 32 patients required a revision cartilage procedure at the time of final follow-up.Conclusion:The use of bioabsorbable implants in the adolescent knee appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment with good functional outcomes at long-term follow-up and a low revision rate. Additional long-term multisurgeon and multicenter trials with a larger cohort are needed to further elucidate the role of bioabsorbable fixation of an OCL in the adolescent knee.

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