Markus Pääkkönen

Although most malunions after pediatric distal radius fractures will remodel as the child grows, adolescent patients with severe malunion and limited growth require reduction to restore alignment. The authors technique for a mini-invasive osteotomy is presented. The apex of the malunion is approached from a single 2 cm volar incision through the flexor carpi radialis sheath. Open wedge osteotomy is performed. The osteosynthesis is secured with an individually contoured T-plate. The procedure was used to correct a severe visible malunion in a 12-year-old girl. Normal alignment was achieved with no nerve or tendon injury or irritation, infection, refracture, or any other complication. Mini-invasive osteotomy with a volar plate is a feasible method for experienced hand surgeons for the treatment of distal radius malunion in adolescents.

We reviewed the characteristics of children hospitalized for bone and joint infections in Luanda, Angola. In a retrospective chart review of 45 patients with childhood osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, 51% of the patients had sickle cell disease, and these patients presented with lower hemoglobin and needed blood transfusion more frequently (p < 0.05). Out of all patients, 64% underwent surgical procedures; a pathological fracture occurred in 31% of the patients.

Despite the self-limiting nature of lateral epicondylitis (LE) the disease has a prolonged course in some patients. Currently there is no optimal treatment of choice for these patients. We treated 6 elbows in 5 patients with LE with free fat grafting. All patients had symptomatic LE (symptom duration >2 y) and magnetic resonance imaging scan consistent with LE, and no finding of osteoarthrosis of the elbow joint, ligament injury, or other condition causing palpable lateral elbow pain. The fat graft was harvested from the abdomen, centrifuged or decanted and 10 mL was injected in and around the lateral epicondyle. All patients recovered without complications. Pain in visual analogue scale decreased in 5 of the 6 elbows (83%). The routine follow-up was 3 months. Regarding the final results 3 patients were satisfied, 1 was uncertain and 1 was dissatisfied and underwent open surgery 10 months after the fat transfer. Lipomatosis was still visible in the lateral epicondyle. Free adipose transfer is an option in the treatment of LE. Patients undergoing the procedure will have a small bump in the lateral elbow. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Acute septic arthritis in children is usually hematogenous. It is more common in boys, and it most often affects the large joints of the lower limb. Diagnosis is based on cultures obtained from the infected joint and is supported by C-reactive protein blood test or ultrasound imaging. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative agent and is the primary target for empiric treatment. First-generation cephalosporins and clindamycin are suitable antibiotics. Vancomycin is utilized in areas with high rates of clindamycin- and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. After a short intravenous administration of 2–4 days, a total course of 2 weeks is sufficient in uncomplicated cases. Early antibiotic treatment has significantly improved the prognosis in high-income settings, but uncomplicated recovery is compromised if the treatment is delayed. Complications such as symptomatic osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis of the femoral head develop slowly. A long follow-up of 1–2 years is required to detect all possible sequelae.