Jeffrey J. Nepple

Background: Avulsion fractures of the pelvis and hip primarily affect active adolescents. Although most cases are successfully treated with nonoperative management, surgical intervention may be indicated as displacement and risk for nonunion increase. The literature remains heterogeneous and limited by small comparative cohorts. This study summarizes available evidence comparing outcomes after nonoperative and operative treatment, with particular attention to displacement. Methods: A literature search of Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov was completed in July 2024. Patient characteristics, type of activity at the time of injury, displacement distance, treatment modality, complications, and patient outcomes were recorded for specific fracture types, as available. Results: Twenty-four eligible studies were identified and contributed a total of 852 fractures in 849 patients (mean age 14.4±1.7 y, 79% male) for analysis. The most common fracture sites were the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS, 33.1%) and anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS, 30.4%), followed by the ischial tuberosity (ISCH, 15.5%), lesser trochanter (LT, 13.5%), and iliac crest (IC, 7.5%). Overall, 86.6% of fractures were managed nonoperatively, and 13.4% were managed surgically. In displacement-stratified cohorts, ISCH fractures with displacement >15 mm achieved high functional scores with both operative and nonoperative treatment, although pseudoarthrosis occurred in some nonoperatively treated cases with minimal functional limitation. ASIS fractures with displacement >15 mm showed similar transient complications before resolution to excellent outcomes in both treatment groups, but faster RTS with the operative management alone. Rates of persistent pain were highest in ISCH fractures (27.3% surgically, 10.9% nonoperatively) and AIIS fractures treated nonoperatively (13.8%). Return to sport was achieved in nearly all cases, with surgically treated ISCH fractures requiring the longest recovery periods (6 mo). Conclusion: Both nonoperative and operative management result in favorable outcomes for most adolescent pelvic avulsion fractures. Although displacement frequently influences surgical decision-making, current evidence does not establish a validated threshold at which outcomes reliably diverge. Before displacement can be considered a reliable surgical indication, higher-quality evidence demonstrating superior outcomes at clear displacement thresholds is needed. Level of Evidence: Level III.

Background: Strength deficits, strength recovery, and return to sports timing following nonoperative apophyseal avulsion fractures are relatively unknown, as is the effect of displacement of the avulsed fragment. This study aims to assess strength recovery following a pelvic apophyseal avulsion and determine whether a relationship between radiographic characteristics and strength exists. Methods: Twenty-eight patients from a prospective pelvic apophyseal avulsion study database, were treated nonoperatively with physical therapy, and a minimum 3-month follow-up was included. Patients were categorized by location of injury and fracture displacement (greater or less than 15 millimeters). Strength measurements obtained at a minimum of 3 months postinjury were used to quantify overall hip and knee strength across several strength measurements. Limb symmetry index (LSI) was calculated as a percentage of the affected limb strength compared with the unaffected limb. Affected and unaffected sides were compared with t tests. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to assess radiographic characteristics and affected limb strength correlations. Results: Twenty-three (82.1%) patients were male, with an average age of 14.7±1.1 years. The mean fracture displacement was 10.87±10.24 mm. The most common location of injury was the anterior inferior iliac spine (35.7%, n=10). Among all patients, no strength deficits were observed on the affected limb compared with the unaffected limb, and affected knee extension (KE) strength was greater than unaffected (LSI 110.94%, P=0.013). In fractures displaced P=0.022). Increasing fracture displacement positively correlated with hip flexion (P=0.008), hip extension (P=0.049), hip abduction strength (P=0.040), and KE strength (P=0.011). Conclusion: No strength deficits were identified in the affected limbs following pelvic avulsion injuries compared with the unaffected limb. Affected limb knee extension strength was greater compared with the uninjured side following physical therapy. A majority of apophyseal avulsion fractures have near complete recovery of strength at 3 months with conservative management. Level of Evidence: Level II—prospective cohort study.

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can cause pain and premature osteoarthritis. The risk factors and timing for disease progression in adolescents and young adults have not been fully defined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for contralateral hip pain and surgery after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) on a dysplastic hip. Methods: Patients undergoing unilateral PAO for DDH were followed for at least 2 years and categorized into contralateral pain and no-pain groups and contralateral surgery and no-surgery groups. Pain was defined with the modified Harris hip score. Univariate analysis tested group differences in demographics, radiographic measures, and range of motion. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess pain development and surgery in the contralateral hip over time. Multivariable regression identified risk factors for contralateral pain and surgery. Contralateral pain and surgery predictors were secondarily assessed after categorization of the contralateral hips as dysplastic, borderline, and non-dysplastic and in subgroups based on the lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) and acetabular inclination (AI) in 5° increments. Results: One hundred and eighty-four patients were followed for a mean of 4.6 ± 1.6 years (range, 2.0 to 8.8 years), during which 51% (93) reported contralateral hip pain and 33% (60) underwent contralateral surgery. Kaplan-Meier analysis predicted 5-year survivorship of 49% with contralateral pain development as the end point and 66% with contralateral surgery as the end point. Painful hips exhibited more severe dysplasia compared with no-pain hips (LCEA = 16.5° versus 20.3°, p < 0.001; AI = 13.2° versus 10.0°, p < 0.001). AI was the sole predictor of pain, with every 1° increase in the AI raising the risk by 11%. Surgically treated hips also had more severe dysplasia (LCEA = 14.9° versus 20.0°, p < 0.001; AI = 14.7° versus 10.2°, p < 0.001) and were in younger patients (21.6 versus 24.1 years, p = 0.022). AI and a maximum alpha angle of ≥55° were predictors of contralateral surgery. Conclusions: At 5 years after hip PAO, approximately 50% of contralateral hips will have pain and approximately 35% can be expected to need surgery. More severe dysplasia, based on the LCEA and AI, increases the risk of contralateral hip pain and surgery, with AI being a predictor of both outcomes. Knowing these risks can inform patient counseling and treatment planning. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of nonoperative and operative treatment of adolescents with comminuted “Z-type” midshaft clavicle fractures. METHODS: Design: Prospective observational cohort. Setting: Eight tertiary care pediatric centers. Patient Selection Criteria: Patients aged 10–18 years who were treated either operatively or nonoperatively for a diaphyseal clavicle fracture between 2013 and 2017 were screened/enrolled at the time of injury. The current subcohort analysis was derived from a larger adolescent clavicle study population of 907 patients. Outcome Measurements and Comparisons: Complications and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROs):(ASES, QuickDASH, Marx Shoulder Activity Score, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, and patient satisfaction score) were compared between operative and nonoperative cohorts. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (69 male [85.2%], 12 female; average age 15 years [11.1–18.7]; 78 with sports participation [96.2%]) were followed through bony healing and return to sports, while 59 patients (73%) completed 2-year follow-up with PROs, 26 of whom were treated nonoperatively and 33 treated operatively. All demographic and fracture characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) between the 2-year follow-up cohorts except for fracture shortening, which was greater in the operative cohort (23 vs. 29 mm, P = 0.01). After controlling for this potential confounder through both regression and propensity matched subgroup analysis, nonoperative versus operative cohorts showed no difference in rates of nonunion (0%), delayed union (0% vs. 2.3%, P = 1.0), symptomatic malunion (2.7% vs. 0%, P = 0.4), refracture (2.7% vs. 2.2%, P = 1.0), unexpected subsequent surgery (5.4% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.45), or clinically significant complications (5.4% vs. 16%, P = 0.17). There were no differences in any PROs between cohorts, both before and after controlling for the difference in fracture shortening (all P-values >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective comparison of complications and 2-year PROs in adolescents with comminuted Z-type clavicle fractures, nonoperative and operative treatment yielded similar outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background: Surgical treatment for adolescent patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is increasing. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of FAI surgery in a multicenter cohort of adolescent patients and to identify predictors of suboptimal outcomes. Methods: One hundred twenty-six adolescent hips (114 patients < 18 years of age) undergoing surgery for symptomatic FAI were studied from a larger multicenter cohort. The group included 74 (58.7%) female and 52 male hips (41.3%) with a mean age of 16.1 (range 11.3 to 17.8). Clinical outcomes included the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (5 domains), and University of California Los Angeles activity score. Failure was defined as revision surgery or clinical failure (inability to reach minimally clinical important differences or patient acceptable symptoms state for the mHHS). Statistical analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with failure. Results: There was clinically important improvement in all patient-reported outcomes for the overall group, but an 18.3% failure rate. This included a revision rate of 8.7%. Females were significantly more likely than males to be classified as a failure (25.7 vs. 7.7%, P=0.01), in part because of lower preoperative mHHS (59.1 vs. 67.0, P< 0.001). Mild cam deformity (alpha angle 63 have a failure rate of 8.3%, between 55 and 63 degrees, 12.0% failure rate, and P=0.03, RR (relative risk) 2.4). Conclusions: Adolescent patients undergoing surgical treatment for FAI generally demonstrate significant improvement. However, female sex, mild cam deformities, and lack of sports participation are independently associated with higher failure rates. These factors should be considered in surgical decision-making and during patient counseling. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective comparative study.

The evaluation and treatment of adolescents and young adults with hip pain has seen tremendous growth over the past 20 years. Labral tears are well established as a common cause of hip pain but often occur because of underlying bony abnormalities. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and acetabular dysplasia are now well-established causes of hip osteoarthritis and are increasingly treated in the prearthritic stage in hopes of improving symptoms and prolonging the longevity of the native hip. Beyond FAI and acetabular dysplasia, this patient population can present with a complex and variable group of underlying conditions that need to be taken into account. Expertise in the conservative management of this population, including physical therapy, is valuable to maximize the success. Preoperative, surgical, and postoperative decision-making and care in this population is complex and evolving. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the care of this patient population has been used for over 20 years by our institution with great success. The purpose of this article is to review the “team-based approach” necessary for successful management of the spectrum of adolescent and young adult hip disorders.

Background: The optimal surgical treatment (hip arthroscopy compared with periacetabular osteotomy [PAO]) for borderline acetabular dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle [LCEA], 18° to 25°) remains a topic of debate. To date, the literature has focused primarily on arthroscopy outcomes, with only a few small reports on PAO outcomes. The purpose of this study was to define PAO outcomes in a large cohort of borderline hips. In a secondary analysis, we assessed the effect of prior failed arthroscopy, concurrent hip arthroscopy, and concurrent femoral osteoplasty on PAO outcomes in this cohort. Methods: A prospective database was retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent PAO for symptomatic instability in the setting of borderline dysplasia (LCEA, 18° to 25°). Of the 232 identified hips, 186 (80.2%) were assessed at a mean follow-up of 3.3 ± 2.0 years postoperatively. The mean patient age was 25.2 ± 8.5 years (range, 14 to 45 years), and 88.2% were female. Thirty hips (16.1%) had undergone a failed prior arthroscopy. Arthroscopy was performed concurrently with the PAO in 130 hips (69.9%), and femoral osteoplasty was performed concurrently in 120 hips (64.5%). The modified Harris hip score (mHHS) was assessed relative to the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 8 and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) of 74. Clinical failure was defined as a reoperation for persistent symptoms or a failure to achieve either the mHHS MCID or PASS. Results: Of the 156 hips undergoing a primary surgical procedure, clinical success was achieved in 148 hips (94.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 90.2% to 97.4%]). Two hips (1.3% [95% CI, 0.4% to 4.6%]) underwent reoperation (hip arthroscopy) for persistent symptoms and an additional 6 hips (3.8% [95% CI, 1.8% to 8.1%]) failed to achieve the mHHS MCID or PASS, for a clinical failure rate of 5.1% (95% CI, 2.6% to 9.8%); 8.8% reported dissatisfaction with the surgical procedure. Clinical failure was more frequent among the 30 hips (23.3% [95% CI, 11.8% to 40.9%]; p = 0.001) that had undergone a prior failed arthroscopy. There were no outcome differences between hips that had or had not undergone concurrent hip arthroscopy or femoral osteoplasty. Conclusions: This study demonstrates excellent early outcomes of PAO for borderline acetabular dysplasia, with significant clinical improvement in 94.9% of patients undergoing a primary surgical procedure; 91.2% were satisfied with the surgical procedure. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background: After treatment with in situ stabilization, slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) patients have variable degrees of deformity that can contribute to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). To evaluate the severity of residual deformity most physicians currently use biplanar radiographs of an anteroposterior pelvis which profiles the lateral head-neck deformity and a frog lateral view which profiles the anterior head-neck deformity. However, the assessment of FAI morphology commonly relies on the 45-degree Dunn view to profile the anterolateral head-neck junction where FAI deformity is maximal. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the magnitude of residual SCFE deformity detected on the frog lateral radiograph to the 45-degree Dunn radiograph. Methods: A retrospective review of radiographic images of 50 hips (47 patients) diagnosed with SCFE at a single academic institution from 2014 to 2018 was performed. The group included 25 hips evaluated postoperatively after fixation (Group 1) and 25 hips presenting with residual symptomatic SCFE deformity after previous pinning (Group 2). The alpha angle was assessed on both the 45-degree Dunn and frog lateral views for comparison. The modified Southwick slip angle was assessed on the frog lateral view only as a measure of SCFE severity. Results: The Dunn view showed the maximal residual SCFE deformity as measured by the alpha angle in 88% (44/50) of cases. Overall, the mean alpha angle (70.7 degree vs. 60.1 degree, PPP<0.001). Conclusion: In patients with SCFE, the maximal residual deformity of the proximal femur can typically be seen on the 45-degree Dunn view, rather than on the frog lateral view. Our findings suggest the 45-degree Dunn view may be beneficial part of the postoperative assessment of SCFEs to quantify the true maximal deformity present. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Background: Given the lack of established, externally validated criteria for the diagnosis of unstable hips, the Femoro-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index has been proposed as a useful tool for identifying hips with instability in the setting of borderline acetabular dysplasia. Purposes: To (1) determine the external performance of the FEAR index in identifying hips with a clinical diagnosis of instability in the setting of borderline dysplasia and (2) assess the performance of the FEAR index compared with acetabular inclination or physeal scar angle alone. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The authors reviewed 176 patients with borderline acetabular dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle, 20°-25°). A positive FEAR index was defined as ≥5°. An alternative threshold ≥2° was also assessed. Significant instability was determined by the senior surgeon based on the combination of patient and radiographic features; unstable hips were treated with periacetabular osteotomy (with or without hip arthroscopy), and stable hips were treated with isolated hip arthroscopy. Results: Only 18% of borderline hips had a positive FEAR index. The ≥5° positive FEAR index threshold had a sensitivity of 33% (23/70) and specificity of 92% (98/106) in predicting the clinical diagnosis of instability. The ≥2° FEAR index threshold had a sensitivity of 39% (27/70) and specificity of 89% (94/106) in predicting the clinical diagnosis of instability. No alternative threshold for the FEAR index resulted in high levels of sensitivity and specificity. A threshold of –5° was required to reach an adequate sensitivity of 74%. The FEAR index remained a significant predictor of hip instability even after controlling for acetabular inclination (odds ratio, 1.12; P < .001) or physeal scar angle (odds ratio, 1.6; P < .001). Conclusion: In the current study, a positive FEAR index was generally indicative of the presence of clinical instability, but the FEAR index alone remained inadequate to fully define the instability of a given hip, as it demonstrated low sensitivity (only 33%) in the external validation. The FEAR index is best used in the context of other clinical and radiographic features.