Christopher A. Makarewich

Background/Objectives: The follow-up for pediatric elbow injuries often involves in-office visits to assess the range of motion (ROM). There is evidence for the use of telemedicine and digital assessments of elbow motion in adults but none in pediatrics. The aim of this study was to compare measurements of the joint range of motion and elbow alignment in children, taken in a doctor’s office, with those obtained from photographs and to evaluate the intra- and inter-observer reliability of these measurements. Methods: Fourteen children were prospectively included in this study during follow-ups after an arm fracture. Only the uninjured arm was evaluated: goniometric measurements performed in the office were compared with digital measurements obtained from photographs. For the uninjured arm, in-office goniometer measurements were compared to picture-based digital measurements. Mean digital values were compared to in-office goniometer measurements using a paired t-test, and the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the digital measurements was calculated. Results: When comparing photograph-based digital measurements to in-office goniometer measurements, the mean absolute error (average absolute difference between observer measurements and goniometer) showed differences of 4.5° for extension, 7.4° for flexion, and 4.8° for the carrying angle. The accuracy bias (average difference between observer measurements and goniometer) showed an overestimation of photographs for extension by 1.2°, an overestimation of photographs for flexion by 5.5°, and an underestimation of photographs for a carrying angle of 3.5°. Intra- and inter-rater reliability correlations were all within the good (0.75–0.9) to excellent (>0.9) ranges. The intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.91 for extension, 0.87 for flexion, and 0.87 for the carrying angle. The inter-rater ICC was 0.98 for extension, 0.93 for flexion, and 0.96 for the carrying angle. Conclusions: Photograph-based digital measurements appear to be an acceptable alternative compared to in-office goniometer measurements in pediatric patients.

Introduction: Tibial shaft fractures are common in the pediatric population. As patients approach skeletal maturity, rigid intramedullary nailing of these fractures is a potentially advantageous option, allowing rigid fixation and earlier mobilization and weight-bearing. However, potential injury to the open proximal tibial physis in patients with remaining growth remains a concern. This study sought to determine the rate of growth disturbance following rigid, transphyseal tibial nailing of tibial shaft fractures in patients with open physes. Methods: This was a retrospective study of skeletally immature patients who were treated with transphyseal nailing of a tibial shaft fracture. Included patients had at least 1 year of growth remaining, as determined by the Modified Fels Skeletal Maturity System, and at least 1 year of follow-up. Growth disturbance was determined by a change in posterior tibial slope or medial proximal tibial angle on radiographs obtained at the time of injury as compared with radiographs at final follow-up. Results: A total of 20 patients were included in the study. The mean chronological age of the cohort was 14.5 years (SD=1.47, range: 12 to 17 y) at the time of injury. The mean skeletal age at the time of injury in female patients was 12.6 years (SD=0.4, range: 12.0 to 13.0) and in males, 14.4 years (SD=0.7, range: 12.5 to 15.0). The cohort had a mean of 1.51 years of growth remaining (SD=0.6, range: 1 to 3.5 y). There was no significant change in the mean posterior tibial slope or medial proximal tibial angle between injury and final radiographs ( P =0.467, 0.906, respectively). Two patients developed a decrease in posterior tibial slope angle (flattening of slope) of greater than 3 degrees (3.9 and 6.7 degrees). Conclusions: Rigid transphyseal nailing of pediatric tibial shaft fractures in patients with open physes who are approaching maturity remains a safe treatment option; however, when more than 1 year of growth remains, surgeons must carefully monitor patients for the development of angular deformity at the knee.

Background: Lower extremity rotational abnormalities can cause difficulty with ambulation, patellofemoral pain and instability, hip and ankle pain, as well as differences in self-image in children and adolescents. Rotational osteotomies of the femur to correct these torsional differences have been shown to improve function, pain, and self-image. There are no studies to date evaluating risk factors for nonunion after femoral rotational osteotomies in children and adolescents. Methods: Patients 10 to 18 years old treated with femoral rotational osteotomy fixed with intramedullary nailing for idiopathic anteversion and retroversion over a 15-year period were included. Charts and radiographs were reviewed for patient characteristics, laterality, concomitant tibia osteotomy, nail material, interlocking screw construct, and radiographic measurements, including osteotomy location and canal fit. Patients with nonunion were compared with those who fully healed. Results: In this study of 203 femoral rotational osteotomies in 118 adolescent patients, the total incidence of nonunion was 10/203 for a rate of 4.9%. Overall complication rate was 6.9%. Univariate analysis of patient factors revealed that patients who were older, had a higher weight, and higher BMI were at higher risk of nonunion. The use of static interlocking screws and a lower canal fit ratio were also associated significantly with nonunion. Multivariate stepwise linear regression found relative canal fit ( P = 0.003) and interlock configuration ( P = 0.003) to be significant, and causal modeling identified significant factors related to nonunion as older age, static interlock type, and lower canal fit. Conclusions: Nonunion after femoral osteotomy is associated with higher age, weight, and BMI as well as use of static interlocking screws and lower canal fit ratio. Surgeons can use this information to risk stratify and counsel patients undergoing this procedure. Surgical techniques to minimize the chance of nonunion include use of dynamic interlocking screws and maximizing the canal fit ratio. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level III—case-control study.

Hemiepiphysiodesis using tension band plate and screws is a frequently used technique for the correction of lower extremity angular deformities. These implants are often left in place if patients have corrected their alignment on reaching skeletal maturity. There is little information regarding the rate of and reasons for subsequent removal of these deep implants. This retrospective case–control study included patients treated with hemiepiphysiodesis with tension band plate and screws at the distal femur and/or proximal tibia for idiopathic genu valgum and reached skeletal maturity with implants retained. Electronic medical records and radiographs were reviewed for patient characteristics and the need for subsequent removal of implants. Those who had implants removed were compared to those with implants not removed using Student’s t-test for continuous variables and chi-square for categorical variables. Forty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-five of 46 patients (54%) underwent subsequent removal of deep implants, and all cases were due to symptoms related to the plate and screws. Factors associated with removal of deep implants included multiple vs. single rounds of hemiepiphysiodesis (76% vs. 43%, P = 0.02) and plates at the distal medial femur alone (P = 0.004). There were no differences between groups regarding sex, age at hemiepiphysiodesis, height, weight, and BMI. In conclusion, after skeletal maturity, there was a 54% rate of removal of symptomatic hemiepiphysiodesis implants. Factors associated with implant removal include repeat hemiepiphysiodesis and isolated distal medial femur plate position. This information can be used to guide patient and provider expectations as patients transition to adulthood.

Background: Removal of the metaphyseal screw from tension band plate constructs after correction of angular deformity in patients treated with hemiepiphysiodesis has been suggested as an alternative to removing the plate and both screws. While this has the potential benefit of easier implant removal and reinsertion in the event of rebound, there is debate in the literature regarding the benefits and risks of leaving the epiphyseal screw and plate in place. Methods: Patients treated with hemiepiphysiodesis at the distal femur and/or proximal tibia with tension band plates and screws who underwent subsequent removal of the metaphyseal screw after correction were included. Charts and radiographs were reviewed for the need for metaphyseal screw reinsertion, subsequent removal of deep implants, and evidence of physeal tethering. Tethering was defined as progressive overcorrection in the treated bone segment after removal of the metaphyseal screw with the mechanical axis moving one full mechanical axis zone or more. Patients with tethering were compared with those without. Results: A total of 215 patients with 387 limbs treated met inclusion criteria. Of those, 175 patients were treated for idiopathic genu valgum, while 40 were treated for other conditions. Fifty-nine individuals (27%) underwent replacement of the metaphyseal screw for repeat angular correction. Fifty-one percent of patients underwent secondary procedures for reasons other than metaphyseal screw reinsertion (74 symptomatic implant removal, 7 elective implant removal, 29 due to tethering). There were 44 cases of tethering in 36 patients (17%). In cases of tethering, 7 patients were treated with observation, 11 with implant removal only, 16 with hemiepiphysiodesis on the opposite side, and 2 with osteotomy. Patients with tethering were significantly younger, more likely to be male, and more likely to have had the metaphyseal screw removed more than once (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Removal of only the metaphyseal screw after hemiepiphysiodesis has high rates of tethering and further surgery for iatrogenic deformity correction and implant removal. This technique is not recommended. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III, case-control study.

Objective: Intramedullary rodding of lower extremity long bones in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a widely accepted technique for fracture treatment and prevention. Previous small studies with short to medium-term follow-up have shown that telescoping rods have longer survival times compared with static rods. However, there are no long-term studies (10 or more years) longitudinally evaluating the results of these procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare the rod survival duration and number of procedures in patients treated with static versus telescoping rods with 10 years minimum follow-up. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective comparative study of patients with a diagnosis of OI who had intramedullary nailing of the femur and/or tibia. Each bone included in the study had a 10-year minimum follow-up, only one type of rod utilized over the follow-up period, and no rod replacement surgeries outside of the primary hospital system. Patient demographics, clinical data, and details of each procedure were obtained. Groups were compared using univariate analysis with a 2-independent samples t test for continuous variables, χ² for categorical variables, and the Kaplan-Meier method for survival analysis. Results: A total of 119 bones in 52 patients met inclusion criteria. Average follow up was 13.1 (range: 10.2 to 18.4) years. There were no differences between groups in follow-up length, Sillence type, bisphosphonate use, or age at first-rod placement. There were significantly more tibias treated in the static rod group compared with the telescopic rod group. The average survival length was significantly longer for telescopic rods, 5.8 ± 3.9 years versus 4.0±3.6 years for static rods. On average, bones treated with telescopic rods had significantly fewer surgeries compared with static rods (2.2 ± 0.8 vs 3.3 ± 1.6). Conclusion: At long term follow up, bone segments in patients with OI treated with telescopic rods required fewer surgeries and had longer implant survival times compared with those treated with static rods. When available, surgeons should consider telescopic rods as the initial implant choice in this patient population.

Objective: Medial epicondyle fractures are a common pediatric injury. When operative, cannulated partially threaded screws, with or without a washer, are commonly utilized. These implants may need to be removed after full healing if symptomatic. There is mixed evidence regarding the influence of a washer on rates of implant removal, and the influence of screw size has not been studied. We aim to determine the rate of symptomatic deep implant removal for each fixation type and identify factors associated with the need for removal. Methods: This was an IRB-reviewed, retrospective, case-cohort study. Patients treated at our institution between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2019, age 18 years old or younger, with a medial epicondyle fracture managed operatively with 4.0 or 4.5 mm cannulated screws with or without washers were included. Patients with multiple operative ipsilateral elbow fractures and those who underwent implant removal for reasons other than pain or irritation were excluded. Removal rates were compared between screw sizes (4.0 vs 4.5 mm), as well as with and without a washer using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: In total, 151 patients met the inclusion criteria, 54 with symptomatic hardware removed and 97 without symptomatic hardware removed. A significantly higher number of patients treated with 4.5 mm screws compared with 4.0 mm screws underwent removal of symptomatic deep implants (50% vs 30%, P = 0.033). In a multivariable Cox regression model adjusting for age and ulnar nerve status, when no washer was used, the hazard ratio (HR) for symptomatic hardware removal for 4.5 mm screws was 2.92 times the HR for 4.0 mm screws (95% CI: 1.35-6.29). When a 4.0 mm screw was used, the HR for symptomatic hardware removal for a washer was 3.24 times the HR without a washer (95% CI: 1.53-6.84). Conclusion: Implant removal rates are influenced by screw size and the use of a washer. These results may help guide implant choice and counsel families regarding the rate of symptomatic implant removal. Level of Evidence: Level III—therapeutic level, case-control study.

Background: Achondroplasia is the most prevalent form of skeletal dysplasia, affecting more than 250,000 individuals. Lower extremity angular deformities, particularly genu varum, are common in children with achondroplasia, often resulting in pain and limitation of function. The authors aim to determine the utility of lower extremity growth modulation with hemiepiphysiodesis in children with achondroplasia for correction of coronal plane deformities about the knee. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of a single center from 1/1/2000 to 12/31/2020 to identify pediatric patients with achondroplasia treated with hemiepiphysiodesis as their initial procedure at the distal femur and/or proximal tibia. Patients with adequate records and who had completed their treatment were included. Data collected included duration of treatment, complications, need for osteotomy, and radiographic measurements including initial and final mechanical axis deviation, knee mechanical axis zone, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle and medial proximal tibia angle. Results: Ten patients with 17 limbs met our criteria. Nine patients (15 limbs) were treated for genu varum and 1 patient (2 limbs) was treated for genu valgum. Prior to treatment, the mechanical axis fell in zone 3 in 59% of limbs and zone 2 in 41%. Average correction in mechanical axis deviation was 26.1 mm. Average change in mechanical lateral distal femoral angle was 10.3 degrees per limb, and average change in medial proximal tibia angle was 7.1 degrees per limb. Average treatment duration was 909 days. At final follow up, 81% (14/17) of limbs had the mechanical axis in zone 1, with the remaining 18% (3/17) in zone 2. No patient/limb underwent subsequent distal femur or proximal tibia osteotomy for coronal plane alignment. Conclusions: Children with achondroplasia can successfully be treated with hemiepiphysiodesis to correct coronal plane deformities at the distal femur and proximal tibia. Using this technique, no patient in our series required an osteotomy for genu varum/valgum. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level IV, Case series.

Supracondylar humerus fractures are a common pediatric orthopedic injury requiring surgery. These patients are typically seen 4 weeks post-op for cast and pin removal followed by an 8–12-week post-op motion check. Our study aimed to limit the number of in-office visits by conducting this last motion check by telehealth. This was a single-surgeon series of consecutive surgically treated supracondylar humerus fractures. The primary outcome was the number of patients who completed their range of motion check remotely. Loss to follow-up at the telehealth visit was compared to a prior cohort for whom the range of motion visit was performed in person. Secondary outcomes included number of patients missing work/school for the in-person vs. telehealth visits and satisfaction with the in-person and telehealth visits. Twenty-two patients were enrolled during the study period. Sixteen (73%) successfully completed their telehealth follow-up, which was similar to the prior in-person cohort. Significantly more parents/children had to take a day off from work/school to attend the in-person visit. No patient required a subsequent in-person visit or referral to physical therapy. A total of 100% of patients reported excellent satisfaction with their telehealth visit. Overall satisfaction was similar comparing the in-person vs. telehealth visits (84% vs. 100% reporting excellent satisfaction, P = 0.12). Telehealth is a viable option for the postoperative care of surgically treated supracondylar humerus fractures. This approach limits in-office visits and decreases the need for parents/children to miss work/school while maintaining excellent satisfaction scores.