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Background: Abnormal angular and torsional alignment of the lower extremities during growth are a common reason for consultation of a paediatrician or orthopaedist. There is often uncertainty about the pathological value of these abnormalities and the need for treatment, even among specialists. In the course of physiological growth and development processes, the axial and torsional alignment of the legs sometimes change considerably and in characteristic patterns., Diagnostics: The ability to assess whether abnormal angular or torsional alignments of the lower limb in the course of growth should still be regarded as normal or already as pathological, depending on age and gender, is essential for the treating physician and requires precise knowledge of the physiological development processes and the tolerable limits in all three spatial dimensions., Treatment: After careful explanation to the frequently concerned parents, a restrictive approach with observation of the spontaneous course of correction on the basis of regular clinical check-ups makes sense in the majority of cases. Pathological deviations from the physiological conditions are rare overall, can be idiopathic or of secondary origin and should be further clarified diagnostically using imaging procedures. As conservative measures are ineffective, pronounced angular and/or torsional deformities of the legs requiring treatment can only be corrected by surgical intervention, even in children and adolescents. The surgical treatment modalities available are varied and differ in terms of their invasiveness and complication profile, depending on the localization, type and severity of the deformity, as well as the age and possible concomitant diseases of the affected child or adolescent., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background and Purpose: Magnetically controlled motorized intramedullary lengthening nails (ILNs) can be employed for simultaneous correction of angular deformities of the distal femur and leg length discrepancy. This spares typical complications of external fixators but requires precise preoperative planning and exact intraoperative execution. To date, its results are insufficiently reported. We aimed to elucidate the following questions: (i) Is acute angular deformity correction and gradual femoral lengthening via a retrograde ILN a reliable and precise treatment option? (ii) What are the most common complications of treatment?, Methods: Acute angular deformity correction and subsequent gradual lengthening of the distal femur with retrograde ILN was retrospectively analyzed in 45 patients (median patient age: 15 years, interquartile range [IQR] 13-19 and median follow-up: 40 months, IQR 31-50). Outcome parameters were accuracy, precision, reliability, bone healing, and complications of treatment., Results: The median distraction was 46 mm (IQR 29-49), median distraction and consolidation index 0.9 mm/day (IQR 0.7-1.0) and 29 days/cm (IQR 24-43), respectively. The median preoperative mechanical axis deviation (MAD) was 30 mm (IQR 23-39) in the varus cohort and -25 mm (IQR -29 to -15) in the valgus cohort and reduced to a mean of 8 mm (standard deviation [SD] 8) and -3 (SD 10), respectively. Accuracy, precision, and reliability of lengthening were 94%, 95% and 96%, respectively. Accuracy and precision of deformity correction were 92% and 89%, respectively. In total, 40/45 of patients achieved distraction with a difference of less than 1 cm from the initial plan and a postoperative MAD ranging from -10 mm to +15 mm. In 13/45 patients unplanned additional surgeries were conducted to achieve treatment goal with nonunion being the most frequent (4/45) and knee subluxation (3/45) the most severe complication., Conclusion: Acute deformity correction and subsequent lengthening of the distal femur with retrograde ILN is a reliable and accurate treatment achieving treatment goal in 89% but unplanned additional surgeries in 29% of patients should be anticipated.

For paediatric orthopaedic surgeons treating leg length discrepancy, knowledge of the available procedures and their options and limits is just as important as mastery of the very different surgical methods and implants, as well as the possible complications, in order to be able to advise and treat the children and adolescents and their parents comprehensively and in the best interests. Both the growth inhibiting procedures and the complex bone lengthening procedures require a great deal of experience to successfully guide patients and families through what is often a lengthy and sometimes complicated treatment process. Careful preoperative indications and planning, precise surgical techniques with suitable instruments and implants, and attentive postoperative check-ups are mandatory prerequisites for the desired therapeutic success., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

The correction of angular deformities of the lower limb is a key task in paediatric orthopaedic surgery. The growth potential of the physis can be employed for the correction of these malalignments in childhood and adolescence. Hemiepiphysiodesis (HED) is a surgical technique used for growth modulation by permanent or temporary asymmetrical arrest of the growth plate. In permanent HED, exact timing of the procedure is mandatory to achieve optimal correction. Temporary HED through tension band devices such as two-hole-plates or flexible staples has been established as the treatment of choice for growth guidance with excellent results. Implant-associated complications have been significantly reduced through implant modifications. Several experimental procedures have the potential to achieve growth modulation even without the requirement of surgical intervention.

Aims: This study aims to enhance understanding of clinical and radiological consequences and involved mechanisms that led to corrosion of the Precice Stryde (Stryde) intramedullary lengthening nail in the post market surveillance era of the device. Between 2018 and 2021 more than 2,000 Stryde nails have been implanted worldwide. However, the outcome of treatment with the Stryde system is insufficiently reported., Methods: This is a retrospective single-centre study analyzing outcome of 57 consecutive lengthening procedures performed with the Stryde nail at the authors' institution from February 2019 until November 2020. Macro- and microscopic metallographic analysis of four retrieved nails was conducted. To investigate observed corrosion at telescoping junction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were performed., Results: Adjacent to the nail's telescoping junction, osteolytic changes were observed in bi-planar radiographs of 20/57 segments (35%) after a mean of 9.5 months (95% confidence interval 7.2 to 11.9) after surgery. A total of 8/20 patients with osseous alterations (40%) reported rest and ambulation pain of the lengthened segment during consolidation. So far, 24 Stryde nails were retrieved and in 20 (83%) macroscopic corrosion was observed at the nail's telescoping junction. Before implant removal 11/20 radiographs (55%) of lengthened segments with these 20 nails revealed osteolysis. Implant retrieval analysis by means of SEM showed pitting and crevice corrosion. EDX detected chromium as the main metallic element of corrosion., Conclusion: Patients are exposed to the risk of implant-related osteolysis of unclear short- and long-term clinical consequences. The authors advocate in favour of an early implant removal after osseous consolidation. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res  2021;10(7):425-436.

We report the results of intramedullary leg lengthening conducted between 2002 and 2009 using the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor in 69 unilateral lengthenings involving 58 femora and 11 tibiae. We identified difficulties that occurred during the treatment and assessed whether they were specifically due to the implant or independent of it. Paley's classification for evaluating problems, obstacles and complications with external fixators was adopted, and implant-specific difficulties were continuously noted. There were seven failures requiring premature removal of the device, in four due to nail breakage and three for other reasons, and five unsuccessful outcomes after completion of the lengthening. In all, 116 difficulties were noted in 45 patients, with only 24 having problem-free courses. In addition to the difficulties arising from the use of external fixators, there were almost the same number again of implant-specific difficulties. Nevertheless, successful femoral lengthening was achieved in 52 of the 58 patients (90%). However, successful tibial lengthening was only achieved in five of 11 patients (45%).

Background: This research was undertaken to determine whether there is a need for a second tibial tunnel in anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction., Hypothesis: Anatomic two-bundle reconstruction with two tibial tunnels restores knee anterior tibial translation in response to 134 N and to 5-N.m internal tibial torque combined with 10-N.m valgus torque more closely to normal than does double-bundle reconstruction with one tibial tunnel., Study Design: Controlled laboratory study., Methods: Ten cadaveric knees were subjected to a 134-N anterior tibial load at 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees and to 5-N.m internal tibial torque and 10-N.m valgus torque at 15 degrees and 30 degrees. Resulting knee kinematics and in situ force in the anterior cruciate ligament or replacement graft were determined by using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system for (1) intact, (2) anterior cruciate ligament-deficient, (3) double-bundle/one tibial tunnel, and (4) double-bundle/two tibial tunnels., Results: Anterior tibial translation for the reconstruction with two tibial tunnels was significantly closer to that of the intact knee than was the reconstruction with one tibial tunnel at 0 degrees and 30 degrees of flexion (0 degrees = 3.82 vs 6.0 mm, P < .05; 30 degrees = 7.99 vs 11 mm, P < .05). The in situ force normalized to the intact anterior cruciate ligament for the reconstruction with two tibial tunnels was significantly higher than the in situ force of the reconstruction with one tibial tunnel (30 degrees = 89 vs 82 N, P < .05). With a combined rotatory load, the anterior tibial translation of specimens with a tibial two-tunnel technique was significantly lower than that of specimens with one tunnel (0 degrees = 5.7 vs 8.4 mm, P < .05; 30 degrees = 7.5 vs 9.5 mm, P < .05)., Conclusions: Anatomic reconstruction with two tibial tunnels may produce a better biomechanical outcome, especially close to extension., Clinical Relevance: At the time of initial fixation, there appears to be a small biomechanical advantage to the second tibial tunnel in the setting of two-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.