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OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the progression of patella alta (PA) in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) using the Koshino-Sugimoto (KS) index and assess associated risk factors. METHOD Participants in our retrospective study met the following inclusion criteria: patients with CP who visited our institute from May 2003 to December 2019, were ≤18 years of age, were followed up for >2 years and had at least two lateral knee radiographs. KS indices of both knee radiographs were measured for each patient. A linear mixed model was implemented. RESULTS Our participants included 222 CP patients. KS index values were measured via 652 knee radiographs. Reference values of the KS index for those between 4 and 18 years of age were determined according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. In all GMFCS levels, the KS index decreased with patients' ages (P < 0.0001). In groups where the KS index increased, GMFCS levels IV (P = 0.0045) and V (P = 0.0040) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Change in the KS index values indicates that PA improves as patients age within all GMFCS levels. However, in patients with GMFCS levels of IV and V, progressive PA is expected.

Calcaneal lengthening (CL) is one of the treatment options for planovalgus deformity in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). However, its indication still needs to be clarified according to the functional status of CP. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiographic outcome after CL in patients with CP and to evaluate the risk factors causing undercorrection of planovalgus deformities. We included consecutive patients with CP who underwent CL for planovalgus deformity, were followed for more than 2 years, and had preoperative and postoperative weight-bearing anteroposterior (AP) and lateral foot radiographs. Six radiographic indices were used to assess the radiographic outcome. The patient age, sex, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level were evaluated as possible risk factors, and we controlled for the interaction of potentially confounding variables using multivariate analysis. A total of 44 (77 feet) patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 10.5±4.0 years and the mean follow-up was 5.1±2.2 years. Patients with GMFCS III/IV achieved less correction than those with GMFCS I/II in the AP talus-first metatarsal angle (P=0.001), lateral talocalcaneal angle (P=0.028), and the lateral talus-first metatarsal angle (P

Proximal femoral osteotomy has been used in cerebral palsy, Perthes disease, hip dysplasia, idiopathic femoral anteversion, and various hip diseases in children and adolescents. Conventionally, a blade plate (BP) has been used. However, the pediatric locking compression plate (LCP) has recently been applied widely. We compared the hardware-related complications of the BP and the LCP as well as the factors influencing these complications in patients who have undergone a proximal femoral osteotomy in children and adolescents. We enrolled consecutive patients aged less than or equal to 20 years who had undergone proximal femoral osteotomy with BP or LCP between May 2003 and December 2014, and who were followed up until 6 months after hardware removal. Following consensus building, hardware-related complications were identified from the patients' medical records and hip radiographs. Patient age, sex, type of plate, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level in cerebral palsy patients were evaluated as possible risk factors, and a generalized estimating equation was used to assess the risk factors for hardware-related complications. A total of 417 hips from 251 patients were finally included in this study. Seven losses of fixation around the plate (five patients, 3.0%) occurred in the BP, three implant-related fractures (three patients, 3.6%) occurred in the LCP, and there was no significant difference (P=0.74). All hardware-related complications occurred in cerebral palsy patients, and the implant-related fractures occurred in patients with GMFCS IV/V. The risk of complications increased with age (P=0.002). The risk of loss of fixation around the BP is a well-known complication. However, LCP is not without hardware-related complications. The LCP provides strong stability of fixation. However, it is speculated that the LCP is related to implant-related fractures because of the stress shielding effect. Therefore, care should be exercised when using a locking plate in patients with osteoporosis, such as cerebral palsy with GMFCS IV/V. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III.