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Introduction: Infant developmental dysplasia of the hips arises when there is an interruption to normal joint development, usually present at birth but may be a later development. It has a wide spectrum of severity with potentially disastrous long-term complications if left untreated. Incidence is highly variable, often being attributed to differences of opinion in definition and diagnosis; however, there is consensus that ultrasound be used in screening and management. Topic Description: The anterior hip ultrasound technique is underutilised but is of value due to the additional confidence it provides regarding joint stability. Discussion: The ability to relate the acquired ultrasound image to hip anatomy and a technical appreciation of the technique are crucial to successful use. The method is described and its use within previous literature briefly outlined. Using pictorial ultrasound imaging examples to demonstrate the technique, we aim to highlight the anterior approach as a useful addition to ultrasound assessment of infant developmental dysplasia of the hips. Conclusion: Knowledge and understanding of different techniques is essential for practitioners involved in the diagnosis and management of this multifaceted and vigorously debated condition.

ObjectiveThe ‘GP check’ at 6–8 weeks forms part of the selective surveillance system for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the UK. It is imperative to pick up DDH within the first months of life to allow for non-invasive treatment and the avoidance of surgery. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of hip examination at 6–8 weeks.MethodsThis is a longitudinal observational study including all infants born in our region in the 5 years following 2006. Early presentation was defined as diagnosis within 14 weeks of birth and late presentation after 14 weeks. Treatment records for early and late DDH as well as referrals for ultrasound (US) following examination at 6–8 weeks were analysed. Attendance of the examination at 6–8 weeks in those patients who went on to present with a late DDH was also analysed.Results23 112 live births occurred during the study period. There were 141 confirmed cases of DDH. 400 referrals for US were received following examination at 6–8 weeks; 6 of these had a positive finding of DDH. 27 patients presented after 14 weeks and were classified as late presentations. 25 of these patients had attended examination at 6–8 weeks and no abnormality had been identified.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of examination at 6–8 weeks was only 19.4%, its specificity was 98% and it had a positive predictive value of 1.5%. For many years the check at 6–8 weeks has been thought of as a means to identify those children not identified as neonates; however, we found that four out of five children with DDH were not identified by the check at 6–8 weeks. Unfortunately, we conclude that the presumed safety net of the examination in its current form is not reliable.

Background Migration percentage (MP) is an accepted method of assessing lateral displacement of the femoral head in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Difficulty in positioning of patients for pelvic radiography remains a concern for the reliability of the MP. Methods This 2-part quantitative study examined 100 anteroposterior pelvic radiographs for children with CP. Fifty were from a region that had a positioning protocol for hip surveillance of children with CP and 50 images were from a region without. Images were assessed for acceptability of position in relation to hip abduction/adduction and/or pelvic rotation.Ten images deemed Acceptable or Borderline from the region with no protocol were then randomly selected. MP was measured on 2 separate occasions by 5 children's orthopaedic surgeons and statistically analyzed for intrarater and interrater reliability. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the acceptability of images between the 2 regions with 60% to 66% of the images meeting the criteria outright. When allowances were made for slight variation of abduction/adduction within 5 degrees, 74% to 80% of the images were acceptable.Reliability was variable with limits of agreement between 4.96% and 15.15%. Observers more familiar with the software measuring package had higher reliability within and between occasions. Variability within and between observers decreased as MP increased. Conclusions Poor positioning did not appear to be the main reason for the variation in reliability of MP. Repeat measurements were reliable although standardized technique, training, and familiarity with software measuring programmes did influence outcomes.

Background Notching of the anterior femoral cortex in distal femoral fractures following TKR has been observed clinically and studied biomechanically. It has been hypothesized that femoral notching...

Ulnar subluxation of the extensor digitorum communis tendons at the metacarpophalangeal joints occurs rarely in the absence of rheumatoid disease or a history of trauma. Three elderly women presented with chronic ulnar subluxation of the extensor tendons of spontaneous onset. They did not have rheumatoid arthritis and had suffered no acute injury. Seven extensor tendon relocations were performed. The treatment options for this condition are discussed. Recognition of this condition is important if permanent loss of function and disability is to be avoided.

This study was designed to determine whether prophylactic pinning of the unaffected hip in unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis affects the proximal femoral morphology. Twenty-four hips prophylactically pinned were compared with 26 cases observed. The articulotrochanteric distance (ATD) and the trochanteric-trochanteric distance (TTD) were measured. Postoperative radiographs were compared with final follow-up radiographs. The final TTD : ATD ratio was higher (P=0.048) in the pinned group, suggesting relative coxa vara/breva. There was a smaller difference between the two hips in the prophylactically pinned group (0.7) as opposed to those observed (1.47). Prophylactic pinning does not cause growth to stop immediately but alters the proximal femoral morphology.

Between July 1994 and June 2004, 60 patients with 76 slipped upper femoral epiphyses were managed within the adult trauma service of three hospitals. Treatment was by a single cannulated screw. Of these cases, 53 were unilateral, in 17 of which uncomplicated prophylactic fixation of the contralateral hip was performed. Of the other 36 cases, nine presented with a subsequent slip despite ongoing out-patient care. The subsequent slip was unpredictable in timing and unrelated to the age at the initial slip. It was more often unstable and in one case avascular necrosis developed. The overall rate of avascular necrosis, although in accordance with the literature, was 60% in acute unstable slips with a slip angle greater than 40°. In our experience, prophylactic fixation was safer than continued observation of the contralateral hip.

The advantages and disadvantages of endoscopic compared with open carpal tunnelreleasearecontroversial. We have performed a prospective, randomised, blinded assessment in a district general hospital in order to determine if there was any demonstrable advantage in undertaking either technique. Twenty-five patients with confirmed bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were randomised to undergo endoscopic release by the single portal Agee technique to one hand and open release to the other. Independent preoperative and postoperative assessment was undertaken by a hand therapist who was blinded to the type of treatment. Follow-up was for 12 months. The operating time was two minutes shorter for the open technique (p < 0.005). At all stages of postoperative assessment, the endoscopic technique had no significant advantages in terms of return of muscle strength and assessment of hand function, grip strength, manual dexterity or sensation. In comparison with open release, single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release has a similar incidence of complications and a similar return of hand function, but is a slightly slower technique to undertake.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cervical isometric strength, fatigue endurance and range of motion of adult and under-18 age-grade front-row rugby players to inform the development of a safe age group policy with particular reference to scrummaging.DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study.SETTING: 'Field testing' at Murrayfield stadium.PARTICIPANTS: 30 high-performance under-18 players and 22 adult front-row rugby players.OUTCOME MEASURES: Isometric neck strength, height, weight and grip strength.RESULTS: Youth players demonstrated the same height and grip strength as the adult players; however, the adults were significantly heavier and demonstrated substantially greater isometric strength (pCONCLUSIONS: Extreme forces are generated between opposing front rows in the scrum and avoidance of mismatch is important if the risk of injury is to be minimised. Although elite youth front-row rugby players demonstrate the same peripheral strength as their adult counterparts on grip testing, the adults demonstrate significantly greater cervical strength. If older youths and adults are to play together, such findings have to be noted in the development of age group policies with particular reference to the scrum.

The Pavlik harness has been used in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip for almost 60 years. During this time there has been little in the way of modification of the original design. In clinical practice it has an established role, but it is recognized to be less effective in more unstable hips, which are often associated with marked acetabular dysplasia. The authors present a simple modification that proved successful in three hips that were not stabilized in a Pavlik harness applied in the usual fashion.

Objectives To evaluate the neck strength of school-aged rugby players, and to define the relationship with proxy physical measures with a view to predicting neck strength. Methods Cross-sectional cohort study involving 382 rugby playing schoolchildren at three Scottish schools (all male, aged between 12 and 18 years). Outcome measures included maximal isometric neck extension, weight, height, grip strength, cervical range of movement and neck circumference. Results Mean neck extension strength increased with age (p = 0.001), although a wide inter-age range variation was evident, with the result that some of the oldest children presented with the same neck strength as the mean of the youngest group. Grip strength explained the most variation in neck strength (R2 = 0.53), while cervical range of movement and neck girth demonstrated no relationship. Multivariable analysis demonstrated the independent effects of age, weight and grip strength, and the resultant model explained 62.1% of the variance in neck strength. This model predicted actual neck strength well for the majority of players, although there was a tendency towards overestimation at the lowest range and underestimation at the highest. Conclusion A wide variation was evident in neck strength across the range of the schoolchild-playing population, with a surprisingly large number of senior players demonstrating the same mean strength as the 12-year-old mean value. This may suggest that current training regimes address limb strength but not neck strength, which may be significant for future neck injury prevention strategies. Age, weight and grip strength can predict around two thirds of the variation in neck strength, however specific assessment is required if precise data is sought.

Costoplasty can reduce the important cosmetic deformity of rib prominence in scoliosis but there are few objective reports of correction. We recorded the results of three objective methods of assessing back shape before and after short-segment costoplasty in 55 patients. We showed that significant improvement was maintained over a two-year follow-up period. Primary costoplasty at the time of scoliosis surgery (n = 35) achieved greater proportional correction than secondary costoplasty performed after fusion of the spine (n = 20). The rib segments removed at primary surgery provided enough bone for the autogenous graft; harvesting from the pelvis was unnecessary. We report a new classification of rib morphology which helps in planning the site and extent of costoplasty, and in predicting the possible correction.

Two children presented with an isolated foot and ankle deformity. Examination in each suggested a plexiform neurofibroma although this diagnosis had not been considered before referral. Diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 was confirmed by MRI scanning and on investigation both patients were proved to have widespread disease. One had a plexiform neurofibroma encasing the aorta and oesophagus. Both cases remain under observation and have not undergone surgery for their disease. Neurofibromatosis can present with isolated foot and ankle deformity and when such a diagnosis is suspected thorough investigation is important in a condition in which unsuspected widespread disease may exist.

Potentially dangerous muscle damage is often overlooked in the salvage of severely injured limbs. Muscle damage may be due to direct injury with crush, laceration or contusion. This may be complicated by ischaemia through prolonged compression at the time of injury or later as a result of raised compartmental pressure. The result of muscle damage, irrespective of cause, is rhabdomyolysis, in which alteration of the cell membrane occurs with release of intracellular contents. The systemic effect of rhabdomyolysis can vary from transient mild hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, myoglobinaemia and elevated creatinine phosphokinase to the lifethreatening crush syndrome with hypovolaemic shock, cardiac arrhythmias and acute myoglobinuric renal failure. The local effect is increased capillary permeability resulting in accumulation of tissue fluid and raised compartment pressure. Rhabdomyolysis may therefore cause compartment syndrome; however, the converse is true, with prolonged compartment syndrome small vessel thrombosis may cause cellular death with subsequent rhabdomyolysis despite axial vessel patency (Kitka et al., 1987). The crush syndrome was first described in air raid victims trapped under falling masonry (Bywaters and Beall, 1941); however, it may be encountered in peacetime as is illustrated by the following three cases.

A case of sequential spontaneous loss of flexion in the thumb and index finger over a 10 year period is reported. Previously unrecognized carpal collapse as a consequence of a longstanding scaphoid nonunion was identified as the cause. Fusion of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb and suture of the index profundus tendon to the middle profundus tendon resulted in a good outcome.

Objectives This study set out to pursue means of reducing mismatch in schoolboy rugby players. The primary objective was to determine whether application of previously reported thresholds of height and grip strength could be used to distinguish those 15-year-old boys appropriate to play under-18 school rugby from their peers. A secondary objective was to obtain normative data for height, weight and grip strength and to assess the variation within that data of current schoolboy rugby players. Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting 3 Scottish schools and ‘Regional Assessment Centres’ organised by the Scottish Rugby Union. Participants 472 rugby playing youths aged 15 years (Regional Assessment Centres) and 382 schoolboys aged between 12 and 18 years (three schools). Outcome measures Height, weight and grip strength. Results 97% of 15-year-olds achieved the height and grip strength thresholds based on previous reported values. Larger mean values and wide variation of height, weight and grip strength were recorded in the schoolboy cohort. However, using the mean values of the cohort of 17-year-olds as a new threshold, only 7.7% of 15-year-olds would pass these thresholds. Conclusions Large morphological variation was observed in schoolboy rugby players of the same age. Physical maturity tests described in earlier literature as pre-participation screening for contact sports were not applicable to current day 15-year-old rugby players. New criteria were measured and found to be better at identifying those 15-year-old players who had sufficient physical development to play senior school rugby., Article summary Article focus Potential for physical mismatch between schoolboy rugby players and assessment of established maturity testing methods to try to reduce this mismatch, and modifications based on new population data. Key messages Large morphological variation was observed in schoolboy rugby players of the same age. Previously reported parameters of physical maturity were not suitable to assess the current schoolboy rugby playing population. New criteria, based on current players, were found to better differentiate 15-year-old players as to their suitability to play senior school rugby, with the aim of reducing physical mismatch. Strengths and limitations of this study Evidence that current screening parameters are inadequately sensitive. Current population data collected to describe cohorts of schoolboy rugby players. Application of current data allows better assessment of physical maturity to inform the decision of whether an individual could play senior school rugby. There is an urgent need to establish a robust system for recording injuries in order to substantiate the screening system.

The pre-operative lumbar spine radiographs of 200 consecutive patients who had undergone discectomy for prolapsed intervertebral disc were reviewed. Prolapse was recognized as bulging or sequestration of the disc with consequent root compromise. Measurement of the lumbar level of the interiliac line was shown to correlate with the level of disc prolapse and the incidence of transitional vertebrae at the lumbosacral junction was significantly higher than normal. A pathological value for the lumbosacral angle could not be identified.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of three doses of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A; Dysport®) in 125 patients (mean\ud age 5.2 years, SD 2; 54% male)with dynamic equinus\ud spasticity during walking. Participants were randomized to\ud receive Dysport (10, 20, or 30 units/kg) or placebo to the\ud gastrocnemius muscle of both legs. Muscle length was\ud calculated from electrogoniometric measurements and the\ud change in the dynamic component of gastrocnemius\ud shortening at four weeks was prospectively identified as the\ud primary outcome measure. All treatment groups showed\ud statistically significant decreases in dynamic component\ud compared with placebo at 4 weeks. Mean improvement in\ud dynamic component was most pronounced in the 20 units/kg\ud group, being equivalent to an increase in dorsiflexion with the knee extended at 19°, and was still present at 16 weeks. The safety profile of the toxin appears satisfactory.