Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Single Pediatric Center Experience From 2014 to 2019.

Background: Acute flaccid myelitis has emerged as the leading cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children. Acute flaccid myelitis leads to significant physical disability; hence, objective outcome measures to study disease severity and progression are desirable. In addition, nerve transfer to improve motor function in affected children needs further study.

Hand Reconstruction in Children with Spinal Cord Injury.

Comprehensive programs for children who sustain traumatic spinal cord injury should incorporate optimizing hand and upper extremity function along with the other traditional pillars of rehabilitation. Children's smaller anatomy, open growth plates, and future skeletal growth, combined with the age-related psychosocial impact of these injuries, require protocols suited to these age-related issues. There is a role for surgical reconstruction, as is the case for adults with traumatic tetraplegia, and surgical outcomes are equally beneficial and long lasting.

Microsurgery for Brachial Plexus Injury Before Versus After 6 Months of Age: Results of the Multicenter Treatment and Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Injury (TOBI) Study.

Background: Infants with more severe brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) benefit from primary nerve surgery to improve function. The timing of the surgery, however, is controversial. The Treatment and Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Injury (TOBI) study is a multicenter prospective study with the primary aim of determining the optimal timing of this surgical intervention.

Reconstruction of the Suprascapular Nerve in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: A Comparison of Nerve Grafting and Nerve Transfers.

Background: Shoulder external rotation recovery in brachial plexus birth injury is often limited. Nerve grafting to the suprascapular nerve and transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve are commonly performed to restore shoulder external rotation, but the optimal surgical technique has not been clearly demonstrated. We investigated whether there was a difference between nerve grafting and nerve transfer in terms of shoulder external rotation recovery or secondary shoulder procedures.

Early Predictors of Microsurgical Reconstruction in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy.

Background: Microsurgical reconstruction is indicated for infants with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) that demonstrate limited spontaneous neurological recovery. This investigation defines the demographic, perinatal, and physical examination characteristics leading to microsurgical reconstruction.

Methods: Infants enrolled in a prospective multicenter investigation of BPBP were evaluated.

Outcomes of Operative Treatment of Triangular Fibrocartilage Tears in Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes.

Background: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears have been treated with increasing frequency in pediatric and adolescent patients over the past decade. There is little information on these injuries in young athletes and a scarcity of data regarding their ability to return to preinjury levels of athletic participation. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of pediatric and adolescent athletes with operatively treated TFCC tears with or without a concurrent ulnar shortening osteotomy and to determine their ability to return to their preoperative level of activity.

Surgical treatment of upper extremity contractures in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a rare form of muscular dystrophy. In the present study we present two patients with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and severe upper extremity contractures treated successfully with contracture release and musculotendinous lengthenings. For each of these patients a chart review was carried out and surgical technique reviewed.

Extensor pollicis longus ruptures in distal radius fractures: clinical and cadaveric studies with a new therapeutic intervention.

We conducted a study to evaluate aspiration of the third dorsal compartment as a therapeutic option for preventing extensor pollicis longus ruptures in association with distal radius fractures. A cadaveric model with a nondisplaced distal radius fracture was created, and radiopaque (Hypaque) dye was injected into the fracture site. Pressure readings were taken from the third dorsal compartment before and after dye injection.

Surgical treatments to restore function control in spinal cord injury.

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a profound loss of control of their lives and abilities. Surgical procedures are of significant benefit in improving autonomy, self-care, and body function. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is useful at higher levels of paralysis such as ASIA C5 or C6 where there are no remaining voluntary muscles for tendon transfer and can partially replace respiration, balance, and ambulation.

Surgical restoration of arm and hand function in people with tetraplegia.

Improved hand and arm function is the most sought after function for people living with a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Surgical techniques have been established to increase upper extremity function for tetraplegics, focusing on restoring elbow extension, wrist movement, and hand opening and closing. Additionally, more innovative treatments that have been developed (implanted neuroprostheses and nerve transfers) provide more options for improving function and quality of life.

Remodeling potential of phalangeal distal condylar malunions in children.

Purpose: Distal condylar phalangeal (DCP) fractures in children are uncommon, but their periarticular location makes them problematic. Malunions are particularly difficult to treat. These fractures are generally thought to have a poor remodeling potential because their location is far from the phalangeal physis.

Update on tendon transfers for peripheral nerve injuries.

Tendon transfer surgery to restore fundamental wrist and hand function is made possible by the redundancy that exists among the actions of our upper-extremity musculature. Potential donors for transfer are those muscles with adequate power to motor the recipient tendon, similar tendon excursion to the recipient, and function in phase with the recipient. Resolution of wound healing, union of fractures, and mobilization of stiff joints are prerequisites for a functioning tendon transfer.

Update of the physiology and biomechanics of tendon transfer surgery.

Tendon transfer surgery has evolved over the past decade. Unique muscle properties have been elucidated in terms of potential force generation, excursion, and metabolic properties. The choice of an appropriate donor muscle is becoming more of a science than an art.