Fractures of the humerus in the neonatal period.

Background: Fractures of the humerus in neonates can pose a diagnostic challenge, especially when the fracture occurs in the proximal or distal epiphysis.

Objectives: To review our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of birth-related humeral fractures.

Methods: Between the years 2001 and 2009, seven newborn patients and two patients treated in the neonatal intensive care unit sustained a fracture of the humerus.

Treatment duration of developmental dysplasia of the hip: age and sonography.

We retrospectively assessed babies treated according to Pavlik's method and followed up in our outpatient clinic between the years 2001 and 2005, investigating the influence of age at onset of treatment and severity of sonographic pathologies on the rates of avascular necrosis and treatment duration of 343 pathological hips in 311 neonates. No osteonecrosis was observed at the 1-year follow-up. Early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip and early initiation of treatment using Pavlik's method are important in preventing osteonecrosis, and have high success rates.

[Cerebral palsy: classification and etiology].

Cerebral palsy (CP), a common condition of abnormalities in the brain, arises early in life. Since the term was first introduced in 1843, many authors have tried to define and classify CP. The most recent definition was released by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) in 2005.

Iliopsoas tenotomy at the lesser trochanter versus at the pelvic brim in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Progressive hip flexion deformity is a common problem in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy, causing static and dynamic deformity. The iliopsoas muscle is recognized as a major deforming force in the development of this problem. Many clinicians address this problem by lengthening the iliopsoas, either in an intramuscular location at the pelvic brim or by complete tenotomy at the lesser trochanter.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita - local experience.

Background. Arthrogryposis is a heterogeneous group of problems of the musculoskeletal system, clinically characterized by multiple contractures of the joints of at least two anatomical regions, presenting at birth. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of a therapeutic approach to patients at the University Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic in Bratislava.

Achilles tendon length in children evaluated sonographically.

The purpose of this study was to improve our knowledge of the behavior of the Achilles tendon as a basis for decision-making in Achilles lengthening or tenotomy, we sonographically measured the normal and club feet of 101 babies, mean age 4 months, in standard parameters: tibio-talo-calcaneal angle, length of Achilles tendon, distance from tibia to calcaneus, and distance from a line parallel to the posterior cortex of the tibia to the calcaneus. All measurements were age-matched from birth to 1 year in maximal plantar and dorsal flexion. In conclusion, we describe the normal values for the four parameters in plantar and dorsal flexion.