Blount's disease.

Out of a total of 40 patients affected with Blount's disease treated at the Pediatric Orthopaedic Division of the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute between 1965 and 1996, 29 were affected with the infantile type, and 11 with the adolescent type. In the group affected with infantile Blount's disease, the mean age was 5.5 years, 11 were bilateral, for a total of 40 limbs affected, with a mean TMD angle of 24 degrees.

Intra-articular deformities of the knee in congenital hypoplasias of the lower limb: an arthroscopic study.

A knowledge of the morphology of the cruciate ligaments in congenital hypoplasias of the lower limb, susceptible to treatment to even the length discrepancy, is of practical importance in the prevention of subdislocation and dislocation of the knee during the distraction phase of femoral and/or tibial lengthening. The authors report their experience with 20 arthroscopies diagnosed in 20 children affected with congenital hypoplasia of the lower limb (shoft congenital femur, longitudinal peroneal hemimelia) performed prior to assembling the Ilizarov external fixator for femoral and/or tibial lengthening. None of the patients had congenital dislocation of the knee or knee with recurvation.

Femoral shaft fractures during childhood.

The treatment of femoral shaft fractures in the child is influenced by the anatomophysiological peculiarities of the bone in childhood. The authors report a personal series of 51 fractures treated surgically (Kuntschner, Rush, Kirshner, external fixator), and they analyze the most significant aspects of fractures of the diaphyseal segments during childhood: post-fracture lengthening and the ability for post-fracture malalignment to self-correct. Also considered are the different methods of treatment, emphasizing advantages and disadvantages (from an economical point of view, as well), to emphasize the authors' therapeutic orientation.

Recurrent dislocation of the elbow in children: description of a case.

The authors report a case of recurrent dislocation of the elbow in a boy aged 11 years, surgically treated by reconstruction of the lateral capsuloligamentous structures. After a review of the literature, the need for a diagnostic protocol to establish the main cause of recurrent dislocation is emphasized.

The chondroepitrochlearis muscle: case report.

An extremely rare muscle disorder in the pectoral region is described. It involves a musculotendinous unit which originates from the pectoralis major and inserts onto the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The authors report a case of an 11-year-old boy, affected bilaterally, who underwent surgical treatment to lengthen the chondroepitrochlearis muscle.

Arthroscopic surgery of the discoid meniscus during childhood.

A total of 43 lateral discoid menisci in 38 patients submitted to arthroscopy between 1990 and 1995 is discussed. Age ranged from 2 to 14 years. Morphological changes of the lateral meniscus were classified according to Watanabe criteria.

Joint fractures of the proximal end of the femur during childhood.

A total of 18 joint fractures of the proximal end of the femur in patients aged under 16 years (all treated non-surgically) are reported. Complete clinical-radiographic documentation was available for all 16 of them, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Results were evaluated based on the Ratliff criteria.

Complications in acetabuloplasty in the treatment of CHD during the growth age.

The authors analyze the complications of acetabuloplasty in the treatment of CHD during the growth age, evaluating the incidence and the possible causes, that emerged from a review of cases at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute including 238 patients treated from 1970 to 1986 using different methods. The techniques adopted were: acetabuloplasty for lowering in 100 cases, Salter osteotomy in 30 cases, triple pelvic osteotomy in 48 cases and acetabuloplasty according to the Chiari method in 50 cases. Complications of various types were observed in 9.

The treatment of congenital hip dysplasia.

The authors take into consideration the different phases of the treatment of congenital hip dysplasia (CHD) as it is related to age and natural development. Within the first year of age three objectives must be aimed at: reduction of the epiphysis, its retention and immobilization, maturation of the hip. After three years of age, once the epiphysis has been reduced, reconstructive and stabilizing surgery must be performed (acetabuloplasty and femoral osteotomy) in order to correct the modified joint parameters.

Traumatic lesions of the acetabular triradiate cartilage (presentation of four cases and considerations on treatment).

Four cases of fracture of the triradiate cartilage (TC) are reported, all of which may be classified as epiphyseal detachments. Two of the patients were submitted to osteosynthesis of the posterior column: results were very satisfactory in one of the cases for which long-term follow-up was obtained. The other two cases, treated non-surgically, developed meta-traumatic actabular dysplasia probably due to association with crushing phenomena (Salter-Harris V) in the germinative area of TC.

Complications of varus derotation osteotomy in the treatment of CHD during growth.

Complications of varus derotation osteotomies in the treatment of congenital hip displacement (CHD) are reported. Only "true" complications were considered, that is, those related to errors in technique, while those related to errors in indications were excluded. An analysis of 150 cases with a mean follow-up of 4.

External humeral condylar fracture in children. A long-term review of 30 cases operated.

Follow-up ranging from 2 to 14 years (mean 6 years) was obtained for 30 fractures of the external humeral condyle in children aged from 2 to 11 years; the patients had been submitted to reduction-osteosynthesis. Twelve patients were at the end of the growth period when followed-up. All of the patients were classified as Lagrange and Rigault grades II and III.

Treatment of the sequelae of septic osteoarthritis of the hip during pediatric age.

A total of 69 cases (73 hips) of the sequelae of septic osteoarthritis of the hip are studied. The sequelae are classified based on whether or not the femoral epiphysis is present, and on stability of the joint according to Hunka (1982). Three of the hips were treated non-surgically.

The treatment of congenital hip dislocation between the ages of 1 and 3.

A total of 81 patients (103 hips) with a diagnosis of congenital hip dislocation were reviewed, who had been treated between one and three years of age. All of the patients were initially treated with adhesive band traction prior to non-surgical reduction, which was performed under general anesthesia using gentle reduction maneuvers followed by immobilization in plaster. Non-surgical reduction was performed in 69 hips (67%), surgical in the remaining 34 (33%).

Glomus tumor in children (description of one case).

Glomus tumor is a lesion of the soft tissues which rarely occurs in children. One case of the disease characterized by deep localization and atypical radiographic symptoms and manifestations is described.

Post-injective quadriceps contracture.

After reviewing the literature, the authors report 19 patients affected with post-injective contracture of the quadriceps muscle observed by them between 1971 and 1983. Clinical evaluation, indications for surgery and the results of surgery are discussed.

Fractures of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia in children.

The authors review 31 cases of fracture of the intercondylar tibial eminence in children and adolescents. In view of the constant relationship observed between the initial clinical and radiological findings and the final results, they advise that a clinical examination in narcosis be done in all cases in order to ascertain the existence or otherwise of ligamentous laxity, which is the determining factor in the end result. After emphasizing the differences as compared with these fractures in adults, the principal surgical techniques are reviewed, including the role of arthroscopy.

Long term results of triradiate osteotomy of the pelvis. A follow-up study of 26 hips.

The authors reviewed 26 hips in 21 patients treated by triple osteotomy of the pelvis for the sequelae of congenital dysplasia or congenital dislocation of the hip. The minimum follow-up was 3 years, maximum 6 years. The clinical condition remained constant over this period.

Proximal radio-ulnar arthrorisis in the treatment of supination deformity resulting from obstetrical paralysis.

The authors describe the technique of the operation of proximal radio-ulnar arthrorisis, used in the treatment of supination deformity in children affected by obstetrical paralysis of the brachial plexus. The results obtained in 19 cases are discussed.

Congenital aplasia of the tibia.

The authors carried out a study of 15 patients with congenital aplasia of the tibia, 12 total and 6 partial. The clinical and radiographic characteristics of this severe deformity are discussed in relation to the classification and indications for treatment. The authors, whose preference is towards reconstructive surgery, had good results in the partial forms whilst in the total form reconstruction of a new knee joint gave functionally worthwhile results in exceptional cases.

Küntscher nailing in the treatment of femoral fractures in children. Is it completely contraindicated?

Seventeen children between the ages of 6 and 12 years with fractured femoral shafts were treated by Küntscher nailing. They were followed up clinically and radiographically to ascertain if nailing had any long term adverse effects. The following radiographic parameters were considered: --valgus, varus angle; --distance between lesser trochanter and acetabulum; --width of the neck of the femur; --distance between greater trochanter and acetabulum; --intertrochanteric distance.