Coxa Valga Research Articles

X-ray transparency interpositions after reduction of traumatic dislocations of the hip in children.

Traumatic dislocations of the hip are much less frequent in children than in adults. If some complications are well known (avascular necrosis of the femoral head, recurrent dislocation), the lateralization of the head by x-ray transparency interposition is less appreciated. We report 4 cases of x-ray transparency interposition in 15 reductions of incomplete traumatic dislocation of the hip. These 4 dislocations were posterior in non-pathological hips, three on the left side and one on the right. Our reductions have been easy and the hips remained stable. However, the post-reduction roentgenogram shows the same unusual enlarged joint space corresponding to the lateralization of the femoral head. Four arthrotomies were performed, tracing a cartilaginous fragment free or fixed to the articular capsule into the femoral joint. We have found a concentric reduction of the hip in 4 cases and enlargement from 1 to 3 mm of the joint space of the hip. After several years, articular function of the four hips is normal, nevertheless, they have shown a coxa valga with a femoral elongation to 10 mm, a coxa magna with an articular space wider than 1 mm, 2 very good concentric reductions of the hip. The lateralization of the head after reduction had to be detected as soon as the first radiographic control because it can cause immediate instability or arthrosis of the hip. Because of the cartilaginous or capsular composition and the size of the interposition, an arthrotomy is performed in front of a radiological enlarging of the space joint, or a loss of parallelism of osteochondral acetabulum bone. Computerized tomography and MRI can reveal the nature, the place of the included fragment, as well as the surgical approach. An arthrogram is not absolutely indispensible. Surgical exploration should avoid degenerative arthrosis after a lateralisation left untreated.

Dega Acetabuloplasty Combined With Intertrochanteric Osteotomies

Between 1973 and 1984, 70 modified Dega acetabuloplasties done simultaneously with intertrochanteric osteotomies in 51 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip were reviewed for long-term results and analyzed for causes of failure. Mean patient age at operation was 2.9 years (range, 8 months-8 years), and mean followup time was 15.2 years (range, 10-19 years). Topical investigations were based on clinical criteria of the Severin classification and radiologic criteria of the Commission for the Study of Hip Dysplasia of the German Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. The review of clinical documents and investigations very good and good results in 80% of the hips. The Trendelenburg sign was a useful clinical indicator for problematic cases. Measurements on radiographs were classified into deviation grades from the normal range. Values of the acetabulum and the acetabulum to head relation were normal or slightly abnormal in >80% of hips. Measurements of the femoral head and neck were in the low normal range. The lowest percentage of normal values was in 24 cases with coxa valga after acetabuloplasty combined with derotational varus osteotomy. Poor clinical and radiologic outcome usually was the result of avascular necrosis of the femoral head or recurring valgus deformity after derotational varus osteotomy. The rate of avascular necrosis as a consequence of the operation was 5.7%. The risk of avascular necrosis caused by derotational varus osteotomy is lower than the risk of later development of deformities in the proximal femur.

Valgus Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Fact or Fiction?

The cases of 2 patients with valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis are presented. Additional imaging studies provide support for true posterolateral epiphyseal displacement. Increased femoral anteversion and coxa valga contribute to the pathogenesis of valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis. In situ pin fixation is recommended for stable valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis. The importance of valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis lies in its recognition and appropriate screw placement when internal fixation is used. The percutaneous technique should be used with caution. A limited open technique is recommended when the anterior skin portal is near the femoral neurovascular bundle.

Intramedullary nailing of the femur in children. Effects on its proximal end

We have studied the medium- and long-term effects of femoral intramedullary nailing in 34 children. There was a high incidence of abnormality at the proximal end of the femur, including coxa valga, arrest of growth of the greater trochanter and thinning of the neck of the femur, because of damage to the trochanterocervical growth plate. These disorders affected 30% of the patients, mostly under the age of 13 years (p < 0.05), and were seen more frequently when the nail had been introduced through the piriform fossa. Other factors, such as the side, gender, aetiology, proximal or retrograde insertion, the size of nail and removal of the implant did not influence the result. We recommend that in patients under the age of 13 years other methods of management should be used to avoid damage to the growth plate.

Osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism

We describe a 22-month-old Japanese girl with severe microcephaly with a prominent nose and a receding chin, developmental delay, marked intrauterine and postnatal dwarfism with limb shortening and brachydactyly, and distinctive radiological changes of the skeleton. The radiological findings include hypoplasia of the short tubular bones, multiple pseudoepiphyses in the bases of the metacarpals, coxa valga, a wide pelvis with iliac flaring, thoracolumbar scoliosis, and disharmonious ossification delay. The clinical and radiological features are somewhat different from those of previously reported cases with osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism. The clinical and radiological manifestations of osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism are reviewed and compared with those in our patient.

Dysplasies hamartomateuses avec hémihypertrophie. Deux observations dont un syndrome Protée

Hamartomatous dysplasias with hemihypertrophy are a part of several congenital diseases, sometimes difficult to classify when their symptomatology is relatively poor. Case reports. - Case 1. A girl, 11 year-old, suffered from gigantism of the feet, left hemihypertrophy of the limbs, scoliosis and kyphosis. X-rays showed frontal hyperostose, bony and soft tissues overgrowth involving the left limbs and pelvis with hip dislocation and coxa valga. The vertebrae were hypertrophic and dysplastic. No tumor could be found. Case 2. A girl, 18 year-old, suffered from left hemihypertrophy of limbs and face associated with homolateral cutaneous hemangioma. X-rays showed enlargement of bone and soft tissue. No tumor or venous abnormalities were observed. Conclusion. - A diagnosis of Proteus syndrome was made in the first patient while the second patient was considered to have Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome even though hemangiomatous involvement has been seen in Proteus syndrome.

Femoral anteversion and neck-shaft angles in hip instability in cerebral palsy.

A consecutive sample of 411 hip roentgenograms in 215 patients with cerebral palsy was evaluated. Femoral anteversion and neck-shaft angles were measured and compared with hip stability indexes to determine which of the two angles is more important in hip instability. The correlation coefficients were higher and statistically significant for femoral anteversion and lower and statistically nonsignificant for neck-shaft angles. These findings suggest that increased femoral anteversion has greater correlation than increased coxa valga with hip instability in cerebral palsy patients and therefore should be addressed primarily when surgically treating these hips.

Patient with unusual Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome (progeria)

A patient with unusual Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome (progeria) is reported. This 7-year-old boy had all the characteristics of progeria, except for coxa valga and the “horse-riding” stance. A previous cerebral infarction was detected in the right putamen on cranial magnetic resonance imaging. During treadmill exercise test electrocardiography, ST depression suggested the existence of arteriosclerotic lesions. Skin fibroblast culture exhibited 76% DNA-repair capacity compared to normal. He has not manifested endocrinologic abnormalities. From these findings it is concluded that this patient has an incomplete case of Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome and that a correlation may exist between the clinical features and the degree of DNA-repair capacity.

Congenital and acquired orthopedic abnormalities in patients with myelomeningocele.

This article presents a radiologic review of the spectrum of acquired and congenital orthopedic abnormalities found in patients with myelomeningocele. These abnormalities are caused predominantly by muscle imbalance, paralysis, and decreased sensation in the lower extremity. Iatrogenic injury, such as a postoperative tethered cord, may also cause bone abnormalities. Selected images were obtained from more than 800 children. Important entities presented include spinal curvatures such as kyphosis, scoliosis, and lordosis; subluxation and dislocation of the hip, coxa valga, contractures of the hip, and femoral torsion; knee deformities; rotational abnormalities of the lower extremity and external and internal torsion; ankle and foot abnormalities such as ankle valgus, calcaneus foot, congenital vertical talus (rocker-bottom deformity), and talipes equinovarus; and metaphyseal, diaphyseal, and physeal fractures. Familiarity with congenital abnormalities and an understanding of the pathogenesis of acquired disorders in patients with myelomeningocele are essential for proper radiologic interpretation and timely therapy.

Sjögren-Larsson-like syndrome with bone dysplasia and normal fatty alcohol NAD + oxidoreductase activity

We report a boy and girl with a “new” multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome which resemblances Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. Both patients had a concordant pattern of anomalies consisting of congenital lamellar ichthyosis with spontaneous improvement, moderate mental retardation, mild pyramidal involvement, telecanthus, flat facies, stubby long bones, and coxa valga. Severe myopia, ventriculoseptal defect, and postaxial polydactyly were present in the girl who had more severe bone involvement with dense, enlarged metaphyses, vertebral dysplasia, and advanced skeletal maturation of the lower limbs. Long-chain fatty alcohol NAD + oxidoreductase (FAO) and steroid sulfatase were normal.

Metaphyseal acroscyphodysplasia

Based on two independent personal cases and a pair of sibs from the literature, we delineate a new category of bone dysplasia with cup-shaped large metaphyses, for which the name metaphyseal acroscyphodysplasia is suggested. The main clinical features are severe growth retardation, micromelia predominating in the lower limbs, knee flexion, and severe brachydactyly. The radiological aspect of the knees is very specific: the lower femoral and upper tibial epiphyses embed themselves in their metaphyses, which are severely cup-shaped. Premature central epiphyso-metaphyseal fusion and gross deformation, or even coalescence, of the femoral condyles may occur. The femoral diaphyses are very short and broad, and there is progressive coxa valga. Bowed and/or short stubby tibiae with cone-shaped metaphyses, and varus deformity of the tibio-astragalian joint are other features. Slight deformations of the long bones occur in the upper limb. Severe brachydactyly, brachymesophalangy, phalangeal and metacarpal cone-shaped epiphyses and irregular, bent and shortened diaphyses are the main signs of hand involvement. Psychomotor retardation is present in 3/4. Autosomal recessive inheritance is likely.

Orthopaedic Manifestations of Rett Syndrome

We reviewed nine patients with Rett syndrome, a progressive encephalopathy that is being diagnosed more frequently in the United States. It occurs in females, causing mental deterioration, autistic behavior, and classic hand-wringing motion. The orthopaedic manifestations include scoliosis, lower extremity contracture, and coxa valga. Bracing and surgery are indicated to prevent or correct deformity and maintain ambulation.

A New Look at the Forces Acting on the Hip Joint

A simple diagram of coronal plane forces about the hip is used to describe pathomechanics of coxa vara, coxa valga, coxarthrosis, femoral neck fracture, congenital coxa vara, slipped capital epiphysis, dislocation of the femoral head and acetabular loosening in total hip replacement. A common pattern of abnormality is seen to be excessive shear against a cranio-laterally oblique plane with consequent cranio-lateral migration of the structure distal to that plane. As soon as the plane is made horizontal with surgical treatment, the shearing forces disappear and the vertical compressive forces achieve healing.

Stickler Syndrome

Stickler syndrome is an autosomal-dominant disorder of connective tissue characterized by skeletal, orofacial, and ocular abnormalities. The most common specific roentgenographic findings include coxa valga and widening of the femoral neck. Acetabular protrusio, chondrolysis, avascular necrosis, and vertebral changes have also been described. Premature arthritic changes are to be expected. Congenital myopia and micrognathia are the most common nonskeletal findings. This syndrome should be considered when patients have unexplained coxa valga, especially with concomitant acetabular protrusio.

Surgical Treatment of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip

The results of two collective studies on congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) from a number of hospitals are reported here, including general trends in the Federal Republic of Germany and the author's personal methods and preferences. In the first collective study group, the rate of ischemic necrosis in open reductions was 8.2% for anterolateral approaches, 9.6% for inguinal, 16.7% for Ludloff's operation, and only 5.5% when shortening osteotomy was combined with open reduction. A simultaneous Salter osteotomy or acetabuloplasty increased the rate to 10.3% and a concomitant varus osteotomy to 22.2%. The author prefers an inguinal approach to the hip joint, first laterally and then medially of the iliopsoas muscle and femoral nerve, for optimal visualization of the acetabulum. Stability of the joint is increased by a girdle-like flap from the dorsolateral capsule, which is drawn anteriorly and prevents dorsal redislocation. Acetabuloplasty should also be used, even during the first year of life, in joints in which stability may only be guaranteed by extreme abduction and internal rotation. Salter's and Pemberton's osteotomies are used in Germany with good results. However, the author prefers a lateral Albee-Lance acetabuloplasty modified to a complete osteotomy for lateral levering of the acetabular roof. Long-term results show measurements between 82% and 93% of normal and slightly pathologic values. Simultaneous or single varus osteotomies lead to subcapital coxa valga and should no longer be used routinely. In adolescents and adults up to 45 years of age, as long as osteoarthritis is not too advanced and the femoral head is not too deformed, triple pelvic osteotomy with the author's type of modification has a number of advantages.

Orthopedic aspects of Rett syndrome: a multicenter review.

Twenty-three of 36 patients (64%) with Rett syndrome showed orthopedic problems at an average age of 8 years 7 months. Sixteen patients had spinal deformities (45%), six had scoliosis, one had sagittal deformity, and nine had scoliosis with sagittal deformity. Eight patients with scoliosis have shown progression, with two patients requiring surgery. Thirteen patients (36%) exhibited joint contractures; three of them have required surgery. Ten fractures occurred in five patients (14%). Coxa valga was present in all 14 hips. Skeletal ages in four preadolescent patients were normal.

Inflammatory cell changes in haversian canals. A possible cause of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

We studied the morphology of the haversian canals in the osteopenic cortical bone of the medial femoral neck from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and compared the findings with those in patients with osteoarthritis and with uncomplicated coxa valga. In the rheumatoid bone, the diameters of the canals were larger and many more contained osteoclasts. Fewer haversian canals showed only lining cells than in the osteoarthritic or coxa valga patients. In bone from rheumatoid patients, especially in canals with osteoclasts, small blood vessels were frequently lined by tall endothelial cells with an infiltration of mononuclear cells. These morphological differences are discussed with reference to the possible mechanisms of loss of cortical bone in rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.

An oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome: a case report with clinical, histochemical, and ultrastructural findings.

A 4 year old boy is reported with tyrosinase positive hypopigmentation, mental retardation, ataxia, and myopia. Radiological investigation showed occipital cerebral atrophy, coxa valga, and generalised osteoporosis. The skin histology and electron microscopy are reported and discussed. The clinical features are similar to those of the oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome described by Preus et al.

Deformities over the long axis of the hair in a premature ageing syndrome

A 45-year-old man with typical Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is described. The patient had the characteristic physical findings of this syndrome, such as short stature, “horse-riding” stance, coxa valga, alopecia, micrognathia, craniofacial disproportion, and prominent eyes. He had refractory congestive heart failure due to arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension, and he also had arteriosclerosis obliterans. Some immunologic and endocrinologic abnormalities commonly seen in the elderly were present in this patient. On the basis of a review of the literature, this is the first patient with this syndrome who had survived into the fourth decade.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome in a 45-year-old man

A 45-year-old man with typical Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is described. The patient had the characteristic physical findings of this syndrome, such as short stature, “horse-riding” stance, coxa valga, alopecia, micrognathia, craniofacial disproportion, and prominent eyes. He had refractory congestive heart failure due to arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension, and he also had arteriosclerosis obliterans. Some immunologic and endocrinologic abnormalities commonly seen in the elderly were present in this patient. On the basis of a review of the literature, this is the first patient with this syndrome who had survived into the fourth decade.