Vol 5, No 1 (2017)

Background. Identification of the genetic prerequisites for development of spinal deformity.

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of distribution of alleles and genotypes for polymorphisms −3731A/G (Cdx2) and +61968T/C (TaqI) of the VDR gene and −1997G/T and +1245G/T (Sp1) of the COL1A1 gene in children with scoliosis of various etiologies and in healthy children.

Materials and methods. Clinical genetic testing was performed in 154 children with congenital scoliosis, 145 children with idiopathic scoliosis, and 278 children without an orthopedic pathology. The molecular genetic testing was performed by PCR.

Results. Genotype tt/GG VDR gene incidence is twice as high in children with congenital scoliosis than in children who do not have scoliosis (11% and 5.2% of cases, respectively; χ² = 4.17; df = 1; p = 0.04).

Conclusion. We have found that children with the allele carriers t(C) and genotype tt(CC) in patients with congenital scoliosis were significantly more likely than children without scoliosis spinal deformity.

Introduction. Pathological dislocation of the hip is one of the most severe complications of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis. The program of treatment for children with pathological hip dislocation is complex, but it has been sufficiently developed and implemented very successfully. At the same time, the available literature provides no cases of treating children with bilateral pathological hip dislocations after hematogenous osteomyelitis. There is no information on the incidence of such cases or in regards to remote functional results.

Materials and methods. The results of the treatment of 18 children with bilateral pathological dislocation of the hip after hematogenous osteomyelitis are presented, which constituted 23.1% of the total number of patients (78) who underwent surgery in 2000–2016 for the diagnosis of pathological hip dislocation. Both hip joints were surgically operated on in 12 patients, while one hip joint was operated on in 6 patients. To assess the anatomical and functional state of hip joints, the clinical and roentgenological diagnostic techniques were used.

Results and discussion. To stabilize and restore the function of the hip joints, 18 children underwent 30 surgical interventions: simple open hip reduction (19) and open hip reduction with hip arthroplasty with one (6) or two (5) demineralized osteochondral allogeneic grafts. The decision regarding the possibility of performing surgical intervention on the second hip joint was made only after a child's check-up examination was complete and after positive information about the anatomical and functional state of the operated hip joint was obtained. According to these criteria, 14 (77.8%) children underwent surgical treatment of the second hip joint 1–1.5 years after the course of conservative measures to restore the range of motion in the previously operated hip joint.

Over a period of 1–12 years, 17 patients were examined, 10 of which underwent an operation on both sides (27 joints). The preservation of up to 80º or more of motion amplitude was noted in 17 (62.9%) of 27 operated hip joints. When assisting patients with pathological hip dislocation, it is necessary to understand that it is practically impossible to restore the affected joint to the anatomical state of the opposite unaffected joint. As for the bilateral lesion, this is most certainly impossible, and the development of arthrosis is inevitable. Therefore, the most important factor reflecting the degree of well-being and stability of the affected joint is the amplitude of active movements. Preserving this amplitude in the affected joints with a careful and attentive attitude is a fundamental and feasible task.

Aims. To examine the results of treatment for patients with a non-stable form of equino-plano-valgus foot deformity in cerebral palsy with the use of corrective osteotomy of the calcaneus. To further analyze the errors and complications that occurred in patients treated with this technique.

Materials and methods. From 2006 to 2014, 64 patients (103 feet) aged 3 to 17 years were operated using the described method of calcaneus correcting osteotomy. The equinus contracture was eliminated by transection of the gastrocnemius muscle tendon and extending achilloplastic surgery. The abnormal muscle tone was reduced either by administering the drug Dysport into the gastrocnemius muscle or by selective neurotomy of the tibial nerve.

Results. The analysis revealed that there were good results for 75%, satisfactory results for 18%, and unacceptable results for 7% of patients. The unacceptable results of treatment were due to several technical and tactical errors, which were grouped and analyzed.

Conclusion. The analysis of errors and complications of calcaneus corrective osteotomy for patients with cerebral palsy with a mobile form of talipes equinoplanovalgus will enable their future avoidance and improvement of the treatment quality.

Background. The effect of different footwear profiles on knee adduction moment have not been fully studied.

Methods. Fifteen healthy volunteer subjects, age 25.3 (±2.73), undertook a series of gait laboratory trials with adapted shoes. Kinematic and kinetic data were collect using 16 Oqus 3+ cameras and the walking speed was controlled using timing gates. High street shoes were adapted to include five different heel heights (varying from a 1.5 cm to 5.5 cm heels), two heel profile conditions (curved and semi-curved heels), three varying apex angles (10, 15, and 20 degrees), and barefoot and 3CR footwear conditions. The baseline shoe had no heel curve, a heel height of 3.5cm, an apex position of 62.5% of the shoe length, an apex angle of 15 deg, and a rigid forepart of the shoe.

Results. The shoe with 5.5 cm heel height significantly increased the mean knee adduction moment during 50%–100% of the stance phase compared to the 1.5 cm heel (p = 0.008). The high heel shoe also significantly increased knee adduction impulse (area under the curve) versus the 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 cm heels, and the 10° toe angle and barefoot condition. Ten degrees of toe angle reduced mean knee adduction moment during 0%–50% of the stance phase versus 20° and significantly reduced mean knee adduction moment during the late stance phase versus 15° and 20° toe angle footwear conditions. Walking with the curved heel for the healthy subjects increased mean knee adduction moment during 0%–50% of the stance phase compared to the heel without curvature (p < 0.0009).

Conclusion. Further study is required to investigate those changes in patients with high risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Genu recurvatum is an uncommon condition in children. Occasionally, it may occur as a late complication of femoral shaft fracture. There are studies that describe the possibility of genu recurvatum occurrence due to the tibial pin traction and without tibial tuberosity pinning. The primary traumatic reasons are Salter – Harris V-type fractures of the tibial tuberosity and tuberosity avulsion. Our case of genu recurvatum occurrence in an 8-year-old girl with femoral shaft fracture 3 years after trauma confirms the importance of this complication. We believe that the etiology of tibial physeal closure and genu recurvatum after femoral fracture in children is unclear. It seems that identifying one cause for this serious complication in all cases is not possible. However, for complete elimination of iatrogenic factors, we recommend not to put the wire through tibial tuberosity in cases where traction is necessary.

The experience of the Turner Scientific and Research Institute for Children's Orthopedics in educational activities for improvement of the professional knowledge of pediatric physicians was represented. The target audience of the continuous medical education include traumatologists, pediatric surgeons, and doctors of related specialties of Russia that are involved in diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of children with injuries, congenital and acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Since 1986, the Institute has organized 28 all-Russian scientific and practical conferences on topical issues of traumatology and orthopedics of pediatric age in 22 different cities across the country. In the interest of the institute, the school of pediatric orthopedists is constantly working for district orthopedists of children's polyclinics of St. Petersburg, and regular monothematic seminars are performed with the participation of leading Russian experts and visiting lecturers from abroad. These scientific and practical activities improve the professional skills of doctors and help them improve the provision of specialized care to children.