Surgical Management of Unstable Superior Femoral Epiphysiolysis with Great Displacement

Introduction: Superior femoral epiphysiolysis (SFE) is a most progressive but sometimes abrupt displacement of the femoral head relative to the superior femoral metaphysis through the cervicocerebral growth plate of the femur. The displacement of the femoral head is most often downward and backward. It is a typical pathology of the pubescent adolescent, most often overweight. It occurs on average at the age of 12 years in girls and 14 years in boys. Unstable forms with large displacements have a high risk of femoral head necrosis and chondrolysis. Although in situ fixation is the generally accepted treatment for minor SFE, the treatment of more severe cases remains controversial. When the extent of the displacement makes it impossible to pass a screw between the femoral neck and the femoral head, the only option is to reduce the displacement. This reduction must be gentle, progressive and limited to the minimum necessary for osteosynthesis. Objective: The aim of the work was to evaluate the results of the technique of progressive reduction of epiphyseal displacement by transtibial traction followed by percutaneous fixation of the femoral head by screw. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective descriptive study over a 10-years period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022. It focused on the surgical treatment of unstable upper femoral epiphysiolysis with large displacement in the orthopaedic trauma department of the University Hospital of Kati. All patients operated on in our department for large displacement SFE were included in this study. Cases of secondary large displacement upper femoral epiphysiolysis and patients who had already undergone surgery on the proximal femur were excluded. Continuous progressive traction on the Boppe splint through a pin under the anterior tibial tuberosity was performed for 15 days in all patients. The hip was flexed to 45° and the knee to 35°. Fixation was performed with one or two screws. No contralateral preventive fixation was performed. Minimum follow-up was one year. Functional outcome was assessed by the Postel Merle d’Aubigné score. Anatomical outcome was assessed by the quality of reduction, the occurrence or non-occurrence of femoral head necrosis, and chondrolysis. Results: We identified nine patients with a mean age of 12.8 years and extremes of 9 and 17 years. There were three boys and six girls. Trauma was mentioned in four cases. The cause was idiopathic in five cases. Functional impotence was complete in all patients. The slippage was acute on a chronic background in all patients. The left side was affected in 7 cases and the right side in 2 cases. The patients were overweight in 7 cases. The patient’s weight was within the normal range in two cases. At final follow-up, all nine patients were asymptomatic. Anatomically, all nine patients had a femoral head free of avascular necrosis. In eight patients, the posterior tilt was absent, identical to that obtained after the traction period. Only one patient had a moderate posterior tilt with a neck uncovering of less than 25%. Functionally, the PMA score was very good in eight cases and good in one case. Conclusion: This study shows that the treatment of acute and unstable forms of upper femoral epiphysiolysis by progressive reduction with transtibial traction can lead to satisfactory results. Reduction in large displacement forms should be gentle, progressive and limited to the minimum necessary for osteosynthesis. Magnetic resonance imaging examination is an essential and indispensable prognostic element. Indications for preventive fixation should be selectively reserved for specific cases.

Double Arthrodesis, Postero-Medial Release and Posterior Tibial Transfer in One Step in Paralytic Inveterate Equine Varus Foot

Introduction: Varus equine foot deformity is common in developing countries. The management of these deformities is surgical in adults. Several surgical techniques have been described with more or less satisfactory results. To our knowledge, no study has been performed on the simultaneous association of double arthrodesis, posteromedial release, and posterior tibial transfer in a single operation in inveterate paralytic varus equines feet. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the results obtained. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective descriptive study from January 01, 2018 to December 31, 2021. It concerned inveterate paralytic varus equines feet operated on by the simultaneous association in a single operative time of double arthrodesis of the foot, posteromedial release of the back foot and transfer of the posterior tibial muscle to the lateral cuneiform. We identified seven patients with a mean age of 22.1 years with extremes of 11 years and 36 years. There were three males and four females. The cause of the deformity was neurological in all cases. All patients had painful walking discomfort and shoeing difficulties. The average time to management was 13.3 years with extremes of 4 and 25 years. The chronology of the interventional steps was posteromedial release, arthrodesis, and transfer of the posterior tibial muscle to the lateral cuneiform. The average postoperative follow-up was 21.7 months with extremes of 6 and 48 months. The parameters studied were the duration of the procedure, complications related to the procedure, muscle strength at the last recoil, consolidation of the arthrodesis, residual pain, patient activity, gait perimeter, stepping, ankle mobility, residual deformity, footwear, protrusion of the transferred tendon, and the possibility of walking on the heel. Final results were graded according to the Angus and Cowell criteria. Results: No intraoperative complications were noted. An early superficial infection of the surgical site was noted. It was treated with local care and healed without sequel. Residual pain was present in one case. Tibiotalar osteoarthritis was observed in one case, which required a tibiotalar arthrodesis. At the last follow-up, consolidation of the arthrodesis was effective in all patients. The posterior tibial muscle was side 5 (n = 4) and 4 (n = 3). The patients’ activity was normal without assistance in all cases. The walking perimeter was greater than 1 km in six patients. Patient activity was normal without assistance in all cases. Stepping was absent in all patients. No difficulty with footwear was noted. According to the Angus and Cowell criteria, the result was good (n = 6), i.e. 85.7% and bad (n = 1), i.e. 14.3% of cases. Conclusion: This study suggests that double arthrodesis associated with posteromedial release and transfer of the posterior tibial in one step in inveterate paralytic varus equines feet, gives satisfactory results. It allows for easy shoeing and plantigrade walking without stepping. Complications are essentially represented by the absence of fusion of the arthrodesis and tibiotalar arthrosis.

Study of Complications of Traditional Treatment. <br/>Member Fractures

Introduction: Since the times of our ancestors, traditional medicine has existed to cure all diseases [1]. The objective of this study was to assess the complications of traditional fracture treatment. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective study extending from January 01, 2018 to June 30, 2018, duration of six months. It concerned patients who had traditionally been treated beforehand for traumas with bone lesion in a traditional therapist and who had developed a complication, the definitive management of which was made in the department. Results: This study involved 102 patients, including 71 men (69.6%), with a sex ratio of 2.2. 33 patients or 32.4% were under 15 years old. The average of our patients’ age was 29.61 years with extremes of 2 and 89 years. Pupils/students (44 pupils and 5 students) were the most represented with 49 cases or 48.1% of the cases. The majority of patients (59.8% of cases) were educated or had a basic level. The majority of patients (36.3%) came as motif for a painful swelling. Gangrene was the most common complication with 37 cases or 36.3% of cases. Conclusion: At the end of our study, we have noticed that the traditional preliminary treatment of fractures was based mainly on trial and error. Practicing with inadequate means and measures without respecting the anatomical structures, is a real source of disabling handicaps. We have recorded 38, among the 102 patients who came for a complication of traditional treatment: that is 45.2% amputation, which is deplorable.