Morbus Perthes – Neuigkeiten in der Diagnostik und Behandlung

[Clinical aspects of imaging the hip in infants, children and adolescents]

When a child with a hip problem is clinically evaluated, it is usually possible to make a presumptive diagnosis which is subsequently confirmed. The most important tool for confirmation in pediatric hip disorders is radiological imaging. Vice versa changes on sonogram, native X‑ray or magnetic resonance images (MRI) can often only be interpreted when the history and current clinical findings are known. In this constellation, it is desirable that all colleagues who are confronted with a child's hip problem know the most common and important pediatric hip disorders and use the same terminology. The aim of this article is to present a short outline of the pathogenesis and clinical aspects of congenital and neurogenic hip dysplasia, coxitis fugax, septic coxitis, Perthes' disease, infantile and adolescent femoroacetabular impingement, apophysiolyses, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Fixation stability and implant-associated complications in periacetabular osteotomy: a comparison of screw and K-wire fixation

AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare the fixation stability and complications in patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) with either K-wire or screw fixation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study to analyze a consecutive series of patients who underwent PAO with either screw or K-wire fixation. Patients who were treated for acetabular retroversion or had previous surgery on the ipsilateral hip joint were excluded. 172 patients (191 hips: 99 K-wire/92 screw fixation) were included. The mean age at the time of PAO was 29.3 years (16-48) in the K-wire group and 27.3 (15-45) in the screw group and 83.9% were female. Clinical parameters including duration of surgery, minor complications (soft tissue irritation and implant migration) and major complications (implant failure and non-union) were evaluated. Radiological parameters including LCE, TA and FHEI were measured preoperatively, postoperatively and at 3-months follow-up.

RESULTS

Duration of surgery was significantly reduced in the K-wire group with 88.2 min (53-202) compared to the screw group with 119.7 min (50-261) (p < 0.001). Soft tissue irritation occurred significantly more often in the K-wire group (72/99) than in the screw group (36/92) (p < 0.001). No group showed significantly more implant migration than the other. No major complications were observed in either group. Postoperative LCE, TA and FHEI were improved significantly in both groups for all parameters (p = < 0.0001). There was no significant difference for initial or final correction for the respective parameters between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant difference in loss of correction was observed between the two groups for the respective parameters.

CONCLUSION

K-wire fixation is a viable and safe option for fragment fixation in PAO with similar stability and complication rates as screw fixation. An advantage of the method is the significantly reduced operative time. A disadvantage is the significantly higher rate of implant-associated soft tissue irritation, necessitating implant removal.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective trial.

Tripleosteotomie bei Morbus Perthes

Operationsziel

Durch die Osteotomie des Ischium‑, Pubis- und Iliumknochens kann das Acetabulum über den Hüftkopf geschwenkt werden, sodass der meist anterolateral vorstehende Anteil des Hüftkopfes wieder überdacht wird. Das Ziel ist der Erhalt des Containments der Hüfte, hiermit ist die Wiederherstellung der Kongruenz zwischen dem lateralisierten Hüftkopf und dem Acetabulum gemeint. Das Acetabulum wirkt so als eine Art Schablone für den Hüftkopf, um eine möglichst sphärische Ausheilung des Hüftkopfes zu erreichen.

Indikationen

Schwere Morbus-Perthes-Erkrankung mit radiologisch sichtbarer Lateralisation des Hüftkopfes und Head-at-risk-Zeichen. Voraussetzung ist, dass der Hüftkopf sich konzentrisch reponieren lässt (Abduktionsaufnahme oder Arthrographie).

Kontraindikationen

„Hinged abduction“. Keine konzentrische Reposition des Hüftkopfes möglich.

Operationstechnik

Arthrographie des Hüftgelenkes zur Bestätigung der Operationsindikation. Darstellung und Osteotomie des Ischiums über einen modifizierten Ludloff-Zugang, Osteotomie des Iliums und Pubis über einen modifizierten Smith-Petersen-Zugang. Verbesserung der Hüftkopfüberdachung durch Schwenken des Acetabulums über den Hüftkopf. Fixation des azetabulären Fragmentes mit Vollgewinde-Kirschner-Drähten oder 3,5-mm-Kortikalisschrauben.

Weiterbehandlung

Mobilisation an Gehstöcken (kleine Kinder im Rollstuhl). Abstellen des Fußes erlaubt. Teilbelastung für 4 bis 6 Wochen (je nach Alter des Patienten). Danach bei im Röntgen guten Konsolidationszeichen Belastungsaufbau innerhalb 1 bis 2 Wochen.

Ergebnisse

Sehr gute Ergebnisse hinsichtlich Operationstechnik und Ausheilung in der eigenen Klinik. In einer eigenen noch nicht veröffentlichten Studie mit einem durchschnittlichen Untersuchungszeitraum von 5 Jahren zeigten sich bei 30 Patienten sehr gute klinische und radiologische Ergebnisse nach Tripleosteotomie bei Morbus Perthes.

[Juvenile osteochondrosis and osteonecrosis]

BACKGROUND

Juvenile osteonecrosis is an important topic in orthopedics. A wide variety of body regions of the growing patient are affected, predominantly during adolescence. All are characterized by a usually unknown aetiology as well as a stadium-like course. The main problem is a local osseous circulatory disorder, which causes osteonecrosis.

RISK FACTORS

Mechanical overloading due to increased body weight, axial misalignment, and sports activity is discussed as a risk factor. Healing depends on the localization and extent of the osseous necrosis.

DIAGNOSTICS

Diagnostically, radiologic imaging is used, in which the typical bony remodeling can be followed.

THERAPY

The therapeutic procedure depends on the affected region but is usually accompanied by a reduction of mechanical loading. If the clinical and radiological findings worsen, surgical treatment must be considered. The recognition and treatment of juvenile osteonecrosis is important and significantly influences the further development of the patient.

[Acquired hip joint pathologies in childhood]

A number of different acquired pathologies can affect the pediatric hip joint. The classical and relatively common reactive, inflammatory or traumatic entities have to be differentiated from each other. Rarer and very rare pathologies, such as neoplastic entities or tenosynovial giant cell tumor, must also be considered in the differential diagnostics. The correct diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up monitoring require close coordination between the departments of pediatric radiology and pediatric orthopedics. Sonography often represents the initial diagnostic step, followed by conventional radiography. Further evaluation of hip joint pathologies requires magnetic resonance imaging. In selected cases computed tomography can also be indicated.

Moderate Weightbearing Restrictions Are Associated with Worse Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety in Children Aged 5 to 7 Years with Perthes Disease

BACKGROUND

Perthes disease most commonly affects children 5 to 7 years old, and nonoperative management, such as weightbearing and activity restrictions, is generally recommended. In earlier research in children aged 8 to 14 years who had Perthes disease, we found that the restrictions were associated with worse mobility, but mental health or social health measures were not linked. However, Perthes disease most commonly affects children 5 to 7 years old who are more emotionally and cognitively immature. Children in this age group are beginning school and organized sports experiences while developing meaningful social relationships for the first time. Because of such different life experiences, it is important to understand the psychosocial consequences of weightbearing and activity restrictions on this specific age group, as they may help guide choices about weightbearing restrictions and mental health support.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In patients aged 5 to 7 years with Perthes disease, we asked: (1) Are weightbearing and activity restrictions associated with worse mental health, evaluated with the Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depressive symptoms, anxiety, and anger questionnaires? (2) Are weightbearing and activity restrictions associated with worse social health (PROMIS peer relationships measure)? (3) Are weightbearing and activity restrictions associated with worse physical health measures (PROMIS mobility, pain interference, and fatigue measures)? (4) What other factors are associated with mental, social, and physical health measures in these patients?

METHODS

Data were collected from 97 patients with a diagnosis of Perthes disease. Inclusion criteria were age 5 to 7 years at the time the PROMIS was completed, English-speaking patients and parents, in the active stage of Perthes disease (Waldenstrom Stages I, II, or III) who were recommended weightbearing and activity restrictions because of worsening hip pain, poor hip ROM, femoral head deformity, as a postoperative regimen, or if there was substantial femoral head involvement on MRI [23]. Based on their weightbearing and activity restriction regimen, patients were categorized into one of four activity restriction groups (no, mild, moderate, and severe restriction). The following pediatric parent-proxy PROMIS measures were obtained: depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger, peer relationships, mobility, pain interference, and fatigue. We excluded five patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of the remaining 92 patients, 21 were in the no restriction group, 21 were in the mild restriction group, 28 were in the moderate restriction group, and 22 were in the severe restriction group at the time of PROMIS administration. ANOVA was used to compare differences between the mean PROMIS T-scores of these four groups. T-scores are computed from PROMIS survey responses, and a T-score of 50 represents the age-appropriate mean of the US population with an SD of 10. A higher T-score means more of that measure is being experienced and a lower score means less of that measure is being experienced. To address the possibility of confounding variables such as Waldenstrom stage, gender, age at diagnosis, and history of major surgery, we performed a multivariable analysis to compare the association of different weightbearing regimens and the seven PROMIS measures. This allowed us to answer the question of whether weightbearing and activity restrictions are associated with worse physical, mental, and social health measures in Perthes patients aged 5 to 7 years, while minimizing the possible confounding of the variables listed above.

RESULTS

After controlling for confounding variables such as Waldenstrom stage, gender, age at diagnosis, and history of major surgery, we found that moderate activity restriction was associated with worse depressive symptoms (β regression coefficient = 6 [95% CI 0.3 to 12]; p = 0.04) and anxiety (β = 8 [95% CI 1 to 15]; p = 0.02) T-scores than no restrictions. The mild (β = -7 [95% CI -12 to -1]; p = 0.02), moderate (β = -15 [95% CI -20 to -10]; p < 0.001), and severe (β = -23 [95% CI -28 to -18]; p < 0.001), restriction groups had worse mobility T-scores than the no restriction group. Weightbearing and activity restrictions were not associated with anger, peer relationships, pain interference, and fatigue measures. Waldenstrom Stage II disease was associated with worse pain interference than Waldenstrom Stage III (β = 7 [95% CI 0.4 to 13]; p = 0.04). A history of major surgery was associated with worse anger scores (β = 18 [95% CI 3 to 33]; p = 0.02). The child's gender and age at diagnosis had no association with any of the seven PROMIS measures.

CONCLUSION

Moderate weightbearing and activity restrictions are associated with worse depressive symptoms and anxiety in patients with Perthes disease aged 5 to 7 years, after controlling for Waldenstrom stage, gender, age at the time of diagnosis, and history of surgery. Considering the discoveries in this study and in our previous study, for patients 5 to 7 years old, we recommend that providers discuss the potential for mental health changes with moderate weightbearing restrictions with patients and their families. Furthermore, providers should monitor for worsening mental health symptoms at each follow-up visit and refer patients to a clinical child psychologist for support when appropriate. Future studies are needed to assess the effects of these restrictions on mental health over time and after patients are allowed to return to normal activities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Diagnostik und Therapie des Morbus Perthes

Die Behandlung des M. Perthes stellt aufgrund der ungeklärten Ätiologie sowie der unterschiedlichen Verlaufsformen und Behandlungskonzepte eine Herausforderung dar. Die Prognose ist abhängig von klinischen und radiologischen Parametern. Aktuelle Behandlungsansätze zielen in frühen Krankheitsstadien auf die Verbesserung der Durchblutung des Femurkopfes und später auf die Vergrößerung des Bewegungsumfangs sowie die Verminderung der vertikal einwirkenden Kräfte durch Teilentlastung und chirurgisch verbesserte Einstellung des Femurkopfes in der Gelenkpfanne ab. Da einerseits ein hoher Prozentsatz an Spontanremissionen ohne Deformitäten des Gelenks, andererseits ein hohes Risiko für eine schwere Koxarthrose mit der Notwendigkeit eines frühen Gelenkersatzes sowohl nach konservativen als auch nach operativen Verfahren zu beobachten sind, werden die Behandlungsmethoden kontrovers diskutiert.