Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common bone developmental disorder in children, emphasizing the need for effective, standardized, and accurate screening and treatment approaches. This paper reviews traditional ultrasound diagnostic methods for DDH in children aged 0-6 months and examines the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted ultrasound technology. It compares the diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and limitations of these approaches while addressing controversies surrounding the adoption of AI. Results indicate that AI-assisted ultrasound significantly outperforms traditional methods in both accuracy and efficiency but also raises concerns about over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Despite these challenges, AI-assisted ultrasound holds immense potential, and with technological advancements, it is expected to gain wider acceptance among clinicians, enhancing its application in clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of limb overgrowth following proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO) for unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 36 children with unilateral DDH who underwent PFO at Xi'an Honghui Hospital from June 2017 to June 2021. The cohort included 4 males and 32 females, with a mean age of 4.23±3.15 years (range: 2-12 years), comprising 28 left-sided and 8 right-sided cases. According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) classification, there were 2 type I, 9 type II, 16 type III, and 9 type IV cases. Radiographic parameters [femoral length, femoral neck anteversion angle, neck-shaft angle, acetabular index (AI), center-edge angle (CEA), center-head distance discrepancy (CHDD)] and PFO parameters (varus angle, shortening length, derotation angle) were measured on X-ray and 3D CT reconstructions. Comparisons were made between the overgrowth ≥1 cm group ( n=14) and <1 cm group ( n=22) to analyze risk factors and patterns. Results:The overgrowth ≥1 cm group had significantly younger patients (2.49±1.03 years vs. 5.13±3.47 years, t=-2.757, P<0.001). Overgrowth magnitude varied significantly across age subgroups: 11.08±6.17 mm in the 2-4 years group, 5.08±0.19 mm in the >4-<6 years group, and 2.44±4.50 mm in the ≥6 years group ( F=5.436, P=0.031). The highest incidence of overgrowth occurred in the 2-4 years subgroup (56%, 20/36). Limb overgrowth initiated at 3 months postoperatively, exhibited a linear correlation with follow-up duration during 6-18 months [ r=0.78, 95% CI(0.62, 0.88), P<0.001)], and plateaued after 18 months [ r=-0.15, 95% CI(-0.75, 0.57), P=0.710]. Postoperative CEA and CHDD showed significant improvements ( P<0.05), while AI remained unchanged ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Children aged 2-4 years exhibit higher incidence and severity of post-PFO limb overgrowth. The rapid progression phase occurs within 6-18 months postoperatively, stabilizing thereafter. CEA and CHDD serve as critical indicators for evaluating intervention efficacy in DDH-related overgrowth.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common bone developmental disorder in children, emphasizing the need for effective, standardized, and accurate screening and treatment approaches. This paper reviews traditional ultrasound diagnostic methods for DDH in children aged 0-6 months and examines the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted ultrasound technology. It compares the diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and limitations of these approaches while addressing controversies surrounding the adoption of AI. Results indicate that AI-assisted ultrasound significantly outperforms traditional methods in both accuracy and efficiency but also raises concerns about over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Despite these challenges, AI-assisted ultrasound holds immense potential, and with technological advancements, it is expected to gain wider acceptance among clinicians, enhancing its application in clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of limb overgrowth following proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO) for unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 36 children with unilateral DDH who underwent PFO at Xi'an Honghui Hospital from June 2017 to June 2021. The cohort included 4 males and 32 females, with a mean age of 4.23±3.15 years (range: 2-12 years), comprising 28 left-sided and 8 right-sided cases. According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) classification, there were 2 type I, 9 type II, 16 type III, and 9 type IV cases. Radiographic parameters [femoral length, femoral neck anteversion angle, neck-shaft angle, acetabular index (AI), center-edge angle (CEA), center-head distance discrepancy (CHDD)] and PFO parameters (varus angle, shortening length, derotation angle) were measured on X-ray and 3D CT reconstructions. Comparisons were made between the overgrowth ≥1 cm group ( n=14) and <1 cm group ( n=22) to analyze risk factors and patterns. Results:The overgrowth ≥1 cm group had significantly younger patients (2.49±1.03 years vs. 5.13±3.47 years, t=-2.757, P<0.001). Overgrowth magnitude varied significantly across age subgroups: 11.08±6.17 mm in the 2-4 years group, 5.08±0.19 mm in the >4-<6 years group, and 2.44±4.50 mm in the ≥6 years group ( F=5.436, P=0.031). The highest incidence of overgrowth occurred in the 2-4 years subgroup (56%, 20/36). Limb overgrowth initiated at 3 months postoperatively, exhibited a linear correlation with follow-up duration during 6-18 months [ r=0.78, 95% CI(0.62, 0.88), P<0.001)], and plateaued after 18 months [ r=-0.15, 95% CI(-0.75, 0.57), P=0.710]. Postoperative CEA and CHDD showed significant improvements ( P<0.05), while AI remained unchanged ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Children aged 2-4 years exhibit higher incidence and severity of post-PFO limb overgrowth. The rapid progression phase occurs within 6-18 months postoperatively, stabilizing thereafter. CEA and CHDD serve as critical indicators for evaluating intervention efficacy in DDH-related overgrowth.

Objective To compare biomechanical characteristics of external fixator, Kirschner’s wire, elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) for fixing proximal humeral fractures in children by finite element method.Methods The CT scanning data from the healthy humerus of an 8-year-old patient with proximal humeralfractures were collected, and the image data were imported in Mimics 21. 0 to establish the rough humeralmodel, which was imported in Geomagic 2013 to construct the three-dimensional (3D) model of cancellous and cortical bones of the humerus. After the model was assembled with 3 fixators ( external fixator, Kirschner’swire, ESIN), it was imported in ANSYS 2019 to simulate the upper limb under quiet, abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, external rotation, internal rotation working conditions. The maximum displacement of the distal humerus, the maximum stress of the fixture, and the maximum displacement of the distal fracture surface were analyzed. Results The minimum values of the maximum displacement of the distal humerus in models fixed by external fixator, Kirschner’s wire, ESIN appeared under extension (2. 406 mm), external rotation (0. 203 mm), external rotation (0. 185 mm) working conditions, respectively. Conclusions External fixator is the most unstable fixation of proximal humeral fractures in children, and the biomechanical performance of ESIN is better than that of external fixator and Kirschner’s wire fixation

Objective:To compare the clinical effects between cannulated screwing and plating in combination with interlocking intramedullary nailing for the treatment of ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of the tibial shaft and plateau.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the clinical data of 34 patients who had been treated for ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of the tibial shaft and plateau at Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to January 2020. There were 17 males and 17 females, aged from 26 to 60 years (average, of 43.6 years). The left side was affected in 18 cases and the right side in 16. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their internal fixation methods: a cannulated screw group of 16 cases treated with cannulated screwing and intramedullary nailing and a plate group of 18 cases treated with plating and intramedullary nailing. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, tibial plateau collapse, consumables cost, hospital stay, fracture healing time, weight-bearing time, range of knee motion, reduction of tibial plateau fracture by Rasmussen radiology, Lysholm knee function score at the last follow-up and complications.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing the 2 groups were comparable ( P>0.05). All the 34 patients were followed up for 12 to 28 months (average, 17.4 months). There was no significant difference either in operation time, hospital stay, tibial plateau healing time, tibial fracture healing time, weight-bearing time or range of knee motion between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In the cannulated screw group, the intraoperative blood loss [(89.4 ± 14.5) mL] and consumables cost [(2.0 ± 0.2) ten thousand yuan] were significantly less than those in the plate group [(120.8 ± 22.1) mL and (2.6 ± 0.4) ten thousand yuan], the incision length [(4.1 ± 0.8) cm] was significantly shorter than that in the plate group [(7.1 ± 0.9) cm], and the Lysholm knee function score at the last follow-up [(89.8 ± 4.5) points] was significantly lower than that in the plate group [(93.0 ± 4.2 points] (all P<0.05). The difference was statistically significant between the 2 groups in the quality of tibial plateau reduction ( P<0.05). The postoperative tibial plateau collapse in the plate group [0.5 (0, 2) mm] was insignificantly less than that in the cannulated screw group [1.0 (0, 2) mm] ( P>0.05). In the cannulated screw group, one tibial shaft fracture did not achieve union after operation and deep vein thrombosis occurred in 2 cases after operation; in the plate group, 2 cases suffered from delayed wound healing, one from delayed fracture healing, one from deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity, and one from knee discomfort which was relieved after removal of internal fixation. Conclusions:In the treatment of ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of tibial shaft and plateau, both cannulated screwing and plating in combination with interlocking intramedullary nailing can achieve good clinical effects. Although plating in combination with intramedullary nailing lead to more severe trauma and higher costs, it is conducive to improving the reduction quality of the tibial plateau and postoperative functional recovery of the knee joint.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of intramedullary plus extramedullary fixation in the treatment of fractures of distal radial diametaphyseal transition zone in children.Methods:The data were retrospectively analyzed of the 49 children who had been admitted to Pediatric Orthopedic Hospital, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University from July 2018 to April 2020 for fractures of distal radial diametaphyseal transition zone. There were 30 males and 19 females; 21 left sides, 27 right sides, and one case of bilateral sides. In the operation, an elastic intramedullary nail or Kirschner wire was used for intramedullary fixation while another Kirschner wire was used to fix the cortex at the distal and proximal ends of the fracture. The ranges of wrist motion and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores at 1 and 9 months after operation were recorded and compared; the incidence of postoperative complications was also recorded.Results:The operation time for the 49 children averaged 45.0 min (from 39 to 51 min). The patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months (mean, 18.6 months). The fracture union time averaged 8.6 weeks (from 6.8 to 10.4 weeks). Needle tract infection developed in one case but the wound was healed after removal of the K-wire after callus formation and oral use of antibiotics for 3 days. Another case reported skin irritation the symptoms of which disappeared after the child reduced activities. The ranges of pronation, supination, flexion and extension of the wrist and DASH score were 47.9°±2.5°, 45.5°±3.0°, 51.2°±1.6°, 53.4°±1.7° and (36.7±4.5) points at one month after operation while they were 85.6°±3.1°, 87.6°±2.1°, 88.8°±2.0°, 88.0°±1.2° and (23.2±8.6) points at 9 months after operation. There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between one and 9 months after operation ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of fractures of distal radial diametaphyseal transition zone in children, intramedullary plus extramedullary fixation is simple in surgical techniques, easily repeatable, slightly invasive, and reliable in fixation.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment of a head-neck separation type of Monteggia equivalent fractures in children.Methods:From March 2016 to February 2019, 12 children sought medical attention at Pediatric Orthopedic Hospital, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University for a head-neck separation type of Monteggia equivalent fractures. They were 8 boys and 4 girls, aged from 3 to 14 years (average, 8.3 years). All cases were treated with closed reduction, deformity correction and plaster fixation at emergency department after X-ray examination. In line with the treatment principles for Monteggia fractures, after the ulnar length was first restored and stabilized, a proper fixation method was chosen according to the location and type of the ulnar fracture, followed by treatment of the radial neck fracture. The fracture union and complications were evaluated according to the X-ray films after operation, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated according to the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at the final follow-up.Results:The head-neck separation type of Monteggia equivalent fractures in children was characterized by a fracture of ulnar diaphysis or metaphysis and a fracture of the radial neck with complete separation of the head and neck, a longitudinal axis of the radius off the capitellum center at the distal fracture end but normal proximal humeroradial relationship. The fractures were classified into 2 types depending on the angulation direction of the ulnar fracture and the direction of distal displacement of the radial neck fracture: 7 cases belonged to the extension-valgus type and 5 cases to the flexion-varus type. The 12 patients were followed up for 8 to 38 months (average, 16.0 months). Of the ulnar fractures, one was treated with closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation, 4 with elastic intramedullary nail fixation, 5 with plate fixation, one untreated, and one with manual reduction only. Of the radial neck fractures, 11 were treated with closed reduction and elastic intramedullary nail fixation, and one with open reduction and K-wires fixation. All fractures got united after 8 to 12 weeks (mean, 9.6 weeks). The time for removal of internal fixation ranged from 12 to 50 weeks (mean, 31.2 weeks). Avascular necrosis occurred in one case and bulk formation of proximal metaphysis in another. By the MEPS at the final follow-up, the therapeutic efficacy was excellent in 10 cases, good in one and fair in one.Conclusions:The head-neck separation type of Monteggia equivalent fractures in children is different from common Monteggia fractures or radial neck fractures, because its clinical manifestations are characterized by a fracture of ulnar diaphysis or metaphysis and a fracture of the radial neck with complete separation of the head and neck, a longitudinal axis of the radius off the capitellum center at the distal fracture end but normal proximal humeroradial relationship. The treatment options for ulnar fractures include closed reduction with Kirschner wire fixation, elastic intramedullary nailing, open reduction and bone plate fixation or no fixation, while radial neck fractures are mostly treated by closed reduction and elastic intramedullary nailing. Early functional exercise can lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Objective:To summarize and discuss the concept and clinical manifestations of complex fracture-dislocations of the elbow in children, and compare its injury characteristics, treatment and clinical effect with adults.Methods:From September 2015 to January 2020, 34 patients seen and treated at our institution for complex fracture-dislocations of the elbow were identified, and their medical records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. The inclusion criteria were elbow dislocation combined with one or more fractures at the proximal ulna and radius. There were 25 boys and 9 girls, with an average age of 8.3±3.2 years. The left arm was involved in 27 cases, and the right arm was involved in 7 cases. The causes of injury included falling from a scooter in 16 cases, falling from height in 10 cases, cycling in 5 cases and traffic accident in 3 cases. All patients were treated with closed reduction and the application of plaster under local anaesthesia in the emergency room. Then, X-ray, CT and MRI were performed to evaluate the fracture-dislocation and ligament injury. The following treatment plan was comprehensively evaluated according to the size and displacement of the combined fracture block and the stability of the elbow, for example, open reduction with K-wires and tension band or plate fixation for olecranon fracture, open reduction with loop plate fixation for coronal process fracture, closed reduction or open reduction with K-wires or elasticstable intramedullary nail for radial neck fracture.Results:Among the 34 patients, there were 16 cases of transolecranon fracture-dislocation, 1 case of varus posteromedial rotational instability, 4 cases of valgus posterolateral rotatory instability and 13 cases of divergent dislocation of elbow. All patients were followed up for 13(8, 15) months, and the average fracture healing time was 3.5±0.8 weeks, with no failure of internal fixation. In 2 cases of elbow dislocation combined radial neck fracture, one case had ischemic necrosis of the radial head and one case had early closure of epiphyseal plate of the proximal radius. At the last follow-up, all patients had no subluxation, dislocation or instability of the elbow. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated at the final follow-up by the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) as excellent in 25 cases, good in 5 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in one case, with excellent and good rate 88%.Conclusion:The complex fracture-dislocations of the elbow is rare in children. We have the opinion that the clinical characteristics are dislocation combined with one or more fractures of the proximal ulna and radius. Compared with adults, its pathological characteristics and the scope of injury are similar, but most of the injuries are mild. The clinical manifestations are mainly transolecranon fracture-dislocation and divergent dislocation of elbow. Good results can be achieved in most cases through open reduction with internal fixation for fractures.

Objective:To evaluate the treatment of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle complicated with cubitus valgus with primary fixation in situ and secondary supracondylar varus osteotomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made of the 8 children who had been treated for nonunion of lateral humeral condyle complicated with cubitus valgus at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Honghui Hospital from January 2016 to March 2018. They were 5 boys and 3 girls with 5 left and 3 right sides involved. Their age at injury ranged from 6 to 14 years (average, 10 years) and the duration from injury to operation from 2 to 6 years (average, 4 years). At the primary stage, the fragments were fixated in situ with compressive cannulated screws after cleaning the nonunion ends, followed by iliac autograft. At the secondary stage, the humeral supracondylar varus osteotomy was performed after the nonunion was healed and the elbow range of motion recovered. The therapeutic effects were assessed by comparing the elbow range of motion, carrying angle and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) between preoperation and the final follow-up.Results:All the patients were followed up for an average of 44.5 months (range, from 27 to 64 months). The average healing time for obsolete nonunion of lateral humeral condyle was 81.3 days (range, from 55 to 120 days) after the primary operation and that for supracondylar varus osteotomy 51.1 days (range, from 45 to 60 days) after the secondary operation. The elbow range of motion was 129.0°±4.6° before operation and 138.0°±5.4° at the final follow-up, showing a significant difference ( P<0.001). The average carrying angle at the healthy side in 8 children was 5.4° (range, from 3° to 8°). The carrying angle at the affected side was 31.9°±4.7° (range, from 25° to 42°) before operation and 4.0°±2.2°(range, from 1° to 8°) at the final follow-up, showing a significant difference ( P<0.05). Their preoperative MEPS was 57.5 ± 6.5 (4 good cases and 4 poor ones) but 95.9±3.4 (6 excellent cases and 2 good ones) at the final follow-up, showing a significant difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Treatment of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle complicated with cubitus valgus can be effectively carried out by cleaning fibrous tissue in the nonunion gap, iliac autograft and fragments fixation in situ with compressive cannulated screws at the primary stage and supracondylar varus osteotomy at the secondary stage. Intraoperative preservation of the blood supply to the nonunited fragments is the key to successful management.