Explore the vast range of titles available.

Cross-sectional clinical measurement study. Scapular winging is a frequent complaint among children with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP). Therapeutic taping for scapular stabilization has been reported to decrease scapular winging. This study aimed to determine which therapeutic taping construct was most effective for children with BPBP. Twenty-eight children with BPBP participated in motion capture assessment with 4 taping conditions: (1) no tape, (2) facilitation of rhomboid major and rhomboid minor, (3) facilitation of middle and lower trapezius, and (4) facilitation of rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and middle and lower trapezius (combination of both 2 and 3, referred to as combined taping). The participants held their arms in 4 positions: (1) neutral with arms by their sides, (2) hand to mouth, (3) hand to belly, and (4) maximum crossbody adduction (CBA). The scapulothoracic, glenohumeral and humerothoracic (HT) joint angles and joint angular displacements were compared using multivariate analyses of variance with Bonferroni corrections. Scapular winging was significantly decreased in both the trapezius and combined taping conditions in all positions compared with no tape. Rhomboids taping had no effect. Combined taping reduced HT CBA in the CBA position. Rhomboid taping cannot be recommended for treatment of children with BPBP. Both trapezius and combined taping approaches reduced scapular winging, but HT CBA was limited with combined taping. Therefore, therapeutic taping of middle and lower trapezius was the most effective configuration for scapular stabilization in children with BPBP. Resting posture improved, but performance of the positions was not significantly improved. Level II.

•This case highlights how a combined clinic and home-based therapy approach can allow for long term management of Holt-Oram syndrome.•Caregiver education and understanding of a home exercise program can improve compliance.•This case demonstrates early and consistent orthosis wear can improve passive range of motion.•Modified constraint induced movement therapy may improve hand and digit function pre and postpollicization.•Comprehensive, long-term assessment may be needed to evaluate improvement following surgical procedures for Holt-Oram syndrome. Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) is a rare, genetic condition characterized by the combination of congenital heart defect and hypoplasia in one or both upper extremities. Children with HOS commonly present with varied joint and limb involvement including radial longitudinal deficiency impacting hand function. Evidence-based guidelines regarding orthotic wear and therapeutic techniques are lacking. The aim of this case report was to present the results of a long-term occupational therapy program for a patient with HOS pre and postpollicization. Case report. A 4-month-old patient with bilateral radial longitudinal deficiencies began outpatient occupational therapy for custom orthosis fabrication and treatment which included long term clinic and home-based intervention. Techniques included passive range of motion, orthosis wear, therapeutic taping, and modified constraint induced movement therapy. Longitudinal assessment of musculoskeletal alignment and functional hand use was performed using goniometry for passive and active range of motion, the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), and The Thumb Grasp and Pinch Assessment (T-GAP). Improvement in passive and active range of motion was achieved as well as improved activity level function as measured by the AHA and T-GAP postpollicization and intervention. A combined clinic and home-based therapeutic approach can be effective for children with HOS to improve alignment and function pre and postpollicization to further enhance hand function. Comprehensive, long-term assessment is necessary to fully evaluate and communicate improvement.

Clinical upper extremity (UE) functional assessments and motion capture measures are limited to a set of postures and/or motions that may provide an incomplete evaluation of UE functionality. Reachable workspace analysis offers a more global assessment of UE function, but is reliant on patient compliance with instructions and may result in underestimates of a patient’s true UE function. This study evaluated a clinical tool that incorporates real-time visual feedback with motion capture to provide an innovative means of engaging patients to ensure a ‘best effort’ quantification of their available UE workspace. Reachable workspace for 10 children with brachial plexus birth injury was collected with and without real-time feedback on the affected and unaffected limbs. Real-time feedback consisted of subjects reaching for virtual targets surrounding their physical space using a virtual cursor controlled by the real-time location of their hand. Real-time feedback resulted in significantly greater workspace in multiple regions on both the affected (3/6 octants; mean differences 10.8%-20.0%) and unaffected (6/6 octants; mean differences 24.3%-40.0%) limbs. Use of real-time feedback also yielded significant interlimb differences in workspace across more regions (4/6 octants; mean differences 29.0%-39.9% vs. 1/6 octants; mean difference 17%). Finally, real-time feedback resulted in significant interlimb differences in median reach distance across more regions (4/6 octants; mean differences 7.5%-44.8% vs. 1/6 octants; mean difference 11.2%). A reachable workspace tool with real-time feedback results in more workspace and UE function recorded and offers a highly visual and intuitive depiction of a patient’s UE abilities.

BackgroundFocal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia is a rare growth disturbance of bone resulting in deformity. In the ulna, focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia is particularly rare, and the characteristic fibroligamentous tether can result in progressive deformity with progressive dislocation of the radial head. The fibroligamentous tether is similar in appearance and function to the Vickers ligament seen in Madelung deformity. The imaging features of ulnar focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia include a unilateral angular deformity in the ulna with a radiolucent cortical defect and surrounding sclerosis, with secondary radial bowing or radial head dislocation. Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia of the ulna has been described using the term ulnar focal cortical indentation.ObjectiveTo review the clinical and radiologic features of four cases of ulnar focal cortical indentation occurring in pediatric patients.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed picture archiving and communication system and electronic medical record imaging findings with surgical correlation of ulnar focal cortical indentation at two large specialty pediatric hospitals.ResultsUlnar focal cortical indentation lesions typically arise in the ulnar metaphysis and result in angular forearm deformities with progressive radial deformity including radial head dislocation. Early surgical intervention prevents progression of the deformity and retains range of motion.ConclusionUlnar focal cortical indentation, although rare, is likely a progressive form of focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia resulting in significant deformity and disability. Early recognition of the characteristic imaging features is important for early surgical intervention to preserve range of motion and prevent radial head dislocation.

This study aims to assess the relationship between the modified Mallet classification and the Brachial Plexus Profile activity short form (BP-PRO activity SF). The therapist or surgeon classifies upper extremity movement for the modified Mallet classification, while the BP-PRO assesses parents' perceptions of difficulty performing activities. To provide a deeper understanding of the relationship of functional and perceived outcome measurements. Prospective, correlational design. Eighty children with brachial plexus birth injuries were evaluated using the modified Mallet classification, while parents simultaneously answered the BP-PRO activity SF questions. All patients had undergone one of three surgical interventions to improve shoulder function. The relationship between the two measures, patient injury levels, and surgical histories were assessed. The average modified Mallet scores and BP-PRO activity SF scores weakly correlated (r = 0.312, P = .005) and both measures differentiated between C5-6 and C5-7 injury levels (P = .03 and P = .02, respectively). Conversely, the modified Mallet scores could differentiate between the three surgical groups (F = 8.2, P < .001), while the BP-PRO activity SF could not (P = .54). The results suggest that these tools measure different aspects of patient outcomes. The Mallet classification may be more focused on shoulder motion than the BP-PRO activity SF. Additional questions that specifically require shoulder function could be incorporated into the BP-PRO activity SF to improve understanding of patient/parent perceptions of shoulder function for children with brachial plexus injuries. Clinicians should be aware of the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of each outcome assessment tool for appropriate use and interpretation of results. •The modified Mallet classification discriminated between C5-C6 and C5-C7 injuries.•The activity BP-PRO activity SF discriminated between C5-C6 and C5-C7 injuries.•The BP-PRO activity SF did not discriminate between the surgical groups.•The BP-PRO activity SF may not be sensitive to differences in shoulder function.•A PRO to assess shoulder function in children with BPBI may improve understanding.•Understanding applications of outcome measures will improve use and interpretation.

OBJECTIVE. In this study, we aimed to assess whether therapeutic taping for scapular stabilization affected scapulothoracic, glenohumeral, and humerothoracic joint function in children with brachial plexus birth palsy and scapular winging. METHOD. Motion capture data were collected with and without therapeutic taping to assist the middle and lower trapezius in seven positions for 26 children. Data were compared with one-way multivariate analyses of variance. RESULTS. With therapeutic taping, scapular winging decreased considerably in all positions except abduction. Additionally, there were increased glenohumeral cross-body adduction and internal rotation angles in four positions. The only change in humerothoracic function was an increase of 3° of external rotation in the external rotation position. CONCLUSION. Therapeutic taping for scapular stabilization resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease in scapular winging. Overall performance of positions was largely unchanged. The increased glenohumeral joint angles with therapeutic taping may be beneficial for joint development; however, the long-term impact remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE. In this study, we aimed to assess whether therapeutic taping for scapular stabilization affected scapulothoracic, glenohumeral, and humerothoracic joint function in children with brachial plexus birth palsy and scapular winging. METHOD. Motion capture data were collected with and without therapeutic taping to assist the middle and lower trapezius in seven positions for 26 children. Data were compared with one-way multivariate analyses of variance. RESULTS. With therapeutic taping, scapular winging decreased considerably in all positions except abduction. Additionally, there were increased glenohumeral cross-body adduction and internal rotation angles in four positions. The only change in humerothoracic function was an increase of 3° of external rotation in the external rotation position. CONCLUSION. Therapeutic taping for scapular stabilization resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease in scapular winging. Overall performance of positions was largely unchanged. The increased glenohumeral joint angles with therapeutic taping may be beneficial for joint development; however, the long-term impact remains unknown.

Madelung deformity of the distal radius results from premature closure of the medial volar aspect of the distal radial physis, leading to increased volar tilt and increased inclination of the radial articular surface, triangulation of the carpus with proximal migration of the lunate and dorsal displacement of the distal ulna. The deformity is particularly common in Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis, but it may also occur in isolation. True Madelung deformity can be differentiated from Madelung-type deformities by the presence of an anomalous radiolunate ligament (Vickers ligament). In this article, we will review the imaging characteristics of true Madelung deformity, including the common “distal radius” variant, the less common “entire radius” variant and “reverse” Madelung deformity. We will discuss the role of the Vickers ligament in disease pathogenesis and its use in differentiating true Madelung deformity from Madelung-type deformities arising from trauma or multiple hereditary exostoses. Surgical management of these patients will also be addressed.

The clinical presentation and demographic features of patients with vertebral diskitis and osteomyelitis have gradually changed over the past several decades with advances in medical care and the aging of the population. In North America, clinically challenging spinal infections often are encountered in the elderly immunocompromised patient or in patients with long-term illicit intravenous drug abuse. Often, the management of vertebral osteomyelitis and diskitis is addressed in general terms without regard to patient age. However, due to differences in the vascular anatomy of the intervertebral disks at different ages, the management of a child with a spinal infection is more predictable and often associated with less morbidity than in the adult patient. In the child, vessels penetrate into the nucleus pulposus, while in adulthood, the vessels enter only into the annulus fibrosus. It is hypothesized that the etiology of adult vertebral osteomyelitis is the deposition of infected emboli within the vertebral body metaphysis resulting in bony ischemia and infarct. Following this, bony destruction ensues with eventual spread of the invading bacterium into the contiguous disk space. In the child, bacterial emboli may be deposited within the disk itself.

The patient was a 14-year-old right-hand dominant male who tripped on a tennis ball and landed on his outstretched left hand 1 week prior to presentation. He was evaluated by the emergency room and diagnosed with a scaphoid fracture. Initial treatment consisted of placing him in a removable thumb spica splint. He was then referred to a hand surgeon for additional evaluation and treatment. On presentation to the hand surgeon, he complained of mild-to-moderate intermittent pain. He denied any limitations in his activities of daily living. The patient was an elite tennis player and was eager to resume playing tennis as early as possible.