title: The role of AO external fixation in proximal femoral osteotomies in the pediatric neuromuscular population.
abstract: Internal fixation in proximal femoral osteotomies using traditional devices may be sub-optimal in children with neuromuscular disorders who have small or osteopenic bone. In this population, between 1988 and 2000, we performed 36 proximal femoral varus osteotomies in 28 patients. These were controlled by the AO external fixator. The average age at surgery was 7 years (range, 2-13 years). A mean varus correction of 34 degrees (range, 15-90 degrees) was obtained. Complications consisted of one superficial pin tract infection, one skin breakdown, and one non-union. Other than the non-union, all osteotomies were stable at the time of the fixator removal. The AO external fixator is an effective alternative in maintaining corrective proximal femoral osteotomies in children with fragile bones.
authors.affiliation: Schneider Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, New Hyde Park, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Handelsman
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Razi
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mulley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006618:Hip Dislocation, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007873:Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome