As the surgical treatment of DDH involves complex osteotomies around the hip and these surgeries have effect on long term outcome, MRI evaluation of femoral anteversion as a part of pre operative evaluation is advised. Also, as the intra operative evaluation needs enough clinical experience and it can not be performed in cases requiring femoral shortening for reduction, we consider pre operative evaluation of femoral anteversion by MRI as essential rather than adjunctive.

The controversy regarding the radiographic parameter which best represents the various deformities of clubfoot continues. The aim of our study was to clear up this controversy. Fifty surgically treated (soft-tissue release) congenital clubfeet were studied clinically using Laaveg and Ponseti score and radiologically using twelve different radiographic parameters in weight-bearing AP and lateral views. The talo-calcaneal angle (TCA) in AP and lateral view showed statistically significant correlation with the functional rating, but significant variation in the dimension of the angles among the different functional groups was found with AP angle only. The talo-first metatarsal angle in AP and lateral view averaged 10°and 19°respectively, and showed significant correlation with the functional rating. The talo-navicular subluxation in AP, the calcaneo-fifth metatarsal angle and the first-fifth metatarsal angle in lateral view did not show any significant correlation with function. Talo-calcaneal index averaged 44°in the clubfeet and showed significant correlation. The wide range of parameters representing each of the deformities gives a better radiological assessment of the clubfoot than any single parameter.

We present our experience in the correction of congenital vertical talus deformity in a single stage using dorsal approach. We operated on 20 feet using the dorsal approach and the average age of patients at the time of surgery was 16 months. Talonavicular reduction was achieved in all the feet and there was significant improvement in postoperative talo-calcaneal and talo-first metatarsal angles, which were well maintained at a follow-up of 4 years. In conclusion, the dorsal approach efficiently manages the deformities of a congenital vertical talus foot and provides consistent radiological and clinical outcome with minimal complications such as revision surgeries and osteonecrosis of the talus.

Since 1980, the authors have performed thousands of procedures using this technique without facing any serious problems. Therefore, it is recommended as a valid alternative to other osteotomy techniques.

Physeal changes of any aetiology in children are usually diagnosed once the deformity is clinically evident. Between January 2006 and June 2007, 15 children who suffered from acute osteoarticular infection around the knee joint were studied. They were called up for follow-up six months after the onset of infection. All patients were evaluated by clinical and roentgenographic examination before undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of both knees "with the unaffected knee serving as control". Abnormal findings in the physis, metaphysis and/ or epiphysis on MRI were observed in five children. This group of five children was compared with the other ten children for clinical presentation and course of disease. We believe that MRI is a useful tool in the evaluation of growth plate insult in the early period following acute osteoarticular infection, and we can diagnose and prevent the catastrophic complications of the same.Résumé La modification de la physe chez l'enfant, quelle que soit l'étiologie en cause est habituellement diagnostiquée après que la déformation devienne évidente. Entre janvier 2006 et juin 2007, 15 enfants présentant une infection ostéo articulaire aiguë autour du genou ont été étudiés et ont été suivis pendant six mois après le début de l'infection. Les patients ont été évalués de façon clinique et radiographique ainsi qu'avec une étude IRM au niveau des deux genoux, le genou sain servant de contrôle. Des modifications anormales de la physe ou de la métaphyse sur l'IRM ont été observées chez 5 enfants. Ce groupe de 5 enfants est comparé avec l'autre groupe de 10 enfants. Nous espérons que l'IRM sera un examen utile quant à l'évaluation de la lésion précoce de la plaque de croissance avec possibilité d'un diagnostic précoce après une infection ostéo articulaire de façon à prévenir une complication catastrophique.