Aims To assess if congenital foot deformity is a risk factor for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods Between 1996 and 2012, 60,844 children were born in Sør-Trøndelag county in Norway. In this cohort study, children with risk factors for DDH were examined using ultrasound. The risk factors evaluated were clinical hip instability, breech delivery, a family history of DDH, a foot deformity, and some syndromes. As the aim of the study was to examine the risk for DDH and foot deformity in the general population, children with syndromes were excluded. The information has been prospectively registered and retrospectively analyzed. Results Overall, 494 children (0.8%) had DDH, and 1,132 (1.9%) a foot deformity. Of the children with a foot deformity, 49 (4.3%) also demonstrated DDH. There was a statistically significant increased association between DDH and foot deformity (p < 0.001). The risk of DDH was highest for talipes calcaneovalgus (6.1%) and club foot (3.5%), whereas metatarsus adductus (1.5%) had a marginal increased risk of DDH. Conclusion Compared with the general population, children with a congenital foot deformity had a significantly increased risk for DDH and therefore we regard foot deformity as a true risk factor for DDH. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(11):1582–1586.

There are very few reports in the literature on the results of surgery for ganglia of the flexor tendon sheaths of the digits. We reviewed 24 patients operated for flexor tendon sheath ganglia 8 (3–11) years previously. Two operations were for recurrences and one of these recurred again. There was one permanent digital nerve injury and one patient complained of cold sensibility. VAS (0=best; 100=worst) for mean general complaints from the hand was remembered as 51 before surgery and was 5 at review. Mean pain at review was reported as VAS 4 and general satisfaction with the operation as VAS 3. All stated that they would have consented to surgery if they had known the outcome in advance. We conclude that the results of surgery are good, although complications do occur.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of further follow-up for children treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip, with normal clinical and radiological findings at 1-year time point. The effect was quantified by the number of hips with a pathologic deterioration up to 5 years. Methods: Among 47,289 children born in Sør-Trøndelag county in Norway between 2003 and 2015, 265 children had developmental dysplasia of the hip. Of these, 164 children (239 hips) treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip with normal clinical findings and normal acetabular index at the 1-year time point were included in the study. The number of hips with pathologic acetabular index at the 5-year time point were reported. The diagnostic uncertainty related to radiological measurements was quantified together with the effect of introducing a second radiographic measurement, the center edge angle. Results: A total of 239 treated hips were normal at the 1-year time point. At 5-year time point, 10 (4.2%) hips had a pathologic acetabular index measurement and none classified to have developmental dysplasia of the hip caused by measurement inaccuracy. Eight (3.3%) hips had pathologic center edge angle measurement. Four hips had both pathologic acetabular index and center edge angle measurements, with three later treated with surgery. The intra- and interobserver repeatability coefficients were within 3.1°–6.6°. Conclusion: The repeatability coefficient of the acetabular index measurements was high and no hips could be classified to have developmental dysplasia of the hip at the 5-year time point when taking this repeatability into account. Hips classified as pathologic combining acetabular index and center edge angle measurements were likely to be treated with surgery for residual dysplasia. We recommend further follow-up for these children. Level of evidence: level II.

Wrist ganglia give few symptoms, but are a common reason for referral to a hand surgeon. We studied patient long-term satisfaction after operation. We reviewed 122 patients, who were operated for dorsal (n=82) and volar (n=40) wrist ganglia 8 years before (range 3-11). Three radial arteries were injured during surgery for volar a ganglion. By the time of review 33 patients (27%) had a recurrence or had been re-operated. Radical surgery did not reduce the recurrence rate significantly. Reported general complaints from the wrist improved from a mean visual analogue scores (VAS, 0=best; 100= worst) of 56 before surgery to VAS 14 at review and unsightliness from VAS 50 to VAS 14. Patients were equally happy with transverse and longitudinal scars. Ten patients (8%) stated that they would not have consented to surgery if they had known the outcome in advance. We conclude that, in spite of a high recurrence rate, most patients are happy with the results of surgery.