EPIPHYSEAL INJURIES MODERATOR- Dr. MAHESH PRESENTER- Dr. KARTHIK M V
INTRODUCTION One of the unique aspect of paediatric orthopaedics is the presence of physis (or growth plate) providing longitudinal growth of children’s long bones. Physeal fractures make up to 15-30% of all long bone fractures in children.
Epiphysis (EPI- upon, PHYSIS- Growth) It refers to the bulbous end of a long bone incorporating the growth plate (or) physis and secondary ossification center It takes part in the formation of joints & also acts as an attachment for muscles and tendons.
EPIPHYSIS The ends of a long bone which ossify from secondary centers are called epiphyses. Lies B/W Physis & Articular cartilage Usually Intra articular (joint formation) The periosteum in intra articular layer lacks Cambium layer that has totipotent cell rests.
Types of Epiphysis Pressure epiphysis – transmission of the weight Ex-head of femur 2. Traction epiphysis – provides attachment to tendons which exerts a traction on the epiphysis. Ex- trochanters of femur. 3. Atavistic epiphysis – phylogenetically an independent bone, which fuses to another bone. Ex-coracoid process of scapula. 4. Aberrant epiphysis – not always present. Ex- head of the 1st metacarpal and base of other metacarpal.
Physeal anatomy During growth, the epiphyseal and metaphyseal are separated by the cartilaginous physis , which is the major contributor to longitudinal growth of the bone. The long bones has physis at both the ends. The smaller tubular bones has physis at only one end. At birth, with the exception of the distal femur and occasionally the proximal tibia, all of the epiphyses which are mentioned above are purely cartilaginous
PHYSIS LAYERS Reserve Zone :- cells store lipids, glycogen Proliferative Zone :- proliferation of Chondrocytes Hypertrophic Zone :- a) Maturation zone b) Degenerative zone c) zone of provisional Calcification Primary Spongiosa Secondary Spongiosa
Zone (or groove) of Ranvier A triangular microscopic structure at the periphery of the, containing fibroblasts, chondroblasts, and osteoblasts. It is responsible for peripheral growth of the physis. Perichondral ring of LaCroix Fibrous structure overlying the zone of Ranvier, connecting the metaphyseal periosteum and cartilaginous epiphysis Mechanical function of stabilizing the epiphysis to the metaphysis
Blood supply Epiphyseal vessels – supply the germinal layer of physis Periosteal vessels- nourishes the perichondrial ring & peripheral part of physis Nutrient artery- supplies majority of metaphyseal side of physis.
DALE & HARRIS Classification of epiphyseal blood supply
Etiology of physeal injuries FRACTURE (most frequent mechanism of injury) Infection Tumour Repetitive stress Vascular insult Miscellaneous
Infection Long bone osteomyelitis or septic arthritis can cause physeal damage resulting in either physeal growth disturbance or frank growth arrest. Tumour Benign tumors and tumor-like conditions can result in destruction of all or part of a physis. Growth disturbance as a consequence of physeal damage from these disorders generally cannot be corrected by surgical physeal arrest resection
Repetitive stress Repetitious physical activities in skeletally immature individuals most common location are distal radius or ulna, as seen in competitive gymnasts proximal tibia, as in running and kicking sports such as soccer proximal humerus, as in baseball pitchers managed by rest, judicious resumption of activities, longitudinal observation to monitor for potential physeal growth disturbance.
Miscellaneous Irradiation Electric shocks Thermal injuries Vascular insult
Physeal Biomechanics Growth in length of bone occurs by proliferation of chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate At same time, chondrocytes in diaphyseal site of plate hypertrophy, matrix become calcified and cells die. Because of the rates of these opposing forces namely PROLIFERATION and DESTRUCTION are approximately equal The epiphyseal plate doesn’t change in thickness but gets displaced away from the diaphysis, resulting in bone growth.
Within physiological range, increasing tension or compression can accelerate growth, but beyond physiological limits growth may be significantly decreased or even stopped. These principles are often referred to HUETER-VOLKMANN LAW
SALTER-HARRIS CLASSIFICATION
Salter-Harris type 1 Salter–Harris type I injuries are characterized by a transphyseal plane of injury, with no bony fracture line through either the metaphysis or the epiphysis. Produced by shearing force Radiographs of undisplaced type I physeal fractures, therefore, are normal except for associated soft tissue swelling Diagnosed by MRI and USG Minimal growth disturbance
SALTER HARRIS TYPE 2 Physeal and metaphyseal components Line of separation extends along epiphyseal plate to a variable distance & then out through a diaphysis. Producing a triangular shaped metaphyseal fragment called THURSTON HOLLAND SIGN Growth disturbance is uncommon
SALTER HARRIS TYPE 3 Fracture line begins from the epiphysis, as fracture through articular surface, and extend vertically through physis. Articular surfaces are involved Fracture involves germinal and proliferative areas of growth plate High velocity or compressive injuries Risk of subsequent growth disturbance Partial growth arrest when the physis is not anatomically reduced Prognosis is good- anatomical alignment of physis and no impaired blood supply to separated epiphyseal fragment
SALTER HARRIS TYPE 4 Fracture through the metaphysis, physis and epiphysis With possible joint incongruity M/c medial malleoli, lateral condylar fractures of humerus Requires open reduction and internal fixation Growth disturbance is present
SALTER HARRIS TYPE 5 Compression fracture of physis producing permanent damage Prognosis is poor as premature growth arrest occurs
Polland Classification
Aitken classification
Peterson Classification
Evaluation of physeal fractures Plain radiography – preffered modality for initial assessment CT scans - provides excellent definition for bony anatomy, help in assessing joint congruity , complex or communited fractures. Ultrasound – occasionally used in infants for diagnostic purpose to identify epiphyseal separation in infants MRI – excellent for soft tissue lesions and minor soft tissue injuries
TREATMENT Immediate Primary anatomical reduction Perform gently Prevent damage to physeal cartilage Avoid forcefull and repeated manipulation Avoid putting direct pressure over physis using instruments Must be performed early, delay everyday makes reduction more difficult
SALTER HARRIS TYPE 1 Closed reduction whenever possible Internal fixation when closed reduction not possible Immobilization with cast for 3-4 weeks SALTER HARRIS TYPE 2 Usually reduces easily with closed reduction Internal fixation is not necessary
SALTER HARRIS TYPE 4 Open reduction and internal fixation is usually required Minimally displaced- closed reduction with percutaneous pinning Major displacement- ORIF PETERSON TYPE 1 - Closed reduction and casting - Immobilize for 3 weeks Follow up to ensure normal growth PETERSON TYPE 6 Initial debridement & wound packing with secondary closure, skin graft Regular follow up till maturity as shortening and deformity is common
Physeal arrest Partial arrest can cause angular deformity, joint distortion, limb length inequality Complete arrest Bone bridge Bridge of bone forms from metaphysis to epiphysis crossing physis Tethers the growth
Central arrest A central arrest is surrounded by a perimeter of normal physis, like an island within the remaining physis. Peripheral arrest A peripheral arrest is located at the perimeter of the affected physis. Progressive angular deformity and variable shortening Linear arrest A linear arrest is a “through-and-through” lesion specifically, the affected area starts at the perimeter of the physis and extends centrally with normal physis on either side of the affected area.
General principles of fracture treatment in childrens Don’t think that all fractures in children will remodel completely that adequate reduction is unnecessary If open reduction is necessary, reposition the fragments as anatomically as possible, or it may lead joint incongruity. Use fixation that can be easily removed Use smooth rather than threaded pins Avoid pin penetration into joints Try not to cross the physis, but rather parallel into the epiphysis
Avoid unnecessary drill holes Immobilize the noncompliant child adequately Warn the parents about complications Angular deformity Limb length inequality Avascular necrosis Use of adequate fixation but keeping in mind that early mobilization is necessary
Prevention of Arrest formation Damaged, exposed physis should be protected by immediate fat grafting Used in open reduction of medial malleoli fractures, where comminution or partial arrest is identified after resection.
Partial physis arrest resection Surgical resection of a physeal arrest ( physiolysis or epiphysiolysis ) restoring normal growth of the affected physis is the ideal treatment for this condition. Principle is to remove the bony tether between the metaphysis and the physis Fill the physeal defect with a bone reformation retardant , anticipating that the residual healthy physis will resume normal longitudinal growth
Physeal distraction E xternal fixator spanning the arrest and gradual distraction until the arrest separates Angular deformity correction and lengthening can be accomplished after separation as well. Repeated Osteotomies during Growth correct angular deformity associated with physeal arrests is corrective osteotomy in the adjacent metaphysis
PHYSEAL ARREST RESECTION ETIOLOGY Arrest caused by trauma has good prognosis Secondary to infection, tumours, irradiation has bad prognosis. ANATOMIC TYPE Central and linear arrests are more likely to demonstrate resumption of growth EXTENT OF ARREST - > 25 % of affected area of physis- unlikely to grow after resection
Pre operative planning Sagittal and coronal CT MRI identifying and quantifying physeal arrests CT images shows precise delineation of bony margins, and cheaper than MRI Minimize Trauma Central lesions should be approached through either metaphyseal window or intramedullary canal Peripheral lesions approached directly by resecting overlying periosteum Arthroscope can be inserted into metaphyseal cavity circumferential view of area of resection High speed burr to and fro motion
Prevent bone bridge formation A bone growth retardant or spacer material should be placed in the cavity created after resection to prevent bone bridge formation 4 compounds used are Autogenous fat Methylmethacrylate Silicon rubber Autogenous cartilage
Marker Implantation Metallic markers should be implanted in the epiphysis and metaphysis at the time of arrest resection to allow reasonably accurate estimation of the amount of longitudinal growth Initially resumption of growth may not occur despite adequate resection and good clinical indication Perhaps resumption of normal or accelerated growth may be followed by late deceleration or cessation of growth.
Management of partial physeal arrest Shoe lift – LLD less than 2.5cm and no angular deformity Wedge osteotomy to correct angular deformity Lengthening of ipsilateral bone Shortening of contralateral bone Excision of physeal bar and insertion of interposition material Breaking of physeal bar by distraction.
Management of Complete arrest Shoe lift ( for limb length discrepancy) Physeal arrest – contralateral bone Ipsilateral bone lengthening Contralateral bone shortening