Orthopedic Research
National and international research is a top priority for Children’s. With more than 100 years of expertise in orthopedics, our team’s orthopedic research studies are designed to lead to better outcomes for our patients, like lower infection rates and shorter lengths of stay than the national average, as well as low returns to the operating room.* In addition to conducting ongoing research in spine, sports medicine, hip, limb difference and other areas, our Orthopedics Program performs more orthopedic surgeries than any other pediatric hospital in the country.*
Our team is constantly raising the bar for clinical research. Be among the first to know about our groundbreaking research efforts that result in better care and outcomes for our patients.
- Murphy, J.S., Koehler, K., Johnson, M., Hosseinzadeh, P.
- Summary: Flexible intramedullary nail and stainless steel is a great choice for treating of pediatric patients ages 5 to 13 years old with closed femoral shaft fractures. This technique can provide a rapid recovery, as well as short rehabilitation and immobilization with few complications and a very high union rate.
- Perkins, C., Buck, J.S., Karunakar, M.
- Summary: Surgical treatment of femur fractures in patients with pre-existing spinal cord injury and lower extremity paraplegia is associated with greater complications than non-operative treatment. Treatment of femur fractures in these patients should be with nonoperative techniques.
- Busch M.T., Perkins C.A., Nickel, B.T., Blizzard, D.J., Willimon, S.C.
- Summary: The use of four flexible intramedullary nails, as opposed to the traditional two nails, improves the fixation and stability of length-unstable femur fractures which might otherwise require more invasive treatment techniques.
- Perkins, C.A., Busch, M.T., Christino, M.A., Axelrod, J., Devito, D.P., Fabregas, J.A., Flanagan, J.C., Murphy, J.M., Olszewski, D., Schmitz, M.L., Schrader, T., Willimon, S.C.
- Summary: This study described the outcomes of a common treatment technique for elbow fractures in children and identified a specific population of older children who may benefit from a specific-fixation method.
- Li, Y., Donohue, K.S., Willimon, S.C., et al.
- Radiographic measurements of clavicle fracture displacement and shortening have good inter- and intra-rater reliability. The cortex-to-corresponding-cortex measurement of shortening is more accurate than end-to-end and should be used in clinical practice.
- Summary: Currently, when a patient breaks her collar bone, there is no standardized way to review imaging studies and calculate displacement. These measurements are important because they guide decision making regarding the need for surgery. Our team collaborated with other centers in the study group to find reliable ways to measure, evaluate and standardize care of clavicle fractures.
- Pennock, A.T., Willimon, S.C., Busch, M.T., et al.
- Nonunion is a rare outcome in adolescent clavicle fractures. Predictors of nonunion are male patients who have a displaced fracture through a previously fractured clavicle.
- Summary: This study was conducted to better understand the commonality and rarity of nonunions. Our team collaborated with other centers to identify patients whose clavicles did not heal. This occurrence is very low (less than 15 cases). This study showed that nonunions rarely occur.
- Herzog, M.M., Busch, M.T., Willimon, S.C., et al.
- There are no significant differences in function or patient-reported outcomes between patients treated nonoperatively versus operatively for displaced and shortened clavicle fractures.
- Summary: Some clavicle fractures can benefit from surgical repair, while others can be managed successfully without surgery. Our doctors are not just interested in treating the fractures. We want to know that a patient’s functional outcome is better because of the treatment. This study examines patients who had a clavicle fracture that was treated with or without surgery and tests the strength and endurance of their arms.
- Pennock, A.T., Ellis, H.B., Willimon, S.C., et al.
- Intra-articular physeal fractures of the distal femur are commonly missed, and practitioners must have a high index of suspicion for this injury pattern when evaluating skeletally immature athletes with acute knee injuries.
- Summary: A fracture through the growth plate at the end of the femur (thigh bone) is difficult to diagnose and frequently missed in adolescent athletes. It’s important to have a doctor experienced in sports medicine injuries to make sure athletes recognize these injuries and get the treatment they need. This study was performed in order to better understand these fractures and their growth-related complications.
- Green, B.M., Stone, J.A., Fletcher, N.D.
- A transolecranon pin is one technique to obtain provision reduction of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures that may otherwise require open reduction.
- Summary: This injury is a relatively rare, hard-to-treat variant of commonly treated injury. Previously, this injury required an open surgery to realign the bones. Open surgery can mean a longer recovery time, more risk for complications and more pain. Our research showed that our new technique helped avoid open surgery in all cases. This was a small study, but showed the minimally invasive technique to be effective and have positive outcomes for patients.
- Ellis, H.B., Li, Y., Bae, D.S., Willimon, S.C., Heyworth, B.E., et al.
- Summary: Adolescent clavicle fractures occur most commonly in male athletes as a result of a direct blow to the shoulder. In this multicenter study of 545 teenage patients, approximately 50% of these fractures were completely displaced and the majority of these fractures were successfully managed without surgery.
- Faust, K.C., Peljovich, A.E.
- Summary: This study focuses exclusively on upper extremity injuries in young athletes, including the latest evidence on current diagnostic and treatment strategies.
- Shah, A.S., Kalish, L.A., Bae, D.S., Peljovich, A.E., Cornwall, R., Bauer, A.S., Waters, P.M.
- Summary: In patients with brachial plexus birth palsy, early physical examination findings independently predict microsurgical intervention. These factors can be used to provide counseling in early infancy for families regarding injury severity and plan for potential microsurgical intervention.
- Shore, B.J., Gillespie, B.T., Miller, P.E., Bae, D.S., Waters, P.M.
- Summary: Nerve injuries occur in approximately 11% of pediatric extension supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF), yet there is scarce literature to guide clinicians on management. The primary goal of this study was to report the presentation, treatment and outcome of motor nerve injuries associated with extension SCHF. Our secondary goal was to determine which injury and treatment factors were associated with prolonged motor nerve recovery.
- vonBergen, T.N., Lourie, G.M.
- Summary: This article describes an injury seen in adolescent and adult pitchers in which nerves about the joint can become compressed with activity resulting in decreased function and performance. Recognition and proper treatment can avoid injury and restore pre-injury performance.
- Federer, E.F., Murphy, J.M., Calandruccio, J.H., DeVito, D,P., Kozin, S.H., Slappey, G.S., Lourie, G.M.
- Summary: This article describes the largest series to date of a fracture of the forearm in children that can entrap and injure the ulnar nerve. Early recognition and correct treatment can prevent long term nerve damage.
- Fishman F.G., Barbar J, Lourie G.M., Peljovich A.E.
- Summary: TFCC tears are a well-known adult wrist injury, but little has been reported in children. Though these injuries are traditionally associated with distal radius fractures in children, this study reviews the experience in treating these tears in children and adolescents. Nearly all of the tears resulted from injuries sustained during a sports activity, and not from fractures; something previously unreported. Our team reported the findings associated with this injury to raise awareness. Our team also found that 80% of patients returned to their previous level of sport within 4.8 months after surgery while nearly all were satisfied with the results of the surgery. When warranted, surgical treatment of TFCC injuries in our young athletes can reliably help them return back to their level of sport.
Hand Injuries in Baseball. (Chapter) Baseball Sports Medicine. (Textbook) Editors Ahmad, and Romeo.
- Metz, J. Lourie G.M.
- Summary: This chapter focuses on hand injuries particular to baseball in the adolescent and adult. A thorough description focuses on the pertinent anatomy and treatment of hand injuries common to baseball.
- Fishman F.G., Goldstein E.M., Peljovich A.E.
- Summary: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a form of this condition that often leads to impairing elbow contractures. For the first time, this paper reviews the results of muscle lengthening surgery to successfully relieve these contractures in two children with the condition.
Median nerve injury in the text book, "The Pediatric Upper Extremity."
- Peljovich A.E., Fishman F.G.
- Summary: The median nerve is one of the three major nerves of the forearm and hand. It helps control hand movement. This book chapter explores the types of injuries that typically result in median nerve damage as well as treatment options.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Associated with Endocrinopathy: A Narrative Review.
- Shaw, K.A., Shiver, A.L., Oakes, T., Fletcher, N.D., et al.
- Summary: Recombinant growth hormone therapy has also been identified as a risk factor for the development of SCFE.Patients with unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis presentations with an underlying endocrinopathy are at a heightened risk for contralateral slip development and should be treated with prophylactic fixation.
- International Perthes Study Group, including, Schrader, T.
- Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of visual estimation of hypoperfusion on perfusion MRI and compare the results to measurements obtained with the HipVasc software. Good correlation and reliability was found between the visual estimate and HipVasc measurements with an overall mean intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 and mean Pearson coefficient of 0.90.
- International Perthes Study Group, including, Schrader, T.
- Summary: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected multicenter database was conducted for patients aged 6 to 11 at diagnosis. The study finds significant variation in baseline anatomy in children with early-stage Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease, including a high prevalence of coexisting acetabular dysplasia as well as high/low NSAs.
Tractionless hip arthroscopy for septic arthritis in children. Feb. 19, 2021.
- Ellis, H., Copley, L., Pennock, A.T., Nepple, J.J., Willimon, S.C., Mayer, S., Yen, Y.
- Summary: The purpose of this study is to describe a safe technique to perform hip arthroscopy without traction in the pediatric hip and to report short-term results of a case series. Pediatric hip arthroscopy can be safely performed without traction on a radiolucent table, and allows joint irrigation and debridement, including drain placement through the use of one or two portals. Hip arthroscopy is a safe, valuable, minimally invasive technique in the treatment of children with septic arthritis of the hip.
- Matsumoto, H., Hyman, J.E., Shah, H.H., Sankar, W.N., Laine, J.C., Mehlman, C.T., Schrader, T., Kelly, D.M., Rosenfeld, S.B., Janicki, J.A., Thacker, M.M., Trupia, E., Mcguire, M.F., Kim, H.K.W., International Perthes Study Group.
- Summary: Patient -reported outcome scores are a useful and validated tool to describe how a patient is functioning during and after their treatment for Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.
- Murphy R.F., Plumblee L., Barfield W.B., Murphy J.S., Fuerstenau N, Spence D.D., Kelly D.M., Dow M.A., Mooney J.F. 3rd.
- Upasani V.V., Badrinath R, Farnsworth C.L., Jeffords M.E., Hallare J.A., Ahmed S.I., Schrader T.S.
- This study evaluates the relationship between intra-articular hip pressure (IAP) and epiphyseal perfusion pressure (EPP), and its dependency on skeletal maturity to determine if hip pressure has an effect on femoral head avascular necrosis after hip fractures or acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
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Summary: Post-traumatic femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) happens when bone tissue begins to die due to lack of blood supply. Hip fractures, dislocations and SCFE have been associated with high rates of AVN. With this study, we found that increased pressure within the hip joint in a young pig with open growth plates led to decreased blood perfusion inside the femoral head. We also found that the decreased perfusion was reversible (in the short term) by decreasing the hip joint pressure. This study is clinically relevant because releasing the pressure of the hip joint (hip capsulotomy) in young patients may help decrease the rate of AVN.
- Schrader, T.S., Jones, C.R., Kaufman, A.M., et al.
- Femoral head perfusion in patients with SCFE can be measured intra-operatively. The presence of femoral head perfusion was predictive of the absence of postoperative osteonecrosis.
- Summary: This novel technique to monitor blood flow to the ball of the hip (femoral head) during surgery for SCFE was developed by Dr. Schrader, Medical Director of the Children’s Hip Program. Demonstrating blood flow to the femoral head during surgery was associated with an absence of osteonecrosis after surgery. This study will help improve patient outcomes.
- Willimon, S.C., Schrader, T.S., Perkins, C.A.
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children and adolescents with atypical presentations of hip pain that fail to respond to treatment for rheumatologic or infectious disorders. Arthroscopic synovectomy of the hip following a timely diagnosis of PVNS produces good outcomes.
- Summary:PVNS is a noncancerous tumor-like condition that affects the joints—most commonly the knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. PVNS is often difficult to diagnose. Our study examined a series of young patients with PVNS of the hip that had not been previously reported. Historically, these surgeries were open procedures. Our sports medicine surgeons perform these arthroscopically, which usually has a shorter recovery time, less pain and fewer complications compared to more traditional approaches.
- Upasani, V.V., Badrinath, R., Farnsworth, C.L., Jeffords, M.E., Hallare, J.A., Ahmed, S.I., Schrader, T.
- Summary: Increased pressure around the hip, caused by bleeding from a fracture or slipped capital femoral epiphysis can result in avascular necrosis (loss of blood flow to a portion of the femur). In this animal study, the increase in pressure was successfully treated with decompression and opening of the hip capsule. This evidence supports opening the capsule and decompressing the increased pressure in the joint when treating children with certain hip fractures.
- Shaw, K.A., Ange, B., George, V., Murphy, J.S., Fletcher, N.D.
- Summary: Previous studies have demonstrated decreased hospital length of stay (LOS) for children undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Findings from this study indicate there continues to be a significant decrease in LOS for PSF hospitalization events for AIS; however, total treatment charges continue to rise. Future research should investigate potential factors influencing total treatment charges after PSF for AIS.
- Spitzer, A., Patel, R., Hasan, S., Blas, D., Floccari, L., Glotzbecker, M., Murphy, J.S., Fletcher, N.D., Gomez, J.
- Summary: This publication provides guidelines in the event the surgical team needs to troubleshoot reduced or absent neuromonitoring signals together at any point during posterior spinal fusion for the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient.
- Spitzer, A., Patel, R., Hasan, S., Blas, D., Floccari, L., Glotzbecker, M., Murphy, J.S., Fletcher, N.D., Gomez, J.
- Summary: Intraoperative neurologic monitoring (IONM) for neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) is recommended to decrease risk of neurologic deficit. This study asserts the use of IONM is recommended during spinal fusion for neuromuscular patients, including severely affected Gross Motor Function Classification System IV and V spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy patients with epilepsy. Weight-bearing ability, baseline motor function, supratentorial brain lesions, and antiepileptics are associated with ability to achieve baseline signals.
- Fletcher, N.D., Gilbertson, L.E., Bruce, R.W. Jr., Lewis, M., Lam, H., Austin, T.M.
- Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate common methods for BL estimation. Results indicate published formulaic approaches do not approximate true blood loss. Multiplying the cell saver volume by 3 or using the cell salvage-based estimator had the highest correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient.
- Harms Study Group, including, Fletcher, N.D.
- Summary: Typically, selection of lowest instrumented vertebra in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is based on the coronal radiograph; however, increasing evidence suggests that fusions proximal to the stable sagittal vertebrae on the lateral radiograph can result in distal junctional kyphosis. The purpose of this study is to compare rates of distal junctional kyphosis in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that have a discordance between the lowest touched vertebra and the stable sagittal vertebrae and to identify risk factors for developing distal junctional kyphosis.
- Skaggs, D.L., Compton, E., Andras, L., Illingworth, K., Vitale, M.G., Stone, J., Fletcher, N.D., Keil, L., Garg, S., Martinez, R., Kim, E., Harris, H.
- Summary: This retrospective review compared patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion by seven pediatric spine surgeons at six institutions over 11 years to determine the safety of power-assisted pedicle tract preparation by early adopters of this technology. This is the first multi-center study examining power pedicle preparation. Overall, 99.9% of pedicle screws placed with power pedicle preparation did not have complications or revision.
- McDonald, T.C., Heffernan, M.J., Ramo, B., Haber, L., Sheffer, B., Murphy, J.S., Murphy, R., Fletcher, N.D., Coyne, K., Lubicky, J., Bumpass, D.B., Crawford, C. 3rd, Carreon, L., Toner, S., Stafford, W.H., Poppino, K., Adams, T., Song, B.M., Gidwani, S., Taillac, H., Cornaghie, M., Sukkarieh, H., Wright, P.B., Conklin, M., Gilbert, S., Thimothee, J., Bhanat, E., Brooks, J.T.
- Summary: A multicenter research consortium was formed to evaluate the effect of obesity on pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. Results of this study indicate obese and overweight adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients have significantly greater superficial surgical site infection rates than normal weight patients, even after controlling for socioeconomic status.
- Guisse, N.F., Stone, J.D., Keil, L.G., Bastrom, T.P., Erickson, M.A., Yaszay, B., Cahill, P.J., Parent, S., Gabos, P.G., Newton, P.O., Glotzbecker, M.P., Kelly, M.P., Pahys, J.M., Fletcher, N.D.
- Summary: This study aimed to modify the Clavien-Dindo-Sink classification system for application in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion to assess its inter- and intra-rater reliability for describing complications faced by this population.
- Shiver, A.L., Shaw, K.A., Murphy, J.S., Fletcher, N.D.
- Summary: This current concept review evaluates postoperative complications of gastrostomy tubes or equivalent invasive nutritional support devices for maintaining apppropriate nutrition for children with cerebral palsy who have oromotor dysfunction.
- Li, Y., Fletcher, N.D.
- Summary: The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of posterior spinal fusion with segmental spinal instrumentation in a hypothetical skeletally mature adolescent with a 45-degree lumbar curve, pelvic obliquity, and limb length discrepancy. Although the clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior spinal fusion with segmental spinal instrumentation are excellent, patients should be counseled about the impact of fusing the lumbar spine on back pain, decreased spinal mobility and potential inability to return to athletics at the same level.
- Miyanji, F., Fields, M.W., Murphy, J.S., Matsumoto, H., Fano, A.N., Roye, B.D., Skaggs, D., El-Hawary, R., Vitale, M.G., Parent, S.; Pediatric Spine Study Group (PSSG)
- Summary: Shoulder balance is an important factor for patient satisfaction following surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. In this study, postoperative shoulder imbalance in patients with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing anterior vertebral body tethering was seen in 16% of patients, a reduction from 30% preoperatively.
- Shaw, K.A., Heboyan, V., Fletcher, N.D., Murphy, J.S.
- Summary: Accelerated postoperative discharge (AD) pathways have demonstrated numerous benefits for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after undergoing a posterior spinal fusion (PSF). Although early evidence supports the application of AD pathways over more traditional discharge (TD) approaches for patients with neuromuscular scoliosis, the economic impact of these pathways has not been investigated. This cost-utility analysis demonstrated that the implementation of an AD pathway following PSF for non-ambulatory CP scoliosis is economically more effective. The cost-effectiveness of the AD was maintained despite implant cost variations.
- Mishreky, A., Parent, S., Miyojni, F., Murphy, J.S., El Hawary, R.
- Summary: The outcomes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with vertebral body tethering (VBT) were compared between underweight, normal weight and overweight patients. All groups had similar scoliosis correction on first erect S-rays and similar risk of complication at the two-year post-operative appointment. However, overweight patients had a risk ratio of 4.7 for progression of scoliosis from first post-operative erect to two-year post-operative, as compared to underweight and normal weight patients.
- Abdullah, A., Parent, S., Miyanji, F., Smit, K., Murphy, J.S., Skaggs, D., Gupta, P., Vitale, M., et al.
- Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine peri-operative morbidity associated with anterior vertebral body tethering (aVBT) for idiopathic scoliosis. This large, multicenter series of aVBT procedures demonstrated a 15.8% complication rate and 6.7% UPROR rate at two-year post-operatively.
- Shaw, K.A., Fletcher, N.D., Devito, D.P., Schmitz, M.L., Fabregas, J.A., Gidwani, S., Chhatbar, P., Murphy, J.S.
- Summary: Intraoperative methadone has been shown to decrease opioid medication required after a posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). No study to date has investigated the effect of methadone on opioid medication requirement when used in conjunction with an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol following PSF. The study concluded that there was no decrease of in-hospital opioid usage when methadone was used with an ERAS protocol. Total opioid usage is correlated with hospital length of stay following the surgery.
- Verhofste, B.P., Berry, J.G., Miller, P.E., Crofton, C.N., Garrity, B.M., Fletcher, N.D., Marks, M.C., Shah, S.A., Newton, P.O., Samdani, A.F., Abel, M.F., Sponseller, P.D., Harms Study Group, Glotzbecker, M.P.
- Summary: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications like pancreatitis and ileus are not uncommon after a spinal fusion in children with cerebral palsy. This is the first study to investigate the validity of the modified Clavien-Dindo-Sink classification in GI complications after a spinal fusion. Results suggest a correlation between complication severity grade and hospital length of stay. The complexity of perioperative enteral nutritional supplementation requires prospective studies dedicated to enteral feeding protocols.
- Shaw, K.A., Griffith, M., Schmitz, M.L., Brahma, B., Fletcher, N.D., Murphy, J.S.
- Summary: For spinal deformities, the halo fixator can be expected to lengthen the spine and increase deformity flexibility before definitive surgical treatment in the spine or growth-friendly spinal instrumentation.
- Fletcher, N.D., Murphy, J.S., Austin, T.M., Bruce, R.W., Harris, H., Bush, P., Yu, A., Kusumoto, H., Schmitz, M.L., Devito, D.P., Fabregas, J.A., Miyanji, F.
- Summary: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to decrease length of stay after a posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aim of this study was to compare immediate post-operative outcomes following an ERAS pathway with a traditional pathway for AIS. Patients managed with an ERAS pathway had similar pain scores at discharge than those managed with a traditional discharge (TD) pathway. Both groups showed evidence of rapid return to normalcy by the first follow-up visit.
- Mo, A.Z., Miller, P.E., Glotzbecker, M.P., Li Y., Fletcher, N.D., Upasani V.V., Riccio, A.I., Hresko, M.T., Krengel, W.F., Spence, D., Garg S., Hedequist, D.J.
- Summary: This study aimed to determine whether the new AOSpine thoracolumbar spine injury classification system is reliable and reproducible when applied to the pediatric population.
- Bellaire, L.L, Bruce, R.W. Jr., Ward, L.A., Bowman, C.A., Fletcher, N.D.
- Summary: This study revealed that implementation ofour post-operative pathway in complex patients with cerebral palsy undergoing posterior spinal fusion led to a shorter length of stay and fewer complications.
- Davis, L., Murphy, J.S., Shaw, K.A., Cash, K., Devito, D.P., Schmitz, M.L.
- Summary: Identified bracing with the Providence TLSO is best suited for spinal curves less than 35 degrees with an apex at T10 or below in more skeletally mature patients defined as Risser 1 or greater.
- Shaw, K.A., Murphy, J.S.
- Summary: An invitation to draft a commentary on a published manuscript that analyzed cervical sagittal alignment in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and its effect on their alignment compared to the normal population.
- Sethi, R.K., Yanamadala, V., Shah, S.A., Fletcher, N.D., Flynn, J., Lafage, V., Schwab, F., Heffernan, M., DeKleuyer, M., Mcleod, L., Leveque, J.C., Vitale, M.
- Summary: This was a consensus statement on the way in which standardized processes have improved the delivery of care to pediatric and adult spine patients.
- Roye, B.D., Campbell, M.L., Matsumoto, H., Pahys, J.M., Welborn, M.C., Sawyer, J., Fletcher, N.D., McIntosh, A.L., Stum, P.F., Gomez, J.A., Roye, D.P., Lenke, L.G., Vitale, M.G.; Children’s Spine Study Group.
- Summary: This study establishes best practice guidelines for treating patients with halo gravity traction.
- Spitzer A.B., Shaw K.A., Schmitz M., Devito D.P., Murphy J.S.
Predictors of distal adding-on in thoracic major curves with AR lumbar modifiers. Spine 2017.
- Murphy, J.S., Upasani, V.Y., Yaszay, B., et al.
- Skeletally immature patients, those fused short of last substantially touched vertebra (LSTV) and those with relative coronal balance preoperatively are at increased risk of distal adding-on between the initial postoperative visit and two-year follow up.
- Summary: Dr. Murphy participates in a multicenter collaborative effort with other children’s hospitals to explore the best ways to surgically correct scoliosis and avoid complications. This study aimed to better understand factors that will help doctors design the surgical treatment for patients.
- Fletcher, N.D., Glotzbecker, M.P., Marks, M.C. The Harms Study Group, Newton PO.
- Nineteen clinical practice guidelines are described for the postoperative management of patients following posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
- Summary: We are nationally renowned for our pediatric postoperative spinal fusion pathway. Our team was the first to publish our pathway five years ago. In comparing data across our hospitals, we found a 25% decrease in length of stay and no increase in complications due to the implementation of our pathway. Because of the success of the pathway, Nicholas Fletcher, MD, Medical Director of Children’s Spine Quality and Outcomes was asked to lead a team of nationally renowned surgeons to create a best practice guideline for postoperative care following posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Most recently, we’ve found that with our pathway sicker kids with more complex conditions also benefited from our guidelines. We saw a 50% decrease in complications and a 25% shorter length of stay for these patients.
- Fletcher, N.D., Andras, L.A., Lazarus, D.E., Owen, R.J., Geddes, B.J., Cao, J., Skaggs, D.L., Oswald, T.S., Bruce, R.W.
- Discharge after posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis may be expedited using a coordinated postoperative pathway without an increase in complications.
- Summary: In order to prove the positive outcomes of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s spinal fusion pathway, we collaborated with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. When comparing pathways, we found that our patients were released 50 percent sooner with no major difference in complications. As a result, many pediatric hospitals across the country are adopting the spinal fusion pathway created by our team.
- Segal, D.N., Orland, K.J., Yoon, E., Bastrom, T., Fletcher, N.D., Harms Study Group.
- Summary: Posterior spinal fusion is a treatment for teenage patients with scoliosis. This study evaluates the ideal spinal levels for fusion to preserve spinal motion, while preventing the later development of additional deformity.
- Willimon, S.C., Egger, A.C., Perkins, C.A.
- Summary: Traumatic hip dislocations are uncommon injuries in the pediatric population. Injury recognition and prompt closed reduction is standard of care. Results of this study indicate selective hip arthroscopy after traumatic hip dislocations may be a viable less invasive method for treatment of incarcerated fragments and labral injury.
- ROCK Group, including, Perkins, C.A., Willimon, S.C., Busch, M.T., et al.
- Summary: The aim of this study was to provide a baseline report of the ROCK multicenter prospective cohort and present a descriptive analysis of baseline data for patient characteristics, lesion characteristics, and clinical findings of the first 1,000 cases enrolled into the prospective cohort. The multicenter ROCK group has been able to enroll the largest knee OCD cohort to date.
- PLUTO Study Group, including, Perkins, C.A., Willimon, S.C., Busch, M.T., et al.
- Summary: Growth disturbance is an uncommon but potentially serious complication after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. The purpose of this study was to describe how pediatric ACL literature has assessed preoperative skeletal maturity and the amount of growth remaining, and to comprehensively review the incidence, reporting and monitoring of post-operative growth disturbance.
- Perkins, C.A., Christino, M.A., Busch, M.T., Murata, A., Egger, A.C., Kelleman, M., Willimon, S.C.
- Summary: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequently associated with meniscal injury. Risk factors for concomitant meniscal injuries have been studied in the adult population but less so in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients undergoing ACL reconstruction had a 58% incidence of concomitant meniscal pathology. Increasing age and body mass index (BMI) were independent risk factors for these injuries, while no association was found between time to surgery and meniscal pathology.
- PLUTO Study Group, including, Perkins, C.A., Willimon, S.C., Busch, M.T., et al.
- Summary: Early and delayed operative treatment achieved satisfactory knee stability. However, delaying anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in pediatric patients younger than 12 weeks old significantly increased the risk of meniscal injuries and irreparable meniscal tears. Nonoperative management resulted in high rates of residual knee instability, increased risk of meniscal tears and comparatively low rates of return to sports.
- Perkins, C.A., Egger, A.C., Willimon, S.C.
- Summary: The purpose of this study is to describe the surgical technique and outcomes of transosseous repair of patellar sleeve fractures in a pediatric cohort. A retrospective review was performed on patients younger than 16 years old who underwent transosseous repair of distal patellar sleeve fractures. Primary outcomes included intact extensor mechanism function and range of motion (ROM) at final follow-up. All patients who began knee ROM physical therapy within 21 days of surgery obtained full knee ROM. No patients experienced construct failure or extensor lag. Operative management of displaced patellar sleeve fractures with anatomic transosseous suture repair of the sleeve fracture, brief immobilization no more than 21 days, and initiation range of early ROM results in excellent outcomes.
- Perkins, C.A., Busch, M.T., Christino, M., Willimon, S.C.
- Summary: A single-institution retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients less than 18 years of age treated with saucerization and repair for a meniscocapsular tear of a discoid lateral meniscus from 2013 to 2017. Saucerization of discoid lateral menisci with repair of meniscocapsular tears is associated with low rates of revision surgery and good intermediate-term outcomes.
- Perkins, C.A., Busch, M.T., Christino, M., Herzog, M.M., Willimon, S.C.
- Summary: Hamstring graft sizes in adolescent patients having ACL reconstruction can be variable. If a surgeon obtains a small graft, this study demonstrates that enlarging the graft by folding over the native hamstring tendon has superior results compared to adding allograft tissue to the construct.
- Nielsen, E., Andras, L.M., Bellaire, L.L., Fletcher, N.D., Minkara, A., Vitale, M.G., Troy, M., Glotzbecker, M., Skaggs. D,L.
- Summary: This study established that fusion to the pelvis rather than the lower lumbar spine may be preferable in patients undergoing spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis due to the high operating time and blood loss associated with a revision surgery.
- Pennock, A.T., Ellis, H.B., Willimon, S.C., et al.
- Intra-articular physeal fractures of the distal femur are commonly missed, and practitioners must have a high index of suspicion for this injury pattern when evaluating skeletally immature athletes with acute knee injuries.
- Summary: A fracture through the growth plate at the end of the femur (thigh bone) is difficult to diagnose and frequently missed in adolescent athletes. It’s important to have a doctor experienced in sports medicine injuries to make sure athletes recognize these injuries and get the treatment they need. This study was performed in order to better understand these fractures and their growth-related complications.
Transphyseal ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. The Pediatric ACL: Clinical Evaluation and Management Strategies. Springer. 2018.
- Perkins, C.A., Willimon, S.C., Busch, M.
- ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients with a transphyseal technique is appropriate for adolescents with two or fewer years of remaining skeletal growth.
- Summary: This book chapter discusses the strategy and treatment to reconstruct an ACL in children and young teenagers. Sometimes, treating pediatric ACL injuries like you would an adult’s can be risky and dangerous due to remaining skeletal growth. Adolescent patients are also at higher risk for re-injury. Our sports medicine team includes physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine primary care doctors and orthopedic surgeons. Our goal with ACL rehabilitation is to help patients return to activity based on their recovery and function versus a specific timeframe after surgery.
- Willimon, S.C., Busch, M.T., Perkins, C.A.
- Summary: PVNS is a noncancerous tumor-like condition that affects the joints—most commonly the knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. PVNS is often difficult to diagnose. This is the largest published series of pediatric patients with PVNS of the knee. Our sports medicine surgeons treat PVNS arthroscopically, which usually has a shorter recovery time, less pain and fewer complications compared to more traditional approaches.
- Willimon, S.C., Schrader, T.S., Perkins, C.A.
- PVNS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children and adolescents with atypical presentations of hip pain that fail to respond to treatment for rheumatologic or infectious disorders. Arthroscopic synovectomy of the hip following a timely diagnosis of PVNS produces good outcomes.
- Summary: PVNS is a noncancerous tumor-like condition that affects the joints—most commonly the knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. PVNS is often difficult to diagnose. This is the largest published series of pediatric patients with PVNS of the knee. Our sports medicine surgeons treat PVNS arthroscopically, which usually has a shorter recovery time, less pain and fewer complications compared to more traditional approaches.

Children’s study shows steroids reduce opioid use following scoliosis surgery.
A study led by Dr. Fletcher and published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery demonstrates that teens undergoing surgery for scoliosis decreased postoperative opioid use by 40% when steroids were added to their pain management treatment.
Learn MoreIn 2017, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta established the Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Outcomes Center. Crystal Perkins, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon, serves as Medical Director for Orthopaedic Quality and Outcomes at Children's.
We participate in several multicenter prospective study groups with other leading pediatric centers across the country, including:
Hip
International Perthes Study Group
The International Perthes Study Group is a group of specialists and researchers with a common goal of advancing knowledge and care of patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Tim Schrader, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon at Children’s, was a founding member of this group and is actively involved in collaborative studies with researchers across the world.
Spine
Children's Spine Foundation and Study Group
The Children’s Spine Foundation is a community dedicated to improving the quality of care and outcomes for patients and families dealing with chest wall and spine deformities. Our team works with the Spine Study Group on research projects to help improve patient outcomes. Michael Schmitz, MD; Nicholas Fletcher, MD; and Joshua Murphy, MD, all orthopedic surgeons at Children’s, are actively involved in this collaboration on behalf of Children’s.
Harms Study Group
We are one of only 25 centers that participate in this invitation-only research group. In an effort to standardize postoperative spinal fusion care, our team has provided research and data collection from the Children’s spinal fusion postoperative pathway. Our research helps to guide best practices nationwide with the goal of improving spinal fusion patient outcomes. Dr. Fletcher provides leadership on behalf of Children’s in this collaboration with the Harms Study Group.
Sports medicine
Research in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee (ROCK)
The Research in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee (ROCK) group is committed to developing improved methods for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans. Our team works closely with other members of this group to identify better treatment plans for patients. Michael Busch, MD; S. Clifton Willimon, MD; and Dr. Perkins represent Children’s through research efforts in this group.
Function After Adolescent Clavicle Trauma and Surgery (FACTS) Multicenter Study Group
Children’s is one of eight centers nationwide that participate in the FACTS Study Group. These centers represent the highest-volume pediatric hospitals in the country that are combining their clinical experience to determine treatment outcomes for teenagers who have displaced clavicle fractures. Drs. Busch, Willimon and Perkins contribute to this group.
Pediatric ACL: Understanding Treatment Options (PLUTO)
PLUTO is a national study group investigating the safety and effectiveness of treatment of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, specifically in children with open growth plates. Children’s sports medicine surgeons, including Drs. Busch, Willimon and Perkins, are active members of this group.
Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM)
PRiSM is devoted to the care of pediatric and adolescent athletes. Many pediatric sports injuries and conditions are unique to young athletes and do not occur in other age groups. By combining research across multiple centers and different practitioners, the group aims to increase the impact of research. Drs. Busch, Willimon and Perkins participate in this study group and lead research interest groups studying complex knee injuries and shoulder instability.
Limb deformity
Multicentre Pin Site Infection Study
Jill Flanagan, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon at Children’s, is actively involved in the Multicentre Pin Site Infection Study led by British Columbia Children’s Hospital. It aims to measure and document pin site infection rate and pin site care across Canada, the U.S. and United Kingdom through a multicenter pin site infection database. By identifying the factors contributing to pin site infections, this study will take another step toward improving clinical care for children in external fixation devices.
Multicenter Study Group for Pediatric Limb Deformity
This study group, led by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is committed to establishing a multicenter prospective study group to define the appropriate indications and expected outcomes in children treated for pediatric limb deformity. The establishment of this large coalition, including Dr. Flanagan, will offer substantial improvements to the current literature and ultimately make a significant impact in our care of children with these conditions.
Trauma
CORTICES Trauma and Infection Study Group
CORTICES is a collaboration of pediatric orthopedic surgeons dedicated to improving quality, safety and value in the management of emergent orthopedic conditions through education, research and development of optimal care guidelines. Drs. Fletcher and Murphy help lead research efforts on behalf of Children’s in this group.
Our Presentations at the POSNA 2023 Annual Meeting
Our orthopaedic surgeons are excited to present research spanning sports medicine, spine and fracture during this year’s POSNA 2023 Annual Meeting. Dr. Nicolas Fletcher, Medical Director of the Spine Program, is serving as the Program Chair at this year's conference.
Wednesday, April 26
- 8:00 - 8:04 a.m. | Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Regional Anesthesia as an Alternative to Procedural Sedation for Forearm Fracture Reductions
Friday, April 28
- 2:29 - 2:33 p.m. | Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Is shorter really better? Results of selective vs. nonselective thoracic fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients at minimum 10-year follow-up
- 2:58 - 3:02 p.m. | Joshua Murphy, MD: Why are we giving additional parenteral antibiotics to non-ambulatory cerebral palsy patients with isolated acute post-operative fevers following posterior spinal fusion?
- 3:45 - 5:00 p.m. | Crystal Perkins, MD: Sports Medicine Scientific Program (moderator)
Ongoing throughout the conference
- Crystal Perkins, MD: Traumatic Adolescent Knee Dislocations: Beware of the KDIII Injury Pattern (ePoster 67)
- Michael Schmitz, MD; Jessica King, PA: Growing Your Practice with APPs (part of POPs Virtual Symposia Program)
POSNA Annual Meeting
Our orthopaedic surgeons presented research spanning sports medicine, spine, hip and bone health during the POSNA 2022 Annual Meeting.
Thursday, May 12
- Cliff Willimon, MD: What Not To Do: Complications in Pediatric Sports Complications and unexpected events happen to every surgeon
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Roids are the Rage: Postoperative Steroids in Patients with Severe Neuromuscular Scoliosis Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion Reduced Opioid Usage by 70%
- Cliff Willimon, MD: Introduction to Revision Sports Medicine Surgery
- Discussion included Crystal Perkins, MD: Revision Shoulder Stabilization: Whats Next After a Failed Arthroscopic Bankart? When to Latarjet?
- Tim Schrader, MD: How to Determine with Diagnostics if a SCFE Is Alive or Dead–Pre, During, and After
- Jill Flanagan, MD: Adolescent Blount’s Disease...When to Guide and When to Cut
Friday, May 13
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Spinal Fusion in Pediatric Patients with Down Syndrome
PRiSM Annual Meeting
Our sports medicine physicians were proud to host the following sessions and presentations at the 2022 Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society Annual Meeting.
Thursday, January 27
- Cliff Willimon, MD and Crystal Perkins, MD: Hot off the Press- Top 5 in 60
Saturday, January 29
- Crystal Perkins, MD: Poster: Does Shortening Change in the First 2 Weeks Following Completely Displaced Adolescent Clavicle Fractures?
Key presenters at 2021 Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Annual Meeting
Dr. Fletcher presented his research and represented our Spine Program at the 2021 SRS Annual Meeting.
Wednesday, September 22
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: 10-Year Follow Up of Lenke V Curves in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Saturday, September 25
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Lowest Instrumented Vertebral Discordance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: When Coronal and Sagittal Parameters Conflict
Key presenters at 2021 Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American (POSNA) Annual Meeting
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta was honored to have many orthopaedic surgeons among the presenters and speakers for POSNA 2021.
Wednesday, May 12
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Saving Yourself and Others From Bad Meetings
Friday, May 14
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: 10-Year Follow Up of Lenke V Curves in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Saturday, May 15
- S. Clifton Willimon, MD: Opiod Use in Children and Adolescents Following Common Orthopaedic Surgeries
- Robert Bruce, MD: Perioperative Steroid Use in Patients Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Establishing a Gold Standard for Estimation of Blood Loss During Spine Surgery
e-Poster
- Crystal Perkins, MD: Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Factors Predictive of Cartilage Integrity
- Nicholas Fletcher, MD: Evaluation of the AOSpine Injury Classification in the Pediatric Population: Results of a Multi-Center POSNA Grant
Key presenters at 2020 PRiSM
A number of our pediatric orthopedic surgeons—Drs. Busch, Willimon and Perkins—are key members of Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) and recently presented on several topics at the 2020 annual meeting in Glendale, Ariz. Dr. Willimon was also elected Chair of the PRiSM Research Committee, which oversees 13 different research interests.
Presentations by our pediatric orthopedic experts for the 2020 annual meeting included:
Rehabilitation Pearls for Multi-Ligament Knee Injuries
- Dr. Perkins shared updates on the Multi-Ligament Knee Injury Research Group in which she is the leader for 2020 and Dr. Willimon is a member.
Multi-Ligament Knee Injury: Anatomy and Diagnosis
- Dr. Willimon
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation To Manage Unsalvageable Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Dr. Willimon
Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Factors Predictive of Cartilage Integrity
- Drs. Busch, Perkins and Willimon, in addition to John Erickson, DO, and Kiery Braithwaite, MD
Podium presentation: Research on the Children’s cartilage imaging in the ankle
- Asahi Murata, MPH
Information in presentations was current at the time of the conference in January 2020.
2019 PRiSM
Our team was excited to share our current research in sports medicine with leaders from across the country at the 2019 PRiSM annual meeting, including:
Post-Operative Wound Care in Sports Medicine
- Dr. Erickson
Graft Choice For Adolescent Athletes Returning to High-Risk Sports: A Matched Cohort Analysis of Patellar Tendon and Hamstring Autografts
- Dr. Perkins
Surgical Technique: Quadriceps Tendon ACL Reconstruction
- Drs. Busch, Perkins and Willimon
Outcomes of Discoid Meniscus Repairs in Children and Adolescents
- Dr. Willimon
Meniscus Root Tears in Children and Adolescents
- Dr. Willimon
Avulsions of the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia: Rare Ligamentous Injuries in Children and Adolescents
- Dr. Perkins
Multi-Ligament Knee Injury Research Interest Group—Research Update and Literature Review
- Dr. Willimon
Knotless Labral Repair in the Young Contact Athlete
- Dr. Busch
Opioid Use in Adolescents Following Hip and Knee Arthroscopy
- Dr. Willimon
The Rate of Meniscus Tears in Association with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Increases with Age
- Drs. Busch, Perkins and Willimon
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO), October 2018
- Dr. Busch presented on Clavicle Fractures in Children and Adolescents at this recent conference.
QSVI Value Webinar (from POSNA), June 2018
- Dr. Nicholas Fletcher, MD, Medical Director Spine Quality and Outcome presented on Improving value of scoliosis care: Real life lessons from the field
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis: Arthroscopic Management of an Underappreciated Cause of Joint Pain in Children and Adolescents, May 2018
This presentation won best POSNA E-Poster. View the presentation slides
- Presented by Drs. Willimon, Busch, Schrader and Perkins
The Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC) Annual Meeting, April 2018
Is Inclinometer Reading in Scoliosis Screening Reliable for Guiding Referral Decisions: A Retrospective Analysis
- Presented by Dr. Schmitz, Mary Lou Oliver, RN, BSN, MSPH, and Janet R. Lombardo, CPO, LPO, MBA, Prosthetist Orthotist
The Use of Immediate Postoperative Prostheses (IPOPS) Following Transfemoral Amputations in Adolescents
- Presented by: Richard Welling Jr., MSPO, CPO, CSCS, Prosthetic Orthotist; Rebecca Hernandez, CPO, Prosthetist; Brian Giavedoni, MBA, CP, LP, Prosthetist; Colleen P. Coulter-O’Berry,PT, DPT, PhD, PCS, Team Leader of the Limb Deficiency Program; Jill Cannoy, DPT; and Jorge A. Fabregas, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
*Pediatric Health Information System (2021), as prepared by the Children’s Hospital Association. This report compares clinical data annually for more than 49 pediatric hospitals in the U.S.
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