Orthopaedic Problems

Reviewed by Starship Orthopaedic Service

March
2003

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips

Talipes Equinovarus

Talipes Calcaneovalgus and Vertical Talus

Abnormalities of Hands, Feet and Digits

Arthrogryposes

There is a Paediatric Orthopaedic Team at Starship Hospital. Referral to an Orthopaedic Surgeon should not be carried out before a baby has been seen by a Consultant Paediatrician.

Referral is done by faxing a referral consultation sheet to the Paediatric Orthopaedic Clinic (internal 5906, External 307 8906) and phoning through to extension 6116 as well.
- More urgent referrals should also be telephone through to the on-call Orthopaedic Registrar at Starship Hospital.

They will either visit National Women's Hospital within the first week to 10 days of life, or request that the infant be given an appointment to their weekly outpatient clinic at Starship Children's Hospital.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH)

See the DDH guideline.

Talipes Equinovarus

Talipes equinovarus referrals should be sent to the Paediatric Orthopaedic Department at Starship Hospital as soon as possible.

Talipes Calcaneovalgus and Vertical Talus

These may need to be x-rayed and it is recommended that specialist Orthopaedic Radiology be performed at Starship Hospital. This would normally be arranged after consultation with the Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Abnormalities of Hands, Feet and Digits (Syndactyly, Amputations, and Duplications)

Although this is in the field of both plastic and orthopaedic surgery it has been our practise to refer cases to the orthopaedic team at Starship Hospital. However an alternative source of referral for hand anomalies would be Middlemore Hospital.

Arthrogryposes

This is a complex group of disorders which may result from intrauterine compression or underlying neuromuscular disorder. This should be considered when making assessment and referral, particularly where neurological problems are suspected.