Although uncommon in the general pediatric population, osteonecrosis (ON) is prevalent in children and adolescents with cancer, particularly among those that have had chronic exposure to glucocorticoids and among those having undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Patients with hematologic disease are also at risk for developing ON. Hip Core Decompression (HCD) is a widely used surgical procedure with several studies reporting positive results; however, most are subject to criticism because of the limited sample size or the absence of appropriate functional outcome measures. The objective of this pilot study is to observe and collect information on several functional outcome measures and assess if Hip Core Decompression (HCD) potentially improves functional outcomes in children, adolescents and young adults with osteonecrosis. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: * To describe functional outcomes of children, adolescents, and young adults with osteonecrosis of the femoral head following hip core decompression surgery. Parameters assessed will include pain, functional mobility, endurance, quality of life, and gait patterns pre-operatively and post-operatively over time.
Hip core decompression (HCD) is not being done as part of this study. Rather, patients who are undergoing HCD at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH) will be observed for functional outcomes following the procedure. HCD is considered an excellent surgical option when considering the multiple issues among this population, which include young age, the natural progression of osteonecrosis to femoral head collapse, the limited life expectancy of the prosthetic technology currently available for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and patient quality of life. This study will seek to describe functional outcomes and quality of gait following HCD in a pediatric population with osteonecrosis. The results of this study will provide valuable information as to the functional limitations within this population pre- and post-operatively. For each research participant the observations on all outcome measures of interest will be collected at 5 time points: pre-operatively (baseline measure), and post-operatively at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. These time points will allow for comparison between pre- and post-operative outcomes to determine if outcomes are improved following surgery, and if these outcomes continue to improve over time. This study will also provide a foundation for the future development of treatment programs designed to target identified limitations specific to this population.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
17
Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) is a tool that was developed to measure functional mobility in children and adolescents with lower-extremity sarcoma. It is comprised of well-established outcome measures that examine various domains of function. The six categories tested by the FMA include pain, functional mobility, use of assistive devices, satisfaction with quality of gait, participation in the community, and endurance.
Subjects will be required to walk at a self-selected comfortable pace and again at fast speed. Software will then calculate and report the temporo-spatial gait parameters for collection and evaluation by the primary investigator.
Measurements will include hip flexion, hip abduction and adduction, and hip internal and external rotation. Range of motion (ROM) will be attempted on bilateral lower extremities, however if post-operative ROM precautions are implemented, the involved extremity will not be measured. Goniometry is a reliable and valid measure for active and passive ROM when following standardized procedures.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Degree of Pain
Pain is measured by using a numeric scale requiring patients to rate any pain experienced in the prior week on a 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable) scale
Time frame: At 1 year after surgery
Functional Mobility
Functional mobility will be measured by using the Timed Up and Down Stairs (TUDS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). TUDS assesses the time required for a patient to walk up and down 12 stairs to measure functional mobility, balance, and motor skills. TUG measures the time needed to stand from a seated position, ambulate 3 meters, turn around, return to chair and resume sitting. This will provide a measure of dynamic balance and mobility.
Time frame: At 1 year after surgery
Physiological Cost Index (PCI)
Endurance will be assessed following completion of the 9-Minute Run-Walk Test. The patient will be instructed to walk or run for 9 minutes while trying to cover as much distance as possible. Heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) data will be collected during the walk/run. RPE measures the level of the patient's exertion using a likert scale of numbers (6-20) and adjectives describing effort. A wheeled feet counter will measure distance and a stopwatch will track time. Upon completion of the 9-minute run-walk, the physiological cost index (PCI) will be calculated by dividing the difference in the patient's heart rate (HR while walking- HR at rest) by walking speed in meters per minute.
Time frame: At 1 year after surgery
Quality of Life
The use of supports, patient satisfaction, and participation in the community will be measured by patient provided responses to questions pertaining to the use of supports (brace, cane, crutches), satisfaction with walking quality, and participation in school, work, and/or sports. The responses will be scored on a 0-5 scale, with 0 demonstrating the least preferred outcome.
Time frame: At 1 year after surgery
Temporo-Spatial Gait Parameters
Subjects will be required to walk at a self-selected comfortable pace and again at fast speed. Software will then calculate and report the temporo-spatial gait parameters for collection and evaluation by the primary investigator.
Time frame: At 1 year after surgery
Range of Motion
Active and passive ROM will be measured using a goniometer. Measurements will include hip flexion, hip abduction and adduction, and hip internal and external rotation. ROM will be attempted on bilateral lower extremities, however if post-operative ROM precautions are implemented, the involved extremity will not be measured.
Time frame: At 1 year after surgery
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