A Randomized Controlled Trial of Leg Length Discrepancy Techniques

NCT ID: NCT02260856

Last Updated: 2025-01-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

170 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-06-30

Study Completion Date

2023-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This is a randomized clinical trial of epiphysiodesis techniques: percutaneous transphyseal screw epiphysiodesis versus percutaneous drill epiphysiodesis for the correction of leg length discrepancy. Failed epiphysiodesis was selected as the primary outcome. Failed epiphysiodesis was defined as one or more of the following: development of angular deformity \> 5°, revision epiphysiodesis, or growth inhibition \< 70% of expected. EOS, low dose biplanar X-Ray, will be used to make all length measurements. Secondary outcomes assess mean growth at the physis following epiphysiodesis, in the subset of patients with bead implantation, fluoroscopy and operative times, length of stay, return to full weight bearing, as well as functional and quality of life outcomes. The following outcome scales will be used to measure pain (VAS), quality of life (PROMIS Pediatric Pain Interference Scale), and function (PROMIS Pediatric Mobility Scale, Pedi-FABS, and UCLA Activity Score). Each of these scales has been validated for use in children (Beyer, Denyes, \& Villarruel, 1992; DeWitt et al., 2011; Fabricant et al., 2013; Novais et al., 2014; Varni et al., 2010a). We will also determine the cost associated with each technique and perform a cost-effectiveness analysis to establish which technique is preferred from a societal perspective.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Drill and screw epiphysiodesis are the two most common techniques for surgical correction of predicted limb length discrepancies 2-5cm. Both procedures require minimal incisions, less than 1cm, (Canale \& Christian, 1990; Metaizeau et al., 1998). Previous studies have demonstrated that both drill and screw epiphysiodesis result in improved outcomes compared to open techniques (Alzahrani, Behairy, Alhossan, Arab, \& Alammari, 2003; Canale \& Christian, 1990). Moreover, alternative approaches such as medial and lateral 8 plates may not sufficiently tether growth, or cause peripheral but not central growth arrest (Stewart et al., 2013). We selected drill vs. screw epiphysiodesis as the two treatment groups as they are both minimally invasive, relatively effective, in common usage, and are thought to differ in costs and other characteristics.

Although outcomes of drill and screw epiphysiodesis exist{{10 Campens,C. 2010; 11 Ghanem,I. 2011}} , the assessments are retrospective non-randomized series, which may be at risk for selection bias, and may not adequately capture all of the outcomes of interest, depending on what data is routinely collected and documented in the medical chart. To our knowledge, no prospective randomized comparison of epiphysiodesis techniques and clinical outcomes has been published accurately assessing how effective each technique is in disabling growth at the physis, or taking into account patient-centered outcomes or cost. Operative measures such as the surgical time and radiation exposure from intra-operative fluoroscopy have not previously been compared. Patient-centered outcomes such as level of pain, activity, and function by measures such PROMIS and Ped-FABS, have not been previously assessed in this population. The proposed research study aims to fill this gap.

This study was designed as a multicenter randomized trial to answer an important clinical question and to do so with a clearly defined objective and validated outcomes. This trial can be executed on a relatively small budget with simple outcome measures, and recruitment of a moderate number of patients at each of a few centers well equipped for research. By involving multiple surgeons and patients from various geographies, we improve the generalizability of this study. Our institution and collaborating institutions have been successful in completing randomized clinical trials in the past. This study will answer a clinical question that is important and current, providing orthopedic surgeons with an evidence-based identification of the ideal technique for treating predicted limb length discrepancies 2-7cm.

This study will also be the first to accurately measure mean growth following both epiphysiodesis techniques, through implantation of tantalum beads in consenting participants. These beads will provide stationary landmarks by which growth can be measured directly, and not inferred. Previous methods of judging epiphysiodesis success have primarily relied on assessing efficacy by estimating growth inhibition through calculation. Tantalum beads have been successfully used in adults and children (Lauge-Pedersen,H. 2006), and although it requires implantation of small radio-opaque beads, it is considered the gold standard when making detailed radiographic measures, and the optimal technique for physeal growth measurements.(Lauge-Pedersen,H. 2006)(Haugan,K. 2012). Over 300 000 beads have been inserted in vivo without significant complications.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Leg Length Discrepancy

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Percutaneous Drill Epiphysiodesis

A 5 mm incision will be made centered over the physis both medially and laterally. A 4.5 mm drill will be passed repeatedly across the physis in a divergent manner. Curettes will then be used to further remove and disrupt the growth plate. Fluoroscopy will be used throughout to ensure proper passage of the drill and curettes. Omnipaque dye will then be inserted to confirm ablation of the physis.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Tantalum Beads & Injector

Intervention Type DEVICE

To measure growth at physis, four tantalum beads will be implanted per physis at baseline and take radiostereometric analysis measurements at all follow up timepoints. Tantalum beads have been used to make detailed three dimensional radiographic measurements in orthopedic and other specialties

Percutaneous Drill Epiphysiodesis

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Percutaneous Screw Epiphysiodesis

In the distal femur, guide wires will be placed in an antegrade fashion, with an 8 mm skin incision proximal to the physis both medially and laterally. The guide wire will be placed with the medial wire crossing the physis at the junction of the middle and medial third of the physis. The lateral guide wire will cross the physis at the junction of the lateral and middle third of the physis. The wires will extend into the epiphysis, but will not enter the joint. The guide wires will be over drilled with a 5 mm drill, and 7.3 mm fully threaded cannulated screws will be placed across the growth plate. For tibias, screw placement will be retrograde, with 8 mm incisions made medially and laterally distal to the physis, with guide wires aiming proximally.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Tantalum Beads & Injector

Intervention Type DEVICE

To measure growth at physis, four tantalum beads will be implanted per physis at baseline and take radiostereometric analysis measurements at all follow up timepoints. Tantalum beads have been used to make detailed three dimensional radiographic measurements in orthopedic and other specialties

Percutaneous Screw Epiphysiodesis

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Tantalum Beads & Injector

To measure growth at physis, four tantalum beads will be implanted per physis at baseline and take radiostereometric analysis measurements at all follow up timepoints. Tantalum beads have been used to make detailed three dimensional radiographic measurements in orthopedic and other specialties

Intervention Type DEVICE

Percutaneous Drill Epiphysiodesis

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Percutaneous Screw Epiphysiodesis

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

RSA Biomedical. One (1) UmRSA® Injectors Conventional design, Mussle loaded Robust design, Easy to clean and sterilize, Modular design (for Tantalum Markers diameter 0.8 or1.0mm) 500 RSA ®Tantalum Markers diameter 0.8mm or 1.0mm

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Open growth plates
* Skeletally immature requiring isolated complete epiphysiodesis of the distal femur and/or proximal tibia
* At least one year of predicted growth remaining
* Less than 18 years of age
* Predicted limb length discrepancy 2-7 cm

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients undergoing additional orthopedic procedures at time of epiphysiodesis
* Metabolic bone disease or "sick physis" syndrome, that may cause bone to grow in an unpredictable manner.
* Pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

7 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Boston Children's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

The Hospital for Sick Children

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Emily R Dodwell, MD MPH FRCSC

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Hospital for Special Surgery

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Hospital for Sick Children

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States Canada

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Blair VP 3rd, Walker SJ, Sheridan JJ, Schoenecker PL. Epiphysiodesis: a problem of timing. J Pediatr Orthop. 1982 Aug;2(3):281-4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 7130384 (View on PubMed)

Little DG, Nigo L, Aiona MD. Deficiencies of current methods for the timing of epiphysiodesis. J Pediatr Orthop. 1996 Mar-Apr;16(2):173-9. doi: 10.1097/00004694-199603000-00007.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8742279 (View on PubMed)

Lauge-Pedersen H, Hagglund G, Johnsson R. Radiostereometric analysis for monitoring percutaneous physiodesis. A preliminary study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006 Nov;88(11):1502-7. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.88B11.17730.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17075098 (View on PubMed)

Haugan K, Husby OS, Klaksvik J, Foss OA. The migration pattern of the Charnley femoral stem: a five-year follow-up RSA study in a well-functioning patient group. J Orthop Traumatol. 2012 Sep;13(3):137-43. doi: 10.1007/s10195-012-0187-x. Epub 2012 May 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22576838 (View on PubMed)

Campens C, Mousny M, Docquier PL. Comparison of three surgical epiphysiodesis techniques for the treatment of lower limb length discrepancy. Acta Orthop Belg. 2010 Apr;76(2):226-32.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20503949 (View on PubMed)

Ghanem I, Karam JA, Widmann RF. Surgical epiphysiodesis indications and techniques: update. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2011 Feb;23(1):53-9. doi: 10.1097/MOP.0b013e32834231b3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21169837 (View on PubMed)

DeWitt EM, Stucky BD, Thissen D, Irwin DE, Langer M, Varni JW, Lai JS, Yeatts KB, Dewalt DA. Construction of the eight-item patient-reported outcomes measurement information system pediatric physical function scales: built using item response theory. J Clin Epidemiol. 2011 Jul;64(7):794-804. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2010.10.012. Epub 2011 Feb 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21292444 (View on PubMed)

Fabricant PD, Robles A, Downey-Zayas T, Do HT, Marx RG, Widmann RF, Green DW. Development and validation of a pediatric sports activity rating scale: the Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS). Am J Sports Med. 2013 Oct;41(10):2421-9. doi: 10.1177/0363546513496548. Epub 2013 Jul 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23893420 (View on PubMed)

Novais EN, Heyworth BE, Stamoulis C, Sullivan K, Millis MB, Kim YJ. Open surgical treatment of femoroacetabular impingement in adolescent athletes: preliminary report on improvement of physical activity level. J Pediatr Orthop. 2014 Apr-May;34(3):287-94. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000000093.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24172673 (View on PubMed)

Varni JW, Thissen D, Stucky BD, Liu Y, Magnus B, Quinn H, Irwin DE, DeWitt EM, Lai JS, Amtmann D, Gross HE, DeWalt DA. PROMIS(R) Parent Proxy Report Scales for children ages 5-7 years: an item response theory analysis of differential item functioning across age groups. Qual Life Res. 2014 Feb;23(1):349-61. doi: 10.1007/s11136-013-0439-0. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23740167 (View on PubMed)

Canale ST, Christian CA. Techniques for epiphysiodesis about the knee. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1990 Jun;(255):81-5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2347169 (View on PubMed)

Metaizeau JP, Wong-Chung J, Bertrand H, Pasquier P. Percutaneous epiphysiodesis using transphyseal screws (PETS). J Pediatr Orthop. 1998 May-Jun;18(3):363-9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9600565 (View on PubMed)

Stewart D, Cheema A, Szalay EA. Dual 8-plate technique is not as effective as ablation for epiphysiodesis about the knee. J Pediatr Orthop. 2013 Dec;33(8):843-6. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0b013e3182a11d23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23872800 (View on PubMed)

Alzahrani AG, Behairy YM, Alhossan MH, Arab FS, Alammari AA. Percutaneous versus open epiphysiodesis. Saudi Med J. 2003 Feb;24(2):203-5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12682689 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

2014-174

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.