Abstract
We evaluated the use of percutaneous screw epiphysiodesis to treat genu valgum deformity in adolescents, and the possibilities of extending its use to younger patients with different causes of angular deformities or leg length discrepancies. To date, the surgical options for adolescent idiopathic genu valgum have been medial physeal retardation by stapling, growth arrest by epiphysiodesis of the distal femur and/or tibia, or osteotomy.
From September 1999, we prospectively studied 16 patients, 11 of whom had angular knee deformities (20 legs) and five limb length inequality.
From a preoperative mean of 12.25( the tibiofemoral angle reduced to 6.4° at the latest assessment.
Percutaneous epiphysiodesis using transphyseal screws proved to be a reliable method with few complications and the advantages of simplicity, short operating times, rapid postoperative rehabilitation and reversibility.
The abstracts were edited by Prof. M.B.E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193 South Africa
