The conventional osteotomies used to treat infantile tibia vara (Blount’s disease) may require internal fixation and its subsequent removal. These techniques, which carry the risk of traction injury, and potential problems of stability and consolidation, do not always succeed in correcting the rotational deformity which accompanies the angular deformity. We have used a new surgical approach, the serrated W/M osteotomy of the proximal tibia, to correct infantile tibia vara in 15 knees of 11 patients. We present the results in 13 knees of nine patients who have been followed up for a mean of eight years. The mean angular correction achieved after operation was 18 ± 5.8°. The mean femorotibial shaft angle was corrected from 14.2 ± 3.7° of varus to 4.6 ± 4.4° of valgus. At the last follow-up, the mean angular correction had reduced to 1.3 ± 4.9° of valgus without compromising the rotational correction and the overall good clinical results. All the patients and parents were satisfied, rating the result as excellent or good. There were no major postoperative complications and no reoperations. Eight patients were free from pain and able to perform physical activities suitable for their age. One complained of occasional pain. This procedure has the advantage of allowing both angular and rotational correction with a high degree of success without the need for internal fixation

We performed superselective angiography in 28 hips in 25 patients with Perthes’ disease in order to study the blood supply of the lateral epiphyseal arteries (LEAs). Interruption of the LEAs at their origin was observed in 19 hips (68%). Revascularisation in the form of numerous small arteries was seen in ten out of 11 hips in the initial stage of Perthes’ disease, in seven of eight in the fragmentation stage and in five of nine in the healing stage. Penetration of mature arteries into the depths of the epiphysis was seen in four of nine hips in the healing stage. Vascular penetration was absent in the weight-bearing portion of the femoral head below the acetabular roof. Interruption of the posterior column artery was seen where it passed through the capsule in seven hips when they lay either in internal rotation or in abduction with internal rotation. We suggest that in Perthes’ disease the blood supply of the LEAs is impaired at their origin and that revascularisation occurs from this site by ingrowth of small vessels into the femoral epiphysis. This process may be the result of recurrent ischaemic episodes

We reviewed 22 children with cubitus varus who had been treated by a reverse V osteotomy and fixation by cross-pinning and wiring. The mean pre-operative humeral-elbow-wrist angle was −16.9° (−25° to +9°) and at the latest follow-up it was +7.3° (−2° to +14°). No child had a lateral prominence greater than 5 mm after correction. An excellent result was achieved in 20 children and a good result in two. We believe that this osteotomy has the advantages of better inherent stability, the avoidance of a prominent lateral condyle after correction and firm fixation allowing early movement.