Inverted arcuate osteotomy and external fixation for adolescent tibia vara.

Abstract

The purpose of our review is to describe and report results of a surgical technique for the treatment of adolescent Blount's disease. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 15 inverted arcuate osteotomies combined with external fixation. The inverted arc provides a proximal and stable osteotomy that can correct deformity in three planes. External fixation provides stable fixation, access to surgical wounds, and postoperative adjustment. According to the criteria of Schoenecker, we had 80% good results. Two patients with poor results were the most overcorrected, suggesting that overcorrection may not be so desirable as once suggested. We conclude that the inverted arcuate osteotomy with external fixation is an effective, reliable, and simple technique for treating adolescent tibia vara.