Axial leg deformities around the knee joint at children are a consequence of a lot of congenital and acquired musculoskeletal affections. In children we prefer permanent partial epiphyseodesis that belongs to minimally invasive surgery.
Timing of this procedure is based on the prediction of remaining growth. The prediction method combines auxology, anthropometry and radiology.
Valgosity or varosity of knee joints were assessed by tibiofemoral angle. Flexion knee deformities were assessed by protractor and verified by photography.
Partial epiphyseodesis was carried out by boring of a part of growth plate using X-ray. Epiphyseodesis was made in a cohort of 27 patients aged 8.4-15.5 years.
During two years after medial or lateral hemiepiphyseodesis the tibiofemoral angle was normalized in 7 of 8 patients which have finished the growth. Intermaleolar distance was decreased to 1,0 +/- 2,3cm.
Tibiofemoral angel was normalized to 5,6 +/- 1,8 (range from 3 degrees till 8 degrees). The contribution summarizes experience with prediction methods of the lower ex tremity growth and timing of the surgery.
Permanent results are presented.