Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Rebound of ankle valgus deformity in patients with hereditary multiple exostosis.

BACKGROUND: Temporary screw epiphysiodesis of the distal tibia is employed to correct ankle valgus deformity in patients with a wide spectrum of underlying etiologies. For patients with hereditary multiple exostosis it is unclear whether a rebound phenomenon may play a role after screw removal (SR) and successful management of ankle valgus deformity.

METHODS: From January 2002 to July 2013, 10 boys and 2 girls with HME and an ankle valgus deformity were included in this study. To be included the following criteria had to be met: patients had to have undergone temporary medial malleolar screw epiphysiodesis, SR at the time of skeletal maturity or correction of the deformity, a follow-up (FU) at least 6 months after SR, and consistent radiographs obtained preoperatively at the time of SR as well at FU. The average age at the time of operation was 11.6±1.5 years (range, 9.6 to 14.7 y). The tibiotalar tilt (TT) was analyzed preoperatively, at SR and at FU.

RESULTS: The average preoperative TT was 13.2±4.9 degrees. Twenty-four months (±10) after epiphysiodesis all screws were removed. At SR, the TT was normalized to 0.8±4.8 degrees (P<0.001), according to an average rate of correction of 0.63±0.28 degrees per month. Twenty-two months (±13) after SR, the TT increased up to 3.2±4.9 degrees (P<0.05), a rebound (>5 degrees) occurred in 43%, managed by repeated epiphysiodesis. No deep infections or implant complications occurred. No permanent damage of the physis was observed in any case.

CONCLUSIONS: Medial malleolar screw epiphysiodesis is a successful treatment for the correction of ankle valgus deformity in patients with HME. A rebound after SR in the growing child or adolescent occurs in almost 50% of patients with HME, which can easily be managed by repeated epiphysiodesis. Therefore, we do not recommend overcorrection into a slight varus deformity. Because of the varying correction and recurrence rates, close FUs are of paramount importance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

Related Resources

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app