Correction of Posttraumatic Medial Growth Arrest of the Distal Tibia in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Partial growth arrest of the medial part of the distal tibial physis following fractures that penetrated the epiphysis is relatively common. We present the results of treatment, based on a protocol of supramalleolar tibial and fibular osteotomy for ankle alignment correction, and contralateral epiphysiodesis of distal tibia and fibula to balance leg length discrepancy (LLD).

METHODS: This case series study describes the results of 7 patients with a median age of 14 years (range = 10-15 years) who were operated in our institution. All were treated by closed or open reduction and internal fixation after Salter-Harris (SH) types 3 and 4 fractures of the distal tibia. All patients had a partial medial growth arrest, distal tibial varus, relative overlengthening of the distal fibula, and slight leg shortening.

TREATMENT PROTOCOL: Contralateral distal tibial and fibular epiphysiodesis to prevent significant LLD, completion of closure of the ipsilateral epiphysis, supramalleolar osteotomy of the distal tibia and fibula, and insertion of a triangular wedge cortical allograft into the tibial osteotomy creating a normal ankle joint orientation. The osteotomy was supported by a medial anatomically contoured locking plate. The fibula was fixed with an intramedullary wire.

RESULTS: All patients had uneventful healing of the osteotomy after 6 weeks. At the latest follow-up (mean 3 years, range 1.5-5 years), 6 out of 7 patients reached maturity, and the lateral distal tibial angle was within normal limits. The LLD in all patients was less than 8 mm.

CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol provides anatomic correction with the restoration of the ankle joint and prevents the progression of LLD.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV .