Correction of Multiplanar Deformities Around the Knee With Monolateral External Fixator

Correction of Multiplanar Deformities Around the Knee With Monolateral External Fixator

Angular deformities around the knee are one of the common cause of presentation at pediatric orthopedic clinic. Although these conditions are commonly benign and self-limiting.

The mechanical axis of the lower extremity is a straight line extending from the center of the femoral head to the center of the ankle. The horizontal distance in millimeters from the center of the knee joint to the mechanical axis is the deviation of the mechanical axis.

The goal of treatment is to correct malalignment of the lower extremity and perhaps to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis by normalizing the mechanical axis

Inclusion Criteria:

• Genu valgus having tibio-femoral angle more than 15 degrees.

• Genu varus having metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle of more than 11 degrees

• More than one plane defirmity

• Age 10 - 16 yrs

• Range of motion:

  1. Full extension
  2. More than 100 in flextion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Genu recurvatum.
• Flexion deformity.
• Pathological conditions (e.g: bone softening diseases
• Dysplasia
• Limb length discrepancy