Functional outcome of temporary hemiepiphysiodesis by using 8 plate in patients with genu valgum deformity

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic genu valgum is one of the common deformity encountered in OPD of orthopaedics. After a fair conservative trail to treat the deformity fails, temporary epiphysiodesis become the standard treatment. This deformity can also be treated with several types of osteotomies with additional risk of extensive soft tissue handling, infection, delayed union, non-union, malunion etc. various method of temporary epiphysiodesis are present but most of them are on the principle of compression such as stapling, transphyseal screws fixation etc. On the other hand 8 plate, works on the principle of tension band. Hereby the aim of this study is to see the functional outcome and complications related to 8 plate generated growth modulation. Method: Study design was prospective and interventional, between June 2018 to May 2020.Eight plate was implanted on 16 patients aged between 6 years to 15 years suffering from genu valgum deformity. Plate was implanted over distal femur medially. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively by determining various joint angles both clinically and radiologically. Following are the various joint angles evaluated: All these paraments were recorded in each follow up and data collected was analyzed statistically. Result: 16 patients were included in the study with a median follow up of 16 months. Out of 16 patients operated 6 were females. A mean pre-operative and post-operative tibio femoral axis were recorded. We observed a p-value of 0.001 which is statistically significant. Conclusion: Growth modulation using 8 plate method proves to be an effective method for correcting genu valgum deformity in skeletally immature patients. It is a reversible procedure and surgeon friendly and at the same time 8 plate adjust dynamically to the ever changing physeal anatomy.