Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Hemiepiphysiodesis / Guided growth using different techniques has been shown to be effective in deformity correction in skeletally immature patients. To date, there are limited reports regarding guided growth using eight-plates in patients with angular deformities around the knee. The present study aimed to assess the 8-plate as a tool for hemiepiphysiodesis regarding its outcome as expressed in correction of deformity (clinically and radiographically), pain relief, improvement of gait and overall satisfaction, and also its complications and failures. Material and methods: The study included 16 children (25 lower limbs) with angular deformities in the frontal plane, 7 genu varum (28%) and 18 genu valgum (72%). The patients comprised 5 males (31.3 %) and 11 females (68.7 %) with a mean ± SD age of 10.7 ± 1.77 years (range, 7 years 3 months to 13 years 11 months). The reported abnormalities were bilateral in 9 cases (56.3 %), right sided in 3 cases (18.7 %) and left sided in 4 cases (25.0 %). All participants were subjected to careful history taking, thorough clinical examination and radiological examination. Operative outcome was assessed using limb alignment parameters including mechanical axis deviation (MAD), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). In addition, postoperative complications and patient's satisfaction were reported. Results: The results show significant improvement of most limb alignment parameters in the studied patients. Comparison between limb alignment parameters in the studied patients before and after correction revealed statistically significant improvement of the most parameters including MAD, LDFA and MPTA

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