LONGITUDINAL EPIPHYSEAL BRACKET - ASSOCIATED FOOT DEFORMITIES WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT

The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket is a rare ossification defect of b ones of the hands and feet and results in an abnormal epiphysis that i s C-shaped, longitudinally oriented, and vertically extends into the d iaphysis. The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket may exist as an isolated deformity, but is commonly associated with digital deformities such a s polydactyly, duplicated digits, congenital hallux varus, and clinoda ctyly. Five case histories of children with the longitudinal epiphysea l bracket in different bones of the foot are described with three dist inct clinical presentations. The development of the longitudinal epiph yseal bracket and implications for treatment are considered.