METAPHYSEAL-DIAPHYSEAL ANGLE IN BLOUNTS-DISEASE - A 30-YEAR FOLLOW-UPOF 13 UNOPERATED CHILDREN

We analyzed the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle in 13 patients with infan tile Blount's disease, who had been followed without treatment during the entire growth period and without any form of realignment procedure in adulthood. On diagnosis at 23 (17-35) months of age, the metaphyse al-diaphyseal angle varied between 7 degrees and 25 degrees. At follow -up, most of the legs were almost straight. We found that the diagnosi s of Blount's disease cannot be based solely on the metaphyseal-diaphy seal angle and that a bowed knee must be followed with repeated examin ations before it can be decided whether treatment is needed.