B. Gladbach et al., The treatment of leg-length-discrepancy and frontal-plane-deformities withthe percutaneous epiphyseodesis technique, ORTHOPADE, 29(1), 2000, pp. 2-8
The percutaneous epiphysiodesis is recommended as a save and reliable techn
ique. We have performed 21 distal femoral, 17 proximal tibial and 3 proxima
l fibular percutaneous epiphyseodeses on 25 patients. On 11 patients the ep
iphysiodesis was caused by an average leg length discrepancy of 2,7 cm (1-4
cm). 13 patients had angular deformity near the knee joint in frontal plan
e (6 valgus and 7 varus deformities). One patient suffered from a combined
deformity with 3,5 cm shortened leg and varus deviation of 10 degrees. The
average deformity angle of the knee was 7,4 degrees (4 degrees-16 degrees).
9 patients have reached maturity. On 3 patients the deformity could be cor
rected incompletely with residual deformity of 3 degrees, 4 degrees and 6 d
egrees as a direct result of late referral. On 1 patient an imminent overco
rrection could be avoided by hemiepiphysiodesis of the residual epiphysis.
Till the present follow up the other patients have been corrected as calcul
ated preoperatively. No complications like epiphysiolysis, infection, stiff
knee or angular deformities occurred. We prefer the percutaneous epiphysio
desis as a save and minimal invasive technique instead of the open Phemiste
r-technique to tread leg length discrepancy and angular deformities of the
knee in frontal plane.