Genu recurvatum in adolescents

Purpose. To specify the causes leading to the development of tibial recurvation deformity in adolescents, as well as to analyze the results of surgical treatment. Material and Methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of examination and treatment has been made in 13 patients at the age of 13-17 years with genu recurvatum of different etiology. Distraction osteosynthesis according to Ilizarov was used for surgical treatment. The mean value of posterior proximal tibial angle (aPPTA) before treatment was 105.9±5.9°. Results. The main factors which caused the partial closure of growth plate were technical errors of skeletal traction performance, prolonged immobilization, unrecognized injury of the proximal tibial growth plate. The mean time of deformity correction was 27±4.5 days. Fixation index (FI) was 53.9 days/cm. aPPTA value after the final correction was 83.9±3.7°. aPPTA value was beyond the reference values in six (6) patients (46 %), residual deformity observed. Conclusions. The causes leading to the partial closure of the proximal tibial growth plate that thereby results in genu recurvatum development in adolescents are multifactorial. Distraction osteosynthesis is the method of choice for correction of such deformities associated with shortening.