Phemister epiphysiodesis in leg length inequality treatment--evaluative outcome analysis

• Published in: Ortopedia, traumatologia, rehabilitacja Vol. 15; no. 4; p. 315
• Main Authors: Koczewski, Paweł, Fryzowicz, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland 01-07-2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Bone Lengthening - methods; Child; Epiphyses - diagnostic imaging; Epiphyses - surgery; External Fixators; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Knee Joint - abnormalities; Knee Joint - diagnostic imaging; Knee Joint - surgery; Leg Length Inequality - diagnostic imaging; Leg Length Inequality - surgery; Male; Poland; Radiography; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 2084-4336

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Phemister epiphysiodesis for leg length inequality (LLI) treatment in comparison with epiphysiodesis techniques currently in use and to determine factors that may influence outcomes.
Nineteen girls and sixteen boys with a mean skeletal age of 12.2 years and a mean functional LLI of 3.8 cm at the time of surgery were enrolled. Data were retrieved from hospital records and bone ages were determined using standard atlases. Mean follow-up duration was 7 years.
Good results (final LLI < 1.5 cm) were obtained in 74.3% of patients, fair results (final LLI 1.6-2.0 cm.) were seen in 5.7% and poor results (final LLI > 2 cm) were seen in 20%. A mean clinical LLI of 1.7 cm was the treatment outcome for the entire group. Valgus deformity of 7°, 10° and 13° occurred in three patients.
1. Phemister epiphysiodesis performed for LLI produced the desired correction but was associated with a risk of over- or undercorrection and frontal plane deformity due to inadequate physeal closure. 2. These complications are typical for any kind of epiphysiodesis.