Tibial Bowing Treatment & Management

Currently, no medical therapies exist for limb-length inequality. Nonsurgical treatment includes stretching, serial casting, or splinting. This should be initiated at birth. If significant correction is not obtained by age 4-6 weeks, question the diagnosis; the possibility of a more serious foot deformity, such as a vertical talus, must be ruled out radiographically. After the foot has fully corrected, a splint can be made to maintain correction until age 12-24 months. Bracing of the bowing deformity has been suggested, but it is not currently believed to significantly alter the natural history.^[31]

Most children with posteromedial tibial bowing have a limb-length inequality averaging 3 cm, but this can vary from about 2 to 6 cm. Typically, a limb-length inequality of 2 cm or less is not a functional problem. Often, limb length can be equalized with a shoe lift. About two thirds of limb-length inequalities are corrected with a lift; up to 1 cm can be inserted in the shoe. Larger limb-length inequalities require the shoe to be built up. This is necessary for every shoe worn and limits the type of shoe that the patient can wear.

Limb-length inequalities of more than 5 cm are difficult to treat with a shoe lift. The shoe looks unsightly, and often the patient complains of instability with such a large lift. A foot-in-foot prosthesis can be used for larger limb-length inequalities. This is often a temporizing measure for very young children with significant limb-length inequalities. The prosthesis is bulky, and a fixed equinus contracture may result.

The type of surgical treatment depends on the degree of projected limb-length inequality at skeletal maturity. Epiphysiodesis is a reliable procedure that inhibits growth with few complications. This cannot be performed on patients who are skeletally mature, and the final limb-length inequality and the degree of growth inhibition must be predicted and are subject to error. In addition, epiphysiodesis effectively shortens the longer leg and is a procedure that is usually performed on the uninvolved side, both of which may be unappealing to the patient and family. Typically, predicted limb-length inequalities of 2-6 cm can be corrected with an appropriately timed epiphysiodesis.^{[32, 33]}

Lengthening is usually performed with corticotomy and gradual distraction. This technique can result in an increase of 25% or more in bone length, but, typically, a lengthening of 15% (or about 6 cm) is recommended. The limits of lengthening depend on patient tolerance, bony consolidation, maintenance of joint range of motion, and stability of the joints above and below the lengthened limb.^{[34, 35, 36]}

Predicted limb-length inequality at skeletal maturity must be carefully assessed, and the effect of the given procedure on future growth must be estimated. Estimated height is also important, especially with a large limb-length inequality, because this may determine if an epiphysiodesis or lengthening should be performed. Preoperative teaching is important, especially for lengthening procedures that can last several months and require a great deal of tolerance and cooperation from the patient and family. The bone is typically lengthened about 1 mm/day, after a 7-10 day latency period. The total time in the fixator is about 1 month per 1 cm (10 mm) of lengthening and includes both the time to lengthen and time for the bone to consolidate and become strong enough to bear weight.

Numerous fixation devices are available for lengthening, such as the ring fixator with fine wires, monolateral fixator with half pins, and the hybrid frame. The choice of fixation device depends on the desired goal.^{[37, 38]} A monolateral device is easier to apply and is better tolerated by the patient. The disadvantages of monolateral fixation devices include the following: limitation of the degree of angular correction that can be obtained concurrently; the cantilever effect on the pins, which may result in angular deformity, especially when lengthening the femur in large patients; and adjustments are difficult to make without placing new pins. Monolateral fixators and circular fixators appear to have similar success rates, especially with more modest lengthenings of 20% or less.

Postoperative care is minimal for patients who have an epiphysiodesis. Knee range of motion (ROM) should be monitored.^{[39, 40]} Full extension and 90° of flexion should be obtained by 2 weeks after surgery. Weightbearing can begin immediately, and the patient can return to sports at 6-12 weeks.

Postoperative care for patients undergoing lengthening with an external fixator is quite demanding. Lengthening begins 5-7 days postoperatively and continues at 1 mm/d until the desired length is obtained. Careful assessment of the joints adjacent to the fixator is mandatory in order to assess for ROM and joint subluxation.

Continued monitoring of limb-length inequality is needed for patients undergoing an epiphysiodesis. An orthoroentgenogram or scanogram should be taken every 6 months until skeletal maturity. The expected goal is limb-length equality within 1 cm at skeletal maturity.

For patients undergoing limb lengthening, the fixator can sometimes be removed in an outpatient setting, but usually these devices are removed with the patient under sedation.

Epiphysiodesis has been reported to result in physeal closure in 85-100% of patients with few complications. In the author's review,^[41] of 44 patients who underwent proximal tibial epiphysiodesis, no complications occurred, although lack of growth inhibition, angular deformity, and knee stiffness can occur.^[42]

Numerous complications can occur when performing limb-lengthening procedures, even in experienced hands.^[43] Complication rates vary significantly among reported studies and seem to depend on the degree of lengthening, definition of complication, and the surgeon's experience. Complication rates from most series, including that of the authors,^{[41, 44]} are about 1 per procedure, and many of these require operative treatment. Fortunately, the ultimate objective can usually still be obtained.

The most common complication is pin-site infection. Depending on how this complication is diagnosed, treated, and reported, it may occur in nearly every patient. Numerous pin-care protocols have been developed. Some authors are demonstrating good success with a shower regimen after the incisions have healed. This author uses this regimen in combination with standard cleaning of the pin sites and oral antibiotics if excessive discharge, redness, or swelling is present. Periosteal reaction occurs around the pin sites in most patients, and this may be an early indication of loosening.

Newer pins, coated with hydroxyapatite, have improved fixation to bone and may reduce the rate of infection and loosening during external fixation for distraction osteogenesis. Use of hydroxyapatite-coated pins should be considered in clinical situations requiring prolonged external fixation.

Knee ROM decreases uniformly in femoral lengthening by an average of 37°, but at follow-up, the mean loss in ROM is usually minimal.

Other, more ominous complications include fracture, osteomyelitis, and joint subluxation. The incidence of these more serious complications is about 25% with an experienced surgeon.

Less commonly considered effects of limb lengthening include muscle weakness, pain, and possible physeal inhibition. The last effect is extremely important if lengthening procedures are planned for younger patients with an open physis. Some reports, including this author's,^[41] found little difference in prelengthening and postlengthening growth velocities, indicating little effect of lengthening on the adjacent growth plates (with moderate lengthenings). Other reports have found growth inhibition, especially in the tibia and in children after extensive lengthening procedures (> 30%).^[45]

Unlike pain associated with conventional surgery, pain with lengthening seems to continue beyond the postoperative period and through the lengthening and consolidation phases, until the fixator is removed.

The use of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) monitoring may be helpful in preventing neurologic injuries, especially of the peroneal nerve. The use of ultrasound,^[46] electrical stimulation,^[47] or both, while not routinely prescribed, may decrease the time to consolidation.

Although the angulation and foot deformity associated with posteromedial bowing improve dramatically, some deformity, including tibial torsion and muscle atrophy, often remains. This is usually not a significant disability.

Experimental methods of producing lengthening, such as cultured chondrocytes transfer, vascular surgery,^[48] and periosteal sleeve resection,^[49] are being studied.