2009 Volume 58 Issue 1 Pages 119-123
Although it is commonly believed that the leg deformity associated with hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets can be prevented by medical therapy beginning in childhood, cases of residual deformity requiring invasive treatment are sometimes encountered. We recently performed corrective surgery in 3 cases of bowleg deformity. Case 1 was a 14-year-old boy whose varus deformity of the tibia was corrected gradually using the Ilizarov technique, with correction of internal torsion subsequently performed because of residual toe-in gait. Case 2 was a 14-year-old boy who underwent acute correction of the femur, internal fixation with Ender pin, and gradual correction of varus deformity and internal torsion of the tibia using the Ilizarov technique. However, loss of correction occurred in the femur due to inadequate fixation. Case 3 was an 11-year-old girl who underwent acute correction of the femur with an Orthofix external fixator as well as gradual correction of varus deformity and internal torsion of the tibia using the Ilizarov technique. Our experience with these cases indicates that when dealing with patients requiring correction of leg deformity associated with rickets, acute correction of the femur with a unilateral external fixator and gradual correction of the tibia with a circular external fixator are advisable.
