Results and problems in 14 cases of tibial lengthening were investigated.
Patients such as poliomyelitis, congenital dislocation of the hip and osteomyelitis from 10 to 15 years old were operated on by Z or horizontal osteotomy. All but one were lengthened gradually using distraction apparatus (Katayama-Hirakawa). The average gain was 12.2 per cent of the initial length of the tibia. The results were classified as follows; 9 excellent, 2 good and 3 poor, we regarded genu valgum and axial displacement as severe complications.
Genu valgum seems to occur by
1) descent of the fibular head.
2) muscular imbalance.
3) adduction contracture of the hip joint.
4) medial protrusion of the axis.
The prevention of genu valgum is difficult but it'll be possible to avoid the axial displacement by inserting the pins correctly and by device of the pin itself.