Related Experiment Videos
Case report. Post-traumatic tibial recurvatum: resolution with growth
S W Richards1, F S Haddad, R A Hill
1Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital for Sick Children, London.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|April 21, 1999
Summary
Proximal tibial fractures in children can cause malalignment. This case study shows that tibial recurvatum, often needing surgery, can correct spontaneously in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Pediatric trauma
Background:
- Proximal tibial fractures in children frequently result in malalignment.
- Valgus deformity is a common complication but often self-corrects.
- Tibial recurvatum typically necessitates surgical intervention.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient with a proximal tibial metaphyseal fracture was observed.
- The patient developed progressive tibial recurvatum post-fracture.
- This deformity showed spontaneous correction over time.
Findings:
- Spontaneous correction of tibial recurvatum is possible in pediatric cases.
- This contrasts with the usual need for surgical management of recurvatum.
- The metaphyseal location of the fracture may influence deformity resolution.
Implications:
- This case challenges the assumption that tibial recurvatum always requires surgery.
- It suggests a potential for non-operative management in select pediatric tibial fractures.
- Further research into factors influencing spontaneous correction of pediatric tibial deformities is warranted.