Correction of genu recurvatum by the Ilizarov method

The Ilizarov apparatus was used to carry out opening-wedge callotasis of the proximal tibia in ten patients who had suffered premature asymmetrical closure of the proximal tibial physis and subsequent genu recurvatum. In four knees, the genu recurvatum was entirely due to osseous deformity, whereas in six it was associated with capsuloligamentous abnormality. Preoperatively, the angle of recurvatum averaged 19.6 degrees (15 to 26), the angle of tilt of the tibial plateau, 76.6 degrees (62 to 90), and the ipsilateral limb shortening, 2.7 cm (0.5 to 8.7). The average time for correction was 49 days (23 to 85). The average duration of external fixation was 150 days (88 to 210). Three patients suffered complications including patella infera, pin-track infection and transient peroneal nerve palsy. At a mean follow-up of 4.4 years, all patients, except one, had achieved an excellent or good radiological and functional outcome.