Case reports: Epiphysiodesis in a patient with osteopetrosis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Genetics

Background:

• Osteopetrosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by impaired osteoclast function, leading to increased bone density.
• Intermediate-type osteopetrosis can present with skeletal abnormalities, including premature closure of growth plates.
• Leg-length discrepancy is a common complication, potentially causing significant functional impairment.

Observation:

• A 14-year-old female with intermediate osteopetrosis exhibited a 4.8-cm leg-length discrepancy.
• The discrepancy resulted from premature closure of the distal femoral growth plate.
• Moseley charts predicted a 7-cm discrepancy at skeletal maturity.

Findings:

• The patient underwent a successful epiphysiodesis procedure.
• Post-treatment growth was monitored and predicted using Moseley charts.
• The epiphysiodesis effectively addressed the leg-length discrepancy.

Implications:

• Percutaneous epiphysiodesis is a viable treatment for leg-length discrepancies in osteopetrosis patients.
• Early intervention can prevent long-term functional deficits.
• This case highlights the importance of accurate growth prediction and timely surgical management.