Spike osteotomy for angular deformities of the long bones in children

We reviewed the results of fifty consecutive spike osteotomies that were performed in thirty-five children for the treatment of angular deformity of a long bone. After forty-three of the procedures, the radiographs were adequate to assess the stability of the fragments. At the time of healing, the average loss of correction from the position that had been accepted at operation was 2 degrees in the anterior-posterior plane and 1.2 degrees in the lateral plane. In four limbs, more than 5 degrees of correction had been lost. No patient lost more than 10 degrees of correction. The rates of complications and of recurrence were similar to those of other reported series. We concluded that the spike osteotomy is safe and effective.