[Congenital posterior bowing of the leg. 18 cases in children]

The authors have seen 18 cases of congenital posterior bowing of the tibia and fibula associated with valgus deformity and shortening. They have noted that the valgus deformity had a tendency to improve during the first four to five years of life. The recurvatum may also improve, but less so than the valgus. Walking is not frequently impaired significantly by the deformity. When it is, an early osteotomy should be done, associated with lengthening using a Wagner distractor. In most of the cases, the progress of the case cannot be predicted accurately. It is therefore concluded that surgical correction-epiphysiodesis in three cases or progressive lengthening in five cases should be performed as late as possible.