Tibia vara or Blount's disease: pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment

Tibia vara or Blount's disease is a rare disorder characterised by varus deformity of the upper epiphysis and metaphysis of the tibia, caused by osteochondrosic changes in the proximal growth cartilage of the tibia. The infantile form appears at about 3 years of age, while the post infantile form, which is more rare, appears after the age of 6. Treatment consists of valgizing tibial osteotomy. If performed at an early stage, this can, with time, lead to complete recession of the anatomical and radiological changes in the proximal epiphysis. In the later form, distraction epiphysiolysis (after Monticelli) applied asymmetrically, is a new alternative to osteotomy.