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Long-term results after infantile Blount's disease
T Ingvarsson1, G Hägglund, B Ramgren
1Department of Orthopedics, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. Part B
|August 14, 1998
Summary
Most children with infantile Blount's disease achieve straight legs and minimal knee pain by age 40. Remarkably, one-third of patients reach this outcome without any intervention, highlighting the condition's potential for natural resolution.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Skeletal Dysplasias
Background:
- Infantile Blount's disease is a developmental condition affecting knee alignment.
- Long-term outcomes and the impact of early treatment remain areas of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term functional and radiographic outcomes of patients with infantile Blount's disease.
- To assess the influence of different treatment modalities on knee health into adulthood.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective long-term follow-up study of 49 patients diagnosed with infantile Blount's disease.
- Analysis of treatment histories (conservative, epiphysiodesis, osteotomy, meniscectomy) and clinical/radiographic outcomes at an average age of 38 years.
Main Results:
- Most patients (49/49) presented with straight legs and mild or no knee pain at follow-up.
- Arthrosis was observed in 11 knees (12.8%) overall, with 9 graded as mild.
- Knees treated with medial meniscectomy (10 knees) showed arthrosis in 4 cases.
Conclusions:
- The majority of individuals with infantile Blount's disease achieve favorable long-term outcomes, characterized by straight legs and minimal knee pain, by middle age.
- A significant proportion (one-third) can achieve these positive results without any intervention, suggesting a degree of natural resolution.
- While surgical interventions like osteotomy and epiphysiodesis were employed, conservative management or no treatment also yielded good results for many, indicating varied treatment efficacy.