Angular Deformities of the Knee in Children

Abstract

Reports from Ibadan and Zaria showed variations in the types of angular deformities of the knee in children. This work was done to determine the varieties of the deformities and their causes at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin, Nigeria and review the problem in Nigeria. A prospective analysis of all children with angular knee deformities seen at the orthopaedic clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching hospital Ilorin, Nigeria was carried out over a one-year period. The patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically and biochemically and their results analysed. Seventy two children comprising 38 males and 34 females (M: F=1.1:1) with deformities in their knee were seen. The age range was 1.5 to 11 years. Forty-two children had physiological changes of growth, 66.6% of them were boys while 18 children had rickets, 14 of them, (77.8%) were girls. Additionally, Blount's disease was seen in ten, six of who were girls. Two boys had posttraumatic genu valga. The commonest presentation was bilateral genu deformities. Diagnosis of rickets was made clinically and radiologically, serum biochemistry was not contributory. Thirty-four patients had corrective osteotomy. When compared with other reports from Nigeria, it appears that the scope of genu deformities in children varies from centre to centre. There is a need to conduct a multi-centre study to determine the true pattern in Nigeria (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:62-67) KEY WORDS: Knee deformities, Rickets, Blount's disease, Osteotomy, Geny varum, Genu valgum, Children