Lower Extremity Deformity in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Overview and Surgical Approach

Abstract

Lower extremity deformity occurs commonly in patients with moderate to severe osteogenesis imperfecta. Lower extremity deformity increases fracture occurrence and functional difficulties in these patients. Femoral and tibial osteotomies with telescoping intramedullary fixation are reliable and safe options for deformity correction in this patient population. Telescoping rods decrease the need for revision surgery when compared to static intramedullary implants. Deformity correction and medical treatment with bisphosphonate infusions reduce fracture burden in children with osteogenesis imperfecta . Deformity correction often includes closed, percutaneous or open osteotomies depending on the patient's age, brittleness of the bone, and amount of deformity. Multiple lower extremity bones can be treated in the same surgical setting safely and efficiently.