The relationship between Blount's disease and bow legs.

Abstract

Abstract The radiological appearances of the infantile form of Blount's disease (tibia vara) are described. These consist of a varus deformity of the upper end of the tibia, torsion of the tibial shaft, irregularity and fragmentation of the medial part of the tibial metaphysis and gross thickening of the cortex on the medial side of the tibial shaft. This condition is very common in Jamaica and presents clinically as severe bow legs. A study of the knees of 75 Jamaican children who presented with severe bow legs was carried out. Radiological examination revealed three different appearances. I. Severe simple (physiological) bow legs. II. Early Blount's disease, due to a defect in the medial part of the metaphyseal beak, the metaphyseal “tear”. III. Typical Blount's disease. Thirty cases showed transition from I to II or III and II to III. Evidence from the present study suggests that the development of the changes of Blount's disease in children with severe but simple bow legs is due to the increased propo...