Management of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children under 3 years of age: effect of early surgery on union of the pseudarthrosis and growth of the limb

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine whether the results of treatment of pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children under age 3 are so poor as to recommend that surgery be deferred until after 3 years of age. Radiographs and case records of 26 consecutive patients with Crawford type IV congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia who were treated operatively were reviewed. Growth abnormalities of the tibia, fibula, and femur of the affected limb at presentation were identified. The outcome of treatment, in terms of union of the pseudarthrosis, refracture rate, and limb length, in 13 children treated operatively before age 3 years was compared with those operated on later. Union of the pseudarthrosis occurred in 12 of 13 children (92%) who were treated before 3 years of age by excision of the pseudarthrosis, intramedullary rodding, and dual-onlay cortical bone grafting. Union occurred in only five of seven children who underwent the same procedure between the ages of 3 and 12 years. The extent of shortening of the limb at the time of surgery was least in children younger than 3 years. The limb length discrepancy remained virtually static in 11 children who had transarticular Rush rodding before age 3. Growth abnormalities of the fibula, tibia, and femur were less pronounced in children operated on early. The study suggests that there is no need to defer surgery for pseudarthrosis of the tibia until the child is older than 3 years.