Post-traumatic valgus deformity of the knee in proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures in children

Abstract

Fractures of the proximal metaphysis of the tibia in children, not involving the growth cartilage and even if there is no significant displacement between the fragments, may give rise to post-traumatic valgus deformity of the knee. This deformity generally tends to be self-correcting if less than 15 degrees but if it is beyond this it does not have the same tendency to spontaneous correction. In such circumstances the normal alignment should be re-established by osteotomy and epiphysiodesis.