Treatment of leg length discrepancy with temporary epiphyseal stapling in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis during 1957-99.

Temporary epiphyseal stapling is a flexible method for correction of leg length discrepancy. Due to a high risk of premature epiphyseal plate closure and other complications reported in previous studies, the technique has not been in wide use. In this study a retrospective analysis of 71 knees in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis was performed to determine the safety and effectiveness of the method. Only seven minor reversible complications were encountered, and the authors found the method suitable even for immunologically compromised patients.