Indications for osteotomy of the tibia in children.

Osteotomy for deformity of the legs is a commonly performed operation for which many techniques have been described. Indications for osteotomy, however, are lacking. To assess the amount of angulation compatible with good long-term function and avoidance of osteoarthritis we followed a group of patients with fractured tibias a mean of 29 years from injury. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were unaffected by the amount of angulation or by whether there was varus or valgus angulation. Our data suggest that angular deformities less than 10-15 degrees are well tolerated long term with respect to development of osteoarthritis.