Genu recurvatum caused by partial growth arrest of the proximal tibial physis: simultaneous correction and lengthening with physeal distraction. A report of two cases.

Two cases of genu recurvatum deformity and leg length discrepancy after partial growth arrest of the proximal tibial physis are described. The patients are both boys thirteen and fifteen years old respectively. The etiology of the deformity is considered to be local pressure on the tibial tuberosity, in the first case after treatment with plaster cast after correction of an angular deformity in a tibial fracture and in the second case after prolonged treatment with patellar tendon bearing brace. The boys were treated with physeal distraction which corrected both the leg length discrepancy and the angular deformity. The technique is recommended because the correction is done at the site of the deformity and knee motion is possible during the entire treatment period.