Arc osteotomy of the humerus to correct cubitus varus.

The appearance of the elbow after corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus often is different from that of the unaffected side, even if the carrying angle of the affected side is corrected to match that of the unaffected side. Not only must the carrying angle formed by the humerus and the ulna be corrected, but the lateral shift between the humeral axis and the ulnar axis also should be corrected to achieve a matching appearance after corrective osteotomy. Based on this concept, a technique of arc osteotomy was developed to correct simultaneously both the angle and the lateral shift of the affected elbow joint to match those of the unaffected side. This new method has been used to treat 12 patients. The length of followup averaged 28 months, with a range of 8 to 70 months. The carrying angle was corrected from 22 degrees varus on average to 6 degrees valgus on average, with a difference between the right and left side of 2 degrees on average. No complication was observed during the treatment. The average range of motion of the elbow joint was from 0 degrees extension to 125 degrees flexion preoperatively and from 6 degrees hyperextension to 134 degrees flexion postoperatively.