Growth modulation

A 14-year-old patient from Angola had a bilateral knock-knee deformity (genu valgum) near the end of his growth. By presenting him to the ZEM-Germany at an early stage, the boy could be spared later major corrective operations on both legs with a minor surgical intervention.

In order to take advantage of the residual growth to correct the leg position, a small plate was attached to the inner sides of each growth plate below the knee joints via a 3 cm skin incision. There is only a small window time when this minor outpatient procedure can be performed, which has to be calculated precisely. Immediately afterwards, the boy was able to continue to bear full weight and participate in sports. After growth was completed, both legs were straight — no further corrective measures were necessary.