CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF MONOPLANAR EXTERNAL FIXATOR IN ACUTE CORRECTION OF MULTIPLANAR KNEE DEFORMITIES IN ADOLESCENTS; A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

A Othman, Yasser; Sleem, Ahmed; Addosooki, A; Shams Eldin, Marwan

doi:10.21608/ejor.2025.455186

CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF MONOPLANAR EXTERNAL FIXATOR IN ACUTE CORRECTION OF MULTIPLANAR KNEE DEFORMITIES IN ADOLESCENTS; A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Document Type : Original articles: include clinical trials, interventional research, Basic researches and clinically relevant laboratory investigations

Authors

Orthopedic & Traumatology dept., Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag, Egypt

10.21608/ejor.2025.455186

Abstract

Background: External fixators constitute a crucial component of treatment strategies for complex deformities in the lower limbs. This work aimed to assess the clinical and radiological correction of multiplanar deformities around the knee in adolescents. Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out on 30 patients with more than one plane deformity, genu valgus having a tibiofemoral angle of more than 15 degrees or a metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle of more than 11 degrees, and full extension and more than 100 degrees of flexion. Follow-up weight-bearing long film X-rays were done two weeks, one month, three months, and four months postoperatively. Results: Medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal femur angle (LDFA), and range of motion (ROM) of the knee were significantly higher at 2 weeks, 1m, 3m, and 6m than preoperative (P <0.001). The pain score after removal of external fixation was mild in 63.3% of patients, moderate in 30% of the patients, and severe in 6.7% of the patients. Regarding complications, pin tract infection occurred in 33.3% of the patients, and superficial infection at the osteotomy site occurred in 10% of the patients. Conclusions: Using a monoplanar external fixator for the acute correction of multiplanar knee deformities improves the knee's structural alignment by correcting the MPTA and LDFA leading to better load distribution across the knee joint, reduced pain, and enhanced ROM.

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