No abstract

Background: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a complex and serious disease in orthopaedics which often requires multiple operations for treatment. Postoperative ankle valgus deformity is easily seen after the operation of CPT. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of three different implants for treating postoperative ankle valgus after CPT. Methods: A total of 41 patients with postoperative ankle valgus after CPT from December 2010 to July 2019 were selected. Of these 41 patients, 23 patients were treated with “U”-shaped staple, 10 patients were treated with hollow screw and 8 patients were treated with cortical bone screw. The evaluation index was tibiotalar angle. The general data, preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up imaging data were recorded, and the deformity correction rate and complications were compared. Results: All the patients were performed with postoperative follow-up visit for at least 12 months (31 mo on average). In the “U”-shaped staple group, the preoperative tibiotalar angle was 74.8±4.8 degrees, the tibiotalar angle was 85.8±4.5 degrees when the internal fixation was removed; in the hollow screw group, the average preoperative tibiotalar angle was 72.2±6.1 degrees, the average tibiotalar angle was 88.4±5.1 degrees when the internal fixation was removed; in the cortical bone screw group, the average preoperative tibiotalar angle was 75.1±4.2 degrees, the average tibiotalar angle was 88.4±5.1 degrees when the internal fixation was removed. The correction rate of the “U”-shaped staple group was 0.71 degrees/month, with that of in the hollow screw group and cortical bone screw group being 0.64 degrees/month and 0.61 degrees/month, respectively. There was no significant difference in the correction rate between the 3 groups. One case of internal fixation complication was reported in the hollow screw group; 2 cases of missing correction effect were reported, 1 in cortical bone screw group and 1 in hollow screw group; and 2 cases showing symptom of wound pain were reported in the “U”-shaped staple group. Conclusion: Ankle valgus is a common postoperative complication of congenital tibial pseudarthrosis. Temporary hemiepiphysiodesis with “U”-shaped staple or screws is an effective treatment for postoperative ankle valgus deformity of CPT in children. Level of Evidence: Level IV—retrospective study.