title: The role of the small AO external fixator in supracondylar rotational femoral osteotomies.
abstract: Torsional problems of the femur have been traditionally treated by a proximal osteotomy with internal fixation. We elected to perform femoral derotational osteotomies distally. Between September 1994 and April 2001, supracondylar osteotomies were performed on 38 femora in 21 children with torsional and angular deformities. The average age was 9 years (range 5-15 years). Twenty-three femora had excessive anteversion and fifteen, retroversion. All osteotomies were maintained by the small AO external fixator. Bony union occurred at an average of 10 weeks. Distal femoral osteotomy is an effective site for correcting rotational and associated angular deformities. The small AO external fixator provides precise adjustability, solid stability, and avoids a second procedure for hardware removal.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Schneider Children's Hospital, New Hyde Park, New York, USA. jhandelsman@optonline.net
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Handelsman
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Samara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014102:Torsion Abnormality / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome