Development of genu varum in achondroplasia: relation to fibular overgrowth.
Genu varum in the achondroplastic patient has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. There is little mention in the literature of the role of fibular overgrowth. Using the ratio of fibular to tibial length as a measurement of possible fibular overgrowth, we have related it to the development of genu varum. Full-length standing anteroposterior radiographs of 53 patients with achondroplasia were analysed. There were 30 skeletally-immature and 23 skeletally-mature patients. Regression analysis was performed in order to determine if there was a causal relationship between fibular overgrowth and the various indices of alignment of the lower limb. Analysis showed that the fibular to tibial length ratio had a significant correlation with the medial proximal tibial angle and the mechanical axial deviation in the skeletally-immature group. We conclude that there is a significant relationship between fibular overgrowth and the development of genu varum in the skeletally-immature achondroplastic patient.
Lee
S T
ST
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Song
H R
HR
Mahajan
R
R
Makwana
V
V
Suh
S W
SW
Lee
S H
SH
D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000150:complications*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007866:Leg / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors