APPLICATION OF THE METHOD OF TEMPORARY BLOCKING OF GROWTH ZONES IN THE TREATMENT OF DEFORMITIES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES IN CHILDREN

Aim - to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical correction of shortening and axial deformities of the lower extremities in children by temporary blocking of the growth zones. Materials and methods. The article presents five-year experience (2011-2016) in the treatment of 45 children (59 knees) with deformities of the lower extremities of different etiology. These cases included such congenital and acquired deformities as post-traumatic deformities, Blount's disease, metaphyseal dysplasia, after-effects of osteomyelitis, exostotic chondrodysplasia. Shortening or elongation of the limbs were found in 13 patients, the angular deformity - in 29 patients, combined deformity - in 3 patients. Results. In our practice, the timing of the correction of deformity ranged from 10 to 32 months. The degree and time of correction of the deformation directly depend on its severity and age of patients. The analysis of the results of the treatment of children with the use of this methodology showed the following results: good outcomes were observed in 37 patients (82.2%), satisfactory - in 8 patients (17.8%), unsatisfactory outcomes were not observed. Complications occurred in 3 patients (6.6%). Irreversible complications were not observed. Conclusions. Method of temporary blocking of the growth zones of long bones (method of controlled growth, temporary epiphysiodesis) is a good alternative to corrective osteotomies due to sufficient efficacy, minimal invasiveness, and little risk of complications.