Bone deformities
Complex bone deformities and/or deformities associated with dysmetries are a frequent consultation in traumatology.
Of congenital, traumatic and infectious origin, bone deformities due to old growth plate fractures stand out for their frequency, especially at knee and ankle level, and in young children they can become a major problem.
Not all bone deformities require surgical treatment, so they need an analysis and mechanical planning to know how the deformity is and to what extent it is necessary to correct it.
In the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Clinica we have a Clinic specialized in Bone Lengthening and correction of Complex Deformities with professionals with great experience in the therapeutic approach of this type of problem.
What is growth plate?
The growth plate, also known as the physis, is an area of cartilage tissue present at the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. This cartilage is crucial for bone growth, as it is from here that bones elongate during childhood development and adolescence.
The cells of the growth plate rapidly divide, allowing the bone to elongate.
Once bone development is complete, usually during adolescence, these areas of cartilage ossify and become a solid part of the bone, thus ceasing growth in length.
What are the consequences of a growth plate fracture?
- Bone growth alteration: The fracture can damage the cells of the growth plate, resulting in decreased or halted bone growth in the affected area. This can lead to shorter limbs or uneven bone growth.
- Bone deformities: If the growth plate is damaged unevenly, it can cause abnormal growth, resulting in deformities such as curvatures or misalignments of the affected bones.
- Early development of osteoarthritis: Injuries to the growth plate can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the affected joints at an early age, due to the disruption of the normal bone and joint cartilage structure.
Has your child suffered a growth plate fracture?
If you have a bone deformity, it may improve with surgical treatment
How are bone deformities treated?
Choice of treatment according to the characteristics of the bone deformity
Once the case and the evolution of the bone deformity over time have been studied, the most suitable surgery for each patient is decided:
Guided growth
Indicated in moderate deformities in patients with good growth potential, up to pre-adolescence. It consists of temporarily slowing the growth of part of the growth plate so that the area that remains free continues to grow and corrects the deformity. For this technique we use a simple device called an 8-plate that we insert with our own minimally invasive technique.
Progressive correction with external fixators
This technique is of great help in complex, severe deformities and, in general, when acute correction is foreseen to be difficult and/or risky.
The type of fixator we use most often is the Hexapod type with computer-assisted correction, as these devices are highly versatile, stable and allow postoperative readjustments in the case of imperfect corrections.
In addition, they can be associated with endomedullary nails in order to reduce the external fixation time and thus better tolerate the correction process.
Acute Correction
Generally with endomedullary nails or plates. These techniques are suitable for moderate deformities, especially of the femur, and are more indicated in adult patients.
Where do we treat it?
IN NAVARRE AND MADRID
The Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology covers the full spectrum of congenital or acquired conditions of the musculoskeletal system including trauma and its aftermath.
Since 1986, the Clinica Universidad de Navarra has had an excellent bank of osteotendinous tissue for bone grafting and offers the best therapeutic alternatives.
Organized in care units
- Hip and knee.
- Spine.
- Upper extremity.
- Pediatric orthopedics.
- Ankle and foot.
- Musculoskeletal tumors.
Why at the Clinica?
- Experts in arthroscopic surgery.
- Highly qualified professionals who perform pioneering techniques to solve traumatological injuries.
- One of the centers with the most experience in bone tumors.
Our team of professionals
Specialists in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology with experience in bone deformities
