Focal dome osteotomy for the correction of tibial deformity in children.

Tibial deformity in childhood often combines torsional and angular malalignment. A focal dome osteotomy was performed, proximally or distally, in 39 tibiae in 31 patients. In 33 limbs, the primary deformity was varus (with internal torsion). The osteotomy was held with K-wires and a plaster cast. The mean age at surgery was 10.25 years and the minimum follow-up 24 months. All osteotomies united and no compartment syndrome occurred. Postoperatively, two patients (5%) had temporary neurological deficits. Thirty of 31 patients had good clinical and radiological correction of alignment. Recurrent deformity was seen in one patient with hypophosphataemic rickets.