Surgical treatment of the tibia in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Segmentation and intramedullary rod fixation of the tibia have been found to be safe and effective procedures in osteogenesis imperfecta. An extensible rod is more difficult to insert than a solid rod due to the problem of obtaining an adequate fit distally, so the practical advantage of one type over the other is not as great as it is for the femur. When the procedure is used for the proper indications and with sufficient attention to detail, severe deformities can be corrected, thus allowing many children to become or remain ambulatory.