GENU RECURVATUM as a late complication of femoral fracture in children

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Introduction

Genu recurvatum is a relatively rare deformity of the lower extremities in children. The main cause for the formation of this pathology is generally the imbalance of the muscles and ligamentous apparatus in the lower extremities in children with spastic paralysis, both primary and arising as a result of treatment manipulations. Genetically caused disorders of the formation of the bone system are achondroplasia, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, and arthrogryposis. According to the literature, a more rare cause of the formation of genu recurvatum is the damage to the proximal zone of tibial bone growth due to trauma, which can be the direct type of Salter–Harris V damage [1] and the zone growth damage at the avulsion fracture of tibial tuberosity [2]. The formation of this deformity is described as a rare complication of Osgood-Schlatter disease [3]. In the literature, there are also references to iatrogenic lesions of the anterior part of the proximal tibial growth zone with skeletal traction over the tibial tuberosity in hip fractures, followed by the formation of genu recurvatum [4, 5].

Clinical observations

We have recorded our clinical observations of the genu recurvatum formation after a fracture of the diaphysis of the femur in an 8-year-old child (the patient’s parents agreed to the publication of personal data).

A girl with trauma due to an accident developed a diaphyseal hip fracture (type A2 according to the AO/ASIF classification and was admitted to the traumatology and orthopedic department of the clinical regional children’s hospital on February 2, 2012. On admission, the patient underwent skeletal traction over the tibial tuberosity to temporarily stabilize the fracture. On day 2, the child underwent surgery; the closed intramedullary osteosynthesis of the hip with Ender’s nails (ChM, Poland) was performed. The postoperative period revealed no abnormalities. The girl was discharged from the hospital on day 18 and was verticalized on crutches with a partial load. The fracture healing occurred at the usual time. The metal structures were removed 6 months after the injury (Fig. 1).

 

Fig. 1. Before removal of metal structures

 

At the time of discharge from the hospital, after the removal of metal structures, the extremity functionality was completely restored, and no axial deformities were noted. The parents of the child started to notice the formation of a knee joint deformity 1.5 years after the trauma. The child did not report any complaints during follow up visits. Over the next 2 years, a gradual progression of the deformity with the formation of genu recurvatum and shortening of the extremity by 2 cm was noted (Fig. 2: 2.5 years after the injury; Fig. 3: 3.5 years after the injury).

 

Fig. 2. Progression of deformity aft er the injury (2.5 years)

 

Fig. 3. Progression of deformity aft er the injury (3.5 years)

 

Fig. 4. Appearance of the extremity with a vertical load

 

Because of functional and cosmetic defects, a surgical correction was performed (Fig. 5, 6). The child underwent an osteotomy of the tibia in its upper third, application of a combined external fixation device with further correction of the axis, and shortening according to G.A. Ilizarov (Fig. 7).

 

Fig. 5. Right lower leg with genu recurvatum

 

Fig. 6. Left lower leg

 

Fig. 7. Stages of correction in the external fi xation device

 

The deformity was eliminated, and the device was dismantled after maturation of the regenerated bone (Fig. 8).

 

Fig. 8. Appearance of the extremity aft er correction and dismantling of the device

Discussion

The formation of genu recurvatum in children with hip fractures and the connection with skeletal traction over the tibial tuberosity were described by Bjerkreim and Benum in 1975 using the example of seven patients [6]. In 1980, Van Meter and Branick reported patients with a similar deformity, which was also associated with skeletal traction [5]. Unlike the first report, in this study, the authors described one patient. Available literature revealed no studies on the development of genu recurvatum due to pulling a needle through the skeletal traction. In a number of articles published in 1990, some authors (for example, F. Caillon, P. Rigault, J.P. Padovani, P. Janklevicz, J. Langlais, and P. Touzet) [4] only indicated the possibility of the development of such a complication.

In our opinion, the iatrogenic character of genu recurvatum development in the case of hip fracture is not obvious. Skeletal traction as a method of fracture treatment was very actively used in the middle and late 20th century, and it is also used currently as a method of temporary stabilization. Nevertheless, there are very few cases describing the development of this deformity. In 1990, A.J.R. Bowler, S.J. Mubarak, and D.R. Wenger described the observation of two patients with a hip fracture in which genu recurvatum was formed without pulling a needle through the tibia [7]. In one case, the needle was pulled through the femur for traction, and in the other case, an adhesive plaster traction was performed. A similar case was reported in the study by Ishikawa et al., in which the recurvation of the lower leg occurred after traction over the distal part of the femur, and direct iatrogenic damage to the growth zone was avoided. The authors feel that the damage to the proximal tibial growth zone in this case was primary and occurred at the time of injury [8]. Beslikas showed that this kind of damage (Salter–Harris V type) occurred with the formation of a typical deformity. [1] In our opinion, it is unreasonable to associate the development of genu recurvatum only with the pulling of the needle.

Conclusions

The etiopathogenesis of the premature closure of the anterior part of the proximal tibial growth zone with the subsequent occurrence of recurrent deformity in hip fracture is not entirely understood. Moreover, it is not possible to identify the only reason for the development of this complication in each particular case. Nevertheless, in our opinion, to minimize the possibility of iatrogenesis, the use of skeletal traction over the tibia should be restricted to a minimum extent and only when necessary (temporary stabilization, traction for reposition during surgical treatment, etc.). The needle should be pulled outside the zone of tuberosity to avoid possible damage to the growth zone.

Information on conflict of interest and financing

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The study did not receive any support in the form of grants or funds.

About the authors

Vadim P. Kuzmin

State budgetary institution of healthcare of Kaluga region “Kaluga region children’s hospital”

Author for correspondence.
Email: tarasov-so@yandex.ru

MD, head of department of traumatology and orthopedics

Russian Federation

Sergei O. Tarasov

State budgetary institution of healthcare of Kaluga region “Kaluga region children’s hospital”

Email: tarasov-so@yandex.ru

MD, orthopedic and trauma surgeon of department of traumatology and orthopedics

Russian Federation

References

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