Nonmetallic Anterior Hemiepiphysiodesis of the Distal Femur with a Low-Profile, Pretensioned Implant: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2023 Sep 8;13(3). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.23.00106. eCollection 2023 Jul 1.

Abstract

Case: A 14-year-old adolescent boy with left-sided spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy presented with a 14° left knee flexion contracture and resultant gait disturbance in the setting of an open distal femoral physis. He underwent subsequent anterior distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis with a suture anchor-based, nonmetallic implant. He achieved full correction at the 1-year follow-up and underwent uncomplicated implant removal.

Conclusion: A low-profile, suture-based implant used for pediatric knee flexion deformity may allow surgeons to control growth in a reversible fashion by tensioning the physis while possibly avoiding some of the complications associated with currently used implants.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebral Palsy* / complications
  • Child
  • Contracture*
  • Device Removal
  • Femur / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity
  • Male
  • Suture Anchors