Blount’s Disease M92.50

 

synonyms: Genu Varum, Genu Varus, infantile Blounts disease, adolescent Blounts disease

Blount’s Disease ICD-10

Blount’s Disease Etiology / Epidemiology / Natural History

  • Infantile Blounts may develop from extreme physiologic varus which progresses due to growth disturbance in the posterior medial tibial physis.
  • African American > whites.
  • Natural history unknown, up to 50% of patients may improve with time.

Blount’s Disease Anatomy

Blount’s Disease Clinical Evaluation

  • Typically large for age and early walkers.

Blount’s Disease Xray / Diagnositc Tests

  • A/P and lateral Knee, A/P and lateral tibia, long-leg views. Demonstrate medial metaphyseal sloping and epiphyseal fragmentation.

Blount’s Disease Classification / Treatment

  • Physiologic bowing is common in children who are less than 3 years old whereas Blount disease is reported to be less than 1% at this age. Corrective bracing is initiated for presumed early Blount disease only if the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle is more than 16 degrees. If the angle is less than 9 degrees the patient is observed. Between 9 and 16 degrees, bracing is considered only if there is instability on walking. The patient is then evaluated on 4 month intervals. (Raney EM, JPO 1998;18:670).
  • Infantile Blounts = onset prior to 3y/o.  Lanenskiold Classification(1-6).  Metaphyseal diaphyseal angle (of Drennan) >13 degrees,  Rx=KAFO stages I-IV, Stages V-VI(have metaphyseal bar) osteotomy over correcting to valgus.. (Raney J Pediatr Orthop 18:670;1998)  Xray=orthogram with patellas facing forward.--metaphyseal beaking.
  • Adolescent Blounts, usually overweight, black, RX=lateral hemiepiphysiodesis vs proximal tibial osteotomy

Blount’s Disease Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis

Blount’s Disease Complications

Blount’s Disease Follow-up Care

Blount’s Disease Review References

  • Feldman MD, Schoenecker PL; Use of metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle in the evaluation of bowed legs.  JBJS 1993;75A:1602-1609.