ABSTRACT
Blount’s disease, or tibia vara, is a progressive varus deformity occurring at the medial part of the proximal tibial physis. There are two main types: infantile Blount’s which begins during the early childhood years, and late-onset or adolescent Blount’s which begins in late childhood and the early teen years. The natural history of infantile Blount’s disease is quite different from late-onset adolescent Blount’s disease. Infantile Blount’s involves definite radiographic changes in both the proximal tibial physis and metaphysis that are progressive. These changes have been classified into six stages by A. Langenskiold ; this staging has relevance for both treatment planning and predicting prognosis. Children with infantile Blount’s have a significant risk of recurrence and progression of the disease, including physeal bar formation, even when the initial surgical correction is excellent. The chances of recurrence are greater as the stage of the disease increases. This emphasises the need for early diagnosis and intervention.
