Effect of Lateral Single Bar Knee Orthoses in Correction of Genu Varum in Nutritional Rickets: A Randomized Trial

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Genu varum is a common pediatric knee deformity and seen as a physiological variation in the growth pattern. Rickets causes more pathological bowing if occurs during the phase of physiological bowing. Apart from vitamin D restoration, the role of orthosis in the correction of the genu varum due to rickets is not clear. This study is done to compare the effect of vitamin D restoration with and without orthosis in correction of the genu varum in nutritional rickets.

Materials and methods

Sixty children with a bilateral genu varum were enrolled as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two equal groups. Group I received the Stoss therapy for vitamin D restoration with bilateral lateral single bar knee orthoses, and group II received the Stoss therapy only. The intercondylar distance and radiographic tibiofemoral angle were measured at the beginning and for three follow-up visits at 2 monthly intervals.

Results

The intercondylar distance and tibiofemoral angle decreased significantly ( p ≤0.001) at subsequent follow-ups in each group. The percentage change in the intercondylar distance and the tibiofemoral angle at the subsequent follow-up on comparison in both groups was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

Lateral single bar knee orthoses do not provide any additional benefit over vitamin D restoration by the Stoss therapy for the treatment of the genu varum in nutritional rickets.

How to cite this article

Joshi AD, Gaur AK, et al. Effect of Lateral Single Bar Knee Orthoses in Correction of Genu Varum in Nutritional Rickets: A Randomized Trial. Indian J Phys Med Rehab 2018;29(4):101-105.