If your child was diagnosed with Blount's disease, then you should be concerned. Blount's disease is a growth problem that causes the bones of your lower leg to curve outward. It usually affects both legs in children, but only one leg in teens.
For a child with this disease, the curve is only going to get worse without treatment. It is important to get early diagnosed by an orthopaedic doctor. Read on to find out how to treat Blount's disease.
When To Get Treatment?
Treatment depends on the age of your child and how much the disease has progress. If your child is two years or younger, then your doctor may want to take the wait and see approach. Your doctor wants to make sure that the bowing is from Blount's disease and not a part of normal development.
Try KAFOs Braces
If your child's condition has not changed after the age of three, then you can start exploring treatment options. KAFOs (knee-ankle-foot orthotics) braces are leg braces that can be used for treating bow legs. The braces are custom created for your child using a mold of his or her leg. They will extend from the thigh to the toes.
KAFOs braces has to work overtime. They gradually shift your leg bones to a more aligned and straighter position.
Consider Surgery
When braces are not working, you might want to consider surgery. There are three common types of surgeries used to correct Blount's disease, which are Taylor Spatial Frame, hemi-epiphysiodesis and osteotomy.
A Taylor Spatial Frame is a surgical procedure that fixate an external device that holds your bone in place from the outside. It corrects the rotation and bowing of the leg. An osteotomy is a surgical procedure that cuts into the bone, realigns it and corrects it internally using screws and plates. A hemi-epiphysiodesis is a procedure that stops the normal growth half of the physis. This allows your diseased side to catch up and straightens out the leg. The physis is your growth plate. It is responsible for longitudinal growth of long bones.
It is important to know what cause your child's condition and to monitor these factors. For instance, if your child is overweight, then you should help him or her maintain a healthy weight. The excess weight causes wear and tear on your bones. Most children who undergoes treatment for Blount's disease usually do well and make a complete recovery.
For more information, contact an orthopedist in your area.
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