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Blount's Disease Research Paper

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There are four classification of Blount’s disease. The first is early onset when the bowing occurs while the child is younger than four years old. The second is late onset and occurs when the child is older than four. Next, is juvenile onset between the years of four and ten and adolescent onset after ten years of age. The most common is early onset because children are usually identified younger than two years old (Gopakumar 65). There are also different stages of this condition. If Blount’s disease is caught between stages one and four it is usually curable and the child won’t have to live with the leg bowing their whole life. However, if the condition is in stages five or six then treatment is usually ineffective. If treatment is attempted …show more content…

This procedure is known as a realignment osteotomy, and is usually only used once the growth plate has already fused. During surgery, the bone is cut to either shorten it, lengthen it, or change its alignment. Also during surgery, closing wedges, opening wedges, a dome, plates, screws, or smooth pins could be put it. One method using plates and screws is guiding the bone growth with a non-locking titanium plate that is held in place with screws. This procedure reduces growth on the opposite side. The implant can be removed if the opportunity arises (Gopakumar 67). Another option for correction is orthotic application. The use of orthotics help apply forces to relieve weight bearing stress on the tibia. While using this type of method, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and lower limb massages are also used to help with the process (Alsancak 2). One type of orthotic application is a full time brace. These type of braces usually consist of a thigh cuff and ankle hinge. They allow for full extension of the leg; however, it does not allow for hyperextension of the knee. A drop lock is include to allow the child to sit down. On the sides of the braces are bars that help with stability, and cuffs for the calf to place pressure on the tibia. The strap is used to control the amount of pressure put on the tibia. The tighter the strap the more pressure that is applied. As the name implies, these type of braces

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