Improved distribution of leg forces after fibular resection and synostosis

PURPOSE: Genu varum- a common symptom in achondroplasia- may lead to ankle valgus in children. Ankle valgus may be mitigated by tibiofibular synostosis, but this is not always the case. The mechanical environment around the growth plates plays an important role in ankle valgus. The purpose of this project is 1) to determine the strain through the distal fibular growth plate before and after tibiofibular synostosis, and 2) postulate whether the change in strain affects ankle valgus. This project measured the distal fibular strain in a porcine hind leg model. METHODS: The lower legs of seven pigs were removed, instrumented with strain gauges, and loaded compressively in a material testing machine. Loads were applied at three phases: 1) the intact leg, 2) leg with fibula resected, and 3) leg with fibula resected and tibiofibular synostosis. Mean strains were compared between phases using a mixed affect model. The significance level was adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. RESULTS: Phase 1, intact leg, had the highest strain value at 1247.9μɛ. In phase 2, the mean strain was 106.2μɛ. In phase 3, the compressive mean strain dropped to 477.4μɛ, which is 38% of the strain in phase 1. Standard error was 86.8μɛ; p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that more of the force through the leg is transmitted through the tibia after fibular resection and tibiofibular synostosis, which improves the balance of forces through the leg. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40634-022-00480-0.