Effects of tension band plating on coronal plane alignment of lower extremities in children treated for idiopathic limb length discrepancy

PURPOSE: One of the most common treatment methods for moderate limb length discrepancy in children is growth modulation using tension band plating. Coronal plane deformities after tension band plating for limb length discrepancy have been documented as an important complication in articles involving heterogeneous groups consisted of both idiopathic cases and patients with pathological physes. The aim of the study was to determine the rate of coronal plane deformities after treatment of a homogeneous group of idiopathic limb length discrepancy cases with tension band plating and to compare screw constructs of medial and lateral plates. METHODS: Patient files were retrospectively reviewed for amount of limb length discrepancy, anatomical femorotibial angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, mechanical medial proximal tibial angle, and inter-screw angles of each plate on both sides of the tibiae and femora. Measurements at each follow-up period were compared to each other. RESULTS: A total of 26 patient files (37 bones) were included to the study. The mean age was 10.5 years. The mean limb length discrepancy was 27.5 mm. Implants were removed after mean 34.5 months. The mean follow-up period was 58.5 months. There was no significant difference in inter-screw angle on each side of the bones at the time of implantation and in lower limb alignments during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Treatment of mild-to-moderate idiopathic limb length discrepancy with tension band plating in children was found to be safe against any coronal plane deformity during follow-up until skeletal maturity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.