Familial Blount: A Case Report

Abstract

Blount disease is a common cause of bow-leg deformity affecting the paediatric age group. In addition to the varus deformity, there is an internal tibia torsion and a procurvatum of the proximal tibia. It is a relatively common clinical condition seen in orthopaedic practice in Africa. The cause of Blount disease is unknown. However, a number of association have been described in relation to it namely; early-onset of walking, obesity, negroid race and female sex and a family history. The underlying factor has been related to the Heuter-Volkmann principle of excessive compressive forces in the proximal posteriomedial tibial physis causing growth inhibition in this portion of the tibia. We report a case of a family history of Blount's disease which affected the mother, daughter and son , with the children treated at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos. The possibility of a genetic basis to the disease is strongly supported here.

Keywords: Family History, Blount's disease.