Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia: treatment by intramedullary nailing without bone graft

Abstract

Established Congenital Tibial Pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CTP) has been treated surgically by primary bone graft and a variety of fixation methods the aim being to achieve osseous union. We report five cases of established CTP treated by a modification of the Patterson technique but without primary bone grafting (PBG). Of the 5 patients 4 of the scierotic type treated by this modified technique achieved union in an average of six months and limb length shortening was less than 2.5cm. In our opinion, the encouraging result obtained may justify proposing this procedure as a first choice option for the treatment of the scierotic form and so avoid the complexzity of autologous bone grafting in children.

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 15(2) 2005: 57-61