Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of Blount’s disease is not known. It is seen in age group between 2 to 4 years. It is believed that the deformity occurs when the outer side of the bone continues to grow and the inner side fails causing angulation of the bone. Children who are obese and of short stature and who learn to walk early are at increased risk of developing the disease.
Clinical presentation
Patients with the disease present with both legs affected, presence of bow legs. Gait is of painless varus thrust. Bilateral nontender prominent medial tibial condyles are seen when feet are held in pronation. Shortening of affected leg with medial angulation and internal rotation of proximal tibia is seen. The disease is seen to occur in young children and adolescents.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Plain x-ray of the lower limb confirms the diagnosis.
Treatment
Blount’s disease initially can be treated with braces for a period of 1 year, especially in children below three years of age. If improvement does not occur, surgery is recommended. Surgery involves cutting the bones of lower limb [tibia and fibula] and realigning them.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Blount’s disease. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating Blount’s disease.
