Post-traumatic deformities around the knee

Abstract

Abstract— Post-traumatic angular deformities around the knee significantly disrupt lower extremity biomechanics, causing asymmetric stress distribution that often leads to early unicompartmental osteoarthritis. These deformities typically result from physeal arrest or fracture malunions, with pathogenesis heavily dependent on the patient's skeletal maturity at the time of injury. Precise clinical evaluation and preoperative radiographic assessment—utilizing the Center of Rotation of Angulation (CORA) methodology—are essential for quantifying the deformity and planning of surgical intervention. Management strategies are dictated by remaining growth potential and deformity severity. In skeletally immature patients, growth modulation techniques and physeal bar resection offer effective correction. For patients nearing skeletal maturity or those with complex, multiplanar deformities, treatments include high tibial or distal femoral osteotomies, and the application of circular external fixators. The primary surgical objective across all methods is restoring the physiological mechanical axis to preserve joint longevity.