Epiphysiodesis of the lower extremity for limb-length discrepancy has been performed on 24 patients by both the modified Phemister and a percutaneous method. The primary complication of epiphysiodesis by both methods was continued growth of the physeal plate (12% and 15%, respectively). Failure of epiphysiodesis was attributed to young skeletal age at surgery in three of five cases. Closer attention to physeal ablation and close follow up should prevent this complication. No angular deformities resulted in any patient. During 16 proximal fibular procedures, there were no neurologic complications. The percutaneous method is preferred due to ease of surgical procedure, minimaf incisions, limited disability to the normal extremity, and equal results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.