Lower LimbInfantile & adolescent
Blount Disease (Tibia Vara)
A growth disorder of the medial proximal tibial physis causing progressive pathologic genu varum, distinct from physiologic bowing.
Presentation
- Progressive, often asymmetric bowing that worsens after age 2
- Associated with early walking and obesity
Imaging & Workup
- Metaphyseal-diaphyseal (Drennan) angle > 16° suggests Blount
- Langenskiöld staging of medial physeal changes
Treatment
Bracing
Early infantile cases (KAFO) may halt progression.
Osteotomy / guided growth
Proximal tibial osteotomy or hemiepiphysiodesis.
Clinical Pearls
- Differentiate from physiologic bowing, which resolves by age 2