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Suggest Treatment For Blount's Disease In A 2 Year Old
Question: As our LO approaches 2 years old, the family is increasingly concerned with what appears to look like Blount's disease - extreme intoeing and bowed legs (1 a little more than the other). He's always walked and run just fine; the pediatrician has said "wait and see" ever since the bowing became noticable (even strangers comment). That seemed OK and reasonable when baby was 1 year old. But now it just seems ludicrous to watch [a] period of effective brace treatment go by and then subject baby to surgery. Any advice or thoughts? Thanks from concerned grandmom, XXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
If it is in stage 1 or 2, braces are sufficient but beyond it surgery neede
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I am sorry to hear about your grandson. Blount's disease is a developmental defect where there are problems in the bony growth of the inner part of the lower end of the leg leading to tilting of the foot. The treatment with braces is enough to correct the problem if it is in stage 1 or stage 2 but in case of stage 3 and 4 surgery is required. If the staging has already been done, I would like to know the present stage and how long the braces have been in use (if at all). If the staging has not been done, I would suggest you to visit an orthopedician and get the child assessed.
If it is within stage 1 or 2, I can assure you that in most cases, the deformity gets corrected only with braces and no surgery is required.
But if the stage is assessed to be stage 3 or stage 4, I am sorry that surgery needs to be done. I understand that it is likely to leave you anxious but I also suppose that you also understand that the deformity needs to be corrected and you need to do best what can be done. So please follow the guidelines that your orthopaedician is providing.
I understand your concerns. Hope for the best possible outcome for your grandson.
If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
If it is in stage 1 or 2, braces are sufficient but beyond it surgery neede
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I am sorry to hear about your grandson. Blount's disease is a developmental defect where there are problems in the bony growth of the inner part of the lower end of the leg leading to tilting of the foot. The treatment with braces is enough to correct the problem if it is in stage 1 or stage 2 but in case of stage 3 and 4 surgery is required. If the staging has already been done, I would like to know the present stage and how long the braces have been in use (if at all). If the staging has not been done, I would suggest you to visit an orthopedician and get the child assessed.
If it is within stage 1 or 2, I can assure you that in most cases, the deformity gets corrected only with braces and no surgery is required.
But if the stage is assessed to be stage 3 or stage 4, I am sorry that surgery needs to be done. I understand that it is likely to leave you anxious but I also suppose that you also understand that the deformity needs to be corrected and you need to do best what can be done. So please follow the guidelines that your orthopaedician is providing.
I understand your concerns. Hope for the best possible outcome for your grandson.
If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you for shedding light in terms of stages. The child has not been assessed by an orthopaedician; at each office visit since birth the pediatrician has said "wait and see" since the child is otherwise exceptionally healthy. Is 20 months of age too early for [an] x-ray and assessment?
Brief Answer:
X ray can be done at this age. Second opinion on treatment suggested.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back and sorry for not being able to answer earlier.
The staging of Blount's disease consist of increasing medial metaphyseal (the region of bone growth) beaking and sloping. It is hard to explain the stages further as it would involve technical terms. Irrespective of the stage, if I were the treating doctor, I would probably have used braces right away from the time the child has started bearing weight on its feet. Vitamin D deficiency also needs to be ruled out. In this regard I would suggest a second opinion from another orthopedician.
20 months is not too early for an X Ray. In fact, some children have to get an X Ray done right after the birth if such is the situation. The amount of X Ray exposure is very brief and is not likely to be adequate to cause any harm. So, you need not worry.
Hope that helps. In case you find my answer helpful, I hope that you would leave a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Hoping for a quick resolution of your problems.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
X ray can be done at this age. Second opinion on treatment suggested.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back and sorry for not being able to answer earlier.
The staging of Blount's disease consist of increasing medial metaphyseal (the region of bone growth) beaking and sloping. It is hard to explain the stages further as it would involve technical terms. Irrespective of the stage, if I were the treating doctor, I would probably have used braces right away from the time the child has started bearing weight on its feet. Vitamin D deficiency also needs to be ruled out. In this regard I would suggest a second opinion from another orthopedician.
20 months is not too early for an X Ray. In fact, some children have to get an X Ray done right after the birth if such is the situation. The amount of X Ray exposure is very brief and is not likely to be adequate to cause any harm. So, you need not worry.
Hope that helps. In case you find my answer helpful, I hope that you would leave a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Hoping for a quick resolution of your problems.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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