While osteotomies are necessary for rotational correction and limb lengthening, angular correction or moderate length inhibition may be achieved by other, less invasive means. Several techniques of epiphysiodesis have evolved, enabling gradual correction of angular correction and/or length equalisation through guided growth. This manuscript comprises a historical and comparative review of those techniques. The 8-plate method of guided growth affords the opportunity to provide a tension band (rather than compression) that expedites angular correction, compared to stapling or transphyseal screws, which rely upon the principle of compression. When applied to each side of a given physis, longitudinal growth is inhibited, in the same fashion as stapling or epiphysiodesis. The physis and periosteum are spared any direct insult, thus making this a reversible process, suitable for use in younger children. The 8-plate is simple to insert and, compared to staples or transphyseal screws, easy to remove.
Heath CH, Staheli LT (1993) Normal limits of knee angle in children - genu varum and genu valgum. J Pediatr Orthop 13:259-262
Kling TF Jr, Hensinger RN (1983) Angular and torsional deformities of the lower limbs in children. Clin Orthop Relat Res 176:136-147
Levine AM, Drennan JC (1982) Physiological bowing and tibia vara. The metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle in the measurement of bowleg deformities. J Bone Joint Surg Am 64:1158-1163
Salenius P, Vankka E (1975) The development of the tibiofemoral angle in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am 57:259-261
Anderson M, Green WT, Messner MB (1963) Growth and predictions of growth in the lower extremities. J Bone Joint Surg Am 45:1-14
Stevens PM, MacWilliams B, Mohr RA (2004) Gait analysis of stapling for genu valgum. J Pediatr Orthop 24:70-74
Machen MS, Stevens PM (2005) Should full-length standing anteroposterior radiographs replace the scanogram for measurement of limb length discrepancy? J Pediatr Orthop 14:30-37
Dietz FR, Merchant TC (1990) Indications for osteotomy of the tibia in children. J Pediatr Orthop 10:486-490
Paley D, Herzenberg JE, Tetsworth K et al (1994) Deformity planning for frontal and sagittal plane corrective osteotomies. Orthop Clin North Am 25:425-465
Mycoskie P (1981) Complications of osteotomies about the knee in children. Orthopaedics 4:1005-1015
Steel H, Sandrow R, Sullivan P (1971) Complications of tibial osteotomy in children for genu valgum or varum. J Bone Joint Surg Am 53:1629-1635
Bowen JR, Leahey JL, Zhang ZH, MacEwen GD (1985) Partial epiphysiodesis at the knee to correct angular deformity. Clin Orthop Relat Res 198:184-190
Canale S, Russell T, Holcomb R (1986) Percutaneous epiphyseodesis - experimental study and preliminary results. J Pediatr Orthop 6:150
Ogilvie J (1986) Epiphyseodesis evaluation of a new technique. J Pediatr Orthop 6:147
Haas SL (1945) Retardation of bone growth by a wire loop. J Bone Joint Surg 27:25-36
Haas SL (1948) Mechanical retardation of bone growth. J Bone Joint Surg Am 30:506-512
Blount WP, Clarke GR (1949) Control of bone growth by epiphyseal stapling: a preliminary report. J Bone Joint Surg 31:464-478
Blount WP (1971) A mature look at epiphyseal stapling. Clin Orthop Relat Res 77:158-163
Frantz CH (1971) Epiphyseal stapling: a comprehensive review. Clin Orthop Relat Res 77:149-157
Fraser RK, Dickens DR, Cole WG (1995) Medial physeal stapling for primary and secondary genu valgum in late childhood and adolescence. J Bone Joint Surg Br 77:733-735
Stevens PM, Maguire M, Dales MD, Robins AJ (1999) Physeal stapling for idiopathic genu valgum. J Pediatr Orthop 19:645
Zuege RC, Kempken TG, Blount WP (1979) Epiphyseal stapling for angular deformity at the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am 61:320-329
Mielke CH, Stevens PM (1996) Hemiepiphyseal stapling for knee deformities in children younger than 10 years - a preliminary report. J Pediatr Orthop 16:423-429
Novais E, Stevens PM (2006) Hypophosphatemic rickets - the role of hemiepiphysiodesis. J Pediatr Orthop 26:238-244
Stevens PM, Pease F (2006) Hemiepiphysiodesis for posttraumatic tibial valgus. J Pediatr Orthop 26:385-392
Metaizeau JP, Wong-Chung J, Bertrand H, Pasquier P (1998) Percutaneous epiphysiodesis using transphyseal screws (PETS). J Pediatr Orthop 18:363-369
Aykut US, Yazici M, Kandemir U et al (2005) The effect of temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling on the growth plate: a radiologic and immunohistochemical study in rabbits. J Pediatr Orthop 25:336-341