Epiphyseal Stapling and Recombinant Human Growth Hormone for the Correction of Genu Valgum in Children with Chronic Renal Insufficiency

Genu valgum (GV) and growth retardation are known complications of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) in children. Physeal stapling is the preferred method for GV correction, provided epiphyseal growth continues after stapling. Growth retardation in these children thus renders this mode of therapy unreliable. The only alternative is corrective osteotomy with the associated risks, such as non-union of bone and recurrence. The authors sought to determine if recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) administered after stapling can bring about continued physeal growth needed for correction. The medical records of five patients with CRI, GV, and growth retardation who had physeal stapling performed and received rhGH were reviewed. Resolution of GV and improvement in linear height was achieved in four patients within 2 years. The authors conclude that children with CRI, growth retardation, and moderate GV benefit from the simultaneous use of rhGH and knee stapling for correction of GV, thus avoiding osteotomies.