Is Minimally Invasive Guided Growth – Temporary Hemiepiphysiodesis Right for Your Child?

Is guided growth – temporary hemiepiphysiodesis the right choice for treating your child’s knock knees or bow legs? At Pediatric Orthopedics with Dr Assad Qureshi, we specialize in correcting knee deformity and ankle deformity using minimally invasive techniques while prioritizing your child’s comfort and well-being. Schedule a consultation today to ensure your child receives exceptional pediatric orthopedic care. We’re here to support you through every step of the treatment journey.

Guided growth using tension band plates is a relatively modern treatment used for children with bow legs or knock knees. The treatment works on the principle that in growing children, you can alter the direction of remaining growth to correct a deformity. The technique is most commonly used to make the knee straighter but can also be used to correct ankle alignment. Dr. Qureshi, a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon in Dubai, utilizes this approach to effectively manage these conditions.

Bones in our arms and legs grow longer by growth at the ends of the bones at a region called the growth plate. This is a layer of cartilage which produces bone. Guided growth is also known as temporary hemi-epiphysiodesis. A metal plate and screws are applied across the growth plate restricting growth on half of the growth plate while allowing the other side to continue growing. This growth differential that is set up between the two sides of the bone leads to angular change at the end of the bone as the child grows. Once the legs are straight, the plate and screws can be removed to stop this effect.

Guided growth is a valuable technique that is a shorter operation, can be done through small incisions and enables the child to remain fully active throughout treatment. Dr Qureshi is a keen advocate of guided growth at the correct time in a child’s growth to avoid the need for more extensive surgery in adult life.