GENU RECURVATUM as a late complication of femoral fracture in children

Abstract

Genu recurvatum is an uncommon condition in children. Occasionally, it may occur as a late complication of femoral shaft fracture. There are studies that describe the possibility of genu recurvatum occurrence due to the tibial pin traction and without tibial tuberosity pinning. The primary traumatic reasons are Salter – Harris V-type fractures of the tibial tuberosity and tuberosity avulsion. Our case of genu recurvatum occurrence in an 8-year-old girl with femoral shaft fracture 3 years after trauma confirms the importance of this complication. We believe that the etiology of tibial physeal closure and genu recurvatum after femoral fracture in children is unclear. It seems that identifying one cause for this serious complication in all cases is not possible. However, for complete elimination of iatrogenic factors, we recommend not to put the wire through tibial tuberosity in cases where traction is necessary.