[Tibia vara infantum--long-term results].

We are presenting 23 patients with infantile tibia vara (Blount disease) treated with proximal tibial osteotomy between 1968 and 1992. Average age at the osteotomy was 6 years and 4 months. Average age at the final follow-up was 20 years and 5 months. Average length of follow-up was 14 years. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The main complaint at the final check-up was pain. Correction of the lower leg alignment did not guarantee good knee function. Horizontal orientation of the knee joint line seems to influence greatly the knee function. Patients operated on before the age of 5 were pain free with good knee form and function. In majority of those either operated on late or with recurrence of deformity early degenerative changes ensued.