Decision-Making in Lower Extremity Deformity Correction

Indications for the correction of lower extremity deformities in children are somewhat nebulous. Relative indications include patient symptoms such as pain, functional deficits, problematic limb length discrepancy, and coronal, sagittal or rotational malalignment of the hip, knee, or ankle. The formation of a problem list and a comprehensive treatment plan are essential for developing an effective surgical plan. The involvement of the patient and caretakers in the decision-making process is essential and the inability of the patient or family to comply with the postoperative protocol is a relative contraindication to surgical intervention.