The purpose of this research was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of a functional brace in combination with physical therapy (FBPT) for early correction of cubitus varus in young children. Between July 2017 and March 2019, 18 consecutive patients were enrolled with cubitus varus secondary to supracondylar fractures. Researchers used the FBPT to treat children with early onset varus cubitus and sagittal plane deformity. Varus angulation, sagittal plane, and range of motion were measured clinically at 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. The diagnostic imaging and clinical findings were evaluated using the Bellemore criteria. On the affected side (varus deformity), the humerus-elbow-wrist (HEW) angle ranged from -38° to -12° (average, -23.2°) before treatment and from -10° to +15° (average, 8.8°) after therapy. After the intervention, there was no discernible improvement on the injured side compared to the unaffected side (P>0.05). Results were excellent in 14 patients (77.8%), good in 3 patients (16.7%), and bad in 1 patient (5.5%), according to the Bellemore criteria. Except for 1 child with lingering varus abnormalities, all patients and their parents were happy with the functional and cosmetic results. Treatment of cubitus varus with the FBPT was successful, especially for younger children within the first 6 months after the injury.
Source: bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12887-022-03578-7
