A long-term follow up of surgical treatment for a child with melorheostosis: a case report and literature review / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Melorheostosis is a rare disorder of osteopathia. The clinical characteristics of melorheostosis in children is totally different from that in adults. The radiographic features of melorheostosis include the hyperostosis in endosteal on the one side of the cavum medullare and formed streakiness. The soft tissue contracture of the limb and joint deformities are the symptoms of melorheostosis. Here, the authors reported a melorheostosis case of 6 years old girl who suffered from severe valgus deformity of the right knee with permanent patellar dislocation. A surgical stabilization was applied with lateral soft tissue release, medial soft tissue stabilization and transferred the vastus medialis laterally (kinetic stability). After 19 years follow up postoperatively, the limb developed well in satisfied alignment with good function of knee joints, even participated in some sports activities. Other authors reported a similar case of melorheostosis with surgical treatment and achieved good outcomes in limb realignment and reduction. The further suggested that the surgical treatment should be produced before epiphyseal closure.