Osteogenesis imperfecta: treatment and surgical management.

Overview

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a disease with many different causes and clinical presentations. Surgery at a young age is the often required in order to improve the patients' growth development and quality of life. This manuscript highlights the current approach to treat children with osteogenesis imperfecta. The main purpose of this review is to compare and discuss the latest surgical techniques and procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have indicated that telescoping intramedullary Faisser-Duval rods are one of the most suitable surgical devices to correct long bone deformities. The design permits elongation with growth and helps reduce the number of revision surgeries compared to previous static devices. SUMMARY: Osteogenesis imperfecta patients require an interdisciplinary and tailored treatment that involves both medical and surgical components. On the basis of the most recent surgical and medical findings, the authors recommend treating osteogenesis imperfecta patients early with bisphosphonates prior to surgical intervention and then utilizing Faisser-Duval rods in a surgical setting to correct lower extremity deformities and fractures.