I. Epiphyseodesis:

1. From the standpoint of the percentage of correction of the original discrepancy of limb length, only 20.7 per cent. of the results were classed as excellent (75 per cent. or more correction), and 23.1 per cent. of the results were poor (25 per cent. or less correction). This is chiefly a reflection on the timing of the operation and the selection of the epiphyses to be fused.

2. From the clinical standpoint, satisfactory results (final discrepancy of 2 centimeters or less) were obtained in 50 per cent. of the cases.

3. While, on the basis of our results, it is generally a mistake to perform epiphyseodesis for the correction of shortening in a female after the age of eleven years, and in a male after twelve and a half years, there were cases in our series which demonstrated that this is not always true. These exceptional cases tended to prove the inaccuracy of any method of predicting bone growth.

4. The development of bone deformities from unequal arrest of epiphyseal growth following operation was found in 20.7 per cent. of the cases. In eight cases, or 9.7 per cent., these deformities were too slight to affect the final result. They serve to emphasize the risk of the operation and the necessity for thorough fusion of the epiphyses.

II. Femoral Shortening:

1. Shortening of the femur by a simple, satisfactory technique was performed in nineteen cases, with ages ranging from thirteen and a half to forty-two years.

[See figure in the PDF file]

2. The average correction obtained in this group was 4.7 centimeters (1? inches). There were no instances of delayed union, malunion, or non-union.

3. Complications occurred in three cases. Two patients had postoperative infections, one transient and the other requiring secondary surgery. Both cleared up with final good results. The third was a localized calcifying hematoma, causing limitation of knee flexion. A good result was obtained, following excision of the calcified mass.