We reviewed the results of fifty consecutive spike osteotomies that were
performed in thirty-five children for the treatment of angular deformity of
a long bone. After forty-three of the procedures, the radiographs were
adequate to assess the stability of the fragments. At the time of healing,
the average loss of correction from the position that had been accepted at
operation was 2 degrees in the anterior-posterior plane and 1.2 degrees in
the lateral plane. In four limbs, more than 5 degrees of correction had
been lost. No patient lost more than 10 degrees of correction. The rates of
complications and of recurrence were similar to those of other reported
series. We concluded that the spike osteotomy is safe and effective.