| Fibular hemimelia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Longitudinal fibular deficiency |
 | |
| Fibula hemimelia in patient affecting right side | |
| Specialty | Medical genetics, orthopedics |
Fibular hemimelia or longitudinal fibular deficiency is "the congenital absence of the fibula and it is the most common congenital absence of long bone of the extremities."[1][2] It is the shortening of the fibula at birth, or the complete lack thereof. Fibular hemimelia often causes severe knee instability due to deficiencies of the ligaments. Severe forms of fibula hemimelia can result in a malformed ankle with limited motion and stability. Fusion or absence of two or more toes are also common.[3] In humans, the disorder can be noted by ultrasound in utero to prepare for amputation after birth or complex bone lengthening surgery. The amputation usually takes place at six months with removal of portions of the legs to prepare them for prosthetic use. The other treatments, which include repeated corrective osteotomies and leg-lengthening surgery (Ilizarov apparatus), are costly and associated with residual deformity.[4]
- ^ Eze KC, Akhigbe AO, Awosanya GO (September 2007). "Fibular hemimelia: a case report". Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice. 10 (3): 259–61. PMID 18072458.
- ^ Achterman C, Kalamchi A (May 1979). "Congenital deficiency of the fibula". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume. 61-B (2): 133–7. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.61B2.438260. PMID 438260.
- ^ Paley D (December 2016). "Surgical reconstruction for fibular hemimelia". Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. 10 (6): 557–583. doi:10.1007/s11832-016-0790-0. PMC 5145840. PMID 27909861.
- ^ Stanitski DF, Stanitski CL (2003). "Fibular hemimelia: a new classification system". Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. 23 (1): 30–4. doi:10.1097/01241398-200301000-00006. PMID 12499939. S2CID 41594905.