Fibula hemimelia

 

Definition

 

Deficiency of bony elements on lateral side of lower limb

 

Characterized by

- partial or complete absence of fibular

- tibial bowing

- abnormal and unstable ankle joint

- missing lateral toes

- leg length discrepancy

 

Most common congenital deformity of long bones

 

Types

 

Terminal - abnormal foot

Intercalary - normal foot

 

Issues

 

Leg length discrepancy

- PFFD

- short femur

 

Anteromedial bowing tibia / pseudoarthrosis / tibial fracture

 

Foot

- small limb / foot

- absent lateral ray(s)

- lateral tarsal bones fused or absent

 

 

 

Knee

- cruciate deficiency

- hypoplastic LFC / valgus knee

 

Ankle 

- equino-valgus / ball and socket

- tarsal coalition

 

Classification

 

Coventry

 

Type 1: 

Short or partial proximal absence unilaterally

1A:  Stable ankle joint ± ball & socket joint

1B:  Unstable anklejoint / equinovalgus

 

Fibular Hemimelia

 

Type 2: Complete absence unilaterally

- tibia short & bowed anteromedially, dimple at apex

- associated with lateral ray deformity & coalitions

 

Type 3:  Bilateral

- severe

- associated with PFFD & upper limb deficiency

 

 

 

Management 

 

Foot & ankle 

 

Issue

 

Instability

- < 2 rays

- severe ankle instability

 

Management

 

Syme's amputation

 

Leg length discrepancy

 

www.boneschool.com/pediatrics/leg-length-discrepancy/management

 

Usually > 5 inches

 

Options

- < 2 cm heel lift / shoe raise

- 3-5 epiphysiodesis

- 6-10 limb lengthening

- 10-15 limb lengthening + epiphysiodesis

- > 16 amputate

 

3.  Tibial bowing

 

Least important

- usually corrects