Fibular Hemimelia

What is fibular hemimelia?

Fibular hemimelia is a condition in which the fibula, the calf bone, is short or missing. It is a condition that a baby is born with. In some cases, fibular hemimelia can also affect other bones in the leg, ankle or foot. Additionally, some of the ligaments in the knee may also be weak or missing. Usually, fibular hemimelia only affects one leg, but it can affect both legs.

What are the signs and symptoms of fibular hemimelia?

Common symptoms of fibular hemimelia in children can include:

• One leg that is shorter than the other
• Abnormal appearance of the ankle or foot
• Inward bending of the knee and lower leg
• Missing toes

What causes fibular hemimelia?

Experts do not know the cause of fibular hemimelia.

How is fibular hemimelia treated?

Treatment of fibular hemimelia depends on how your child is affected. This can include how much of the fibula is missing, the difference between the lengths of the legs, and whether your child has additional physical abnormalities. If the difference in leg length is very small, shoe inserts may be used as treatment, but most children will need surgery. Some children only need one surgery while others may need several surgeries as they grow. Your team at Arkansas Children's is experienced in fibular hemimelia and will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan for your child.

Surgical treatment options may include:

• Epiphysiodesis is a procedure that may be an option for growing children who have a small difference in leg length. This surgery slows or stops growth in the longer leg, which allows the shorter leg to catch up.
• Limb-lengthening surgery may be recommended to lengthen or straighten the affected leg. In this surgery, a lengthening device is placed either outside of the body (an external fixator) or inside of the bone (internal lengthening device).
• In severe cases, amputation and the use of a prosthesis may be the best treatment option.