CONGENITAL HYPOPLASIA OF THE FIBULA - CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

We describe five cases of congenital hypoplasia of the fibula and the clinical appearance of the patients. The more relevant clinical manife station is leg length discrepancy, which is usually < 6 cm. The manage ment of this problem has been approached with predictive tables and ti ming of the epiphyseodesis. Some cases have been treated with tibial l engthening to correct the associated valgus deformity simultaneously. The valgus deformity is secondary to the hypoplasia of the lateral fem oral condyle, which can be treated with medial hemiepiphysiodesis of t he distal femur. Anterior instability of the knee usually exists due t o congenital absence of the anterior cruciate ligament and can complic ate lengthening procedures. The hip joint is not involved, but mild sh ortening of the femur was observed in four cases, Ball and socket join t at the ankle and tarsal coalitions with absent lateral rays of the f oot can occur. Management of the leg length discrepancy must be consid ered in light of all these possible associated defects.