POPLITEAL PTERYGIUM ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLETE AMELIA OF UPPER-LIMB - EARLY SURGICAL-TREATMENT

We report a 5-year clinical follow-up and the operative details of a p atient who was born with popliteal pterygium and ipsilateral upper ame lia. There were no craniofacial, genitourinary, or other extremity abn ormalities, other than severe pes equinovarus. At age 3 weeks, excisio n of the pterygium and partial release of the hind foot had accomplish ed a significant but incomplete release of the knee contracture. At ag e 11 months, a second release of the pterygium, combined with complete reconstruction of the foot, accomplished a straight limb. Presently a t the age of 5, the boy has 40 degrees limitation to full extension at the knee but walks, runs, and behaves like all the other children in the nursery school. This combination of congenital malformations and e arly surgical intervention has never been described in the orthopedic literature.