CONGENITAL SHORT FEMUR

Results of different lengthening procedures in 51 patients with unilat eral congenital short femur are reported. Emphasis is placed on stabil ity of the hip joint, which is a prerequisite for any femoral lengthen ing procedure. Combination of lengthening procedures of the femur and tibia with shortening techniques can correct discrepancies less-than-o r-equal-to 30 cm. For complicated cases, the ring fixator, offering st ability of hip and knee joints, is preferred to unilateral devices. Fe moral lengthening in femoral focal deficiency should always be perform ed distally.