Simultaneous femoral and tibial lengthening in combined congenital complete fibular hemimelia and congenital short femur using Ilizarov ring external fixator.

PURPOSE: The combination of fibular hemimelia with congenital short femur worsens the limb length discrepancy which requires extensive femoral and tibial lengthening.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients having unilateral lower extremity shortening presented to the National Institute of Neuromotor System, Egypt, between September 2008 and September 2010 and underwent single session femoral and tibial lengthening using Ilizarov ring external fixator technique. Consolidation of the femoral and tibial required length gain was evident in the radiographic follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Extensive limb length discrepancy can be managed by simultaneous femoral and tibial lengthening.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: The study is type IV clinical evidence.