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What Is Fibular Hemimelia?

H. Colledge
H. Colledge

Fibular hemimelia, sometimes known as paraxial fibular hemimelia or longitudinal fibular deficiency, is a condition in which a child is born with part or all of the fibula missing. Together with the tibia, the fibula is a bone in the lower leg. While the slender fibula is located on the outside of the leg, the thicker tibia is situated on the inside. Fibular hemimelia typically makes the affected limb shorter and causes the foot to bend inwards and down. Various treatments are available depending on the severity of the deformity, ranging from special footwear to limb lengthening surgery, or amputation and the fitting of an artificial body part, or prosthesis.

Although fibular hemimelia is the most frequent cause of deformed bones in the legs, its cause is unknown. The deformity often affects only one limb, and the disorder is more common in men than women. Sometimes there may be other associated deformities affecting the tibia, the femur, or thigh bone, and the foot. A number of different systems are used to classify fibular hemimelia, with classes ranging in severity from relatively mild to severely disabling. Each class is associated with a particular treatment plan and outlook.

Some with fibular hemimelia opt for amputation and to be fitted with a prosthesis, and they often gain normal mobility.
Some with fibular hemimelia opt for amputation and to be fitted with a prosthesis, and they often gain normal mobility.

In one classification system, what is called type IA fibular hemimelia refers to the condition where only part of the fibula is missing. Type IB describes the state where a third to a half of the fibula is missing and the amount of bone that remains is not sufficient to support the ankle. In type II, the most severe, there is no fibula at all.

The treatment of type IA fibular hemimelia does not always involve surgery because, in milder cases, walking may be possible with the use of a heel lift. A heel lift is an extra piece added to a shoe in order to effectively equalize the lengths of the legs. Sometimes, with only a small difference in leg lengths, a technique known as contralateral epiphysiodesis may be used in order to shorten the opposite leg. This procedure, which stops the bone from growing, is timed carefully to coincide with the final growth phase in adolescence, with the aim of leaving the normal leg slightly short. For a larger difference in leg length, and where the ankle and foot are not too misshapen, surgery can be performed which extends the shortened limb.

The tibia and fibula are bones of the lower leg.
The tibia and fibula are bones of the lower leg.

Type IB fibular hemimelia is treated similarly to IA, although operations may also be required to correct the angle of the ankle and stabilize the foot. For type II, a number of different surgical procedures may be necessary. The foot is sometimes removed early in life and a prosthesis may be used to enable efficient walking.

Discussion Comments

anon355457

anon217020

If you have a child born with fibular hemimelia the best thing to do is talk to parents who also have a child with FH. If your reading this article chances are you have a child with FH. There is a facebook group Fibular Hemimelia and Limb Lengthening awareness and many blogs written by families. I am happy to answer questions and offer whatever support I can!

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    • Some with fibular hemimelia opt for amputation and to be fitted with a prosthesis, and they often gain normal mobility.
      By: belahoche
      Some with fibular hemimelia opt for amputation and to be fitted with a prosthesis, and they often gain normal mobility.
    • The tibia and fibula are bones of the lower leg.
      By: stockshoppe
      The tibia and fibula are bones of the lower leg.
    • Depending on the severity of fibular hemimelia, surgery may be required.
      By: muratolmez
      Depending on the severity of fibular hemimelia, surgery may be required.