Tibial Hemimelia

Aetiology

  • Most unknown but several inherited forms are described – autosomal dominant

Multiple Associated Anomalies

  • Split hand & foot
  • Syndactyly
  • Polydactyly
  • Five fingered hand
  • Finger anonychia
  • Bifid femur

Classification

Type Description
1Tibia not seen at birth
1aupper tibia not present
1bupper tibia is late to ossify
2Proximal tibia ossified, distal tibia absent
3Distal tibia is ossified, proximal tibia absent
4Congenital Diastases of the ankle
Jones Classification of Tibial Hemimelia

Treatment

Complete

  • knee disarticulation
  • Generally no Brown procedure – centralize the fibula

Incomplete

  • IB may be able to fuse the proximal to the upper tibia & save knee if the quad is present – if not salvageable then through knee amputation
  • Type II – upper tibia present, fuse fibula to tibia leaving a functional knee, distal Symes amputation secondary to ankle instability
  • Type IV – modified Symes amputation