Treatment of tibial hemimelia without amputation: preliminary report

Bilateral Calcaneus Transfers for the Treatment of Congenital Tibial Deficiencies: A Novel Surgical Technique and Case Report

Tibial deficiency (also known as tibial hemimelia) is a rare condition with variable presentation. A 2-month-old patient presented with absent bilateral tibias. When the patient was 1 year, a novel reconstructive surgery was done. A bilateral fibular resection with pedicled calcaneus transfer was done, allowing for transfer of the calcaneus along with the overlying glabrous skin and soft tissues to the end of the femur. The patient was permitted to weight-bear after the 4-week postoperative follow-up. At the six-month follow-up, the patient was able to pull to stand and walk with assistance without any reports of pain.

Limb reconstruction in a resource-limited environment

INTRODUCTION

Limb salvage and reconstruction are often challenging and even more so in the limited resource setting. The purpose of this narrative review is to explore the strategies for addressing the unique obstacles and opportunities of limb reconstructive surgery in resource-limited environments globally.

METHODS

We review (1) the global burden and dimension of the problem, (2) the relevance of orthopedic forums and communication, (3) free and open-access software for deformity analysis and correction, (4) bidirectional learning opportunities, and the value of fellowships and mentoring between resource-rich and resource-limited countries, and (5) how societies like SICOT can help to tackle the problem. Finally, case examples are presented to demonstrate the choice of surgical implants, their availability in regions with limited resources, and how the universal principles of limb reconstruction can be applied, irrespective of resource availability.

RESULTS

Limb reconstruction can often be life-changing surgery with the goals of limb salvage, improved function, and ambulation. The contradiction of relatively few severe limb deformities in high-income countries (HICs) with abundant resources and the considerable burden of limb deformities in resource-limited countries is striking. Free, open access to education and software planning tools are of paramount importance to achieve this goal of limb reconstruction. Bidirectional learning, i.e., knowledge exchange between individual surgeons and societies with limited and abundant resources, can be reached via fellowships and mentoring. The presented cases highlight (1) fixator-assisted wound closure obliviating the need for plastic surgery, (2) open bone transport, and (3) hinged Ilizarov frames for correction of severe deformities. These cases underline that optimal clinical outcome can be achieved with low-cost and readily available implants when the principles of limb reconstruction are skillfully applied.

DISCUSSION

Limb lengthening and reconstruction are based on universally applicable principles. These have to be applied regardless of the planning tool or surgical implant availability to achieve the goals of limb salvage and improved quality of life.

Deformity Reconstruction Surgery for Tibial Hemimelia

Tibial hemimelia is a rare congenital deficiency with a wide spectrum of pathology and deformity. This paper aims to give a comprehensive review of tibial hemimelia, with a concise summary of the history, pathology, and clinical findings of tibial hemimelia, while providing treatment recommendations and a review of the current literature. Classifications and surgical treatments are discussed, including amputation, limb reconstruction, and lengthening. Type-specific treatments are also discussed, including staged distraction correction of joint contractures of knee and ankle, Weber patelloplasty, fibular centralization, knee and ankle arthrodesis, implantable articulated distractors, and the role of femoral shortening. Amputation is a simpler and easier solution for many patients; however, reconstruction options continue to evolve, improve, and provide better functional outcomes in many cases. Factors favoring surgical reconstruction include the presence of a knee joint/proximal tibia, and the presence of a patella and quadriceps mechanism.

What matters to children with lower limb deformities: an international qualitative study guiding the development of a new patient-reported outcome measure

BACKGROUND

Lower limb deformities include conditions such as leg length discrepancy, lower limb deficiency and associated angular and rotational deformities of the hips, knees, ankles and feet. Children with lower limb deformities often have physical limitations due to gait irregularities and pain. The differences in the appearance and function of their lower limbs can discourage participation in social, recreational and leisure activities, which may result in behavioural, emotional, psychological and social adjustment problems. The health-related quality of life (HRQL) of these children is often impacted due to the factors discussed above, as well as by the complex surgical procedures. Surgical treatment options for limb deformities in children vary from limb lengthening and reconstruction to amputation. The lack of evidence demonstrating superiority of either treatment options and their effect on HRQL limits the ability of healthcare providers to counsel families on the best evidence-based treatment option for them. This manuscript describes the international qualitative study which guided the development of a new patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). Individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews with children with lower limb deformities and their parents were conducted at five sites: Canada (2 sites), Ethiopia, India and the USA.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine interviews were conducted at five international sites. Five main themes emerged from the qualitative interviews and formed the basis of the conceptual framework. These themes were: 1) appearance, 2) physical health, 3) psychological health 4) school and 5) social health.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower limb deformities have a substantial impact on the HRQL of children. The concepts of interest identified in our study were similar across children from all countries. The conceptual framework guided the development of outcome scales specific to these patients. The information about the impact of various treatment options on the HRQL of children with lower limb deformities, collected using this new PROM, could be used to inform parents and children about outcomes (physical, social, psychological) associated with specific treatment options. This information could supplement other objective outcome information (e.g., complication rates, how the leg will look, etc.) to help families to come to a more informed decision on a child's course of treatment.

Femoro-pedal distraction in staged reconstructive treatment of tibial aplasia

AIMS

The treatment of tibial aplasia is controversial. Amputation represents the gold standard with good functional results, but is frequently refused by the families. In these patients, treatment with reconstructive limb salvage can be considered. Due to the complexity of the deformity, this remains challenging and should be staged. The present study evaluated the role of femoro-pedal distraction using a circular external fixator in reconstructive treatment of tibial aplasia. The purpose of femoro-pedal distraction is to realign the limb and achieve soft tissue lengthening to allow subsequent reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study involving ten patients (12 limbs) with tibial aplasia, who underwent staged reconstruction. During the first operation a circular hexapod external fixator was applied and femoro-pedal distraction was undertaken over several months. Subsequent surgery included reconstruction of the knee joint and alignment of the foot.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 7.1 years (2 to 10). The mean age of the patients at the time of the application of the fixator was 2.3 years (1.1 to 5.0). The mean time under distraction was 139.7 days (81.0 to 177.0). A mean fibular distalization of 38.7 mm (14.0 to 67.0) was achieved. Pin infections occurred in four limbs (33.3%) and osteitis in one. A femoral fracture occurred in one patient. Premature removal of the frame was not required in any patient. Sufficient realignment of the leg as well as soft tissue lengthening was achieved in all patients, allowing subsequent reconstruction. All patients were able to mobilize fully weight bearing after reconstruction. Functional outcome was limited in all limbs, and five patients (50.0%) required additional reconstructive operations.

CONCLUSION

Regarding the functional results in the treatment of tibial aplasia, amputation remains superior to limb salvage. The latter procedure should only be performed in patients whose parents refuse amputation. Femoro-pedal distraction efficiently prepares the limb by realigning the leg and soft tissue lengthening. Minor complications are frequent, but usually do not hinder the continuation of distraction. Even though a fully weight-bearing limb is achieved, the functional outcome of reconstructive treatment remains limited. Recurrent deformities frequently occur and may require further operations. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(9):1248-1255.

Congenital Tibial Deficiency

Congenital tibial deficiency is a rare condition characterized by partial to complete absence of the tibia, an intact but frequently overgrown fibula, variable degrees of knee deformity and function, and an abnormal equinovarus foot. It can occur in isolation but also presents concurrently with other orthopaedic anomalies and syndromic conditions. Among these, congenital abnormalities of the hand and femur are most commonly observed. Many theories exist regarding its etiology and some genetic mutations have been identified; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The prognosis and treatment differ based on the clinical severity. The goal of treatment is always to create a stable, functional limb, most commonly with amputation and use of prosthetics. Controversy exists over the level of amputation and the usefulness of reconstructive procedures to preserve the foot and limb length. Current investigation on this complex disorder is focused on identifying its origins and further developing a classification-based treatment algorithm to improve patient outcomes.

Optimizing the use of fibula in type II tibial hemimelia: early results

We describe a technique for optimal use of fibula in reconstruction of type II tibial hemimelia. Six affected children with mean age of 1.4 years and treated over a 5-year period were reviewed. All underwent staged reconstruction by lowering the fibula to below knee level using Ilizarov soft tissue distraction, transfer of distal fibula under proximal tibia, and foot centralization. Mean follow-up period was 3.6 years (range: 1.6-6.05 years). Mean age at follow-up was 4.4 years, and increase in length was 4.08 cm. Tibiofibular union and foot centralization were universally achieved. Mild residual equinovarus deformity was present in three children and braced. Our technique allowed significant length gain and foot centralization in toddlers without distraction osteogenesis.

Asymmetric limb lengthening in the treatment of tibial hemimelia caused by osteomyelitis: A case report

RATIONALE

Tibial hemimelia is known as a rare congenital lower limb deficiency. It has been classified into different types based on Jones classification, and the traditional treatment of tibial hemimelia is amputation. Here we present a variant and unclassified case of tibial hemimelia, which was caused by osteomyelitis. And the lower limb with tibial hemimelia was salvaged by asymmetric limb lengthening.

PATIENT CONCERNS

19-year-old girl had the shortened and curved left lower extremity with walking abnormalities.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient's deformity was caused by osteomyelitis of tibia occurred when she was 18 month old. The tibial shaft was absent, while the proximal and distal tibia was present but was hypoplastic with radiographic analysis. The fibula was hypertrophied and curved like the capital letter C. The leg length discrepancy (LLD), mostly coming from the left lower leg, was 22 cm.

INTERVENTIONS

We were able to salvage the limb successfully by 5 operations, including releasing soft tissue, fusing the proximal tibiofibular joint, fibular osteotomy, femur lengthening, and fibular lengthening.

OUTCOMES

The whole treatment time for the patient was 3 years and 2 months, and she was followed up for 5 years afterward. The length of femur lengthening and fibula lengthening during the reconstruction were 7.8 cm and 11 cm, respectively. Most of the deformities were corrected, except that the left lower limb was still 2 cm shorter than the contralateral limb, and the 34 mm of mechanical axis deviation (MAD) of left lower limb remained. The reason why the patient's lower limbs were asymmetric was that the femur and fibular lengthening were performed within the affected limb only. Overall, the patient was very satisfied with her asymmetric limbs and its function after surgeries.

LESSONS

The LLD in this case mainly came from tibial hemimelia. However, the fibula was unable to be lengthened to 22 cm during the lower leg distraction process because of blood flow disturbance. We could only lengthen the femur to salvage the limb in this situation. Even though the patient still had a few residual deformities and a pair of asymmetric lower limbs, she was satisfied with the function and appearance of the reconstructed limb. Therefore, the lower limb with tibial hemimelia can be salvaged by asymmetric limb lengthening in special cases.

Functional Assessment in Tibial Hemimelia (Can We Also Save the Foot in Reconstruction?)

BACKGROUND

The congenital absence of the tibia is a rare disease, and an orthopaedic surgeon may not encounter such cases during the course of his/her career. This is the largest report to date of the management of such cases by a single surgeon. The foot and leg were persevered in the majority of the cases, and a functional evaluation system was used to report outcomes.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with tibial hemimelia, who had been under the direct care of the authors since infancy, were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The patients or their parents filled out the Pediatric Quality of Life and the parents' satisfaction forms. The surgical interventions performed, and their effects on school attendance and, and also the shoe type they wore were documented.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients (19 girls and 17 boys) with 48 tibial-deficient limbs (19 right, 5 left, and 12 both right and left sides) were studied. The patients were assessed at 12 years (2.5 to 32.5 y), with a mean follow-up of 9 years (2 to 23 y). The 48 limbs included 14 type I, 16 type II, 11 type IV, and 7 unclassified by using the Jones classification; and 6 type I, 11 type II, 16 type III, 1 type IV, and 14 type VII by using the Weber classification. Primary amputation was performed in 8 patients (10 limbs) and limb preservation surgeries on 38 legs (28 patients). Tibiofibular synostosis, centralization of the ankle, and Ilizarov lengthening were the most common procedures. Nonunion of tibiofibular synostosis (2 cases) and knee stiffness (6 cases) were the main complications. Among the reconstructed limbs, 12 were in regular and 18 in modified shoes. The Pediatric Quality of Life of 68 points in the reconstructed group was a significant achievement, and it was also better than the score of patients who had undergone amputation.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction of tibial hemimelia with foot preservation provides good functional outcome in the majority of cases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Foot centralization for tibial hemimelia

Nineteen foot centralizations were performed in 14 patients with Jones type I and II tibial hemimelia. All feet showed equinovarus deformity and were treated by foot centralization by means of calcaneofibular arthrodesis. The average age of patients at the time of surgery was 1.3 years (range 0.4-3.8 years). The average follow-up postoperative period was 10.2 years (range 2.2-22.9). At the time of the final follow-up, four of the operated feet were plantigrade without secondary surgery. The remaining 15 limbs, however, required secondary surgery to treat postoperative early loss of correction and/or recurrent foot deformities such as equinus, varus and adduction, in addition to talipes calcaneal deformities, and fibular angular deformity at the fibular shortening osteotomy site. The deformities were treated either by repeat foot centralization, or fibular or calcaneal osteotomy. Careful observation for recurrence of the deformity is necessary until the distal fibular epiphysis closes, and the cartilagenous distal fibular end and calcaneus finally achieve ankyloses.

[Congenital tibial hemimelia]

BACKGROUND

The congenital tibia hemimelia, also called tibial deficiency, is a rare disorder with unknown cause, showing many associated abnormalities or varying syndromes.

METHODS

The correct diagnosis can be easily established using radiographs and/or magnetic resonance imaging in the postpartum setting. However, treatment may be difficult and needs to take into consideration the given anatomic situation in the knee and ankle joint.

CONCLUSION

Prosthetic fitting may be possible in mild cases. Nevertheless, the majority of patients need to undergo surgical reconstruction in order to restore a functional, mobile, and stable knee and ankle joint.

Limb salvage treatment for Gollop-Wolfgang complex (femoral bifurcation, complete tibial hemimelia, and hand ectrodactyly)

We reported the findings from three patients with Gollop-Wolfgang complex and demonstrated the results of five limb salvage treatments for this condition. All three femoral bifurcations were accompanied by ipsilateral complete tibial hemimelia. Two patients showed contralateral complete or partial tibial hemimelia, and one patient had hand ectrodactyly. The five limb salvage treatments included resection of the anteromedial bifurcated femur in three limbs, foot centralization in five limbs, tibiofibular fusion in one limb with partial tibial hemimelia, fibular transfer (Brown's procedure) in three limbs with complete tibial hemimelia, and callus distraction lengthening in one limb. The duration from the first operation to the final follow-up ranged from 3.5 to 5.4 years. None of the three knees treated by fibular transfer achieved a successful functional result, but all of the knees were ultimately able to withstand weight bearing. Early knee disarticulation and resection of the protruded bifurcated femur, followed by fitting of a modern prosthesis is likely to be the best treatment for patients with Gollop-Wolfgang syndrome. We note that limb salvage treatment is an alternative in patients who opt to retain their feet and refuse amputation.

Longitudinal overgrowth of the femur stimulated by short-leg ambulation in unilateral partial tibia hemimelia

In the treatment of unilateral partial tibia hemimelia, complications from extensive lengthening to correct the marked shortening and recurrent failures of foot reconstructions do not allow limb salvage. Treatment by amputation with prosthetic replacement predominates. Very often, however, amputation is rejected by patients. A case we treated in infancy by complete reconstruction without lengthening walked full weight bearing on the short leg. Twelve years later, the ipsilateral femur manifested 6 cm overgrowth to reduce the shortening. Stimulation of accelerated growth in the partial tibia hemimelia limb by axial-directed stress of short-leg ambulation is suggested by this report, and its implication for enduring limb salvage is discussed.

Congenital tibial deficiencies: treatment using the Ilizarov's external fixator

INTRODUCTION

Congenital longitudinal deficiency of the tibia is a rare and often syndromic anomaly. Amputation is usually the preferred treatment option in complete absence of the tibia; however, a conservative management might be implemented in partial forms or in case of amputation refusal. Our experience with the Ilizarov fixator, convinced us this device was the best suited for progressive correction of lower limbs length discrepancies and articular or bone angular limb deformities (ALD). The aim of this study is to highlight the interest of the Ilizarov fixator in the multistage conservative treatment of congenital tibial deficiencies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in nine patients suffering from Type I or II congenital tibial deficiencies (Jones) and sequentially managed using the Ilizarov technique. The functional outcome after treatment completion was then clinically assessed.

RESULTS

The different stages of correction were recorded for each individual patient. Patients were assessed at a mean follow-up of 18,3 years (4-32 years). The mean maximum knee flexion was 35 degrees (0 degrees -90 degrees ) in type I deficiencies and 118 degrees (90 degrees -140 degrees ) in type II deficiencies. One patient underwent amputation and a bilateral knee arthrodesis was performed in another case.

DISCUSSION

Few series in the literature report a comparable length of follow-up period in the conservative management of severe congenital tibial deficiencies. In our study, the Ilizarov fixator provided satisfactory progressive corrections of severe congenital tibial deficiencies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV therapeutic retrospective study.

A rare variant of tibial hemimelia and its treatment

Tibial hemimelia is a rare condition. We present a variant of tibial hemimelia not reported in literature before. In this variant, we were able to successfully salvage the limb with excellent function to carry on with life.

Case reports: lengthening of a vascularized free fibular graft

Wide bone resection is sometimes necessary for bone tumors, and reconstruction is a major challenge. Vascularized fibular graft is one alternative but may result in progressive limb-length discrepancy (LLD) in children with substantial growth left. Progressive distraction lengthening with an external fixator is now a standard procedure to generally correct LLD. However, lengthening of free vascularized fibular grafts for lower limb reconstruction has not been reported frequently and then only in small series or case reports. We report our experience with three patients with lengthening after tibial reconstruction with a free vascularized fibular graft and review the literature.