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FACTS:

•  Fibular/tibular hemimelia is the most common cause of leg length differences.
  
• Children are usually missing the outside toe and/or a short or missing fibula (one of the bones between the knee and ankle) on one leg.
  
• These children usually have a small foot on the short leg.  Often they are missing one or more toes on the outside of the foot.
  
• The ankle and/or hips joint may be affected. Other leg bones or joints may also be involved including the hip, thigh bone or ankle.
  
• This condition is caused by a problem during pregnancy; it is not passed on from mother to child.
  
• Other than the leg length difference, these kids are normal in all other areas of growth and development.
  
• These children learn to walk, run, ride a bike and do almost anything, even with the short leg.

TREATMENTS:

• Children with leg length differences should be seen by an orthopedic specialist who deals with leg length differences.
  
•  Leg length should be evened out to avoid developing problems with the hip or back later in life.  Shoes may be built up to even the leg difference.
• Lifts that are worn in the shoe, or building up the sole of the shoe, is a common, non-surgical correction.
  
• There are two possibilities for surgical correction.  Many children can have their legs lengthened. For some, amputation of the foot or part of the leg allows the child to use an artificial foot.