Module 41, General Orthopaedist Level

This child was 6 months old when she was referred for a second opinion on her lower extremity deformity. She was the product of a normal pregnancy and delivery. Considerable shortening of the left lower extremity was noted with abnormal musculature about the hip and a marked laxity about the knee joint. The left foot showed valgus deformity and had only four toes.

Question 41A

The correct diagnosis for this pattern of deformity is proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD).

Question 41B

This is a common combination of deformities.

Question 41C

The insult that causes these deformities occurs between weeks 10 and 12 after conception.

Question 41D

There is no known specific cause of these deformities.

Question 41E

With today's technique the best treatment for congenital limb length discrepancy is lengthening after age five.