Tibial Hemimelia

Also known as: TH, tibial deficiency, longitudinal deficiency of the tibia.

What is tibial hemimelia?

The tibia is the inner bone of the two bones that make up the lower leg and connect the ankle to the knee. When part or all of the tibial bone is missing, this can be due to a rare birth defect known as tibial hemimelia. The presence of this disorder can lead to a variety of other deformities and developmental issues.

What causes tibial hemimelia?

Tibial hemimelia often occurs alongside other birth defects, such as Werner’s syndrome, thumb syndrome, CHARGE syndrome and others. The condition can be related to genetic abnormalities that can be passed along from parents to children.

What are the symptoms of tibial hemimelia?

Tibial hemimelia almost always causes a shortened leg, as well as deformities of the ankle and knee of the affected leg. With tibial hemimelia, the foot and ankle are typically pointed inward, whereas fibular hemimelia causes the foot and ankle to point outward.

What are tibial hemimelia care options?

The treatment of tibial hemimelia will vary widely based on the specific nature and severity of the condition. Possible treatments include limb-lengthening procedures to gradually length the affected bone over time or the use or orthotics to stabilize and improve the mobility of the affected limb. In severe cases, limb amputation and the use of a prosthetic limb may be necessary.


Reviewed by: Scott J Schoenleber, MD

This page was last updated on: October 16, 2020 02:28 PM

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