Abstract
Untill recently, major reduction defects of the tibia were treated by amputation and prosthetic fitting. However, Wada et al (1) and Weber (2) recently reported impressive results of limb reconstruction in children with tibial aplasia. If an attempt is being made to reconstruct the leg and foot, a clear understanding of the nature of anomalies is necessary.
A retrospective study of case records and radiographs of children with congenital anomalies of the tibia seen at our centre was undertaken to determine the patterns of associated anomalies in the leg and foot. In addition, five amputated specimens of the leg and foot from children with complete tibial aplasia were dissected.
A wide spectrum of congenital anomalies of the tibia was seen and this included complete aplasia, partial aplasia, hypoplasia, dyplastic trapezoidal tibia and congenital bowing.
Complete and partial aplasia was seen either with or without duplication of the formed skeletal elements. The patterns of duplication that were seen included fibular dimelia, pre-axial mirror polydactyly, duplication of the calcaneum, cuboid and lateral cuneiforms. Trapezoidal dysplastic tibia was associated with duplication of the talus and pre-axial mirror polydactyly.
Dissection of the amputated specimens of complete tibial aplasia revealed aplasia of some muscles, aberratant tendinous structures, abnormal insertion of muscles and absence of the plantar arterial arch.
An understanding the nature of these associated anomalies in children with tibial aplasia and dyplasia will help the surgeon to decide the strategies for reconstruction of the limb if that is the desired option.
At the other end of the spectrum of congenital anomalies of the tibia is posteromedial bowing which was considered an innocuous condition that required little or no treatment. A review of 20 cases of posteromedial bowing demonstrated that there are number of problems related to the leg, ankle and foot that may require surgical intervention.
