What is a lower limb deformity?

Lower limb deformity is a condition that affects the appearance and function of the leg. Limb deformities can cause a lack of mobility and could create complications for other bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Four main types of deformity can affect the lower limbs:

• Angulation: a bend in the bone
• Rotation: a twist in the bone (also called torsion)
• Displacement: a shift in the bone after bone surgery or a fracture (also called translation)
• Limb length discrepancy: when one leg is longer than the other

While each of these types of deformities can exist on their own, it’s not unusual to see combinations of these types in the same limb. Most often, angulation and length discrepancy are seen together.

What conditions can cause a limb deformity?

Bones become deformed for a variety of reasons, including birth defects, abnormal growth, and deformed healing after a trauma. These causes can be the result of several conditions, such as:

• Flat foot – a condition that can be congenital or acquired, where the arch of the foot is not present
• Clubfoot – a congenital abnormality where one or both feet are turned inward
• Unequal leg length – when there is a limb-length discrepancy at birth
• Post-traumatic arthritis – inflammation of the joint after an injury to the bone
• Upper- or lower-leg fracture – abnormal healing of the bones of the leg after a fracture

With proper treatment, many limb deformities can be fixed and give both children and adults full function of their affected limbs.

How can a limb deformity be corrected?

While some limb deformities can be corrected or improved with the use of braces, corrective surgery is sometimes the best option. The goal of limb deformity surgery is to normalize the bone and to improve function.

The most common surgery to correct limb deformity is corrective osteotomy, or cutting of the bone, combined with the use of external fixation devices. The deformity is removed from the bone and reconstructed for stability and improved function. External fixation is placed after the deformity is repaired.

The specialized use of some external fixation devices – including Taylor Spatial Frame™ (TSF) and TL-HEX Truelok Hexapod System® by Orthofix® – helps to stabilize the bone, correct the deformity, and to gradually lengthen bones. These tools can simultaneously correct all elements of a bone deformity.

The type and severity of your deformity determine the treatments that are best for you. After a consultation, physical exam, and diagnostic studies, your medical team at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio discusses your personalized treatment plan.

For a consultation about your limb deformity, call Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio or book an appointment online today.