[Congenital defects of tibia and fibula].

This study comprised 7 patients with longitudinal anomalies of the knee and leg classified in accordance with the 'classification of congenital limb deficiencies' introduced by Frantz and O'Rahilly. The anomalies were paraxial hemimelia of the fibula (4 instances), paraxial hemimelia of the tibia (6 instances). In the absence of the proximal tibia, therapy consisted of knee reconstruction according to Brown. In the absence of the distal part of the tibia a proximal tibiofibular synostosis was performed. In one instance corrective osteotomy of the tibia was required in the absence of the fibula. Exarticulation according to Syme was resorted in order to cope with an incorrigible abnormal position of the foot and for leg length inequality. The therapy should aim at giving the child walking ability at a normal time. Exarticulation has to be preferred to amputation in the treatment of these patients.