Living with Fibular hemimelia
A rare condition present from birth in which the fibula (outer lower leg bone) is partly or fully missing, which can affect the leg, foot and walking.
Understanding Fibular hemimelia
People may be missing part or all of the fibula, the smaller outer bone of the lower leg. The shinbone (tibia) and foot bones may not grow properly. This can cause problems with walking and may need medical treatment.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Missing or short fibula
- Short or bowed shinbone (tibia)
- Club foot
- Legs of different lengths
- Knock knees
- Trouble walking (gait disturbance)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in genes cause it. GARD doesn't name a gene or describe how it is inherited.
Also known as: congenital longitudinal deficiency of the fibula; fibular longitudinal meromelia; longitudinal deficiency of fibula; longitudinal reduction defect of fibula
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Fibular hemimelia.
Explore research for Fibular hemimelia
Explore actively recruiting Fibular hemimelia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Fibular hemimelia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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