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Finding out antenatally or after the birth of your baby, about a congenital (present at birth) condition which is likely to cause a leg length difference is distressing and worrying.\u00a0 This will be a time full of questions and this series of factsheets aims to answer some of those questions and to reassure you that you are not alone: support and information are available, from Steps and other sources. There are three main long bones in the leg: the longest is the femur (thigh bone); of the two bones in the lower leg, the thicker one is the tibia and the thinner one is the fibula. Lower limb deficiency, leading to leg length difference, can arise due to a range of conditions where the bones in the leg are shortened, incorrectly formed or absent at birth.<\/p>\n
Many cases are picked up at routine antenatal scans, around 12 or 20 weeks of pregnancy, when the femur length is measured and other limb abnormalities can be visually checked for. Other cases do not show until soon after birth or even later, when a child is learning to walk.<\/p>\n
Following a diagnosis or the indication of a problem, it is normal to feel shock, sadness and even anger. Your expectations of parenthood are starting to change and in some ways, you may feel grief for the baby you thought you were having. It\u2019s important to take time to think, to absorb the news and to accept your new circumstances. Initial concerns may diminish as you start to learn more about your child\u2019s condition. You\u2019ll learn about the others who have trodden the same path before you with their inspiring and, above all, normal children \u2013 they\u2019re children who achieve their full potential and thrive in their own lives, as they grow and develop into adulthood. Your fears about the reactions of friends and family will fade as the day-to-day practicality of having a new-born take over. Soon you\u2019ll accept that while your child\u2019s leg difference will inevitably play a role in their childhood, it is just a small part of who he or she is and will grow up to be.<\/p>\n
In most cases conditions that cause a leg length difference, the cause is unknown. Some conditions can, occasionally, be passed on in families and sometimes can be associated with other conditions and syndromes (although in most cases, a cause is simply not known). A thorough examination and diagnostic tests will detect the presence or absence of other such conditions.<\/p>\n
Treatment depends on the condition and exact form and severity. Consultants will assess each child individually and work with your family to decide on the best option for your child. Further investigations such as X-rays and MRI following birth may be used to guide treatment, such as options around reconstruction and, would depend on many factors.<\/p>\n
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Watch our video on leg lengthening, one of the treatments available<\/strong><\/p>\n