Diplopodia is a rare congenital disorder that has not been extensively discussed in textbooks, and case reports appear to be the main source of information. Although the exact cause of diplopodia remains unknown, the presence of extra digits as well as metatarsals and tarsals allows it to be differentiated from pedal polydactyly. Syndactyly refers to the congenital fusion of the digits. Concomitant bilateral syndactyly and diplopodia is extremely unusual, and in this report we describe a case of right diplopodia and left polydactyly combined with bilateral manual syndactyly in a 15-year-old girl who was ultimately treated with through-the-knee amputation. Radiological examination of the right leg revealed tibial hypoplasia and the right foot displayed 8 digits with corresponding metatarsals and tarsals, whereas the left leg revealed 2 extra digits on the medial aspect of the foot with corresponding metatarsal and tarsal bones. Anatomical dissection of the right foot revealed that it was divided into halves consisting of 8 toes with corresponding metatarsals and tarsals, as well as tibial hypoplasia and absence of the great toe. Diplopodia associated with tibial hypoplasia and syndactyly can be treated surgically, and the present case report details the clinical, radiological, and anatomical elements of this rare deformity.
Matched MeSH terms: Leg Length Inequality/etiology
We have studied residual limb length inequality following femoral shaft fractures in 62 children. From 61.2% of the children who had shortening of more than 1 cm at union, 34.21% still maintained the shortening at the completion of study. The longitudinal femoral overgrowth occurred significantly during the first 18 months of the fracture in 77.4% of the children, with an average of 1.17 cm. Children with proximal-third fractures and those who sustained the fractures before eight years of age have higher capability to correct the limb length disparity.
Matched MeSH terms: Leg Length Inequality/etiology*