Surgical Treatment of Leg Length Discrepancy and Knee Flexion Contracture Associated with a Congenital Absence of Quadriceps

Abstract

We report the case of an 18-year-old male with congenital absence of quadriceps and hypoplasia of the patella who presented with a significant leg length discrepancy (LLD) and knee flexion contracture. Surgical management was aimed toward lengthening the limb, stabilizing the joint, and correcting the knee flexion contracture. Correction of a significant congenital LLD and knee flexion contracture poses challenges due to long-standing altered biomechanics. These are rare conditions for which no accepted surgical algorithms exist. It is essential to anticipate the biomechanical consequences of limb lengthening and flexion contracture correction that might arise and plan comprehensive interventions accordingly.

Keywords

• growth disturbances/limb length inequalities
• ilizarov
• taylor spatial frame
• absence of quadriceps
• knee contracture