8yr old lacking Quadiceps

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Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone has ever had a child patient, lacking Quadriceps on the right leg and thus the right leg is stunted in growth and thus shorter.

This patient is 8 years old and the parents only noticed this 1 year ago when he was swimming and thus the difference in the size of the upper legs was noticed.
On examination there is a large leg length difference and it appears that the Right femur and tibia are definitely shorter on the right than left. A Paediatrian diagnosed that there was problem with the femoral nerve, and thus there was no stimulation for the quads to grow and the bones? He has normal sensation in the lower leg and foot.

I would really appreciate any advice or hearing of any experiences anyone else has had with a similar case.

Thank you for your time.

Kind Regards

BrisPod

 

I've had a few with LLD however there is usually genetics involved. Have they seen an orthopod and looking to leg lengthening? It's about the age to start so if they haven't gone down that path, it might be worth a suggestion to look at growth stimulation. It's not nice surgery though.

 

Hi Cylie,

Thank you for your advice. Is there such a thing as growth stimulation, do orthopaedic Surgeons in Australia do this?

Thanks again for your help

BrisPod

 

It isn't an area that I am familiar with however a quick google of the ortho that heads up the limb lengthing procedures at the hospital we're affiliated with has published and looks like they are doing work with growth stimulation however it appears to be small bones rather than long bones.

What are the parents keen to do and more importantly, what do the child think about it all?
Unfortunately, unless you have a good relationship with either the family or the surgeon, you probably won't see them again as they will deal with the orthotists at the RCH following the surgery for shoe build ups etc. Good luck!