HEMIMELIA: MYSTERY UNRAVELLED

Hemimelia (Greek Hemi + melos i.e Half limb) is a developmental anomaly characterized by the absence or gross shortening of lower portion of one or more of the limbs. The condition may involve either or both bones of distal arm or leg. It is designated according to which bone is absent or defective as fibular, radial, tibial or ulnar hemimelia. In this study, I have analysed the details of a series of case reports, comprising of tibial (rarest form) and fibular (commonest form) hemimelia. The cases have been managed by physical medicine experts. The subjects are managing their ADL (Activities of daily living) by means of orthoprosthesis provided to them. Though the exact etiology is unknown, probable causes are- disruptions during the critical period of embryonic limb development (i.e 4th to 7th week of IUL), vascular dysgenesis, viral infections ,trauma and environmental influences ( like smoking) and thalidomide embryopathy etc. For optimum functional result in hemimelia patients our target is ? “Reconstructive surgery and prosthesis adapted to growth together with regular post operative follow up and rehabilitation.”