The knee in congenital femoral deficiency and its implication in limb lengthening: a systematic review

Congenital femoral deficiency (CFD) is a rare disorder with several limb anomalies including limb shortening and knee cruciate ligament dysplasia. Limb lengthening is usually performed to correct lower limb discrepancy. However, complications, such as knee subluxation/dislocation, can occur during this treatment. Here, we explore CFD knee abnormalities and knee dislocation during limb elongation, discussing when and whether knee ligament reconstruction prior to the lengthening would be necessary to reduce the risk of knee dislocation. There is not enough support in the literature for the routine reconstruction of cruciate ligaments in CFD patients. Of note, in cases of severe anteroposterior or posterolateral rotatory instability, cruciate ligament reconstruction might be considered to decrease the risk of knee subluxation/dislocation during the lengthening treatment. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:565-571. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200075