Congenital deficiency of the femur.

A classification system for congenital deficiency of the femur is introduced, based on initial radiographic appearance of the hip joint in 60 patients (70 affected limbs). Follow-up records ranging from 1 to 30 years demonstrated a relatively constant percentage of shortening in each patient with further growth (2.4% average change). Treatment programs have been established for each of the following groups: I, short femur with good hip joint (19 limbs); II, short femur and coxa vara (17 limbs); III, short femur with proximal deficiency, a well-developed hip joint, and broad angulated and sclerosed diaphysis (15 limbs); IV, dysplastic distal femoral segment with no hip joint (16 limbs); and V, total absence of the femur (3 limbs).