Aicha

“Aicha , 5yr girl from Algeria travelled to India in June2022 with her parents in the hope of getting treatment for her mysteriously rare leg & foot condition for which she had been advised amputation in many countries.

On detailed physical examination she was diagnosed to have an extremely rare condition:- "Congenital Tibial Hemimelia (Paley Type 5C) with double fibulae with Popliteal Pterygium with absent knee joint, quadriceps muscle, patella & knee ligaments with hyperflexed knee with Severe ankle equinus and Central Mirror foot (diplopodia)". After thorough relevant tests and radiological evaluation she was taken for an extremely rare procedure to reconstruct her knee so as to straighten her knee and give her a chance to walk on her legs.

She underwent "SUPERKNEE procedure to straighten her knee, reconstruct her quadriceps tendon, meniscus and knee ligaments and gradual distraction using computerised six axis external Fixator correction across the knee.

Postoperatively she was put on extensive Physiotherapy to help her regain her muscle strength. With gradual distraction we got her knee completely straightened with near normalisation of her knee anatomy. For the first time in her life the legs were placed under the femur bone. The reconstructed knee helped her walk for the first time ever.

She started walking independently on her feet for the first time in her life after the fixator was removed . It was certainly a life-changing procedure and she demonstrated immense determination to overcome the obstacles which came along.

It was an immensely satisfying team effort at Manipal Hospital to plan and execute the complex surgery and help the child and her parents fulfill their dreams of having a normal looking leg and stand independently.” From Young Bones Clinic