Limb Deformity Correction

"I went in to talk to Dr. V about my right foot - I have had pain and deformity of my 2nd toe for 8 years. I had 2 foot surgeries involving the 2nd toe...causing it to be much shorter. I learned that my previous surgeries didn't have the results they should have. Dr. V x-ray showed my foot so he could show me what he was talking about. While the news wasn't what I wanted to hear, he was thorough and honest - and he showed compassion - delivering this news to me."

TERRY | APR 22, 2023

Whether your limb deformity is congenital or is the result of disease or injury, Dr. Ryan Vazales, DPM, DABFAS, FACFAS has years of experience in correcting lower extremity problems. Dr. Vazales is a double board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and was fellowship trained at the Chicago Foot and Ankle Deformity Correction Center in Chicago, Illinois. Call Advanced Foot & Ankle of Virginia or schedule a limb deformity correction consultation online today.

What is a lower limb deformity?

Lower limb deformity is a condition that affects the appearance and function of the foot, ankle or lower leg. Limb deformities can be caused by trauma, injury, infection or a patient might be been born with a limb deformity. Limb deformity can involve just soft tissue or skin, and/or bone defects and often requires a complex treatment plan.  A lack of mobility or instability creates complications affecting patient function.

Five main types of lower limb deformity include:

• Soft tissue loss: loss of skin or tissue covering over deeper structures
• Angulation: a bend in the bone
• Rotation: a twist in the bone (torsion)
• Displacement: a shift in the bone after bone surgery or a fracture (translation)
• Limb length discrepancy: when one leg is longer than the other

While each of these types of deformities can exist on their own, it’s not unusual to see combinations of these types in the same limb. Most often, angulation and length discrepancy are seen together.

What conditions can cause a limb deformity?

There are two main types of limb deformity, soft tissue and bone. Some of the main causes of soft tissue defects are:

• Trauma
• Burns
• Infections
• Degloving injuries
• Scars / birth defects

Bone deformity can be the result of several conditions, such as:

• Clubfoot
• Unequal leg length
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Acute trauma / fracture
• Bone infection

Dr. Vazales uses a multidisciplinary approach to optimize treatment and correct the deformity restoring function in both children and adults.

How can a limb deformity be corrected?

While some limb deformities can be corrected or improved conservatively, corrective surgery is sometimes the best option. Depending on the type of deformity, the goal is to cover the soft tissue defect and stabilize the bone to improve function.

Surgery to correct limb deformity often involves a rotation flap to cover soft tissue and/or bone reconstruction, combined with the use of external fixation devices. The deformity is reconstructed for stability and improved function. The specialized use of some external fixation devices gradually lengthens or shortens bones while simultaneously correcting all elements of a bone deformity.

The type and severity of your deformity determines the treatments that are best for you. After a consultation, physical exam, and diagnostic studies, Dr. Vazales will discuss your personalized treatment plan.

Call Advanced Foot & Ankle of Virginia or book an appointment online to schedule a limb deformity correction consultation with Dr. Vazales today.