Congenital abnormalities of the femur.

Congenital defects of the femur vary from simple hypoplasia of the bone to complete absence. Classification of these defects has been suggested by Nilsonne (1928) and by Mouchet and Ibos (1928), but neither has met with general acceptance. In more recent years Golding (1939, 1948) has demonstrated the close association of the short femur with congenital coxa vara, and has emphasized that these are variations of the same underlying abnormality. The clinical distinction between the various types of femoral defect is important as a guide to the prognosis of limb development. From an examination of patients with congenital abnormalities of the femur the following classification is suggested: