Purpose. Tibia hemimelia is a congenital disease characterized by partial or complete absence of the fibula, shortening and deformity of the limb, hypoplasia and deformity of the foot. There is controversial opinion that with a deficit of the fibula deficiency of the lateral part of foot should be found. Purpose of the study is to analyze x-ray changes of foot in children with hemimelia (aplasia) of the fibula.

Material and methods. We conducted retrospectively-prospective radiographically examination of 39 children (39 feet) with foot hypoplasia in congenital hemimemia of fibula type II according to the Achterman-Kalamchi classification. The mean age of the patients was 5,6 ± 1,0 years (from 4 to 9 years). X-ray data were compared with clinical changes of these patients.

Results. In all patients lateral metatarsal bone formed joint with cuboid bone or calcaneo-cuboid coalition. In 2 cases out of 39 patients varus deviation of foot was detected, which amounted to 5,1%, in other cases valgus deviation of segment was noted. The tarsal coalition was determined in 26 children (66,7% of all cases).

Conclusions. Presence of joint between lateral metatarsal and cuboid bones or calcaneo-cuboid coalition refutes theory in which hemimelia of the fibula necessarily leads to deficiency of lateral part of foot. In our opinion detection of valgus deviation of foot in most children was associated with aplasia of fibula and presence of fibular fibro-cartilaginous remnant. Determination of tarsal coalition in 2/3 of examined patients shows high frequency of this disorder in this patient group and should be taken into account in correction of foot deformity.