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Pseudarthrosis of the tibia
- The Portland Hospital is the only private hospital in the UK dedicated to treating children
- 40,000+ babies, children and young people cared for every year
- The first private hospital to install a low radiation X-ray scanner
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PSEUDARTHROSIS OF THE TIBIA AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we’re No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care. We offer fast access to the latest diagnostic and imaging technology to ensure your child’s condition is rapidly diagnosed. Our experts include some of the UK’s leading paediatric orthopaedic consultants and surgeons, who are experienced in working with children of all ages with complex conditions.
If your child needs surgery, it’ll be carried out at The Portland Hospital in our state-of-the-art facilities that have been purpose-built for our young patients. Our team is committed to giving your child dedicated, wrap-around care at every stage of their treatment with us.
Pseudarthrosis means ‘false joint’ and is a rare condition in which the tibia (the long bone in the lower leg) fractures and fails to heal properly. In rare cases, other bones can be affected. This type of fracture usually happens spontaneously and is referred to as a false joint because the unhealed bone moves like a joint.
A baby or child may show signs of pseudarthrosis a few days after birth, or up to the age of two. If mild, it may present at an older age. Pseudarthrosis of the tibia is often, but not always, associated with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition where non-cancerous tumours grow in the nervous system.
A baby or child may show signs of pseudarthrosis a few days after birth, or up to the age of two. If mild, it may present at an older age. Pseudarthrosis of the tibia is often, but not always, associated with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition where non-cancerous tumours grow in the nervous system.
Babies and children with this condition tend to have an unnaturally bowed leg, which curves towards the front and is often shorter than their other leg. Other common symptoms include persistent pain and lack of mobility. Some children also experience clicking joints, swelling and redness in the affected leg.
If your child has any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to book them in to see one of our specialists.
If your child has any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to book them in to see one of our specialists.
There are a variety of treatment methods for this condition. At a young age, it may be appropriate for your child to be fitted with a brace. In some cases, this is all that will be required. For more severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
At HCA UK, we can provide surgery to treat congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia and mend the unhealed fracture. This allows us to correct any discrepancy in leg length and maintain leg alignment as your child grows.
It may be better to wait until a slightly older age before performing the first surgery to try and increase the chances of healing. Repeat surgery is often required to ensure healing and correct any leg length discrepancy. This is a very difficult condition to treat and sometimes multiple surgeries are needed before successful healing of the pseudarthrosis is achieved.
At HCA UK, we can provide surgery to treat congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia and mend the unhealed fracture. This allows us to correct any discrepancy in leg length and maintain leg alignment as your child grows.
It may be better to wait until a slightly older age before performing the first surgery to try and increase the chances of healing. Repeat surgery is often required to ensure healing and correct any leg length discrepancy. This is a very difficult condition to treat and sometimes multiple surgeries are needed before successful healing of the pseudarthrosis is achieved.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
40,000+
babies, children and young people cared for every year
20+
paediatric orthopaedic consultants
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Putting your child's needs first
Our complete breadth of expertise focused on your child
Worried about the appearance of your child’s leg?
Get in touch and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you already have a referral letter for your child, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book a test or treatment directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
We’re happy to help. Just book in and one of our consultants will talk you through everything you need to know.
ORTHOPAEDIC TESTS & SCANS FOR CHILDREN AT HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities at The Portland Hospital, which are purpose-built for our young patients. Your child will have access to the latest tests and scans, including the EOSedge, a low-dose X-ray scanner for limb alignment and leg length assessment.
We understand how worrying waiting for results can be, especially when it’s for your child, so we deliver test and scan results in as little as 48 hours.
The scans and tests we offer, include:
- Blood tests
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- EOSedge (low-dose X-ray)
- Ultrasound
TREATING PSEUDARTHROSIS OF THE TIBIA IN CHILDREN AT HCA UK
Expert care for your child
We have dedicated facilities for diagnosing and treating babies and children at The Portland Hospital. Our team of surgeons, specialist nurses and physiotherapists offer comprehensive care for children with pseudarthrosis of the tibia.
We offer the following treatments:
We offer the following treatments:
- Leg bracing
- Surgery
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Pseudarthrosis of the tibia FAQs
If your child needs surgery, the procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, so they’ll be asleep and not feel any pain or discomfort.
There are two surgical options. In the first, our surgeons remove the curved and fractured part of the bone and replace it with a healthy portion of bone (this is called a bone graft). This is usually taken from the smaller lower leg bone (fibula) in the opposite leg.
In the second option, a metal rod is inserted into the bone and a bone graft is taken from the opposite leg to stabilise the rod. Further fixation with plates and screws may be required and sometimes a circular frame (an external fixator) may be used to try and improve any existing leg length discrepancy.
There are two surgical options. In the first, our surgeons remove the curved and fractured part of the bone and replace it with a healthy portion of bone (this is called a bone graft). This is usually taken from the smaller lower leg bone (fibula) in the opposite leg.
In the second option, a metal rod is inserted into the bone and a bone graft is taken from the opposite leg to stabilise the rod. Further fixation with plates and screws may be required and sometimes a circular frame (an external fixator) may be used to try and improve any existing leg length discrepancy.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and will be happy to answer any questions you might have. In the week before surgery, it’s important that you tell us if your child has recently had a cold or a sore throat, as surgery may need to be postponed. This is to reduce the risk of complications and ensure your child’s safety.
As your child will be given general anaesthetic for the procedure, you may need to ensure that they fast for several hours before the operation. Our team will tell you when they should stop eating and drinking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
As your child will be given general anaesthetic for the procedure, you may need to ensure that they fast for several hours before the operation. Our team will tell you when they should stop eating and drinking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Your consultant will see you and your child two weeks after surgery to check on their progress. Regular check-ups will follow to assess the leg and your child may need to wear a leg brace or have further surgery to strengthen their leg.
Following corrective surgery, your child may need to wear a leg brace. This may be for months or years following the surgery, depending on the severity of their condition. Your consultant will keep you updated throughout the treatment process.
Following corrective surgery, your child may need to wear a leg brace. This may be for months or years following the surgery, depending on the severity of their condition. Your consultant will keep you updated throughout the treatment process.
“Mr Stephen Ng Man Sun has operated on my son three times and has been incredibly professional and supportive each time. It has made a worrying and unpleasant experience much easier.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.