The award-winning team at Luskin Orthopedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC) creates personalized treatment plans for children with limb issues, aiming to help them overcome obstacles, build strength and coordination, and achieve new goals. We empower our children with congenital limb disorders to live life to the fullest by providing exceptional care and support from renowned doctors.
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Congenital limb deficiency or deformity is when part of, or all of, the upper or lower limb fails to develop normally before a baby is born. Sometimes, congenital limb deficiencies and deformities are inherited, or passed down, from parent to child. In some cases they can develop if babies are exposed to certain toxins — like drugs or alcohol — while they’re still growing in the womb. But most of the time, these issues develop for no apparent reason.
Unlike other congenital health conditions, congenital limb deficiency and deformity don’t usually have noticeable symptoms like pain. Instead, the main symptom of a congenital limb deficiency is the limb’s appearance.
Children with a limb deficiency or deformity might struggle with:
Congenital limb deficiency or deformity is when part of, or all of, the upper or lower limb fails to develop normally before a baby is born. Sometimes, congenital limb deficiencies and deformities are inherited, or passed down, from parent to child. In some cases they can develop if babies are exposed to certain toxins — like drugs or alcohol — while they’re still growing in the womb. But most of the time, these issues develop for no apparent reason.
Unlike other congenital health conditions, congenital limb deficiency and deformity don’t usually have noticeable symptoms like pain. Instead, the main symptom of a congenital limb deficiency is the limb’s appearance.
Children with a limb deficiency or deformity might struggle with:
Congenital limb deficiencies and deformities can sometimes be diagnosed during pregnancy, allowing expectant parents to plan for treatment after a child is born. Prenatal tests that can detect issues like this include:
Although some limb disorders are obvious before or at birth, there are times where a deficiency or deformity becomes visible or noticeable over a period of time after the child is born. If this happens, X-rays are taken to identify which bones have formed abnormally.
Treatment varies widely for congenital limb disorders, and the most common types of treatment include:
Limb deficiencies can be longitudinal and transverse:
Common types of congenital limb disorders include:
At LuskinOIC’s Orthopaedic Hemophilia Treatment Center (OHTC), we set the standard in treating hemophilia joint and limb issues. In 1970, OHTC was designated by the World Federation of Hemophilia as one of the first four International Hemophilia Training Centers.
We’ve consistently been pioneers for our patients: we were the first comprehensive care center on the West Coast, we performed the first successful hip replacement surgery in a patient with hemophilia, and through clinical trials we have been providing the newest treatments available.
In addition to treatment, we conduct groundbreaking research, provide innovative and personalized physical therapy, and offer genetic counseling for patients and their families.
Our expert doctors will determine the best approach to treatment and evaluate all options to reach the best outcome for your child.
LuskinOIC’s goal for treatment is to maximize the limb’s function so that your child can live as normally as possible. Sometimes, that means no treatment is needed at all. For instance, a missing small toe or a short pinky finger may not noticeably impact your child’s day-to-day functioning, so treatment might not be necessary.
But if treatment is needed, the team will work with you to develop the right plan based on on the type and severity of your child’s deficiency or deformity.
At LuskinOIC, our award-winning doctors and staff design tailored treatment approaches to help children with limb issues live and play like their peers. Our expert team is ready to work toward that goal for every child who comes through our doors.
Medical Professional's Help Line: (213) 741-8325
Fax Referrals: (213) 741-8338
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday
The Orthopaedic Research Center (ORC), located on the UCLA Westwood campus, was constructed in 2007. The five-story, 95,000-square-foot facility is another result of the cooperative effort with UCLA.
Kimberly Navarro Recognized Alongside 100 Volunteers for Reaching a “Milestone” Amount of Hours
The Orthopaedic Research Center (ORC), located on the UCLA Westwood campus, was constructed in 2007. The five-story, 95,000-square-foot facility is another result of the cooperative effort with UCLA.
Kimberly Navarro Recognized Alongside 100 Volunteers for Reaching a “Milestone” Amount of Hours
