Persistent fetal knee flexion + foot deformity but otherwise normal anatomy. Has anyone experienced this?
Hi everyone. I’m hoping to find anyone who has had a similar prenatal diagnosis because my husband and I haven’t been able to find much information.
I’m currently 29 weeks pregnant with our second child.
At our anatomy scan, they noticed an abnormal position of her right foot. Initially there was concern for clubfoot, but my MFM now thinks it may actually be talipes calcaneovalgus or another atypical foot deformity rather than a classic clubfoot.
The bigger concern is that over multiple ultrasounds, the right knee has remained bent the entire time. They have never seen baby extend the knee.
The confusing part is:
Moves hip normally.
Moves ankle normally.
Moves toes normally.
Long bones measure normal.
Spine, hips, hands, fingers, brain, heart, and the rest of the anatomy all look normal.
Growth is 74th percentile (3 lb 9 oz at 29w4d).
Amniotic fluid is normal (AFI 14.3).
They’ve told us that ultrasound can’t predict how well baby will use the leg after birth. We’re getting a second opinion with another MFM and meeting with pediatric orthopedics. They also want my husband to have genetic testing because there’s some family history of musculoskeletal differences.
Family history:
My husband has severe pectus excavatum and had an umbilical hernia at birth.
His father also has pectus excavatum, a bicuspid aortic valve, long wingspan, and significant arthritis.
Our older daughter has pectus excavatum, right hip dysplasia, and is very flexible.
There are a few relatives on my side with clubfoot.
My questions are:
Did anyone have a baby who never extended one knee on ultrasound?
Was there also a foot deformity?
What was the diagnosis after birth?
Did your child need casting, surgery, or physical therapy?
If genetics was involved, what diagnosis did you end up with?
How is your child doing now?
I’ve searched the medical literature and found information on congenital knee dislocation and arthrogryposis, but I haven’t found many cases where the only prenatal findings were a persistent unilateral flexed knee and a foot deformity with otherwise normal anatomy and growth.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar. Even if the diagnosis was different, I’d love to know how things turned out.