“At my 17‑week appointment, the doctor noticed that she was missing her leg,” said Beverly, Karita’s mom. It wasn’t until Karita was born that they discovered she had proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD).
PFFD is a rare and complex birth defect in which the upper part of the femur is either malformed or missing, resulting in one leg being shorter than the other. This difference can affect a child’s ability to walk and put stress on other bones and joints as the body tries to compensate. In Karita’s case, she was born without her right femur.
“PFFD is extremely rare in my home country of Kenya,” Beverly said. “Even an orthopedic specialist with 20 years of experience had never seen a case of PFFD.”
With only about one in every 200,000 children diagnosed with PFFD, treatment is highly individualized, as cases vary greatly in severity. After seeking multiple medical opinions, Karita’s family found the specialized care she needed at Shriners Children’s Greenville. In 2025 alone, Shriners Children’s Greenville staff provided care for children from 43 states and 46 countries, specializing in more than 85 pediatric orthopedic conditions, including PFFD.
Greenville’s on‑site motion analysis center (MAC) medical team was able to evaluate Karita’s movement and recommend the best treatment plan to help her thrive. After reviewing the options, Beverly made the difficult decision to amputate Karita's right leg.
Before coming to Shriners Children’s, Karita couldn’t walk.
After the amputation, Karita began working with the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) department. She was fitted with a custom prosthetic designed to provide comfort, support and the opportunity to experience life like any other child.
“I was so worried before she received her prosthetic – would she love it, or would she reject it?” Beverly said. “But the POPS and physical therapy teams made it fun for her, helping her embrace her new prosthetic in ways I didn’t expect.”
Today, Karita not only loves her prosthetic, but also walks confidently on her own.
“Shriners Children’s Greenville is the best place for specialized orthopedic care. We have had the most incredible experience,” Beverly said. “Thank you to the staff of Shriners Children's for being so selfless. As parents, we cannot fully express what your care means to us.”
Karita explores the welcoming, kid‑friendly spaces at Shriners Children’s Greenville.
Karita rests after surgery with her Build‑A‑Bear buddy by her side.
Karita beams with pride as she stands tall and walks confidently while wearing her new prosthetic.
