Sirenomelia is a rare, genetic, developmental defect during embryogenesis disorder characterized by fusion of the lower limbs and associated with some degree of lower extremity reduction and persistent vitelline artery. Patients also present severe malformations of the musculoskeletal system (e.g. sacral agenesis), as well as the urogenital and lower gastrointestinal tracts (e.g. renal agenesis, absent bladder, rectal/anal atresia, and absent internal genitalia). Most cases are stillborn, or die during, or shortly after, birth.

A flexion contracture is a bent (flexed) joint that cannot be straightened actively or passively. It is thus a chronic loss of joint motion due to structural changes in muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin that prevents normal movement of joints.