1. Nineteen patients with congenital shortening of the femur without associated coxa vara have been examined and discussed. 2. The diagnosis is made on finding a short, bulky thigh, held in lateral rotation. The radiographs commonly show no abnormality apart from shortening, but delay in ossification of the head of the femur, with lateral bowing and cortical sclerosis of the shaft, are occasionally present. The overall shortening of the limb seldom exceeds three inches. 3. The place of various surgical procedures to control limb length is briefly discussed.