Limb lengthening and complex reconstruction of bone materials are today performed successfully by surgical intervention. Limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques are used to replace missing bone and lengthen and/ or straighten deformed bone segments.

Indications of Surgery:

The procedure is performed on both children and adults who have limb length discrepancies due to birth defects, diseases or injuries. The limb lengthening and deformity correction process works on the principle of distraction. T

This is a revolutionary concept that reverses the long-held belief that bone cannot be regenerated. In this process, a bone that has been cut during surgery can be gradually distracted (pulled apart), leading to new bone formation, or osteogenesis, at the site of the lengthening. In this way, bone segments can be lengthened by 15% to 100% of their original length.

Limb lengthening surgeries successfully offer appropriate posture, gait and quality of life for patients born with limb length defects.

Technique:

The surgery for each limb takes approximately 2 hours. This does not include pre-operation and post-operative anaesthesia time, which can take an additional 20 to 40 minutes.

Few surgeries can be performed as an outpatient procedure with a day stay at the hospital. Some patients may require 4-5 days in the hospital, depending on their level of pain and mobility after their procedure. The day after surgery, patients are encouraged to start walking and putting their full weight on their legs with the support of crutches or a walker.

Both parts of the legs – the thighs containing the femur bone and the shins containing the tibia and fibula bones can be lengthened.