What is limb lengthening?
Limb lengthening consists of treating problems with the length of the upper and lower limbs. This treatment seeks to avoid later sequelae such as osteoarthritis or other diseases. With the procedures it is possible to:
- Lengthen a short leg
- Limit the growth of one leg so that the other can grow to the same length.
Why is it performed?
This procedure is performed when the specialist considers that a person has a difference in the length of the limbs that will cause other pathologies. It is usually performed in children whose bones are already growing or in people of short stature. In addition, shortening may also be recommended for children whose bones are not growing. In addition, there are pathologies that may present unequal leg lengths, such as:
- Poliomyelitis
- Cerebral palsy
- Small or short muscles
- Hip pathologies
- Bone injuries or fractures
- Congenital defects of bones, joints, muscles, etc.
The treatment is carried out by means of surgical procedures.
What does it consist of?
The treatment is carried out by surgical procedures, there is a long recovery period and the risk is high. On the positive side, up to 15 centimeters of leg length can be lengthened. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so the person will not feel anything during the surgery. The procedure is divided into:
- Cutting the bone to be lengthened.
- Placing metal screws through the skin and into the bone.
- Attaching a metal device to the pins of the bone, which will be used to keep the bone that has been cut during the following months. This creates a space between the ends of the bone that will be filled with new bone.
Preparing for limb lengthening
The traumatology specialist will instruct the patient and his or her family on the steps to be taken prior to limb lengthening surgery. The physician may instruct the patient to stop taking certain medications, if any, and will also discuss the risks and complications that may occur during the operation.
Aftercare after surgery
After surgery, the patient may spend up to a week in the hospital. In some cases, a cast or splint may be applied for 3 to 4 weeks. Treatment begins to take hold after 8 to 12 weeks, when the patient can return to routine activities. After limb shortening, it is common for children to feel muscle weakness, so muscle strengthening exercises begin after surgery. In addition, they use crutches in the following weeks and the metal rod is removed at one year.
Alternatives to this treatment
This procedure is effective when treated at the appropriate growth period. Alternative treatments are also available:
- Circumferential periosteal release consists of growth stimulation.
- Epiphysiodesis is a surgical procedure that consists of slowing growth.
- Transiliac lengthening is a procedure that corrects between 2 and 3 cm with a less intense postoperative period than traditional surgery.
- Femoral and tibial shortening is a simpler procedure with a lower complication rate.