Limb Lengthening

Limb Lengthening

Lengthening over an intramedullary nail (LON) emerged to allow early fixator removal and a more comfortable consolidation period without jeopardizing the integrity of the regenerate.

Leg Lengthening Surgery Procedure details: The technique of LON can be adopted in most patients, with some modifications. The medullary canal to be reamed over an olive-tipped guidewire until a diameter 2 mm larger than that of the intended IM nail. Insertion of the IM nail is required with two proximal locking screws applied, and the distal locking screws omission, to be done in the second operation when the patient reached the desired length. With the IM nail in place, an external fixator can be applied for lengthening.

All external fixator pins or wires are inserted without coming in contact with the intramedullary nail. There has to be approximately one millimeter or more of space between the external fixation pin and the nail.

The procedure is usually performed on both legs at the same time. The maximum possible leg lengthening surgery is 7-10 cm in leg bones. Same in the thigh bones if a person wants more height gain

Under the care of highly skilled physicians and expertly-trained surgeons within Polaris Hospital, patients with acute injuries or disabling conditions of the extremities benefit from the most advanced techniques. The surgeons are recognized as leaders in the fields of non-healing fractures, deformities, infections, and bones shortened or misshapen following injury.

It doesn’t end there, however. Comprehensive reconstruction and trauma care at Polaris Hospital, Gurgaon includes access to a multi-therapy, fully-licensed rehabilitation department.

What are the possible complications?

One of the most successful methods for treating reconstruction and trauma to the extremities is the Ilizarov Technique, a method that utilizes circular external fixators to stabilize bony segments.

A series of rings are attached to connectors; tension wires and pins are affixed to the bone as well as the external rings. This stabilizes the entire bone, but moving the external rings allows for the precise movement of bone segments throughout the healing process. Orthopedic surgeons can compress, distract or lengthen portions of bone during the course of treatment.

The Ilizarov technique is used for the treatment of complex problems, including:

  • Severe and complex acute fractures
  • Fracture nonunion (failure to heal)
  • Infected nonunions
  • Segmental defects (large areas of missing bone)
  • Chronic bone infections
  • Deformities
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