Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction
Conditions and Treatments

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Conditions Treated

Congenital (Birth Defects)

Congenital shortening of an extremity
Streeter’s dysplasia (amniotic constriction bands /amniotic band syndrome)
Below elbow transverse limb deficiency
Tibial hemimelia
Fibular hemimelia:

One of the most common deficiencies of the long bones in children. Fibular hemimelia results in a foot that may have a decreased number of toes, a short limb, and a short or absent fibula. Other related issues and deficiencies can occur in the knee and even the hip. Femoral hemimelia rarely affects the remainder of the child and he or she is typically healthy and quite active. Standard treatment can include a reconstructive amputation which provides a highly functional outcome but requires prosthesis. Newer techniques allow for reconstructing the lower limb with similar function.
Proximal femoral focal deficiency (short femur):

Also referred to as congenital femoral deficiency, this is an uncommon limb deficiency of the femur bone resulting in a short leg and also changes around the hip and knee. Treatment options can include complex limb and joint reconstruction techniques. Typically the treatment begins at an early age and continues throughout childhood. Treatment requires a comprehensive approach and a long-term plan.

After Trauma / Injury

Lawnmower injuries
Traumatic amputations
Growth arrests or disturbances of an extremity due to injury or infection involving the growth plate

Developmental

Blount’s disease (severe bow-legs)
Arthritic conditions resulting in limb length inequality, deformity or joint stiffness
Congenital genu valgum (pathologic knock-knees)
Pseudarthrosis of the tibia

Oncologic

Malignancy or tumorous conditions affecting growth and development of an extremity including leg length inequality and limb deformities associated with vascular malformations and neurofibromatosis.

Treatments

The Latest Techniques, the Best Results

We use a variety of techniques to correct limb problems, many not involving surgery. If surgery is needed, we often use minimally-invasive techniques. Our experts offer a full spectrum of treatment techniques for limb lengthening and reconstruction, including:

Self-lengthening rods are intramedullary devices which lengthens the bone without requiring an external fixator or repetitive surgery.
Guided growth techniques are minimally invasive techniques allowing for correction of the lower extremity, including correction of angular deformities and limb length inequalities.
Complex external fixation is offered through a variety of fixation techniques including hexagonal fixators, multiaxial correction devices, Ilizarov fixators, and monolateral frames.
Image guided surgery is used in combination with minimally invasive surgery using an intraoperative 3D imaging device to help increase accuracy of surgical techniques as well as minimize the surgery.
Minimally invasive techniques are used to decrease standard surgery and increase rehabilitation.
Prosthetic conversion

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What to Expect