The Division of Orthopaedics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has been among the primary investigators using the Orthofix device for limb lengthening for callostasis, i.e., corticotomy followed by regenerate bone and callous formation.
Leg lengthening and deformity correction have met with renewed interest and improved success in the past two decades. Particular techniques of distraction osteogenesis are now standards for limb reconstruction. However, the invasiveness of the procedures and months of treatment time lead to high risk of infections, significant rehabilitation time and many clinic visits and X-ray exposures. Therefore, the goals for our new research in bone lengthening and reconstruction include determining how changes in surgical treatment processes may increase the rate at which new bone forms and matures. Changes in treatment protocol may then be expected to significantly decrease treatment time.