Limb lengthening and complex reconstruction of bone materials is not only possible but has been performed successfully for about 50 years, starting in Kurgan, Russia. Limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques can be used to replace missing bone and lengthen and/ or straighten deformed bone segments. The procedures may be performed on both children and adults who have limb length discrepancies or deformities such as bowlegs or knock knees, due to birth defects, diseases or injuries. The limb lengthening and limb deformity correction process works on the principle of distraction. This revolutionary concept 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 percent of their original length.

In Kurgan, Russia in 1951, Dr. Gavriil A. Ilizarov developed the concept of limb lengthening after seeing many WWII veterans with unhealed (non-union) leg fractures. Knowing that compression of the fracture would help stimulate bone healing, Ilizarov built an external fixation frame that had this capacity. He instructed a patient to gradually compress the non-union by turning a rod. However, the patient turned the rod the wrong way and caused distraction or separation of the fracture. Ilizarov noticed that new bone had formed in the gap between the bone ends. This was the beginning of much research and development demonstrating that limb lengthening was possible, safe and effective.

Ilizarov and his colleagues performed thousands of limb lengthening procedures in Russia. Russian politics, however, made education and communication with the Western world very difficult. Finally, Italian surgeons started performing and improving the procedure in the early 1980s and a large center soon developed in Lecco, Italy. The first limb lengthening case in the United States was performed in 1988. At first, there was much resistance and skepticism within the U.S. orthopaedic community. Today, however, limb lengthening has proven to be a very powerful and effective procedure.

The first external fixation frame designed by Ilizarov was the forerunner of today’s Taylor Spatial Frame and the limb lengthening surgery practiced here at the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service. We employ a variety of techniques, including the use of monolateral (one-sided) and circular external fixation devices, to correct angular deformities and limb length discrepancies, including achondroplasia (dwarfism). We are pleased to also now offer internal lengthening devices such as the Precice® Intramedullary Nail. With these procedures, we provide opportunities for individuals who previously had no treatment alternatives.

The regenerated bone is normal and does not wear out. The muscles, nerves and blood vessels grow in response to the slow stretch like they do during a growth spurt or in pregnancy. The actual procedure is minimally invasive and requires only one or two nights in the hospital. Patients aren’t in much pain since the distraction is so gradual and patients can continue to walk during the treatment.

Both children and adults can be appropriate candidates for the procedure. Children with congenital deformities such as fibular hemimelia, congenital short femur and hemiatrophy will often have unequal leg length which may be associated with deformity. Many adults have had this condition since childhood and have developed back pain and hip arthritis from the leg length discrepancy. Growth plate fractures and bone infections in children can cause stunting of growth that results in discrepancy following trauma causing bones to heal in a shortened and deformed position (mal-union). Sometimes the bone even remains unhealed (non-union). A segment of bone can be missing after a bone tumor, bone infection or severe fracture. We can transport new bone to fill in this defect. We also treat bow leg (genu varum) and knock knee (genu valgum) malunions. Young adult patients with leg deformities are at risk for developing arthritis as a result of malalignment. These same techniques can be used to correct severe deformities safely and avert the need for joint replacement later in life. Birth defects, traumatic injuries, infections, tumors – our limb lengthening procedures address all of these issues.

We have been able to successfully correct large deformities and equalize limbs with discrepancies of several inches. Short stature can be very disabling in patients with dwarfism or other growth arrest issues. We can lengthen both legs simultaneously to increase stature. We have been able to lengthen achondroplastic dwarf patients 12 inches in the legs and five inches in the arms. This allows them to function more independently – to be able to reach the telephone, toilet and gas pedal, for example.