Limb Lengthening

Hospital for Special Surgery ranked #1 in US for orthopedics 14 years in a row by US News & World Report.

Our practice offers surgical treatments for the correction of upper and lower limb deformities, length discrepancies, and injuries in adults and children. We help individuals with orthopaedic problems due to trauma, birth defects, infections or bone tumors. Our surgeons use the best tools available today including Precice® motorized magnetic lengthening and compression nails, automated hexapod external fixation, osseointegration limb reconstruction, patient specific anatomic plating, and more. These tools are combined with our surgeons’ expert surgical techniques to achieve the optimal results patients desire.

We perform arm and leg lengthening, limb malalignment correction, repair of bone non-unions, and treat hip, knee and ankle arthritis with distraction, fusion, or replacement. Along with limb length discrepancy, we correct genu valgum, commonly known as knock knee, and genu varum, or bowleg. Our surgeons are experts at both limb salvage and amputation reconstruction. Whether patients are suffering from arthritis, genetic deformity, bone tumors, or the effects of a traumatic accident, the Limb Lengthening & Complex Reconstruction Service of Hospital for Special Surgery is ready to get them on the road to recovery and an improved quality of life.

Limb Lengthening Conditions We Treat

We treat many conditions and deformities, including the following:

Limb Length Surgeries

Osseointegration

Stature Lengthening

“…it has been 2 years since I had my surgery and I am virtually pain free. Thank you very much for all the care and amazing support, it has truly been life altering.”

Luiz

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, you did such an incredible job, along with your attentiveness to my concerns and needs, being available whenever I had a question.

Austin

Patient of Dr. Reif

“Two years ago, before I came to you, I could never have imagined being in the position I am in now. What you and your team have done for me is truly priceless.”

Jaqueline

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

I’m so proud that you are my physician, not only for your superb surgical skills, but also your charisma and compassion. You are honestly one of the most respectable and endearing persons in my life.

Jake

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I feel incredibly straighter and moving like I’ve never moved before. I’m running finally and trying to get stronger. … Thank you so much and I am so glad I got to do this with you! You’ve changed my life.”

Kavi

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

It was not the collagen that helped Zachary.
It was you.
And it was him.
And somewhere in that whole powerful mix of skin and bones and skill and science, there was the heart.
And the hope.
And the will.
And I believe, there will never be the “won’t” or “can’t.”
With deepest gratitude from,
Just a mother who loves her son

Aviva,

Mother of Patient, Zachary

“I’m in Sedona this week and have done 30+ miles of hikes and climbs with hundreds of feet of elevation. I couldn’t have done this 1-2 years ago. Thank you for helping get me to this place!”

Sara

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I know how much you love what you do. It is evident in the way that you have cared for Zachary. The way Zachary has improved under your care. Improved is certainly an understatement! You have performed miracles with him. And everyone around you has been part of the process.”

Zacharyt

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I think of you everyday and I am so thankful to you. Because of you, Mark’s life has been changed forever. Again thank you so much for all you have done.”

Susan

Wife of Dr. Rozbruch Patient

“I just did a 10mile walk in support of the jimmy fund. I was worried about using my legs for such a long distance. But they were completely fine, and they exceeded my expectations! I can’t believe I’m almost back to normal (90-95% there). Overall, I wish I did this 20 years ago. Thanks again.”

Nadia

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

Watch, Read, Learn

Watch interview with Dan, osseointegration patient.

Dan, a professional musician, describes his year long journey to better mobility through osseointegration with Dr. Rozbruch.

OsseointegrationPatient Story: Mary Koch

“It is amazing to be without a wheelchair. My day-to-day life is so much different. I even went to an amusement park with my family.”

Dr. Hoellwarth Patient with osteomyelitis

Dr. Hoellwarth describes how simply removing the hardware resolved this patient’s long term osteomyelitis with a draining wound.

Dr. Fragomen Presents at BLRS Conference

“My keynote talks at the British Limb Reconstruction Society Conference on non-union repair, rotation, knock knee, and bowlegs created lively discussions.”

Limb Lengthening team publishes second edition of their world renown Case Atlas featuring almost 500 clinical cases:

We are on Instagram – #hsslimblengthening

Elizabeth was ready for #limblengthening to correct a growth arrest which left the right femur short. You can see in video what a big difference this makes leveling the pelvis, and preventing back pain! And how cute is her daughter who was along for the journey!
#hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening #precicenail #height

23 0

Open

Every Monday 6:45 am , I meet with the fellows and other team members to review the upcoming week’s surgeries. It’s educational and practical. Today was the last conference with Dr. Caleb Gottlich and Dr. Evelyn Murphy as the year is coming to a close. A bittersweet time when I say goodbye to this year’s pair and welcome the next year pair of fellows. It has been a great year and I want to thank Evelyn and Caleb for their great work! It has been my pleasure and privilege to have worked with and educated them. No doubt, they will have brilliant careers in their future. All my best! #hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limblengtheningreconstruction #orthopedicfellowship

252 10

Open

This patient has a large #bowleg #bowlegged malalignment 18° varus stemming from both femur and tibia. Plan is a closing wedge osteotomy of the femur and an opening wedge osteotomy of the tibia. This was completed in two hours. See clips of the live surgery and fluoro shots. Neutral alignment was achieved. @hspecialsurgery @limblengtheningreconstruction #hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening

540 16

Open

Meet Gracelynn from Louisiana who is age 6 and just 3 weeks post #extramedullary #precicenail #hsslimblengthening #hssllcrs #hsskids @limblengtheningreconstruction @hspecialsurgery

234 13

Open

This is an #osseointegration patient that I shared with Dr Rozbruch @limblengthening . She identifies that the benefit of improved mobility and quality of life has been remarkable!
.
.
.
#all4ortho #hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening @hspecialsurgery

12 0

Open

Just returned from #LLRS annual meeting in Montreal, and it was fantastic! Our group from #hssllcrs @hspecialsurgery presented 6 podium presentations. We were very active presenting and moderating academic sessions. Great to see colleagues, previous fellows, and friends. I was very proud of my fellow from 2013 Mitch Bernstein who was the LLRS President and ran an awesome conference @limblengtheningreconstruction #hsslimblengthening @reifmd @all4ortho #llrs2026

117 4

Open

“…it has been 2 years since I had my surgery and I am virtually pain free. Thank you very much for all the care and amazing support, it has truly been life altering.”

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, you did such an incredible job, along with your attentiveness to my concerns and needs, being available whenever I had a question.

“Two years ago, before I came to you, I could never have imagined being in the position I am in now. What you and your team have done for me is truly priceless.”

I’m so proud that you are my physician, not only for your superb surgical skills, but also your charisma and compassion. You are honestly one of the most respectable and endearing persons in my life.

“I feel incredibly straighter and moving like I’ve never moved before. I’m running finally and trying to get stronger. … Thank you so much and I am so glad I got to do this with you! You’ve changed my life.”

It was not the collagen that helped Zachary.
It was you.
And it was him.

And somewhere in that whole powerful mix of skin and bones and skill and science, there was the heart.
And the hope.
And the will.
And I believe, there will never be the “won’t” or “can’t.”

With deepest gratitude from,

Just a mother who loves her son

“I’m in Sedona this week and have done 30+ miles of hikes and climbs with hundreds of feet of elevation. I couldn’t have done this 1-2 years ago. Thank you for helping get me to this place!”

“I know how much you love what you do. It is evident in the way that you have cared for Zachary. The way Zachary has improved under your care. Improved is certainly an understatement! You have performed miracles with him. And everyone around you has been part of the process.”

“I think of you everyday and I am so thankful to you. Because of you, Mark’s life has been changed forever. Again thank you so much for all you have done.”

Limb Lengthening Conditions We Treat

“…it has been 2 years since I had my surgery and I am virtually pain free. Thank you very much for all the care and amazing support, it has truly been life altering.”

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, you did such an incredible job, along with your attentiveness to my concerns and needs, being available whenever I had a question.

“Two years ago, before I came to you, I could never have imagined being in the position I am in now. What you and your team have done for me is truly priceless.”

I’m so proud that you are my physician, not only for your superb surgical skills, but also your charisma and compassion. You are honestly one of the most respectable and endearing persons in my life.

“I feel incredibly straighter and moving like I’ve never moved before. I’m running finally and trying to get stronger. … Thank you so much and I am so glad I got to do this with you! You’ve changed my life.”

It was not the collagen that helped Zachary.It was you.And it was him.

And somewhere in that whole powerful mix of skin and bones and skill and science, there was the heart.And the hope.And the will.And I believe, there will never be the “won’t” or “can’t.”

With deepest gratitude from,

Just a mother who loves her son

“I’m in Sedona this week and have done 30+ miles of hikes and climbs with hundreds of feet of elevation. I couldn’t have done this 1-2 years ago. Thank you for helping get me to this place!”

“I know how much you love what you do. It is evident in the way that you have cared for Zachary. The way Zachary has improved under your care. Improved is certainly an understatement! You have performed miracles with him. And everyone around you has been part of the process.”

“I think of you everyday and I am so thankful to you. Because of you, Mark’s life has been changed forever. Again thank you so much for all you have done.”

Watch, Read, Learn

Watch interview with Dan, osseointegration patient.

OsseointegrationPatient Story: Mary Koch

Dr. Hoellwarth Patient with osteomyelitis

Dr. Fragomen Presents at BLRS Conference

It was not the collagen that helped Zachary.
It was you.
And it was him.

And somewhere in that whole powerful mix of skin and bones and skill and science, there was the heart.
And the hope.
And the will.
And I believe, there will never be the “won’t” or “can’t.”