Limb Lengthening

Limb Lengthening Service of the Hospital for Special Surgery

Limb Lengthening

Our surgeons offer surgical treatments for the correction of upper and lower limb deformities, discrepancies, and injuries in adults and children. We help individuals with orthopaedic issues due to trauma, birth defects, infections or bone tumors. Our aim is to use the best tools available today — from hexapod external fixation to internal limb lengthening devices, such as the Precice® motorized magnetic nail and the newest technology, the STRYDE® weight bearing lengthening nail. These tools are combined with our surgeons' expert surgical techniques to achieve results many patients have only dreamed of.

We perform arm and leg lengthening, limb malalignment correction, repair bone nonunions, and treat 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. We are experts at limb salvage and amputation reconstruction. Whether patients are suffering from arthritis, genetic deformity, bone tumor, or the after 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.

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Preparing for Surgery

We recommend that you maintain a healthy diet and healthy weight (BMI less than 30). There are no specific leg strengthening exercises that you need to do with physical therapy prior to the surgery. We will not perform the surgery on anyone who is actively smoking or using nicotine products due to nicotine severely impacting wound and bone healing. If you use nicotine products during your limb lengthening process, it can delay healing and lead to adverse outcomes. Dr. Mehta will take a full history during your consultation to rule out any comorbidities that may exclude you from surgery including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, or any metabolic bone disease. Based on your past medical history, we may recommend that you have blood work and an electrocardiogram preoperatively. If needed, those could be performed that same day at our clinic.

Surgery would be performed at Deep Sai Hospital (located across the street from our clinic) at 51 N. 39th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104. The actual procedure takes approximately 5 hours, which includes getting prepared for surgery by anesthesia through the recovery period in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. You can expect to stay in the hospital for 2 nights after the procedure. During this stay, we will make sure your pain is controlled and that you are able to ambulate safely.

You will be able to bear weight on both of your legs immediately after surgery, but you may require the use of crutches or a walker for stability. The lengthening device that will be used can withstand 250lbs immediately after surgery, allowing you to bear weight right away. A physical therapist will work with you while you are in the hospital to help you walk with these devises.

Got Any Question?
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+91 82228 12347
deepsai@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions

Making plans before the surgery will help you be prepared when your child comes home from the hospital. Some things to consider:

  • Plan for your child to be in the hospital for about 1–2 days after surgery. While your child is in the hospital, you'll learn about home care. You will also learn how to use the remote control for the limb lengthening device.
  • For the first few weeks, your child will need help getting dressed, going to the bathroom, and bathing.
  • Your child will need help doing stretching and strengthening exercises. These are a very important part of healing. You, or another trusted adult, will need to be there to help your child.
  • Arrange for your child to be home from school for about 6 weeks. Talk to the school staff so that work can continue while your child is at home. The school might may be able to provide a home tutor.
  • Plan who will take your child to the follow-up visits with the surgery team and to physical therapy.
  • Not being able to put weight on one leg for months can be stressful for your child and for you. Using crutches or a walker gets tiring. If you can, arrange for another trusted adult to stay with your child so you can get a little time for yourself. And arrange for your child to visit with friends or go for safe outings with a trusted adult, maybe using a wheelchair.
Your child needs your help after surgery. They should not put any weight on the newly lengthened limb for several months. Following the orthopedic care team's instructions will help your child get the best result.
To get the best result, your child will need your help in the months after surgery. Keep a positive attitude that lets your child know that you can do it together. After the process is complete, most families say that the surgery was well worth the effort.