The most common bones treated with lengthening procedures are the bones of the leg, the tibia and the femur.
Surgical treatment may be recommended for severe unequal leg lengths caused by:
While the child is deep asleep and pain-free (using general anesthesia), the surgeons carefully study the blood vessels and blood supply to the bone. An incision is made in the bone to be lengthened; usually the lower leg bone (tibia) or upper leg bone (femur). Metal pins or screws are inserted into and through the skin and bone above and below the bone incision and the skin incision is stitched closed. A metal device (such as an Ilizarov device) is attached to the screws in the bone and will be used later to gradually "crank" the cut bone apart, creating a space between the ends of the cut bone, which heals to form new bone. The lengthening device is used very gradually, lengthening the bone in extremely small steps, usually over the course of several months.
AftercareThe device used to lengthen the leg after placement of the pins usually must stay in place for many months. The leg is gradually lengthened over this time, and the patient is usually able to walk with the device in place. Multiple surgeries are usually required to effect significant lengthening of the limb.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/12/2010
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Leg lengthening is performed under general anesthesia, so that the patient is deep asleep and can't feel pain.
a leg bone grows more slowly in one leg than on the other leg.
Jean Marc Guichet
a variety of surgical procedures used to correct legs of unequal lengths,
Specific risks associated with LLD surgery include: osteomyelitis (bone infection)
Epiphysiodesis usually has good outcomes when performed at the correct time in the growth period,
The 2012 BMW 5-Series has 41.4 in. of front leg room.
The 2005 BMW 6-Series has 28.8 in. of rear leg room.
The 2003 BMW 5-Series has 41.7 in. of front leg room.
The 2005 BMW 5-Series has 41.5 in. of front leg room.
The 2007 BMW 3-Series has 34.6 in. of rear leg room.
The 2006 BMW 5-Series has 36.0 in. of rear leg room.