The Complications of Leg Lengthening

Abstract

Surgical limb lengthening was the first described in 19051 and successive surgeons have refined the technique.2–8 However, acceptance of these techniques by the prthopaedic community has been slow and limited. Surgeons prefer instantaneous solutions to the problem of limb length discrepancy, such as shoe raises and orthoses, prostheses, amputation, and limb shortening. There are three main reasons for the lack of popularity of limb lengthening. First complication rates have remained high. Second, surgery is only one step in a technique that is slow and time-consuming. Third, a large infrastructure is required because treatment is prolonged and considerable reliance is placed on patient compliance, family and commnity support, as well as hospital-based health care workers, such as nurses, physiotherapists, teachers, and social workers.