J Korean Orthop Assoc.
1978 Dec;13(4):667-672. 10.4055/jkoa.1978.13.4.667.
Femoral lengthening: Report of 2 Cases
- KMID: 2460321
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1978.13.4.667
Abstract
- Reduction in the extremity length of more than three to four centimeters has significant effect on both gait disturbance and aesthetic change. The method of Anderson has been one of the most successful procedures of surgical leg elongation but requires long period of bed rest and immobilization. Also. the lengthening occurs the tibia, although shortening occurs twice as frequently in the femur as in the tibia. Wagner in 1971 reported his experience with the technique that allows correction in both the femur and tibia yet does not require prolonged immobilizaton. This involves a two stage procedure with rigid external fixation and lengthening of 1.5mm per day. The second stage is for osteosynthesis and may be suppleniented by bone graft. We began using the Wagner's technique of leg lengthening at Chonju Presbyterian Medical Center about 18 months age. Two patients are presented with 7 and 9 month follow-ups after femoral lengthening of 5 cm each. Both femurs united well and the leg length discrepancy was corrected. These cases indicate that this method is a good addition to the armamentarium of treating leg length discrepancy. A subsequent review of more cases and their follow-up using this tretment program shall be forthcoming.
