Limb Lengthening & Limb Length Discrepancy Surgery in India

What is Limb Lengthening:

Limb lengthening means lengthening of extremity. Mostly it is being done in the long bone of the lower limb but some time also being done in the upper limb as well in the small bone of the foot. Limb lengthening is being required for limb alignment in limb length discrepancy and increasing height in short statures dwarf. But usually cosmetic lengthening in short stature is not so preferred due to more chances of complication.

What is Leg Length Discrepancy:

Limb length discrepancy means differences in length of both limbs. It may be in the upper or lower limb.

Causes of Limb Length Discrepancy:

Limb length discrepancy can occur because of various reasons. It may be congenital shortening as found in congenital limb deficiency like fibular hemimelia, tibial hemimelia, proximal femoral focal deficiency etc. Acquired causes are post-traumatic bone loss, physical injury, bony infection, tumor etc.

Symptoms of Limb Length Discrepancy:

Limb length discrepancy present as a discrepancy in the length of both side extremities, painless limping, difficulty in walking for long-distance, lurch & early fatigue in a long walk.

What is the Procedure of Ilizarov Surgery:

Limb lengthening surgery in India is being done on the basis of the concept of distraction osteogenesis given by ilizarov. In this procedure, bone is being cut and slowly distracted at a fix rate of .25 mm four times in a day by the use of a ring fixator system. Trans-osseous wire helps in holding the bone while distraction. Sometimes, the hybrid system is being used to distract the whole system. LRS system is also being used for the same purpose. Many new systems have been evolved to get limb lengthening which includes lengthening over nail & plate.

Advantages of Limb Lengthening Surgery:

By the limb lengthening procedure, we can manage limb length discrepancy & maintain the length of the limb. The patient with large length discrepancy can get normal looking well align extremity so their gait pattern can be much better and can walk and run smoothly. Along with limb lengthening, the bony deformity can also be managed simultaneously.

Complications of Limb Lengthening Surgery:

Limb lengthening procedure is also not without complication. The complication occurs mostly in stature lengthening so not preferred. The complication is also very common in congenital limb deficiency. A complication can be joint dislocation, poorly formed regenerate bone, re-fracture, infection, joint stiffness, muscle contracture, failure of lengthening, deformity etc.

Cost of Limb Lengthening Surgery:

The cost of limb lengthening surgery in India depends upon many factors like the length of required lengthening, type of procedure, age of the patient, time duration etc. This can be enquired by the mail of trishlaortho.com and as well by the messaging system. But the cost of limb lengthening surgery in India can only be decided after detailed evaluation.

Treatment for Leg Length Discrepancy:

Treatment in limb length discrepancy depends upon many factors. Less than 2 cm limb length discrepancy is being managed by shoe raise. More than 2cm discrepancy needs surgical intervention. Small length discrepancy in children with sufficient growth remaining is being managed by growth modulation/ epiphysiodesis of normal limbs. By which normal limb is shortened by slowing growth of growth areas (physis) at the end of bone by slowing the growth. Sometimes during deformity correction, limb length discrepancy is being managed by limb shortening of normal limb but it should not be more than 4-5 cm. Mostly it is being done by limb lengthening procedure as mentioned earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions