When a child develops legs of substantially unequal length, surgical correction may recommended in order to allow the patient to avoid progressive problems related to back, leg and foot pain; poor posture; chronic falls and stumbling and shortened tendons and ligaments that provide for a limited range of flexibility and limited mobility. Leg lengthening procedures generally require multiple surgeries, but can result in expanding leg length by as much as six inches. The process involves cutting the leg bone and then inserting metal pins and screws into the bone above and below where it has been cut. Over the next several months, a special device that attaches to this instrumentation is used to slowly pull the two ends of bone apart. New bone eventually grows into the space that has been created, thereby permanently lengthening the leg. At that time, the pins are removed.
Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use. Browsing our website means you accept these terms.
