Limb lengthening
A weekly column prepared by Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc.
By Dr Suhel Kotwal, MBBS, MS (Orth)
A variety of conditions can render the limbs of an individual unequal. This can not only cause an embarrassing limp but also deprive the person of a normal day’s work or recreation. Such a person not only feels insufficient physically but also develops a psychological affliction. Limb shortening affects as much as 10% of the human population. Some of the reasons for a shortened limb can be listed briefly as follows:
– Poliomyelitis or cerebral palsy
– Injuries during childhood affecting normal bone growth
– Fractures during any stage of life
– Birth defects
– Bone tumours
– Bone infections
– Spinal conditions like scoliosis
– Dwarfism
Can a leg in an adult be lengthened?
The ability of chameleons to regrow appendages and limbs has spurred scientists to try to grow and lengthen limbs in man. Surgeons have been fascinated with the concept of limb lengthening for decades (Italians attempted it in 1905 for the first time) but had mixed results. It was a general medical practitioner from the Russian village of Kurgan who revolutionized the procedure using cycle spokes during the treatment of World War II victims. He was Gavriil Ilizarov, the inventor of the Ilizarov Ring Fixator.
H is contributions now allow lengthening of a short limb by 2 to 10 inches in one stage, and also permit lengthening of limbs to increase height in dwarfs. The use of internal and external devices and a clear insight into the biology of regeneration of tissues has made limb lengthening a reliable and safe surgical procedure.
The principle of this procedure is that if the bones of the leg are artificially broken and gradually separated with the help of a ring shaped device, the bones including the blood vessels and nerves regenerate. This separation of the bones (called distraction) has to be done very slowly at the rate of 1mm/day until the desired length is achieved. Once that is done, the device can be dismantled and person allowed to walk without any support.