Limb Lengthening Treatment in Brisbane
Limb lengthening treatment is an effective surgical procedure that corrects limb length discrepancies. It also helps patients address their height proportion, balance their gait and improve their cosmetic appearance.
The procedure involves a process called distraction osteogenesis. This is where the bone is gently pulled apart by a device that creates space between two parts of the limb. The space stimulates new bone growth.
What is the procedure?
Limb lengthening Brisbane is a surgical procedure used to address major limb length discrepancies in children. It can improve a child’s posture, movement and ability to participate in daily activities.
During the surgery, your doctor will break your child’s short leg bone and attach a lengthening device to it. This device slowly pulls the bones apart and helps the body create new bone tissue in the gap created.
The process of distraction osteogenesis (or bone growth) can take months. This is because the bone needs time to grow and harden.
Your surgeon will determine how long it takes for the bone to heal properly based on your child’s age, health and other factors. The surgery usually occurs during childhood or early adolescence, when the body is most likely to make new bone.
After your child’s surgery, physical therapy is recommended to keep your child’s limb strong and flexible. It’s important to follow your provider’s instructions for physical activity and avoid overexertion, as this could lead to injury.
What is the recovery period?
Limb lengthening treatment is a major advancement in orthopedic surgery over the past few decades that can equalize limb lengths and improve mobility. Having one arm or leg that is shorter than the other can cause problems with posture, gait (the way you walk) and everyday activities.
A limb length discrepancy, also called anisomelia, can affect people of all ages. The most common problem is in the lower limbs, though it can occur in the upper limbs as well.
During a limb lengthening procedure, an osteotomy is performed to divide the bone in two and allow new bone to grow into the space between the ends. This process, called distraction osteogenesis, reverses a long-held belief that bone cannot be regenerated after it has been surgically cut.
The bone grows at a rate of about 1 millimeter (1 mm) per day during the lengthening phase of the procedure. As the new bone begins to mineralize and harden, patients can start walking without crutches after about 2–6 weeks.
What is the procedure for children?
Having to go to the hospital for a medical procedure can be very upsetting for children. A doctor, nurse or child life specialist can help a child feel less scared and more in control during a procedure by explaining the test in language they understand.
For younger children, a play toy or doll can help them prepare for the test. These toys help them see what the test will look like and how it feels to have it done.
Before the procedure begins, a doctor or nurse will ask about your child’s medical history and medicines, allergies, and other concerns. They will also check your child’s vital signs, blood pressure, and heart rate.
What is the procedure for adults?
Having arms or legs that are not in sync can lead to gait issues that can affect the way you walk. Luckily, limb lengthening is a relatively new and exciting treatment that can help you regain control of your hemisphere. The procedure combines a few of the modern medical fads with some of the old school techniques to produce an innovative and pain free solution that is sure to make you proud to call your own. The process involves the use of a specialized tool to remove bone and cartilage to create new ones. The result is a symmetrical limb and a correspondingly shaped and fitter body.
