Long-term results of lower limb lengthening by physeal distraction

Of the many methods of limb elongation, lengthening by physeal distraction is among the newest. The goal of this study was to estimate the long-term results of femoral and tibial lengthening by epiphyseal distraction. The authors examined 40 patients who underwent 24 femoral and 16 tibial lengthenings. The average follow-up period was 9.6 years. An average of 4.6 cm of femoral lengthening and 4,7 cm of tibial lengthening was achieved. The femoral healing index was 38.1 days/cm and the tibial healing index was 35.7 days/cm. After lengthening the epiphyseal cartilage started to function in all patients, and premature growth cartilage fusion was not observed during follow-up. Complications occurred in eight patients during femoral lengthening and in four during tibial lengthening. The authors suggest that physeal distraction is a good method for moderate and simple limb lengthening. Particular care should be applied to knee joint function, especially during femoral lengthening.