Correction of Deformities of Long Tubular Bones with Simultaneous Limb Lengthening

Abstract

Deformities of the long tubular bones are often accompanied by limb shortening. The traditional methods for eliminating severe deformities are rather traumatic and also far from perfect, because such methods do not include the gradual stretching of the shortened soft tissues on the concave side of the deformity. For this reason, when correcting such a deformity, the surgeon must resect a wedge-shaped segment of bone to avoid excessive traction on the soft tissues, vessels, and nerves. In the presence of initial limb shortening, this resection can lead to even greater limb length inequality.