Leg lengthening surgery for a teenager with 2 legs 7cm apart

A rare malformation of the fibula caused the boy's left leg to be 7cm shorter than his right leg. Doctors performed a complex surgery to help improve his condition.

On the evening of December 2, Children's Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City announced that it had just performed leg lengthening surgery on a 13-year-old patient with a rare deformity.

According to Dr. Ngo Hong Phuc, Head of the Burn and Orthopedic Department, Children's Hospital 2, the patient is a 13-year-old boy with hypoplasia of the fibula (a small bone located next to the tibia along the lower leg).

The deformity causes the child's left leg to be about 7cm shorter than the right leg, causing ankle instability. This is also one of the most complex diseases in pediatric orthopedics.

Fibular hypoplasia causes the patient's left leg to be short.

At Children's Hospital 2, the patient was examined and consulted by experts from the Children Action program (France) to lengthen the limb using a specialized external fixator.

Professor Franck Launay - La Timone Children's Hospital (France), Dr. Nguyen Dy Luu - Department of Orthopedic Burns and the pediatric orthopedic team performed bone cutting surgery, frame installation, and maximum preservation of the periosteum for good bone healing.

In the following days, the bone length is slowly lengthened by adjusting the traction system at a rate of about 0.5 to 1 mm/day. This process must be persistently performed for more than 70 days.

In addition, doctors corrected the misalignment of the left leg and performed physical therapy to help maintain range of motion, prevent stiffness and muscle atrophy. The process of new bone formation was closely monitored by X-ray every 2 weeks.

The surgical team performed bone cutting and installed a bone lengthening frame for the child patient.

After about 1 week of surgery, the child's progress was very positive: the bone axis was adjusted very well, the bone cross-section was even and clean, favorable for new bone development. The child began to practice standing and walking with support, with a plan for close monitoring.

“Limb lengthening surgery is a long journey, requiring perseverance from the child, family and medical team. However, the initial results are very positive, opening up hope for children in improving their gait and quality of life,” Dr. Ngo Hong Phuc shared.

GIAO LINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phau-thuat-keo-chan-cho-thieu-nien-co-2-chan-lech-nhau-7cm-post826615.html