Can leg length discrepancy be corrected in adults?
Most of these cases occur in adults, and most can be corrected with only one lengthening, and associated deformity can be treated at the same time. Many of these situations can be treated by the implantable lengthening nail method, though for many cases, the external fixator method is preferred.
How is leg length discrepancy treated in adults?
The treatments that can be considered include a shoe insert, a high shoe, or an orthosis, surgically induced slowing of growth by blockade of the epiphyseal plates around the knee joint, or leg lengthening with osteotomy and subsequent distraction of the bone callus with fully implanted or external apparatus.
How long does it take to heal from leg lengthening surgery?
After the Procedure After bone growth restriction: It is common to spend up to a week in the hospital. Sometimes, a cast is placed on the leg for 3 to 4 weeks. Healing is complete in 8 to 12 weeks.
How much leg length discrepancy is significant?
Leg length discrepancies are very common. In fact, many of us have a small difference in our leg lengths. However, most people don’t notice the difference or require any treatment. When the difference measures more than 1.5 to 2.0 cm (5/8 of an inch), most physicians recommend having the discrepancy evaluated.
What is Epiphysiodesis surgery?
Epiphysiodesis is the surgical ablation of a physis to stop its future growth, generally used to correct a leg length discrepancy. Prediction of leg length discrepancy at skeletal maturity can be difficult and multiple methods have been developed to provide an estimate.
Is there a surgery for leg length discrepancy?
LLD greater than 2 cm will require surgery to correct. Surgery to correct LLD can either be done with shortening the long leg or lengthening the short leg. In children, shortening of the long leg can be accomplished through a procedure called epiphysiodesis.
What type of doctor should I see for leg length discrepancy?
The first step in diagnosing a limb-length discrepancy is a complete medical history and physical examination by an orthopedic surgeon. During the exam, the doctor will measure your child’s limbs to calculate how different they are in length.
How much leg length difference is normal?
Most differences in leg length are normal. No one is perfectly symmetrical and a difference of up to 2 cm in adults is typical.
What is the difference between Hemiepiphysiodesis and epiphysiodesis?
The corrective osteotomy is used for acute correction, while the asymmetrical epiphysiodesis is a method of gradual correction involving temporal and permanent hemiepiphysiodesis. Among the various methods, percutaneous lateral hemiepiphysiodesis (PLH) is an ablation of a selected and limited area of the growth plate.