Emory University orthopedic surgeon, Robert Bruce, MD, is offering patients a procedure that lengthens limbs using the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor, an implant approved by the FDA in 2001, according to a report by Michigan's WJRT-TV.
During the procedure, a metal rod that is implanted into the patient's leg bone expands and stimulates the bone to grow around it. The new growth strengthens over time and full recovery typically takes a year, according to the report.
Previous treatments for leg length discrepancy include wearing orthotics, prosthetics, working through physical therapy or undergoing procedures to lengthen or shorten the offending leg. The ISKD device is designed to lengthen the bone for a predetermined amount before stopping.
Read the WJRT-TV report on the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor.
During the procedure, a metal rod that is implanted into the patient's leg bone expands and stimulates the bone to grow around it. The new growth strengthens over time and full recovery typically takes a year, according to the report.
Previous treatments for leg length discrepancy include wearing orthotics, prosthetics, working through physical therapy or undergoing procedures to lengthen or shorten the offending leg. The ISKD device is designed to lengthen the bone for a predetermined amount before stopping.
Read the WJRT-TV report on the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor.