The effects of limb lengthening on growth

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of limb lengthening on the rate of growth of the lengthened limb. The rate of growth of the lengthened and control (contralateral) limb segment were determined radiographically pre- and postoperatively in 19 skeletally immature patients (20 limbs). There were 13 femoral and seven tibial lengthenings. The mean age at the time of lengthening was 9.4 years (range 4.2-12.3). The limbs were lengthened by a mean of 6.7 cm (24%). Mean follow-up was 3.6 years. No significant difference was found between the change in the rate of growth of the lengthened and control limb (P=0.59). This was true for both the femur and the tibia, when analyzed separately. This study indicates that the change in the rate of growth between the lengthened and control limbs did not vary significantly in our patient group.