Long-term psychosocial functioning after Ilizarov limb lengthening during childhood

Few studies have been concerned with the patient's perception of the outcome of limb lengthening. We describe the psychological and social functioning after at least 2 years of follow-up in patients who had had a leg length discrepancy and who had undergone an Ilizarov limb lengthening procedure.

Self-esteem and perceived competence were measured in 37 patients (aged 17-30 years) both preoperatively and at a mean follow-up of 7 (2-14) years. At follow-up, health-related quality of life, functioning at school, daily activities, and treatment-related experiences were measured, and also retrospectively for the preoperative period.

Preoperative and follow-up scores for self-esteem were similar. Overall perceived competence scores at follow-up were comparable to that of a healthy normal population. Patients' perceived athletic competence was lower and their perceived level of behavioral conduct was higher. At follow-up, patients had more positive appraisal of their physical appearance. Most health-related quality of life scores were not significantly different to those of the healthy normal population, apart from a reduced gross motor function, less vitality, and more pain. Patients with a remaining leg length inequality (LLI) of more than 2 cm had lower quality of life scores for gross motor function, sleep, pain, vitality, and depressive feelings.

At an average of 7 years after an Ilizarov limb lengthening procedure, patients still have physical restraints, but they appear to have normal psychosocial functioning, self-esteem, and perceived competence. These patients have quality of life scores comparable to those of norm groups, apart from a reduced gross motor function, less vitality and more pain. Residual LLI of more than 2 cm remains important even after long-term follow-up; these patients report lower quality of life.