Early experience with leg lengthening by callotasis and chondrodiastasis

Over a four year period, 20 segments in 16 patients were treated by lengthening by callotasis or chondrodiastasis. The indications for treatment were leg length discrepancy in 13 patients and short stature in three. Patients with leg length discrepancy were all treated by femoral lengthening; the mean length gained was 4.4 cm (range 2.5 to 6.Ocm). For patients with short stature, the mean femoral length gain was 10.0 cm (9.0 to 10.5 cm), and the mean tibial length gain was 8.0 cm (6.5 to 9.0 cm). The commonest problem was pin tract infection, but this always settled with antibiotic therapy. Most other complications were also successfully dealt with, and did not compromise the outcome of treatment. At the time of review, 13 of the 16 patients said they were very happy with the result; two patients were reserving judgement until completion of treatment, and, only one thought the treatment had been of no benefit. Our initial experience, with callotasis in particular, has been that it is a highly satisfactory method of limb lengthening, has an acceptable complication rate, and involves minimal hospitalization as compared with older techniques.