Ilizarov femoral lengthening in adults

From January 1990 to December 1991, we treated 12 cases of length discrepancy due to femoral inequality with the technique of Ilizarov femoral lengthening. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 33 years (average, 28 years). Of these, nine patients were men and three were women. Corticotomy was performed either at the distal metaphysis or at the junction of distal metaphysis and diaphysis. After a latency of seven to ten days, distraction commenced at a rate 0.25 mm every six to twelve hours. Bone generation was obtained in all patients without the need of bone grafting. The average length gained in femoral bone was 4.7 cms (range, 3 to 7 cms). The average duration of total treatment was 10.1 months (range, 7 to 15 months). The healing index was 2.2 (number of months per 1 cm elongation) on average. All patients were satisfied with the results, but all felt that it was an uncomfortable procedure. According to our experience, we conclude that the method of Ilizarov is an useful technique for femoral lengthening. However, it is an uncomfortable and tedious procedure.