Talk:Distraction osteogenesis

FITBONE Ad

The part talking about FITBONE sounds like an ad --210.10.217.254 (talk) 22:18, 17 July 2019 (UTC)

It would be interesting to list all methods related to limb lengthening. If you want you can copy the information that I left in "Incel inside" website. I am the author of the following text, so I leave a copy here. Note that it need a lot of work, but when it is done, it could be included in the article. --Pwnagic (talk) 01:33, 29 November 2019 (UTC)

Methods

• Externals: In these methods the support of the bone is placed outside the skin, so the skin remains pierced until the procedure is done, so there is a greater risk of infection (pins must be cleaned), but they are also safer for the bone and allow simultaneous corrections for curved bones:
  • Ilizarov: This method was the original, and Ilizarov apparatus is placed around the limb, and small nails are placed to hold the bone in place. This device allows to lengthen the bone turning some nuts. It's not very expensive, but it is uncomfortable.
  • Monorail: This method is like the previous, but the bone is hold from a side, so it's more comfortable, it's not very expensive.
• Internal: There are different devices which differs between them, but all of them consists in a rod which are placed inside the bone and holds it from inside, and the lengthening phase begins. When the bone consolidates, the nail is removed. They are very expensive, but improves the comfortability and don't have risk of infection (only at surgery). The lengthening process is done through magnetic turnover of an internal nut, or done twisting the foot. Some devices are not reversible, this is a problem if the bone doesn't make a callus, also, reversing the nail allows to stimulate the bone through the "accordion" effect. Another problem is that dome devices are not weight bearing, so the user must be wheelchaired during the lengthening phase and until the bone callus is strong enough. These methods offers a shorter period of consolidation, because the bone is stimulated when moving. When done tibia lengthening, the rod must be inserted very near the joint, so there is a small risk of long therm pain (which usually heals). There is an interesting option with certain devices, when the bone is consolidated the nail is not removed, instead of that, the bone is broken again, so it allows to add more inches or centimetres to the previous lengthening, with this method 16 cm (6' ¼) can be gained with two pair of 8 cm nails. This option is safer than doing 8 cm in a single stage.
• Mixed:
  • LATN (lengthening and then nailing): Bone is lengthened with an Ilizarov apparatus, but when the lengthening period finishes, a nail is inserted inside the bone and the Ilizarov apparatus is removed. When the bone consolidates, the nail is removed.
  • LON (lengthening over nail): A nail inside the bone and a external nail are placed, then, the lengthening starts, when finished, the internal nail is locked and the external frame removed. When the bone consolidates, the nail is removed.

Tips (not to be included in article)

• Be sure of what you want, this is a complex surgery, takes time and patient must do a lot of stretching. This surgery has some risks (but they can be under control) and it is painful at certain stages, but it can improve the body because the height gained is real, like tall people, because bones heal themselves and the callus is converted into normal bone.
• Gather as many information as you can about the procedure, doctor, method used, alternatives... Plan your surgery, accommodation, PT (physiotherapy), food...
• Follow the instruction of your doctor (stretching, pin care if you use externals, walk carefully if the nail is not weight bearing...).
• Be patient, this procedure takes its time to complete, remember that pain is temporary, glory is forever.

http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php is a forum used to share information, thoughts and experiences about this surgery.