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Is Amputation A Possible Outcome Of Surgical Limp Lengthening Procedure?

Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2016

Question: Are there any chances or risks of AMPUTATION in Artificial Cosmetic Leg Lengthening Surgery?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Amputation is unlikely in surgical bone lengthening procedure like Ilizarov

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxtim ,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. I think you are asking about leg lengthening procedures like Ilizarov's technique and if there is any risk of amputation.

2. There is no risk of amputation in surgical procedures like Ilizarov's if done in hospitals where it is regularly done because this involves a controlled leg lengthening procedure over months.

3. The complications of this procedure includes the following
(i) Psychological demotivation
(ii) Less that expected lengthening
(iii) Pain and swelling in the limb
(iv) Mild infection at the site of wire insertion. The patient is told to report to the doctor if there is any sign of inflammation or pus formation
(v) Soft tissue contractures like one involving Achilles tendon
(vi) Osteoporosis and weakness of bones of the leg and pathological fractures
(vii) Dislocation of adjacent joints
(viii) Neurovascular problems due to surgery

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Thank You Sir for your kind Response,
and Sir I have 1 more query,may I mail it to you personally,..?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please ask your next query as a follow up to this answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

You can ask your next query as a follow up to this answer and I will reply back to you at the earliest. Please feel free to ask your question.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Thank You Sir,
I wanted to ask you that :

Is Ilizarov's an external method or an internal technique?

What is the average recovery period for 8 cm increase for a 28 year old male?

And lastly ,I request you that will by username name and id be appearing as " "Anonymous" when this conversation be viewed on public forum?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can take 10 months to show results

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxx.axxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Ilizarov is a slow surgical distraction osteogenesis technique in which the long bones in leg are cut and using metallic rings and wires and the gap between cut ends is slowly increased and allowing new bone to get deposited in the process.

2. The average time taken for young adults can be about 10 months.

3. Your name will not be disclosed and I am making a request to the moderator in this regard.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Note to moderator: User wants this conversation to be posted as anonymous please.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (9 days later)

Hello sir,

For an increase of 6-7 cm in the femur bone which type of method will be advantageous (in terms of money,risks,time) :
External Illazoriv technique or an internal rod inserting "Lengthening Over Nails" technique?/

Also 10 -11 months post surgery can a person be able to run,or play sports like football or get back to practise martial arts?/

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lengthening over nails has a higher complication rate in some centers

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxx.axxxxxxx ,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The increase of 6 to 7 cm is not there in every patient. Some have better results than others. Regarding which is better, surgery is involved in both techniques and the lengthening of nails has higher complications rate over Ilizarov technique because it involves early removal of external fixators but the final results depend on the center where you are getting the surgery done and the experience of the orthopedician.

2. Money depends on the response to treatment. However patients feel psychologically comfortable during lengthening over nails technique.

3. Bone weakness is a known complication in this type of surgery and 10 to 11 months is early to be able to play football. It can take 2 years following treatment for a patient to become completely fit to play sports.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Thank You Sir,

I have one more query, 10 months post surgery will the person be fit for
DESK JOBS, which generally requires sitting for continuous 7-8 hours ??/

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Person can do desk jobs once they are medically fit

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxx.xxxxxxxx ,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. In most probability the person getting surgery for limb lengthening is able to do desk job after 10 months in the office.

2. The stress on treatment is on following instructions after surgery and discussing any problems with the doctor regularly.

3. Limb lengthening is a slow process and complete care is important to get good results.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D