ZEM-Germany
The Centre for Corrective and Reconstructive Extremity Surgery Munich (ZEM-Germany) is the only institution in Germany that specializes exclusively in lengthening and deformity correction of legs and arms (extremities) as well as reconstruction of bones in the case of tumors or defects. ZEM-Germany also has the greatest worldwide experience in the field of leg lengthening with electromagnetic distraction nails. For this reason, ZEM-Germany has been a resource for treatment for national and international patients from all age groups for over 15 years.
Specialties
Complex clinical situations require complex treatment strategies of the highest quality, which can only be guaranteed with a high degree of specialization. ZEM-Germany has specialized in the following treatments:
Leg lengthening
Leg lengthening
Leg shortenings — congenital, growth-related or as a result of an accident — with or without additional deformities, can be corrected advantageously and safely with motorized intramedullary distraction nails. Here, the patient's own bone is stimulated to grow and later no longer differs from naturally grown bone.
Arm lengthening
Arm lengthening
If one arm is significantly shorter than the other, this often results in painful tension in the shoulder area or even functional disabilities. In short-stature patients, when both arms are too short, elementary personal hygiene is often more difficult. With motorized distraction nails, upper arms can be lengthened comfortably and painlessly — without any external fixators.
Leg Lengthening for Short Stature
Leg Lengthening for Short Stature
In cases of short stature caused by disease (achondroplasia, Turner syndrome, etc.), bilateral leg lengthening can significantly reduce disability and help to lead a more normal life. With motorized distraction nails, deformities are corrected and legs are lengthened safely and reliably — without external fixators.
Cosmetic leg lengthening
Cosmetic leg lengthening
For people who feel disadvantaged by being too short, a bilateral leg lengthening is the only way to actually change their body height. ZEM-Germany's experience in the field of leg lengthening with the world's best and most reliable implants guarantees a safe treatment and leaves hardly any scars.
Repositioning of a dislocated hip
Repositioning of a dislocated hip
If the femoral head (ball) is displaced upwards due to a maldevelopment of the acetabulum (socket) and the leg is shortened as a result, a new method developed at ZEM-Germany can be used to replace the femoral head into the correct position. After this procedure, the implantation of an anatomically correct prosthesis is made possible and the leg is lengthened at the same time.
Growth prosthesis
Growth prosthesis
When a malignant bone tumor (osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma) is diagnosed in children and adolescents, not only the tumor but often also the growth plate must be resected. The normal growth of the opposite side results in a leg length difference. With a new type of "biological growth prosthesis" (BioXpand) developed at ZEM-Germany, the remaining bone can be lengthened, which in many cases makes disfiguring rotationplasty unnecessary, and opens up completely new reconstruction options.
Bone-Meter
Over 2030 limb lengthening procedures have been performed at ZEM-Germany. Each leg lengthening (callus distraction) creates new bone (callus). The length of all the newly formed bone of these 2030 lengthenings adds up to 87.779 meters! Every leg lengthening since 1999 has been documented and the outcome carefully evaluated, resulting in a unique standard of quality.
Currently, 9 patients are lengthening bone at ZEM-Germany. This means that 6.1 mm of new bone is formed every day. These values were last updated on 12/17/2024, 5:03:15 AM. The animation shows the real bone growth of these patients "live". The growth can actually be followed on the meter scale.
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| total lengthenings | 2030 |
| current lengthenings | 9 |
| total new bone | 87.779 m |
| current bone formation | 6.1 mm / day |
| updated at | 12/17/2024, 5:03:15 AM |
Team
ZEM-Germany was founded in 2006 by Professor Baumgart after 20 years of work at the University Hospital in Munich and is still managed by him today. Together with his team, he treats patients from all over the world at the center and is the international training expert for intramedullary distraction nails (FITBONE).
Prof. Dr. Dr. med. R. Baumgart
Head of the Center
His training included visceral surgery, trauma surgery and special trauma surgery. He focused his expertise on novel leg lengthening systems and was appointed associate professor at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in 2005.
Media
The topic of leg lengthening is always popular with the media. Bad posture and leg-length differences damage the spine. Small people are often disadvantaged — an important sociopolitical issue — especially against the modern era of globalization.
Galileo — Limb Lengthening
A contribution from the well-known German knowledge program Galileo from ProSieben, which accompanies a patient during treatment at ZEM-Germany.
Never at eye level — Of small and large people
A feature about people of small stature on German television. The subject is advised by Professor Baumgart at ZEM-Germany (from minute 26:50).
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