Shortening of the leg after accident
Clinical Condition
In a 26-year-old patient, an open fracture of the lower leg following a motorbike accident resulted in a shortening of 3.5 cm and a disturbing torsional deviation (inward rotation of the foot). There was still an intramedullary nail in the bone from the initial treatment.
Shortening of the lower leg
Long Standing Radiograph (LSR) before surgery
Fracture of the lower leg after motorbike accident
Treatment
Course of lower leg lengthening
After detailed analysis and correction planning, a treatment concept was created at ZEM-Germany that took all deformities into account. In a surgical procedure, the previous intramedullary nail was first removed, and the torsional deviation was corrected immediately after the bone was gently cut via a 6 mm skin incision. A motorized intramedullary distraction nail (FITBONE) was implanted to compensate for the shortening. Discharge from the hospital was after 5 days. Lengthening with the easy-to-use control device was performed on an outpatient basis at 1 mm/day, allowing the soft tissues to grow along with the blood vessels and nerves. Leg length equality was achieved 6 weeks after the operation.
Result
The routine final examination showed laterally equal leg lengths and physiological torsion angles. The patient was able to walk and participate in sports again without any restrictions, just as before the accident.
Completion of treatment
Equal length of the lower legs
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