Congenital arm shortening
Clinical Condition
A 42-year-old professional driver had a congenital left upper arm shortening of almost 14 cm. As a result of the constant crooked posture and the associated tension and increasing pain in the shoulder area, he was no longer able to exercise his profession.
14 cm shortening of the left arm
Significantly shortened humerus
Treatment
Course of upper arm lengthening
Due to the short initial length of the left upper arm, a short custom-made FITBONE intramedullary distraction nail was initially implanted, with which lengthening of 4 cm could be achieved. After two months, the implant was exchanged for a regular intramedullary distraction nail with a longer stroke of 6 cm. The lengthening procedure was virtually painless for the patient. The desired lengthening of 10 cm was achieved according to plan, without complication. During the entire course of treatment, mobility of the left arm was unrestricted.
Result
Immediately after the bone had consolidated, the patient was able to resume his job as a driver without restriction. His preoperative chronic pain in the shoulder girdle had completely disappeared. Within 6 months, muscle strength had returned to baseline, and even improved through strength training.
Both arms have almost the same length after treatment
Left humerus after lengthening
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