LIMB DEFORMITY & LEG LENGTH CORRECTION SURGERY
Epiphyseodesis
This is the term to describe stopping a growth plate (the growing part of a bone). When one leg is shorter than the other this operation will be used to stop the growth of the longer leg. The timing is crucial and is calculated to allow the shorter leg to 'catch up' by the time that growth stops.
A partial growth plate operation will lead to an angular correction to straighten a leg that has a malalignment at a joint.
Acute deformity correction
Surgery is used to divide the bone at the site of a deformity and correct the angulation in one step. Metal such as wires, pins or plates are used to stabilise the bone until healing occurs. Plaster is usually required as well.
External frame correction
For more complex deformities the correction is achieved gradually using special external fixator frames. The bone is divided and then by turning components on the frame the deformity is corrected over a period of several weeks. This treatment is highly specialised and time consuming.