The ILIZAROV procedure for extremity lengthening and deformity correction is carried out according to the principles of distraction osteogenesis, by ilizarov expert. This concept was a revolution which destroyed the historical view that bone can not be lengthened.

 

In this technique, bone is cut with surgery and lengthened gradually; new bone formation (osteogenesis) is observed in lengthening site. Bone can be lengthened up to 15%-100% of its original length with this method.

 

The device is fixed to patients’s bone with wires and screws. Lengthening is usually commenced at 1 week after the operation. The two ends of cut bone are separated by 1 mm daily. The patients are usually hospitalized for 3-7 days post surgery. Rehabilitation is started immediately after the operation. After discharge from the hospital, physical therapy is the most important step of treatment. Walking with the device and taking a shower with disinfectant materials are also permitted.

 

No adjustment is performed after the extremity reaches the required length and alignment. When it is decided that new bone has acquired enough strength, the device is taken out with local or general anesthesia. Prophylactic casting or bracing (with plastic orthosis) is applied for 1-2 months.

 

A list of the possible uses of distraction osteogenesis is as follows:

 

Congenital deformities (birth defects):

• Congenital short femur;
• Fibular hemimelia (absence of the fibula, which is one of the two bones between the knee and the ankle);
• Hemiatrophy (atrophy of half of the body); and
• Ollier's disease.

 

Developmental deformities

• Neurofibromatosis (a rare condition which causes overgrowth in one leg); and
• Bow legs, resulting from rickets or secondary arthritis.

 

Post-traumatic injuries

• Growth plates fractures;
• Malunion or non-union (when bones do not completely join, or join in a faulty position after a fracture);
• Shortening and deformity; and
• Bone defects.

 

Infections and diseases

• Osteomyelitis (a bone infection, usually caused by bacteria);
• Septic arthritis (infections or bacterial arthritis); and
• Poliomyelitis (a viral disease which may result in the atrophy of muscles, causing permanent deformity).

 

After tumors

Short stature

• Achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism where arms and legs are very short, but torso is more normal in size); and
• Constitutional short stature.

Short Leg Before Surgery	After Ilizarov Surgery
After Lengthening with Ilizarov	Immediate Post Surgery X-Ray
Legs Equal	Legs Equal
Walking Before Surgery Walking After Surgery