What Is Bone Lengthening?

Definition of bone elongation: that is to stretch into bone, that is, to cut the bone, retain the soft tissue and blood supply, fix the two ends with a special traction device, apply the tensile stress gradually to gradually pull the bone segment, and continuously stimulate the body tissue , Stimulate the regeneration potential of human tissues, make new bones formed in the osteotomy space, and achieve the purpose of bone regeneration. (Yang Huaqing, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University).

Bone elongation

Definition of bone elongation: that is to stretch into bone, that is, to cut the bone, retain the soft tissue and blood supply, fix the two ends with a special traction device, apply the tensile stress gradually to gradually pull the bone segment, and continuously stimulate the body tissue , Stimulate the regeneration potential of human tissues, make new bones formed in the osteotomy space, and achieve the purpose of bone regeneration. (Yang Huaqing, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University).

Bone elongation indications and their significance

1. Elderly people with trauma, bone infection, congenital bone shortening, tumors, and symptoms of lower limbs. If the limbs are shortened above 2cm, the walking becomes obvious, and the limp is obvious. Once the short length is made up by bone extension, the gait can be improved.

2. Shorten your fingers. On the hands, when wearing shoes and clothes, sometimes I am not free. By extending the fingers, not only the appearance is improved, but the function is also improved.

3. Due to tumor and congenital reasons, the anterior wall and lower limbs are unequal in length and uneven, which can cause deformities and insufficiency of the joints near the phosphorus. After bone lengthening, the deformity can sometimes be corrected after the length of the bone is adjusted.

4. Some people have congenital multiple cartilage insufficiency (dwarfism) bone metabolic disease, and people with impaired growth of the upper and lower limbs, because of their short stature, have difficulty using ATMs and public phones, and often feel uncomfortable in daily life. Stool can't get up. In some cases, even the electric micro-boiler cannot reach the public telephone. Because the thighs are too short to sit on the chair, the legs are shortened, and the chair cannot reach the ground, which causes the seat to be unstable.

On the other hand, if the upper limbs are shortened, daily activities can cause dysfunction in many cases. For example, when studying and reading, it is difficult to maintain a good posture because the elbows are not stable. When the seat is moved in place, the upper limbs cannot be supported by hand, and the balance of the trunk is difficult to maintain when walking. After defecation, I can't wipe my buttocks behind my back, which has become a problem in life.

Extension of limb bones can not only improve the appearance of patients with cartilage hypoplasia (dwarfism), but also greatly improve daily life.

5. Spinal canal stenosis is a serious comorbidity of dwarfism. Every effort must be made to reduce the burden of transfer to the spinal canal; the extension of the upper limb bone can alleviate the burden of transfer to the spinal canal stenosis and prevent spinal degeneration.

The right age for bone elongation

Theoretically, any age from 4 years to adulthood is possible for bone elongation. However, if the age is too young, the bones with prolonged bones are difficult to operate because of the small bones, and the complications and functional training during prolongation are sometimes difficult. On the other hand, because the age is too high, although the surgery is easy to perform, and the ability to bone formation is low, it only takes a long time to extend the length. So far, as far as experience is concerned, the extension is limited to one site, and it is generally considered that the extension is performed at the age of 10.

In the case of dwarfism with low body and extended upper limbs, the extension must be carried out as planned because of the prolonged time. When the limbs are extended, two tibia should be performed initially, and the length is 10 cm, which takes 10 months and is performed at the age of 8 years. At this time, various complications in the extension can be handled, and functional training can also actively cooperate. After the tibia extension is completed, the humerus is extended by 10 cm, which takes 7-8 months. Finally, the femur is extended by 10 cm, and the extension time is 8 months. At this time, the calf, humerus, and thigh bones are all extended, and if desired, it is also possible to extend them a few years later.

The actual length of Ilizarov's bone extension

There are a variety of instruments used for extension, but the principle is the same. One week after the operation, 4 times a day, each time a 0.25mm translation and a daily extension of 1mm. Different ages and different diseases have different extension methods and lengths.

Bone elongation complications

When the long tubular bone is extended, due to the huge pressure on the joints, it must be performed carefully in the case of joint deformation, dislocation, and subluxation. If the bone lengthens more than 5cm, contraction of the knuckle joint will occur. If it cannot be solved through training, tendon extension must be performed. Nail-eye infections sometimes occur and are treated with saline and antibiotics. When the humerus prolongs, it may cause excessive radial elongation and paralysis of the radial nerve. After the extension device is removed, sometimes a fracture occurs within one month. The fracture can be protected with plaster or limbs.

Life during bone extension

Joint contraction occurs during bone extension, and joint training should be started early. It is necessary to study the mental and physical methods of treating patients, for example, patients can be bathed in prolongation.

Discontinuation of studies must also be combined with nursing schools in admissions for educational supplementary courses, such as learning computers.

Points to explain to the patient

1. What is the correct way to grasp the mental and physical disorders of a patient through bone extension? It must be explained to me and my family.

2. The danger and pain associated with bone elongation should also be explained to the patient in the form of a document. Neuroticians cannot easily undergo surgery.

3. Bone extension should be a strong-willed person. Long-term cooperation with family members is indispensable.