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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Left Leg 8 To 9 Inch Short Due To Polio Attack In Childhood. Any Surgery To Correct It ?

Respected Sir, My name is AAAAA , I would like to ask about my friend who s left leg is 8 to 9 inch short due to polio attack in childhood, so is there any surgury which can be done. I also want to tell you that righ now he can move his leg and feel every thing, its just that its short, If you can answer me my mail address is YYYY@YYYY I will be very thankful to you.
posted on Fri, 2 Nov 2012
Twitter Sat, 3 Nov 2012 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 3 Nov 2012 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello. I'm sorry about your friend's situation. It is possible to lengthen a shortened limb surgically. These techniques -- which are based on the pioneering work of the Russian physician Gavriil Ilizarov -- can be performed at any age. Bone lengthening is achieved through the use of an apparatus that is attached to the leg and gradually "stretched" to attain the desired length. This process requires fracturing the patient's limb at the outset, it is quite painful, and it takes many months to complete. Furthermore, there are limitations to how much additional length can be added to a shortened limb. Finally, all contractures and deformities (a frequent consequence of polio) must be addressed before the Ilizarov procedure can be started.
Your friend should see his physician to discuss all options for dealing with this disability.
I hope that answers your question!
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Left Leg 8 To 9 Inch Short Due To Polio Attack In Childhood. Any Surgery To Correct It ?

Hello. I m sorry about your friend s situation. It is possible to lengthen a shortened limb surgically. These techniques -- which are based on the pioneering work of the Russian physician Gavriil Ilizarov -- can be performed at any age. Bone lengthening is achieved through the use of an apparatus that is attached to the leg and gradually stretched to attain the desired length. This process requires fracturing the patient s limb at the outset, it is quite painful, and it takes many months to complete. Furthermore, there are limitations to how much additional length can be added to a shortened limb. Finally, all contractures and deformities (a frequent consequence of polio) must be addressed before the Ilizarov procedure can be started. Your friend should see his physician to discuss all options for dealing with this disability. I hope that answers your question!