Limb Lengthening Surgery

Dr. J Dean Cole, Medical Director of the Fracture Care Center, is nationally recognized as leader in orthopaedic traumatology with more than 20 years of experience. Dr. Cole is well known for his approach to complex procedures such as limb lenthening surgery. He has pioneered the minimally invasive approach to treating orthopaedic trauma as well as invented new types of impants and devices to aid in successful surgery outcomes.

Limb lengthening is a specialized surgery used to restore limb length, which should only be performed by a surgeon with experience in limb lengthening. The process works to gradually grow new bone and soft tissue by pulling apart the bone at a slow rate.

Dr. Cole invented the only FDA approved completely internal device to lengthen the limb with a nail inside the bone, called the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor (ISKD). Dr. Cole developed this unique device used inside the bone to lengthen the short bone and eventually allow the patient to wear shoes of the same height. Dr. Cole has treated moe than 100 patients who's legs were lengthened by this device.

If you are interested in Leg Lengthening Surgery and are ready to commit to the process of limb lengthening than complete our form and we will send you Leg Lengthening Information on Dr. Cole's procedure.

• You are unhappy with your below average height (cosmetic lengthening)
• You have one leg shorter than the other due to trauma or birth deformity
• You are experiencing back pain due to a leg length discrepancy

And:

• You are ready to commit to the process
• You have a thorough understanding of the technique and their limitations

Jason, a 16-year-old male, had a short and moderately deformed lower leg, which was beginning to interfere with his goal to become a professional ballet dancer. After an evaluation, Dr. Cole recommended a surgical procedure to address his leg discrepancy and deformity.

In the fall of 2003, Jason underwent surgery, which required a surgical break of his thigh bone. The bone was then realigned using a complex minimally invasive technique, resulting in minimal scarring. The Intramedullary Skeletal Knietic Distractor (ISKD), a device Dr. Cole invented especially for bone lengthening, was inserted into the thigh bone. Once the limb lengthening surgery was complete, Jason recovered quickly and his bone grew without any problems.

After several months, Jason is able to continue to dance and work toward achieving his dream to become a ballet dancer.

See before and after x-ray photos of Jason's limb lengthening surgery.