Limb Lengthening Center Munich

Leg shortenings — congenital, growth-related or as a result of an accident — with or without additional deformities, can be corrected advantageously and safely with motorized intramedullary distraction nails. Here, the patient's own bone is stimulated to grow and later no longer differs from naturally grown bone.

If one arm is significantly shorter than the other, this often results in painful tension in the shoulder area or even functional disabilities. In short-stature patients, when both arms are too short, elementary personal hygiene is often more difficult. With motorized distraction nails, upper arms can be lengthened comfortably and painlessly — without any external fixators.

In cases of short stature caused by disease (achondroplasia, Turner syndrome, etc.), bilateral leg lengthening can significantly reduce disability and help to lead a more normal life. With motorized distraction nails, deformities are corrected and legs are lengthened safely and reliably — without external fixators.

For people who feel disadvantaged by being too short, a bilateral leg lengthening is the only way to actually change their body height. ZEM-Germany's experience in the field of leg lengthening with the world's best and most reliable implants guarantees a safe treatment and leaves hardly any scars.

If the femoral head (ball) is displaced upwards due to a maldevelopment of the acetabulum (socket) and the leg is shortened as a result, a new method developed at ZEM-Germany can be used to reposition the hip joint into the correct position. After this procedure, the implantation of an anatomically correct prosthesis is made possible and the leg is lengthened at the same time.

When a malignant bone tumor (osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma) is diagnosed in children and adolescents, not only the tumor but often also the growth plate must be resected. The normal growth of the opposite side results in a leg length difference. With a new type of "biological growth prosthesis" (BioXpand) developed at ZEM-Germany, the remaining bone can be lengthened, which in many cases makes disfiguring rotationplasty unnecessary, and opens up completely new reconstruction options.