INCREASED LIMB LENGTHS IN PATIENTS WITH SHORTENED SPINES DUE TO TUBERCULOSIS IN EARLY-CHILDHOOD

Study Design. The spine and limb lengths of 26 patients who had a seve re spinal deformity due to tuberculosis in childhood were measured aci d compared with similar data from 79 normal adult volunteers. Objectiv es. The aim of the study was to assess whether there are any compensat ory growth mechanisms present in patients who had stunted spinal growt h in childhood. Summary of Background Data. Previous studies have docu mented increased leg lengths in patients with adolescent idiopathic sc oliosis who have had spinal fusions done. The aim of this study was to ascertain if this response was unique to scoliosis or was a more gene ral response to the interruption of normal spine growth. Methods. The standing height, spine height, leg length, and upper limb length Were measured in 26 adults with stunted spinal growth due to tuberculosis o f the Spine contracted in early childhood, and compared with similar m easurements in 79 normal volunteers; Results. The patients with spinal deformity due to tuberculosis had significantly shelter mean standing and spine heights compared to the volunteers. However, the mean leg l ength of these patients was 19.4 mm longer than the volunteers and the ir mean upper limb length was 18.9 mm longer than the volunteers. Thes e differences were statistically significant. Conclusion. Patients who se spinal growth was stunted due to disease in childhood have longer l egs and upper limbs than healthy people. A compensatory stimulatory gr owth mechanism may be responsible for this. This has implications for the whole gamut of childhood spinal disorders that result in stunted s pinal growth.