RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF LIMB LENGTHENING IN CHILDREN

We report our experience in radiographic imaging in limb lengthening p rocedures using callotasis for limb lengthening discrepancy with the O rthofix dynamic monoaxial external fixator. Seventeen patients (averag e age at operation 10.8 years) completed 22 bone segments (7 femora, 1 1 tibiae, 4 ulnae) lengthening procedures. The average time for format ion of good medullary bridging was over 6 months. The commonest radiog raphic abnormality was a periosteal reaction around the pin sites seen in 14 patients, while evidence of pin loosening was present in 10. Al l patients with pin loosening also showed periosteal reaction which pr e-dated the loosening in 5 of 12 patients by an average of 47 days. An gulation was detected in 9 patients in the a.p. plane, and in 6 in the lateral plane. Six patients developed a ragged radiolucent region thr ough the newly forming bone at an average of 95 days from the corticot omy but with uneventful healing.