Growth patterns after lengthening of congenitally short lower limbs in young children

The purpose of this study was to assess growth patterns after lengthening o f the congenitally short femur or tibia in children younger than 6 years. T wenty such children underwent 28 bone segment lengthenings (13 femora and 1 5 tibiae) by distraction osteogenesis. Our results show that femoral length ening in children younger than 6 years does not lead to growth inhibition, whereas isolated femoral lengthening may be associated with growth stimulat ion. Isolated tibial lengthening in children younger than 6 years does not lead to growth inhibition, whereas simultaneous femoral and tibial lengthen ing or two tibial lengthenings in close succession can lead to tibial growt h inhibition.