By Monica Jaramillo
Recently published data indicated use of a custom knee device along with specialized physical therapy offered an effective, economical and noninvasive treatment option for patients following internal femoral lengthening.
Researchers retrospectively evaluated 100 patients (121 limbs) treated for femoral lengthening with the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor (ISKD) as well as underwent mid-diaphyseal osteotomy. After postoperative day 1, patients were mobilized and given permission for a weight bearing of 50 lbs., slowly reaching full weight bearing after two or four cortices were healed completely. In an inpatient setting, the patients attended physical therapy daily. After being discharged, patients had physical therapy in an outpatient setting five times a week. Once a knee flexion contracture of at least 10° was observed, a custom knee device was applied.The researchers obtained patients’ demographics, limb-shortening etiology and lengthening parameters. Additionally, outcome measures such as knee range of motion — which was measured with a standard goniometer with the patient in the supine position with 10° to 15° of hip flexion — were recorded.
