My twelve year-old son had an intramedullary rod (“nail”) implanted last Friday for a congenital short femur. Condition was treated at age five with an 8.5h surgery to correct the hip socket, femur rotation, and super knee. (Google Dr. Dror Paley — this stuff is crazy.) This is the process to correct the length/growth difference. We are hoping to achieve 4-5cm in total lengthening, but there are complications sometimes which prevent reaching the goal.
Procedure was about two hours to install, with pretty tough pain afterwards. One night hospital stay, followed by wheelchair/crutches during the process. He cannot put any weight on it or it will jeopardize the outcome. We’ll begin lengthening 3x daily at 0.33mm per session tomorrow - after we reach the goal length, it will be another two months while the bone heals. Then, the nail will be removed.
