Man walks again after limp lengthening surgery
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 17 2022: A 23-year old man from Rayagada of Odisha state, who had difficulty walking because of a defect in his right leg since birth was successfully treated at Apollo Hospital, Health City, Vizag in Andhra Pradesh with a limb lengthening procedure.

According to a release, paediatric orthopaedic surgeon of the hospital Dr V Ravi Chandra examined the patient and found that the right leg was short by 2.5 cm compared to the left leg.

Limb length inequality can arise due to conditions like infection affecting growing bones, fracture situations resulting in bone loss and more commonly due to birth defects, the release explained.

On further evaluation of the patient for the feasibility of surgeiy, it was identified that this patient had only one artery, as instead of three main arteries nourishing the limb, a very rare condition called as Peronea Magna.

Though leg lengthening surgeries are regularly performed at Apollo Hospitals, this case was unique, as blood supply to the limb is dependent only on a single artery.

However with the help of in house vascular surgeons, anaesthesia and critical care team, surgery was carefully planned and executed successfully.

The patient has now made good recovery and achieved limb lengthening, with the help of a Limb Lengthening Device which was removed after the leg lengths were equalised.

He had also completed treatment and is now walling without his previous limp along with an improved cosmesis.

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