Bone-lengthening device helps children with bone trauma

Medical device will make bone-lengthening process easier for children

A Texan orthopaedic surgeon has created a device that can lengthen the bones of young children. It is thought that the patent-pending internal device will make the procedure less traumatic for the child and lead to fewer infections.

The inventor, Amr Abdelgawad, works at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso). His device offers benefits over the current process which involves cutting the bone in half and inserting a tubular frame –  which is joined to the broken bone using large pins – around the limb for up to nine months. As the frame pulls the bones apart new bone tissue forms in between.

Abdelgawad’s device removes the need for the bulky frame or the pins. It is also said to be the first device that can be used on children with growth plates. Currently they are unable to undergo internal bone-lengthening procedures due to potential plate damage and the fact that growth would be impeded. Abdelgawad’s device is entirely internal. It involves the single implantation of a thin, metal plate that attaches alongside the bone with screws whilst a handheld remote control allows the patient to adjust the rod to extend slowly over time, extending the bone.

"This is going to give children who need it access to bone-lengthening,” said Abdelgawad to Laboratory Equipment. “It’s going to help those who suffer from skeletal deformities like dysplasia, limb-length discrepancies or those who have suffered from bone trauma.”