Patients undergoing femoral lengthening by external fixation
tolerate treatment less well when compared to tibial lengthening.
Lengthening of the femur with an intramedullary device may have
advantages. We reviewed all cases of simple femoral lengthening performed
at our unit from 2009 to 2014. Cases of nonunions, concurrent deformities,
congenital limb deficiencies and lengthening with an unstable hip
were excluded, leaving 33 cases (in 22 patients; 11 patients had
bilateral procedures) for review. Healing index, implant tolerance
and complications were compared.Aims
Patients and Methods
We performed two independent, randomised, controlled trials in order to assess the potential benefits of immediate weight-bearing mobilisation after rupture of the tendo Achillis. The first trial, on operatively-treated patients showed an improved functional outcome for patients mobilised fully weight-bearing after surgical repair. Two cases of re-rupture in the treatment group suggested that careful patient selection is required as patients need to follow a structured rehabilitation regimen. The second trial, on conservatively-treated patients, provided no evidence of a functional benefit from immediate weight-bearing mobilisation. However, the practical advantages of immediate weight-bearing did not predispose the patients to a higher complication rate. In particular, there was no evidence of tendon lengthening or a higher re-rupture rate. We would advocate immediate weight-bearing mobilisation for the rehabilitation of all patients with rupture of the tendo Achillis.
