ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2024
Evaluation of Physical and Mental Health in Adults Who Underwent Limb-Lengthening Procedures with Circular External Fixators During Childhood or Adolescence.
Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Challenges in Reconstruction and Limb Lengthening Surgery for Congenital Lower Limb Deficiencies.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- The effectiveness of post-lengthening plating after pediatric limb lengthening surgery: a comparative retrospective study.Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica · 2026Article
- Ten-Year Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Anterograde Calcaneo-Stop Arthroereisis for Idiopathic Flexible Flatfoot in Children: A Single-Center Cohort Study.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Long-Term Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life After Microvascular Reconstruction of Ankle and Foot Defects: A Monocentric Controlled Cohort Study.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLower limb length discrepancy (LLD) in children and adolescents, often due to congenital or acquired conditions, is treated to achieve limb equality and alignment, optimizing function and minimizing cosmetic concerns for an active adulthood. This study evaluated the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and physical functioning of adults who underwent unilateral limb lengthening with circular external fixators (EFs) in childhood.
methodsFifty patients treated at a median age of 14.9 years completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Stanmore Limb Reconstruction Score (SLRS) questionnaires in adulthood, with a median follow-up of 8.9 years.
resultsAmong the 50 patients, 38 underwent a single limb lengthening (21 tibia, 12 femur, 5 both), while 12 required multiple cycles. The median residual LLD was 0.4 cm, with 12 patients (24%) having over 2 cm. Complications occurred in 67% of procedures, mainly due to prolonged healing. Physical and mental health scores were significantly lower than normative data. The mean Physical Component Summary was 52.2 ± 7.2 (
conclusionsAdults treated with distraction osteogenesis for congenital LLD show normal physical but lower mental health scores compared to peers. Lengthening procedure characteristics did not significantly impact mental health. Routine psychological and social assessments are recommended to prevent long-term distress by providing appropriate support.
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