Ilizarov lengthening of a posttraumatic below elbow amputation stump. A case report.

Lengthening of a nonfunctional posttraumatic below elbow stump via Ilizarov technique is described. Preoperatively, the 5 cm ulna in the residual forearm provided an insufficient lever arm for practical use of a standard below elbow prosthesis. An additional 5 cm of ulnar length was achieved (100% increase) by distraction histogenesis, ultimately limited by impending necrosis of adherent skin covering the tip of the residual limb. Utilizing the Ilizarov technique, ulnar lengthening converted the functional level of the patient's amputation from elbow disarticulation to below elbow status.