Lower limb lengthening by a modified Wagner technique.

A series of 50 patients who underwent femoral and tibial lengthenings using the Wagner apparatus is reviewed. Satisfactory gains in leg length with an acceptably low complication rate were achieved. Both substitution of cortical osteotomy for complete osteotomy and delaying of distraction increased callus formation. The particular problems of lengthening the congenital short femur and tibia are discussed.