Leg lengthening in children.

Leg lengthening techniques, imported from Russia and Europe, have developed during the past 10 years in North America and have matured to become an accepted method of treating leg length discrepancy. The use of these techniques for stature lengthening in dwarfism is somewhat less widespread. A review of published reports indicates a maturation in the field of leg lengthening, with more focused studies on larger cohorts of patients having the same pathology. Long-term follow-up studies are forthcoming, and there is still extensive room for basic research. Precise indications and limits for lengthening in femoral hypoplasia and fibular hemimelia are unclear, and await additional reporting. Future research needs to include outcome studies, hardware improvements, implantable lengthening devices, and a better understanding of the basic science behind lengthening of both bone and soft tissues.