Limb Lengthening
Preliminary information on limb lengthening – forearm lengthening – on this page. Information will be added in the future.
We have talked to other parents who had a limb lengthening procedure done (in Palm Beach) after Ulnarization. So far, we have not had this procedure, so we do not have any experience in this matter. If you are interested and have questions about this procedure, please get in touch with us so we can connect you.
We have talked to German doctors regarding limb lengthening, and they commented that they would not be doing forearm limb lengthening before the age of 12-13 years and not without the child’s consent. One clinic even told us they would not do this procedure because the hand would not be functional afterward (Quote: “You will have nice long forearms, but the hands will be like claws”).
The information we have received from Dr. Paley so far is that we should plan two lengthenings for our daughter. The first lengthening can be started around six years of age or older, and the second at about age 12-13.
Relevant Sources and Publications
Natalie has an impressive documentation on her kids lengthening process. Both her kids have had previous Ulnarization surgery with Dr. Paley and followed their treatment with lengthening. See the journey and results on her Instagram page.
Shannon, Claire & Paley, Dror. (2020). Extramedullary Internal Limb Lengthening. Techniques in Orthopaedics. 35. 195-200. 10.1097/BTO.0000000000000466.
Paley, Dror. (2018). Limb reconstruction in the early 21 st century: The indications are broader and wider. Journal of Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction. 4. 65. 10.4103/2455-3719.253397.