One of the potential complications of leg lengthening is stretch of the peroneal nerve by the outside of the knee. This is especially common in achondroplastic dwarfs who are undergoing large amounts of lengthening. To avoid permanent nerve injury, it is important to make a timely diagnosis of the problem.
At the ICLL, we have pioneered the use of a pressure specified sensory device as an "early warning sign" to detect these problems in their early stages. If reducing the distraction rate does not resolve the problem, we surgically decompress the nerve. This allows us to continue lengthening safely. The ICLL surgeons have developed new approaches that enable this procedure to be performed through a small incision and yet thoroughly decompress the tight nerve.
