CORRECTION OF DEFORMITY
What is deformity correction?
Deformity correction is a procedure to straighten a bone that is bent or twisted in a way that is not normal. After the bone is straightened, the arm, leg, or foot has normal alignment and function. Deformities can be corrected in two different ways:
All at once during a surgical procedure (called acute correction) Slowly over the course of several weeks or months (called gradual correction) The doctor will choose the best approach for each patient based on his/her unique situation. Watch this video to learn about Karie journey during her leg-straightening treatment:
How does acute deformity correction work?
During surgery, the doctor makes a cut across the bone to create two separate bone segments. This surgical procedure to cut a bone is called an osteotomy. Then the doctor will straighten the bone.
After the bone is positioned correctly, the doctor inserts an internal device to keep the bone in the corrected position while it heals. The internal device may be an internal nail/rod or a metal plate. Sometimes additional soft-tissue procedures are done at the same time to allow the muscles and nerves to accommodate the correction. After the bone heals, the internal device may be removed during a second surgery.
In some situations, the doctor may use fixator-assisted nailing or fixator-assisted plating to straighten the bone. These two procedures involve temporary application of an external fixator during surgery to hold the bone segments in perfect alignment while an internal nail, rod or plate is applied. The external fixator is then removed at the completion of the surgery, but the internal fixation remains.
How does gradual deformity correction work?
During surgery, an external fixator is applied to the bone. The doctor then cuts the bone (osteotomy) into two separate bone segments and may perform soft-tissue procedures to prepare the muscles and nerves.
After surgery, the patient will be given specific instructions and a schedule for how to adjust the external fixator so that it slowly straightens the bone. This gradual process of slowly separating and straightening the bone segments is called distraction, which means pulling apart. As the two bone segments are slowly pulled apart and straightened, new bone forms in the space between them. The new bone is called regenerate bone.
During the distraction phase, the orthopedic device is adjusted daily or even several times a day so that the bone segments are pulled apart and straightened at a slow rate of approximately 1 mm (0.04 inches) per day. This forces the body to constantly grow new bone and soft tissues such as skin, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. The distraction phase lasts until the bone is straight or corrected. The patient will need to see the doctor every 10 to 14 days during the distraction phase and will start an intensive physical therapy schedule.