Motorized Intramedullary Nail for Management of Limb-length Discrepancy and Deformity

Abstract

Distraction osteogenesis has been used for more than 50 years to address limb-length discrepancy and deformity. Intramedullary fixation has been used in conjunction with external fixation to decrease the time in the external fixator and prevent deformity and refracture. A new generation of motorized intramedullary nails is now available to treat limb-length discrepancy and deformity. These nails provide bone fragment stabilization and lengthening with reliable remote-controlled mechanisms, obviating the need for external fixation. Motorized intramedullary nails allow accurate, well-controlled distraction, and early clinical results have been positive.