Limb Lengthening by Implantable Limb Lengthening Devices

Implantable limb lengthening using noninvasively adjusted telescopic nails dates back to 1983. The newest technology is the Precice (Ellipse Technologies). A retrospective study of the first 65 Precice nails was carried out for the treatment of limb length discrepancy (unilateral) and short stature (bilateral). Successful lengthening was achieved in all patients. There were numerous distraction and hardware complications. Despite these, implantable limb lengthening appears to be the direction for the future of limb lengthening.