Our Limb Correction Care
Caring for Kids With Limb Differences
At the Nemours Children’s International Limb Correction Center, your child is cared for by a fully integrated team with expertise in limb lengthening surgery and complex limb reconstruction.
Conditions & Treatments
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Advanced Testing and Diagnostics
When it comes to your child, having clear answers matter. We use advanced diagnostic tools to fully understand your child’s condition and guide treatment planning for bone lengthening surgery and deformity correction, including:
- Advanced imaging including low-dose 3D EOS imaging, CT scans, and MRI
- Perinatal and fetal diagnostics for conditions identified before birth
- Genetic testing to identify underlying causes of congenital (present at birth) limb differences.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Many children benefit from nonsurgical care, either on its own or alongside surgery. These options are customized to your child’s needs and designed to support strength, mobility, and independence:
- Rehabilitation therapies (physical and occupational therapy)
- Orthotics and prosthetics (on-site at our hospitals)
- Adaptive equipment
Limb Reconstruction and Lengthening Surgery
You can feel confident knowing your child is cared for by orthopedic specialists with expertise in limb lengthening surgery and complex limb reconstruction using the least invasive approaches possible. Our team treats conditions affecting:
- Upper extremities (arms, forearms, hands, and fingers), including arm lengthening surgery
- Lower extremities (thighs, legs, feet, and toes), including leg lengthening for limb length discrepancy
- Hip, knee, and ankle joints
Limb Lengthening Procedures
Limb lengthening surgery may be recommended when one limb is shorter than the other or when growth needs to be corrected gradually over time. Procedures may include:
- External fixation limb lengthening surgery: Devices outside the body gradually stretch the bone
- Internal fixation limb lengthening surgery: An internal rod (intramedullary or IM fixation) or plates attached to the bone (extramedullary or EM fixation)
Deformity Correction
Used to correct abnormal bone shape or alignment:
- Acute correction: A one-time surgical correction
- Gradual correction: Small adjustments made over time
Comprehensive Reconstructions
For children with more complex limb differences, including:
- Super knee reconstruction: Rebuilding the knee joint and surrounding structures
- Super ankle reconstruction: Rebuilding the ankle and foot
- Rotationplasty: Repurposing part of the leg to function as a knee joint
Hip and Pelvis Procedures
Including:
- Femoral head osteotomy: To reshape the top of the thighbone
- Triple pelvic osteotomy: To realign the pelvis
Upper Limb Procedures
Include techniques such as:
- Ulnarization for radial club hand: Addresses underdevelopment of the forearm bone (radius)
- Other corrections for arm and hand differences
Comprehensive Care Beyond Medicine
Limb differences affect more than the body alone. They can impact family life, emotional well-being, and confidence, especially during more complex treatments like limb lengthening surgery. That’s why our care extends beyond the operating room to include:
- Dedicated care coordinator trained in limb differences guides your family from diagnosis through surgery and recovery
- Close collaboration across orthopedic subspecialties including skeletal dysplasia, hip disorders, upper and lower extremity differences, and foot and ankle conditions
- Specialized pain management programs designed to support healing and rehabilitation
- Nutrition counseling to foster healing, strength, and endurance
- Help navigating resources including financial support and logistics
- Nearby Ronald McDonald House for comfortable, affordable family stays
- Services for international families including travel planning, interpretation, and cultural support
What is leg length discrepancy and how is it treated? Learn more about this condition from the trusted experts at Nemours KidsHealth®.
Limb differences are when an arm or leg is not shaped in the usual way.
Recovery after limb lengthening surgery with an external fixator goes best when you know what to expect.
What happens during limb lengthening surgery with an internal fixator?
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