Now, the limb lengthening mechanism in LON methodology works with two devices, an internal intramedullary nail that is attached to a mono-lateral type external fixator. During the Limb Lengthening Surgery by LON Methodology, an intramedullary nail is surgically embedded into the bone by the surgeon, and an external fixator device is attached to the intramedullary nail, from the outside of the leg.
Once the LON apparatus is surgically attached to the patient’s legs; soon after 3-5 days of post-surgery hospitalisation, the lengthening period begins at the hospital, whereby the external fixator is elongated or distracted by 1 mm per day, allowing the patient’s bone to separate, with the intramedullary nail inside their bones. The biggest advantage of having an intramedullary nail in this method is that it helps in correcting any angular bone deformity, during this lengthening phase, as well.
Within 60 to 80 days of lengthening, elongation of the bone is stopped, and we let the bone start to heal between the gaps created; and once there is ample weight-bearing bone consolidation, usually 30 to 45 days after the lengthening has been stopped; the doctors could remove the external fixator devices. This allows for quicker recovery time, in comparison to purely external fixator methods.
The preference is to operate one leg at a time, or both legs can be done together but the duration of stay becomes more.
