This is an internal magnetic screw limb lengthening system by the name PRECISE which lets you control the process slowly until the desired height is achieved.
Internal limb lengthening is when the device used to lengthen the bone is inserted inside the bone. The lengthening device has a small magnetic motor inside it. When the motor is activated by an External Remote Controller (ERC), the device slowly lengthens, and this causes the bone to slowly lengthen.
Previously, the only way to lengthen a bone was to apply a metal scaffolding to the leg called an external fixator. External fixators are metal devices that are attached to the bones with special threaded pins or wires. These threaded pins or wires pass through the skin and muscles and are inserted into the bone. The majority of the lengthening device is outside of the body.
The Precice Lengthening System (NuVasive Specialized Orthopedics, San Diego, CA) consists of a telescoping metal rod, called a lengthening nail, with a magnetic motor inside of it. The nail is inserted through a small incision into the bone canal where the bone marrow is found.
The patient is given a special device called an External Remote Controller (ERC) that is used to make the Precice nail slowly lengthen. The ERC has a magnet inside it that rotates. When the ERC is placed against the leg or arm and turned on, the movement of the magnet inside the ERC causes the magnetic motor inside the Precice to slowly lengthen. When the Precice lengthens, the bone also lengthens.
Typically, the Precice is removed approximately 1 year after insertion. The removal procedure is an outpatient surgery, which means that the patient does not need to
stay in the hospital overnight after the removal. The lengthened bone should be fully and circumferentially healed before considering removal of the Precice.
