UK Boy Has New Surgery to Make His Leg Longer

A young boy in the UK has had a special surgery to make his leg longer. He had a condition where one leg was much shorter than the other. Doctors used a new tool that can be controlled from outside the body to help his leg grow.
By Newsroom | Health, United Kingdom |

A nine-year-old boy in the United Kingdom has become the first to undergo a pioneering surgical procedure designed to lengthen his leg. The treatment, a form of extramedullary femoral lengthening, was performed at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust. The surgery addresses a congenital condition that resulted in a significant difference in leg length, with implications for the child's mobility and long-term health.

The case of Alfie Phillips, a boy from Northampton, highlights a new approach to treating fibular hemimelia, a rare condition affecting the development of the fibula bone in the lower leg. This condition, which occurs in fewer than one in 40,000 births, led to Alfie's right leg being substantially shorter than his left. The decision to pursue this specific surgical method followed consultation with specialists and consideration of potential risks, including issues with hip and joint development.

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Medical Background and Patient History

Alfie Phillips was diagnosed with fibular hemimelia within the first six months of his birth. His mother, Laura Ducker, noted that the leg length difference became more pronounced over time. After learning about Nick Peterson, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Alder Hey, through a support group, the family pursued treatment.

  • Condition: Fibular hemimelia, impacting right leg development.

  • Initial Discrepancy: Right leg more than an inch shorter than the left.

  • Diagnosis Timeline: Within six months of birth.

  • Treatment Initiation: March of the previous year.

  • Surgical Approach: Extramedullary femoral lengthening, a technique developed in the United States.

The surgical team at Alder Hey opted for a method involving the implantation of a special lengthening nail, described as a motorized telescopic nail, on the surface of the thigh bone (femur). This implant is designed to be gradually extended using external magnetic forces.

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Surgical Procedure and Device Mechanics

The core of this novel procedure lies in the use of an implantable lengthening nail. This device is affixed to the thigh bone. To achieve lengthening, a magnetic apparatus is applied externally to the leg.

  • Implant: A motorized telescopic nail is placed on the outer surface of the thigh bone.

  • Mechanism: The nail is slowly extended over time.

  • Activation: External magnets are used to manipulate the nail.

  • Application: The magnetic device was applied three times daily for a period of one month.

  • Initial Outcome: The procedure has resulted in a gain of approximately 3 centimeters in leg length for Alfie.

The treatment process also involved physiotherapy, continuing until the nail was removed, which occurred roughly three to four months post-operation.

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Hospital Trust's Role and Future Implications

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust has identified this surgical technique as a significant advancement. The trust has since applied this method to three other children diagnosed with fibular hemimelia, indicating a growing confidence in its efficacy.

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"Extramedullary lengthening will transform how we can treat and care for younger children who need femoral lengthening procedures. Most importantly thanks must go to Alfie and his parents for trusting us with his care." - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust

The hospital administration views this as a breakthrough that will positively alter the approach to treating younger patients requiring femoral lengthening.

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Patient's Current Status and Outlook

Following the surgery and subsequent treatment, Alfie Phillips reports feeling well. He has expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that he is now taller than his friends. His mother, Laura Ducker, also indicated that while her son had not experienced severe problems, the potential for future complications related to hip and joint alignment due to the leg length disparity was a concern.

Expert and Familial Perspectives

The involvement of specialists at Alder Hey, including consultant orthopaedic surgeon Nick Peterson, was crucial. His expertise, identified through online support networks, guided the family's decision-making process. The trust itself has characterized the procedure as "groundbreaking."

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"That leg difference became a lot more significant… While Ms Ducker said her son has 'never really had significant problems' there was a risk of the difference in length causing problems with Alfie’s hips and joints." - Laura Ducker, Alfie's mother, and various reports.

The family's decision to proceed was made after weighing the various treatment options available.

Further Surgical Applications

The success of Alfie's case has led Alder Hey to perform this extramedullary femoral lengthening technique on at least three other children with similar conditions. This suggests a shift in the treatment paradigm for younger patients with leg length discrepancies.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the boy need surgery?
The boy was born with a condition that made one leg much shorter than the other. This could cause problems with walking and his body.
Q: What is the new surgery?
Doctors used a special metal rod inside his leg that can be made longer using magnets from the outside. This helps his leg grow slowly.
Q: Is this surgery safe?
The doctors at Alder Hey Children's Hospital are happy with how the surgery went. They have used this method on other children too.
Q: How is the boy feeling now?
The boy is doing well and is happy with the results. He said he is now taller than his friends.