Answering "yes" to the following
questions would indicate that you are a potential candidate for the ISKD®.
Although the ISKD® can benefit many individuals in need of limb lengthening,
it is important to recognize that the ISKD® is not appropriate for all
patients. As with any medical procedure, you should consult with your
physician to obtain accurate information specific to your condition.
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Are you skeletally mature? The ISKD® is
only suitable for patients whose growth plates have fused. |
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Are you able and willing to closely follow
the instructions of your surgeon to prepare for the surgery and for post-operative
care? You may need to commit to a regimen of stretching exercises before
surgery. Post-operatively, it will be critical to devote time and attention
to lengthening exercises and monitoring on a regular basis. In addition,
ISKD® patients need to use crutches until their doctor advises otherwise. |
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Are you committed to attending regularly
scheduled post-operative appointments with your surgeon? |
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Other than your limb length condition,
do you have healthy bone quality? Patients with non-unions, obliterated
or irregular intramedullary canals, malignancy or tumor of the affected
bone, poor bone quality or metabolic bone disorders, or active infections
are not good candidates for the ISKD®. |
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Are you in good general health? Patients
with unresolved poly-trauma, massive obesity, peripheral vascular disease,
or cardiac pacemakers may not be appropriate candidates. Smoking, chronic
steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs may have a detrimental effect on
the quality of new bone development. |
