Implant for Lengthening Limbs

A patented intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor system (ISKD) designed for use in limb-lengthening procedures relies on the body's own ability to heal itself through the process of distraction osteogenesis.

The telescoping tubular structure of the ISKD system is completely implanted inside the bone to be lengthened, so only the patient and surgeon know the bone is being lengthened. A magnetic sensor monitors limb-lengthening progress on a daily basis. After lengthening is complete, the system stabilizes the lengthened bone. It is the product of Orthofix (Curacao), which has been working with surgeons at the University of Verona (Italy) on limb-lengthening for many years. The ISKD system has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As a result of advances in technology, limb-lengthening is now a much more simplified procedure for correcting limb-length inequality, even of small amounts, which otherwise could very well lead to back pain problems later in life for patients. "Equally important, many of these same limbs that may have been candidates for amputation in the past can now be salvaged and lengthened, and their function restored because of this new technology,” said J. Dean Cole, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, co-inventor of the ISKD system, and president of Orthodyne, from which Orthofix has an exclusive license for the ISKD system.






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