ORTHOPEDICS
Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Surgery
Adult and Pediatric
Surgeons specializing in limb reconstruction and lengthening treat complex pathologies affecting the upper and lower limbs, encompassing a wide variety of causes, such as sequelae of trauma, infections, congenital or acquired deformities, and bone loss.
These procedures require advanced knowledge of the latest advancements in reconstructive orthopedics. While there is overlap with other areas—such as traumatology, foot and ankle, pediatric orthopedics, orthopedic oncology, and upper extremity—limb reconstruction and lengthening constitute a unique and distinct orthopedic subspecialty.
This area is based on the principles of deformity correction and the recognition of functional relationships between the hip, knee, and ankle, seeking biomechanical alignment and balance of the limbs.
Distraction osteogenesis and soft tissue traction are fundamental techniques used to correct deformities, bone defects, length discrepancies (anisomelia) and sequelae of infection, following the principles of the Ilizarov method.
Both external fixation and internal fixation can be used, with the aim of preserving the limb and joint, avoiding amputation whenever possible.
Guided by biological and mechanical principles, surgeons in this field treat everything from simple deformities to complex cases, such as multiapical deformities in multiple segments, with associated bone loss or infection.
This is a subspecialty that differs from other areas of orthopedics, being frequently consulted by other colleagues when faced with challenging cases, offering alternative, complementary and highly personalized solutions for each patient.
Dr. Henrique Carvalho de Resende
Main Conditions Treated
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Complex fractures with bone loss or extensive soft tissue injury
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Infected fractures
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Delayed fracture healing
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Pseudarthrosis (nonunion)
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Residual deformities from malunited fractures
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Limb shortening secondary to bone injury or fractures
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Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
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Severe joint deformities with contractures
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Congenital malformations:
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Achondroplasia and other causes of short stature
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Skeletal dysplasias
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Congenital clubfoot
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Congenital short femur
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Fibular and tibial hemimelia
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Angular deformities of the limbs
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Limb length discrepancies (upper or lower limbs)
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Brachymetatarsia and brachypodactyly
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Rickets and deformities due to osteometabolic and endocrine disorders
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Deformities caused by mucopolysaccharidoses
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Short stature
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Joint stiffness
